FX5800 Initial Impressions

[nRollo]

ATI could learn something from MSI on packaging. This was the most impressive I've seen: briefcase size, foldout cover, games and utilities come in jewel cases, top notch packing.

3dMark2001 10X7X32, high detail: R9700Pro: 13400 FX5800: 12400

UT2003: Couldn't tell the difference at my normal settings, 11X8X32, high details, 4X AF. Added Quincunx AA, still worked fine, looked great. Not as good as R9700Pro at max detail, but I didn't play at those settings due to speed issues anyway.

Spiderman:The Movie: Looked, played great.

That is all the gaming I've done.

Of note: I don't think the fan has kicked into gear while running games or benchmarks, 400/400 must be cool enough. I have heard it, it turns up at boot, it's louder than the 9700, but not annoying. (it's not FlowFX, new design)

So far no regrets going from 9700 Pro to FX5800 Rogo. Like I thought, you have to crank up AA/AF/res to level I didn't use with 9700Pro to see difference.
(I'll collect my $5 after a week or two if I feel the same. )

 

[Schadenfroh]

I need for them to get cheaper so i can get one, guess that is not so seeing that they are being phased out.

 

[SickBeast]

I prefer ATi myself, but I have to admit that it looks like the geforce cards will perform better in doom3, which is the future of pc gaming for the next while.

 

[nRollo]

I think they made 100,000, so you should get an opportunity to buy one for less. I was just playing GTA3 12X10X32, Quincunx, 4x AF, ran great, looked great.
For a card that launched at $299.99 MSRP, this thing is definitely excellent.

I like ATI as well, but felt like changing for a while.

 

[Shamrock]

So Rollo,

You still will be buying the 5900 Ultra when it comes out or you sticking with this one?

 

[nRollo]

You still will be buying the 5900 Ultra when it comes out or you sticking with this one?

I guess that depends on how well I like this one when the 5900 Ultras come out, and if they debut at $585. here like they are in Japan. I won't pay that much for a VGA, because 8 months is the longest I've ever had one.
I may keep this till nV40/R400/Doom3 come out, and decide then.

 

[Harabecw]

isn't the 5800 supposed to go to 500/500 while in games?

 

[titanmiller]

Originally posted by: Harabecw
isn't the 5800 supposed to go to 500/500 while in games?

Thats the ultra model.

 

[Harabecw]

ah, I thought he did get the ultra.

 

[nRollo]

I got the regular model, although I did see 3 reviews that said they clocked this card (reference 5800) to Ultra levels with no issue. Stock on this is 400/400. I will check out the OCing in days to come.
The Ultra models all had FlowFX , and I guess when it got down to it, I didn't want to go through the hassle of changing again if I agreed with everyone else that it is annoying.
Beyond that, it's like trying to find a leprechaun to find someone who has them in stock, and the few there are the vendors were jacking the price due to scarcity.

 

[gururu]

So I don't get it Rollo. Was their a reason for switching or keeping the 5800? Pure curiosity?

 

[FluxCap]

I prefer ATi myself, but I have to admit that it looks like the geforce cards will perform better in doom3, which is the future of pc gaming for the next while.

Correction, Half Life 2 is the future in my opinion.

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: FluxCap

I prefer ATi myself, but I have to admit that it looks like the geforce cards will perform better in doom3, which is the future of pc gaming for the next while.

Correction, Half Life 2 is the future in my opinion.

BOO YA! HL2!!! Doom who??

 

[nRollo]

So I don't get it Rollo. Was their a reason for switching or keeping the 5800? Pure curiosity?

I'm not sure I understand the question?
I wanted a new VGA because I was bored with the 9700Pro, and like to try new VGAs.
I didn't want to wait for a 5900Ultra, especially when I heard they're price gouging on them again. ($589 vs $499MSRP)
I saw the 5800 regs had a new quiet cooling setup, and wanted to try the card I have been defending like a rabid pitbull in all the "nV30 suxorz" posts.

I'm glad I did, it's a pretty good card, definitely better than all the people who have never tried one say.

 

[Wurrmm]

You go Rollo!! Couldn't wait for the 5900U huh??? My GF3 Ti500 will last me until then...but it had better be soon......I have been quite temped to get a 9800pro lately to compliment my new system.

 

[Shamrock]

Beyond that, it's like trying to find a leprechaun to find someone who has them in stock, and the few there are the vendors were jacking the price due to scarcity.

HEY!!! I am a Leprechaun!!!

 

[BFG10K]

This was the most impressive I've seen: briefcase size, foldout cover, games and utilities come in jewel cases, top notch packing.

That's how my 9700's packaging was. In fact, it was a briefcase and it even had two fold-out handles.

Like I thought, you have to crank up AA/AF/res to level I didn't use with 9700Pro to see difference.

To this day it's a shame you never took the opportunity to truly experience the 9700 Pro how it was meant to be used.

Your purchase decision was rather bizarre and illogical but nevertheless, I hope you're happy with your new card.

 

[nRollo]

BFG:

That's how my 9700's packaging was. In fact, it was a briefcase and it even had two fold-out handles.

Hmmm. Must not have got it at Best Buy like I did.

To this day it's a shame you never took the opportunity to truly experience the 9700 Pro how it was meant to be used

Well, the way you use it anyway. I tried a variety of settings, settled on what worked best for me.

Your purchase decision was rather bizarre and illogical but nevertheless, I hope you're happy with your new card.

That probably depends on how you use your card? My UT2003 seems to run the same at the settings I run at, and it looks like Doom3 will run better on this card than ATI?
Mostly, just felt like trying something new.

 

[Pete]

Rollo, how's the signal quality (text definition/legibility)? Did you try the auto OC feature? Ante P on B3D says his 5800 auto-OC's to 5800U levels.

 

[nRollo]

Pete:

Rollo, how's the signal quality (text definition/legibility)? Did you try the auto OC feature? Ante P on B3D says his 5800 auto-OC's to 5800U levels.

I think the text is excellent.
I have not OCd yet, got it last night, my project for tonite was fdisk/format.
I've seen 3 reviews that say the same about Ultra levels, I'll be trying it.

 

[touchmyichi]

why do you need a 5800 if you already have a 9700 pro is what i'm wondering?

 

[nRollo]

why do you need a 5800 if you already have a 9700 pro is what i'm wondering?

I was tired of the 9700Pro, sold it to a buddy for $225..

All I have now for VGAs is the FX5800 and my 3 year old has a Ti4200.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Wurrmm
You go Rollo!! Couldn't wait for the 5900U huh??? My GF3 Ti500 will last me until then...but it had better be soon......I have been quite temped to get a 9800pro lately to compliment my new system.

The NVidia rep. I talked to tonight at the AMD Tech Tour event I went to says it'll be out the first week of July. Along with the GF FX 5600 Ultra 256MB I want... I can't wait!

 

[bjorn]

what is the biggest diff on the 5800 vanilla and the 5900 that will show up in some weeks in direct x stuff and so on
what i have read and understood it wont be so big performance diff on them.

 

[bluemax]

$300+ for 640x480x16? Man, that's expensive VGA!

In 1987, IBM introduced the Video Graphics Array (VGA) display system. This has become the accepted minimum standard for PCs. Some VGA monitors are still in use today. The maximum resolution depends on the number of colors displayed. You can choose between 16 colors at 640 x 480, or 256 colors at 320 x 200. All IBM-compatible computers support the VGA standard.

Whew... maybe you should buy a modern video card instead.