HD 5850 or HD 6850

[yummerzzz]

So, I've narrowed my choices to these two cards, the latter being more expensive and stock, while the HD 5850 being a HD 5850 Sapphire Xtreme Edition, but was wondering if it requires two 6-pin PCIE power connectors, this is not really a problem, but I was wanting to get a GPU that only need 1, not a req., just a preference.

I was also wondering if the HD 6850 only needs one, as it only uses 127W, as opposed to the Hd 5850's 151W, and , is the what temperatures would I expect from these cards, would the HD 5850 be cooler as it uses a sapphire cooler? Is the HD 6850 worth the Extra £15 if it is less powerful?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

~post.

 

[geekapproved]

HD5850 is the faster card.

Mine runs cool. When I had it overclocked (775/1100) it never went over 55c when gaming even for hours. That was with 50% fan speed.

Yes it requires 2 pci-e connectors, but you can use molex adaptor that comes with the card.

HD6850 I believe uses something like 50w less under full load so it requires only one 6 pin connect. I'm pretty sure bout the 1 connector but not positive.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2011-gaming-graphics-charts/compare,2678.html?prod%5B4823%5D=on&prod%5B4853%5D=on

 

[yummerzzz]

Thanks, it should also be able to run fine on my PSU, since the GTX 460 uses more power, and it says the PSU can handle a GTX 460, and you seem to be running it with a 380W.

What games do you play btw?, and can you usually max them with 25+fps?

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, the HD5850 is the better card. The main advantage of the HD6850 is improved crossfire scaling although that just basically evens out the initial performance difference when using two cards.
The HD5850 xtreme should run cooler than a reference HD 6850 as well:

 

[yummerzzz]

Thanks, I won't be doing CF any time soon, or if ever.

 

[yummerzzz]

Btw, my system comes Pre-Built with OS installed, but I plan to install the GPU myself, and was wondering if it could somehow stop my computer from running Windows 7? Or need a new copy?

Whoops, sorry for the double Post.

 

[rivman]

i dont understand your question yummerzzz

 

[jyjjy]

It shouldn't give you any problems. Just DL the latest drivers from AMD. If you are currently using an Nvidia card then uninstalling those drivers first and running driversweeper is a good idea;
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Driver-Sweeper-%28Setup%29_d1655.html
FYI at overclockclub they managed to OC the card up to 1ghz on the core which is a huge 38% increase(not sure why they say it's only 19% in the article);
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5830_hd5850/5.htm

 

[yummerzzz]

I mean, i heard somewhere that if you change your Computers components you need to re-install Windows 7, IE buy another copy, is this true?

 

[jyjjy]

You would need to change a main component like the motherboard for that but even then you can do it a few times I believe before running into issues and in general you can just call MS and they will give you a code to use to make it work again anyway.

 

[rivman]

no yummerzzz
if you install any component to an OEM(i.e HP,Dell,etc...)you dont need to install the OS again
only if you switch the motherboard or something then i think so...

 

[Embra]

As a single card solution, definitely the 5850.

 

[geekapproved]

Thanks, it should also be able to run fine on my PSU, since the GTX 460 uses more power, and it says the PSU can handle a GTX 460, and you seem to be running it with a 380W.

What games do you play btw?, and can you usually max them with 25+fps?

Just because I'm running it on a 380w doesn't mean you can. I have a very low power cpu and motherboard and it's a high quality psu, not a cheapo that would be marked as a 500w unit.

Look at the charts you've been shown, those will tell you everything about how it performs.

 

[yummerzzz]

Well, for reference I'm getting a 500W Xigmatek PSU (VC-NPR503).

 

[yummerzzz]

Best answer selected by Yummerzzz.