ATI Radeon HD5670
Noise, and Conclusion
Published: 14th January 2010 | Source: ATI | Price: $99 / £60 rrp |
Noise Levels
Given that this is very likely to be used in an HTPC system, or for those on limited budgets who are unlikely to have immense aluminium cases with water cooling, noise is a vital factor. We're pleased to report that despite the svelte proportions of the cooler it copes admirably. During testing we saw a maximum temperature of only 66c with the fan set to 50%. Even at 50% it was very quiet indeed and a far cry from some of the audible tyranny we've been subjected to from other solutions.
A Pre-Conclusion Warning
If you're one of those types who has skipped here from page one, then stop and read now. If you're one of those people who just glances at the score, it is time to read too.
Because information about the HD5670 is held under a non-disclosure agreement the only pricing information we have available at the time of going to press is the official price from ATI themselves. The RRP in the US is $99. At the current exchange rate this translates to a UK price of £60. It is at this £60 price point that we shall be summing up and scoring.
Should the normal US/UK conversion apply (which boils down to a company exchanging the $ for a £) and it hit these shores at £99, then our thoughts are hugely different and we'll give a quick summation of that after the score.
The Conclusion
There certainly is a lot to like about the HD5670.
Firstly as a HTPC solution it is easily powerful enough to handle HD content. With a small 170mm length it should fit in the most compact of chassis, although without a low-height bracket it naturally isn't suited for extreme "content providing only" HTPCs. With three different outputs, including the very important HDMI, it is capable of delivering media to almost any display.
Most vitally, for both gamers and the silent movie crowd, is that the card itself runs cool and quiet. Only 66c when being run to its silicon limits by Dirt 2 or Crysis Warhead is impressive indeed, and ensures that under the much less stressful media providing application it definitely will be silent.
As a budget all-rounder or even gaming card, the results speak for themselves. Crysis was only 2fps short of our arbitrary limit, but otherwise all of our games allowed 30fps or better average at the rather meaty 1920x1200 resolution, and with AA in most cases too. With slightly older games this would be good, with two of the latest games around it's exceptional.
Because this is a pre-release sample minus retail packaging we have had to omit a score for presentation. Our performance score is not a pure rating, but one based upon a "bang for buck". Obviously it doesn't compare to a 5870 or similar, but then it isn't priced to.
Pros
- Good performance
- Quiet
- Connectable
Mediocre
- Price (at £60 is okay, any more and it'll be a con)
Cons
- It's not the best value gaming card, although at this price you wouldn't expect it to be.
This score is based upon the converted £60 price point, which makes it a fairly easy recommendation as a budget solution. Should it reach the UK at a higher price it becomes much harder to recommend. Especially in the current market with the still excellent 4870 available for around the £100 mark.
Our thanks go to ATI for providing us with todays sample and the opportunity for an early look. Discuss in our forums.
Most Recent Comments
It's performed very much as expected although I can't help but feel that the frame rate drop with Anti Aliasing is slightly abnormal, even for a graphics card of it's calibre. We'll see what future driver releases bring to the table.
A RRP is not bargain of the centure but is sensible when compared against the £105-130 pricetag for the HD 5750/5770. Aside being used as a graphics card for a machine for games, it's low power consumption/noise could make it an ideal HTPC or Workstation graphics card. Like it's bigger brothers it still seems to support up to three monitors and so it wins from a productivity perspective as well.
Edit - Retailers have posted their HD 5670's from around £70 upwards
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18102060
Froogle indicates similar pricing from smaller retailers. Disappointing.
Top review
I can get 4850 for $120USD or the 5750 for $160USD, but the 5670 seems like a good deal for $99USD.
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Originally Posted by name='lionsden'
hi i have the ati xfx hd 5670 1gb card and have found that it runs worse than my old nvidia 8500gt 512mb card at counter strike source most maps run at between 30 -35 fps and my old card ran all maps at 70-80 fps wether this is a issue with the drivers or counter strike im not sure but games like dirt 2 fallout 3 modern warfare 2 all maxed out run perfect.
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