Most stable graphics update for 285?

[juliancs]

I'm reading around here and don't mind learning how to flash/solder a few things, but am wondering what the best (gaming) upgrade would be for me, running a 285 at the moment. Stable as in stability in steam/games - boot screen not necessary, but would be nice...

 

[Cindori]

5870.

 

[cluthz]

Considering the price of a 5870 there isn't much justifying upgrading from a GTX285.

Benchmarks on mac:
http://www.barefeats.com/wst10g6.html

The 5870 is indeed faster, but is it worth spending money to get a 25-30% upgrade?

 

[Cindori]

I guess PC 6870 + overclocking it to perform on par to 5870 is the reasonable option.

or wait for full 6950 support.

 

[juliancs]

I guess PC 6870 + overclocking it to perform on par to 5870 is the reasonable option.

or wait for full 6950 support.

Any idea how far away/close that is?

 

[Cindori]

for certain: when apple releases new mac pro, prob Q1 2011 now that SB xeons are delayed

perhaps: drivers are released earlier in developer preview of 10.7.3

 

[goMac]

5870.

Beat me to it.

 

[juliancs]

for certain: when apple releases new mac pro, prob Q1 2011 now that SB xeons are delayed

perhaps: drivers are released earlier in developer preview of 10.7.3

Cheers

 

[derbothaus]

Considering the price of a 5870 there isn't much justifying upgrading from a GTX285.

Benchmarks on mac:
http://www.barefeats.com/wst10g6.html

The 5870 is indeed faster, but is it worth spending money to get a 25-30% upgrade?

There is a larger disparity on Windows and DX10 between a GTX285 and a Radeon 5870. DX9 they are pretty close, GTX285 can't do DX11 as the 5870 can. These may be concerns if Win gaming.
OP:
If you are gaming in OS X don't bother with the upgrade unless you are getting a bigger screen or something. Wait for the next GPU upgrade refreshes.