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Ati Radeon HD 68501GB vs 2GB

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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Hello all, this is my first post on tom's hardware. I know this is wordy but I want to make sure proper and sufficient information is given. So thanks in advanced for taking your time. Also if i overlooked a similar post my apologies.

I'm looking into getting a new video card. I want an ATI (AMD) Radeon HD 6850 and can't decide if i want to get a 1GB version or a 2GB version.

I don't play many video games, although I have Skyrim and can't play it at it's full potential. (it's ok 85% of the time but it gets VERY choppy at certain areas and discourages me from playing entirely).

Perhaps I'll decide to want to play more video games in the future but it's very unlikely. I have an Xbox 360.
My monitor is an acer @ 1600 x 900; although I would like the option to play it on my 1080i tv as well.
I am open to other video card suggestions as well as CrossFireX. My budget is under $200, but I want to spend as little as I need, so if you guys tell me a Radeon HD 5770 that cost only $50 will do the trick then I'll get that instead.
If I do CrossFireX I'll get the first card now and the second down the road.
My motherboard has an integrated Radeon HD 4250 with CrossFireX Hybrid support.
I guess bottom line is that I want to play Skyrim now, if I have to get a better video card or second video in the future then I'll do it then.

These are the 2 cards i'm looking at.

SAPPHIRE 100315-2GL Radeon HD 6850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

VisionTek 900486 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I understand it's only a $40 difference but why spend the extra cash if I don't need to?

For what ever it's worth I'll be playing Skyrim on windows 7 64-bit although thats the only time I use windows. I use Linux Mint 12 the rest of the time. If I could get Skyrim to run right in Wine then I wouldn't use windows at all.

My Rig:

AMD Phenom II x6 1055 (2.8Ghz that i sometimes OC to 4.0Ghz, no turbo boost)
ASUS M4A88T-V EVO/USB3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
8GB Ram (2x4GB) DDR3
SSD 64GB Hard drive
650W Power Supply

I think these are enough specs needed I can give more information if needed.

More about : ati radeon 68501gb 2gb

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Not worth it to get 2GB at your resolution in single monitor. The 2GB would benefit only if you are running eyefinity or WQXGA (2560×1600).

If you can pay for about $180, you can find 6870 with nice coolers, here is one of it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... and will give more performance than the 6850 with more overclocking abilities and run cooler and quieter :) .

And if you are trying a crossfire setup, it is not worth it if you can get a single card with the same price and performance. Because actually setting up crossfire setup is some hassle. Expect if you can't afford better single cards :) .

Hey there and welcome to the forums.

A 1 gb version of the 6850 will do the trick for you at your resolution unless you decide to go multi monitor then I would suggest the 2gb version.

thanks for your responses. as for the cooler do you mean on the vid card or on the cpu?

I didn't notice that "HIS" card on newegg thanks. whats the difference between 6850 and 6870? i know the higher the number the better.

that is would a 2GB 6850 be better or an 1GB 6870 be better? there about $10 difference
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the 1 gig will give you no performance increase over the 1 gb and will be completely worthless unless you game on more than 1 monitor at the same time.

the 6870 is faster than the 6850 by about 15%

from what you guys have said i take it that an 6850 1GB will do more than i need!!!!

on another note is there a certain brand that's better than the rest?
are there brands that i should stay away from?

also i shop newegg (have for years now) is there maybe a better place to shop for vid cards that also has great cust service? i'd rather pay more for good cust service.

i found this from newegg it's the lowest priced 6850, only one review with 5 stars
VisionTek 900486 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Even using multiple monitors a 6850 doesn't have the juice to need over 1gb so I wouldn't worry about it. Even with crossfire 6850, there's barely enough power to run multi monitor at decent settings. I did 5760x1080 with CF 5850s for a little while and had to play BF3 on medium instead of Ultra (at 1080p)... medium details don't take up a ton of VRAM.

esrever said:
that card has 1 review, you'd hardly get anything from a 5egg review from 1 guy.

get the sapphire card, its a better brand and also has more reviews so you can trust it more.



what Sapphire card are you referring to? i put one in my original post on this thread but it doesn't have any reviews

refillable said:

And if you are trying a crossfire setup, it is not worth it if you can get a single card with the same price and performance. Because actually setting up crossfire setup is some hassle. Expect if you can't afford better single cards :) .


false!

So it's one review, did you notice they put a lifetime warranty on it? So we can get a lifetime warranty for the cheapest price atm but the warranty you'd expect from xfx. I just ordered mine and it should be here in a few more hours (later today 1-5) I'll check it out and let you guys know if visiontek is worth a crap or just a rip off. You'll know both here and on newegg. ;D ~Nick :D 
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