What's best.. ATI 5770 or 5870 1GB Graphics Card?

i have buy new mac pro, i'm looking @ 3.2 quad-core 16gb ram. run large image files many layers in cs5 extended , moving cs6 extended. of image management through lr4 several plug-ins.  ati 5870 1gb card worth $150 upgrade price on ati 5770. i'd prefer wait new mac pro models coming in 2013 have make living. i've been using ati 5770/1gb no issues on 2.66 macpro running mountain lion. i'm running dual nec 27" pa271w displays. 

the upgrade price see in apple store $200 5870.

 

personally, i'd skip 5870 gpu upgrade (which understand runs loud , hot , power hog) , grab 6 core upgrade $500 instead. ram quad core 3.2ghz runs @ 1066mhz , 6 core 3.33ghz ram runs @ 1333mhz.

 

so $300 difference (vs quad core 5870) pick 50% more processing power across board.

 

check out www.barefeats.com speed comparisons 1 http://www.barefeats.com/pscs6.html

 

pscs6 features mercury graphics engine (mge) takes great advantage of gpu, filters accelerated: http://forums.adobe.com/message/4289204#4289204

 

for money macpro that's faster on fronts better deal. can swap out gpu later, cpu best ordered up-front. have 2010 6 core 3.33 westmere , combined ssd runing os , apps, sings. plus price has come down quite lot on 6-core option 2012 models (used cost additional $1200 think).

 

here's digilloyd's take on macpro configuration http://macperformanceguide.com/mac-howtoconfigureamacpro.html note suggests 24-48gb of ram intensive photoshop work.

 

here's barefeats test (from sept 2010, these old gpus) http://www.barefeats.com/wst10g7.html

 

and you'll see while 5870 beats 5770 things (but ties on many), 6-core 3.33ghz westmere beats else on list -- , twice overall speed of 2.66ghz quad-core 2006 5770.

 

hope helps!

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