Geforce Gtx 480 or Radeon 6870 or Radeon 6950 or Radeon 7850

[catchme247]

Hey which one is the best for current gaming pc? Not sure which one to buy? please help. i would like to run games like bf3, mass effect 3 at ultra and get decent fps?

 

[catchme247]

I meant gtx 480 btw, so still?

 

[MMO Fan]

6870 = best value and GTX 480 = most performance but the 7850 is most likely the best one all around.

 

[catchme247]

What about Gtx 560 ti?

 

[MMO Fan]

What about Gtx 560 ti?

For just $10 more than a 560ti you can have a much better 7850 the 560ti is out of the loop.

 

[Max1s]

6870 = best value and GTX 480 = most performance but the 7850 is most likely the best one all around.

I actually think at this point a 480 might end up with best value, they are now 2 series old and over here they cost the same as a 6950.

 

[Rockdpm]

What resolution?, because if 1080p or higher then none of those cards are gonna run BF3 at ultra. the 7850 might. but For Ultra you need Vram. Vram. Vram. Atleast 2GB. if your running Bf3 below 1080 then Ultra will be no problem

 

[Rockdpm]

I actually think at this point a 480 might end up with best value, they are now 2 series old and over here they cost the same as a 6950.

+1!, the 480 is only 230-250$ and performs like a 570-580

 

[MMO Fan]

I actually think at this point a 480 might end up with best value, they are now 2 series old and over here they cost the same as a 6950.

To an extent I agree with you where I am the 6950, the 7850 and the 480 all cost the same but the thing you have to remember about the GTX 480 is that the cost of ownership is higher than the rest and ill tell you why #1 You need a beefy PSU with lots of amps #2 you need an big case with great airflow, #3 the GTX 480 is extremely noisy. If you are setup already to take on the abomination that is the GTX 480 than that is the one I would go for if I was ok with the noise factor. This is why I can't recomend the GTX 480 over the 7850

 

[Max1s]

True, the gtx 480 is a nightmare off paper.
Is the 7850 as good as a 6950 though? The 6950 is a great all-rounder, available in 2GB.

 

[vmem]

here's the benchmark breakdown

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=510

I'd say the 7850 is just as good if not slightly better

 

[MMO Fan]

True, the gtx 480 is a nightmare off paper.
Is the 7850 as good as a 6950 though? The 6950 is a great all-rounder, available in 2GB.

7850 is even better in many games than the GTX 570 such as SWTOR, and F1, losses in many others and ties in some but it is always close enough to the performance of the GTX 570. http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1427/pg10/amd-radeon-hd-7870-and-radeon-hd-7850-graphics-cards-review-star-wars-the-old-republic.html

 

[MMO Fan]

Price/performance.

GTX 480 is a noisy and hot beast this is an extremely documented and verified fact as well the GTX 480 is among the hottest cards ever this is also a documented fact by many legit publications over the years.

 

[MMO Fan]

LMAO read my other post before ranting.
Yet another one who beleives all they read or hear..

That's right I HEARD it and it's LOUD! That being said if I have the PSU to run the dam thing I might pick one up as it still maxes out many games @ 60fps

 

[bystander]

LMAO read my other post before ranting.
Yet another one who beleives all they read or hear..

The only thing is that you have to buy a new cooler to make it decent. Not everyone is up for that type of modification, and it does add to the cost, but if I were to get a 480, that is the only way I'd do it.

 

[MMO Fan]

That goes out the window when you buy an aftermarket cooler for it, which you would not need with the HD7850. Also, the power requirements are much lower. You also wouldn't need a case with perfect airflow. You could put an HD7850 in any case that it physically fits in without worry of overheating. Let also not forget that drivers are mature for the GTX 480. We aren't likely going to see any more performance improvements from drivers. However, the HD7XXX series will continue to get optimizations and gain performance over the next year. Last but not least the HD7850 wins, hands down, in overclocking.

I'm not saying that the GTX 480 doesn't have more raw performance. It just doesn't make sense, especially when you have to get a $55 aftermarket cooler. If you are going to pay $305-$315 for the GPU + the aftermarket cooler, you would be better off getting the HD7870 @ $330.

GTX 480 is like an old HEMI Cuda and the 7850 is like a laste modle Honda Civic small, light, and deceptively fast and efficient. Both cards are good it's just that the 7850 is just allot more refined and like you say the driver optimizations are still to come plus many people wont need a new case, PSU and aftermarket GPU cooler like they would if they choose the GTX 480. If I was setup to house a GTX 480 I would consider it as it is a strong performer for $250 it is a good deal.

 

[Max1s]

At this point all the points for either side have been made. I think its safe to say that its personal preference.

 

[MMO Fan]

At this point all the points for either side have been made. I think its safe to say that its personal preference.

whats that it wasn't clear 6950 or 7850 ?

 

[Max1s]

Well the benchmarks that another guy posted show the 7850 basically playing on par with the 6950, at lower temps/power, might not be worth it if its too much more $$$.

6950 vs 7850 benchmarks (very close)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=510

 

[MMO Fan]

Well the benchmarks that another guy posted show the 7850 basically playing on par with the 6950, at lower temps/power, might not be worth it if its too much more $$$.

6950 vs 7850 benchmarks (very close)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=510

7850 will be faster in time than a 6950 but it seems it's on par right now if not a bit better in some games.