6850vs5850

[purple stain]

I was looking to getting a new card,but i can't decide on wether to ge the 6850 or 5850.I've heard their performance is very close.And i am looking to O.C. it

Phenom ii x4 965
4g ram ddr3
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX

Intrested in this new 6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

And this 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125318&cm_re=5850-_-14-125-318-_-Product


I would like the price tage to stay below $230.

Playing BFBC 2, starcraft 2,crysis,COD black ops.I was leaning tward the 6850 because it is newer but what it comes down to is which one will perform better after an O.C.

 

[aznshinobi]

If you plan to only use a single card, so a single 5850 or a single 6850 w/o plans to CF. Then go with the 5850. Be sure though that you get the DirectCu version. NOT ANY OTHER MODEL. The DirectCu, Twin Frozr II and Reference models are the ONLY 5850's with voltage tweak and OC. That Gigabyte would leave you un-ocable. I clocked my reference 5850 to 1000/1205. At that max OC, the card is basically a 5870 plus a bit more umf.

The 6850 is good, but at single card, it's less powerful than the 5850. It does scale better though in CF than the 5850. The 6850 is more like a 5770 with more kick, the way I look at it. It does however OC well and gets too the 1000 core clock mark. You and Gigabyte... Get the DirectCu version or the MSI version. Both have voltage tweaking and great heatsinks and they OC well. Here is a review on the 6850.

6850 DirectCu: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/Radeon_HD_6850_Direct_Cu/31.html

5850 DirectCu: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/EAH_5850_TOP_DirectCu/31.html

So in short, 6850 if you plan to CF 5850 if you just single card. (BTW They didn't show it but the 5850 DirectCu could OC to 1000, they just didn't want to use more voltage.

 

[purple stain]

Thanks for the help,i do plan to CF in time, so i should go with a 6850 then?

 

[re-play-]

Thanks for the help,i do plan to CF in time, so i should go with a 6850 then?

yes

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, grab the DirectCU HD6850.

 

[wa1]

Another vote for DirectCU HD6850. You can OC it far higher...

 

[aznshinobi]

Yup yup, get the Directcu 6850.

 

[HostileDonut]

I would say even without XF the hd6850 would be better. I have heard that the hd6850 is a great OCer and can beat the hd6870 when OCed. The hd6870 is better than the hd5850.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yes but the 5850 is an OC beast as well... if 6850 OC'd barely beats 6870 and 6870<5870. And the 5850 OC'd > 5870. So with that info. 5850 max OC'd > 6850 max OC'd. IMO of course, you don't have to believe it.

 

[HostileDonut]

Oh okay. Well I was thinking that because I heard it was really good at OCing.

 

[purple stain]

One last thing,i realized that i am limited to a card that only requires 1-6pin connector so i'm somewhat forced to go with a 6850 but i'm not complain'n.
Would my Apevia 500 watt(34amp/12v) be able to run this card with the rest of the system?I've heard that Apevia PSU's are questionable about their quality.

 

[HostileDonut]

I would suggest a 500w corsair builder series.

 

[purple stain]

I was thinking of a seasonic 520watt but i'd rather not upgrade, if i don't have to

 

[HostileDonut]

Well a corsair 500w builder series would let you install a 5850.

 

[jyjjy]

Even a poor 500w should be ok for an HD6850.

 

[purple stain]

Best answer selected by purple stank.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey