Recently we had the opportunity to review and benchmark AMD’s newly released mid range GPU the HD 5770, originally code named Juniper.
The card, which is based on AMD’s new 40nm manufacturing process, features exactly half the stream processors (800), texture units (40), ROPs (16) memory bus bandwidth (128 bit) and transistor count (1.04 billion) of the company’s current flagship Direct X 11 graphics card – the HD 5870.
In terms of core and memory clock the HD 5770 runs at 850 MHz and 1.2GHz respectively which makes it a higher clocking card than the outgoing HD 4870.
Physically speaking the HD 5770 is identical in length to the outgoing HD 4800 GPU series, measuring roughly 5cm shorter than AMD’s high end HD 5870 offering. The card is powered from a single 6-pin power connector and features twin DVI and HDMI visual outputs. At idle the HD 5770 draws roughly 18 Watts of power, which means that it runs relatively quiet when using the PC for daily tasks such as browsing. At load it clocked in at 108 Watts.
Although the size of the ventilation grill has been reduced due to four different visual outputs being included, the card has dual cooling ducts which serve well to reduce operating temperatures and power consumption. Beneath the cover lies a 70mm radial fan which supplies a small heatsink with fresh air.
Performance
Test Rig
CPU: AMD Phenom II 945 3.0GHz
Motherboard: Biostar TA790GX A3+ 5.x
RAM: 2X2GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Cards
Nvidia GTX 295
AMD HD 5870
AMD HD 4870 X2
AMD HD 4890
AMD HD 4870
AMD HD 5770
Crysis Warhead at 1920×1200 4xAA Enthusiast Settings
Nvidia GTX 295- 34.5fps
AMD HD 5870- 29.5 fps
AMD HD 4870 X2- 23.5 fps
AMD HD 4890- 20 fps
AMD HD 4870- 18 fps
AMD HD 5770- 16 fps
Crysis Warhead at 1680×1050 4xAA Enthusiast Settings
Nvidea GTX 295- 40.5 fps
AMD HD 5870- 35.5 fps
AMD HD 4870 X2- 27.5 fps
AMD HD 4890- 25.5 fps
AMD HD 5770- 23 fps
AMD HD 4870- 22.5 fps
Judging by the results, in Crysis the HD 5770 compares closely to the HD 4870. The card did however perform better at a lower resolution owing to the fact that it has been designed for the mid range market.
More playable frame rates could be achieved by deactivating antialiasing.
Far Cry 2 at 1920×1200 4xAA – Ultra High Quality
Nvidea GE Force GTX 295 – 57.5 fps
AMD HD 5870- 57 fps
AMD HD 4870 X2- 54.5 fps
AMD HD 4890- 42.5 fps
AMD HD 5770- 41 fps
AMD HD 4870- 35 fps
Far Cry 2 at 1680×1050 4xAA – Ultra High Quality
Nvidea GE Force GTX 295- 65 fps
AMD HD 5870- 68 fps
AMD HD 4870 X2- 69 fps
AMD HD 4890- 49 fps
AMD HD 5770- 43 fps
AMD HD 4870- 42 fps
Conclusion
The benchmark results support the belief that the HD 5770 offers performance almost equal to that of the current HD 4870 but at a greater price. The card carries a local RRP of R1999, in which case gamers would essentially be paying a premium in order to take advantage of Direct X 11.
The reality is that purchasing an HD 4870 would give gamers the same, if not better performance overall for a reduced price. Although Direct X 11 is an exciting prospect the market is yet to see the release of a game which supports it.
The HD 5770 is a capable mid-range gaming graphics card. Unfortunately its biggest obstacle is the outgoing HD 4870 which offers similar performance at a lower price point.
Scores
Overall: 75
Performance: 80
Value: 70
Features: 75
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