Unleash the Power of the Radeon HD 5870: Can It Run Modern Games?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Specifications of the Radeon HD 5870
3. Performance in CS:GO
4. Performance in Rainbow Six Siege
5. Performance in Tyson Full 2
6. Performance in Rust
7. Performance in APEX Legends
8. Performance in Team Fortress 2
9. Performance in Minecraft
10. Performance in Valorant
11. VR Performance
12. Should you buy the Radeon HD 5870?

🖥️ Introduction

The Radeon HD 5870, released in September 2009, was a groundbreaking graphics card that took the market by storm. In this article, we will delve into the specifications and performance of this venerable GPU and explore its capabilities in various popular games.

🔍 ## Specifications of the Radeon HD 5870

Before diving into its performance, let's take a closer look at the specifications of the Radeon HD 5870. This graphics card boasted 750 million more transistors than its competitor, the GTX 285, giving it a substantial edge in performance. Additionally, the Radeon HD 5870 featured 6.7 times the number of shaders while maintaining a smaller die size. With these impressive specs, this card quickly became a fan favorite.

💥 Performance in CS:GO

CS:GO, a popular first-person shooter, is known for its demanding graphics requirements. Surprisingly, the Radeon HD 5870 performs exceptionally well in this Game, even on high settings. With minimal stuttering and a consistently high frame rate, the HD 5870 proves its worth as a capable GPU for running CS:GO. Despite having only one gigabyte of VRAM, this graphics card handles the game with ease, without causing any issues.

Performance in Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege, another renowned tactical shooter, poses a slight challenge for the Radeon HD 5870. Although the game warns of insufficient VRAM on lower settings, the HD 5870 manages to deliver an acceptable gaming experience. Running at 1080p with lower settings, the game maintains a steady frame rate, although an unsupported video driver message is displayed consistently. Further reducing the resolution to 960 by 540 significantly improves performance, allowing for smoother gameplay with minimal stuttering.

Performance in Tyson Full 2

Tyson Full 2, a popular fighting game, surprisingly runs smoothly on the Radeon HD 5870 at custom settings, which are predominantly set to low. Even though the game is played at full 1080p, the HD 5870 delivers a stable frame rate, averaging between 70 to 100 fps. This performance is comparable, if not better, than that of newer GPUs such as the 1660 Super.

Performance in Rust

Rust, an open-world survival game, presents a slight challenge for the Radeon HD 5870. While the GPU manages to run the game decently well at mostly low settings, performance may suffer on larger maps with numerous players. Expect an average frame rate of around 40 to 50 fps, with occasional dips, resulting in a somewhat stuttery experience. However, inside buildings, the frame rate remains consistent.

Performance in Apex Legends

Apex Legends, a popular battle royale game, runs at a stable 30 fps on the lowest setting at 1080p. However, the game eventually crashes due to insufficient VRAM. Similar issues persist when attempting to play the game in higher resolutions, such as 8k. Re-launching the game at 720p leads to the same crash, indicating that the Radeon HD 5870 struggles to handle the high demands of Apex Legends.

Performance in Team Fortress 2

Surprisingly, the Radeon HD 5870 performs exceptionally well in Team Fortress 2, a classic first-person shooter. Running at maximum settings, the HD 5870 delivers a smoother gaming experience compared to newer GPUs like the 1660 Super. This unexpected trend continues in games like Minecraft, which we'll explore next.

Performance in Minecraft

Minecraft, a beloved sandbox game, seems to benefit from the Radeon HD 5870's unique capabilities. Running the game with Optifine on max settings and shaders, the HD 5870 outperforms the 1660 Super, a newer GPU. This unexpected phenomenon could be attributed to the HD 5870's greater number of shaders. For those seeking to play Minecraft with shaders, the Radeon HD 5870 might be the ideal choice.

Performance in Valorant

The Radeon HD 5870 performs admirably in Valorant, a popular competitive shooter. Even at lower settings and 1080p resolution, the GPU manages to provide a smooth gaming experience. Frame rates consistently hover above 100 fps and can be further improved by reducing the resolution to 4x3. However, keep in mind that in actual gameplay with more players, the performance might decrease slightly.

VR Performance

Attempting to play VR games with the Radeon HD 5870 proves to be a challenge. The headset fails to display an image, accompanied by warnings of outdated drivers and incompatible display port connectors. Due to the card's age and limited VRAM, it is not recommended for VR gaming.

🤔 Should You Buy the Radeon HD 5870?

In conclusion, the Radeon HD 5870 is a solid choice for gamers on a budget who wish to play modern games at 1080p resolution. While it may struggle with more demanding titles and VR gaming, it excels in games like CS:GO, Minecraft, and Valorant. With its affordability and moderate power consumption, the HD 5870 provides a viable option for those awaiting an upgrade to a more powerful graphics card.

资源

• Tech Radar: Review of the Radeon HD 5870