Solved! Overclocking a 5850m to become a 5870m?

[MiahSoul]

I heard that the 5870 and 5850 are based off the same chip, but the 5850 is simply a lowered clocked version. So therefore it's safe to believe that you can over clock a 5850 to become as powerful or even more powerful than a stock 5870. Right?


Off topic other question I kinda need to throw in. Where do you buy mobile graphics cards? I've search everywhere. @.@

 

[Maziar]

You can OC a 5850 to match 5870's clocks or faster,but its risky and lowers the life span of the VGA and also it will run hotter too.
I think you can find mobile graphic cards in sites like ebay

 

[4745454b]

Keep in mind that even if you get the clock speeds to match, the 5850 still has few shaders then the 5870. It should still be slower.

Mobile graphic cards? Like for a laptop? Most laptops don't allow upgrades like that.

 

[lostandwandering]

Not many places sell GPUs for laptops. They just aren't a common commodity like desktop cards. As Maziar said, you can find used cards on Ebay. Also, try these guys: http/www.mxm-upgrade.com/index.html

 

[MiahSoul]

Yeah, I could only find like 3 5870m's on sale on ebay for 400 dollars a piece. I'm sure that overclocking an 5850 to get close to 5870 performance is more worth it than paying 400 for a 5870.

Thanks for the answers guys.

 

[Maziar]

By paying $400 more for a 5870,you mean that going from a 5850 to a 5870 in a notebook costs $400 more ? if so then what's the model of that notebook ?

 

[MiahSoul]

Yes, the model doesn't include the 5870 as an option, but many people have added it into it by buying it off of ebay for 400 dollars (I suppose). I don't have it YET but it's gonna be a Alienware M15x.

 

[lostandwandering]

Have you looked at the Sager NP8690? Comes with a 5870 and starts at $1299: http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8690-built-clevo-w860cu-custom-gaming-laptop-order-p-2659.html

 

[Maziar]

+1^
The SAGER one has better specs + cheaper