6950 vs. 7850

[SteepledClock]

Right now I have an HD 6850 and I really want to upgrade. I contemplating whether to go with the 6950 or 7850, since they're about the same price right now on newegg. Also, with an i5-2400 how much bottlenecking would there be? Thanks.

Links:
7850 (The only reason I picked the OC version is because it is less than the un OC'ed version currently.)
6950(Again, same deal. OC'ed cheaper than un OC'ed.)

 

[drums101]

the 7850 is the better buy...stock the 7850 edges out the 6950 and the 7850 has more headroom for oc and consumes less power def the way to go

 

[bigcyco1]

here is a comparison of the two graphics card
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=510 i won't touch on the subject of oc 7850 since no such thing as a Guarantee OC to close to 580 level which i am sure others would try and tell you that and post links as some sort of proof in this post i will say don't take that as some sort of win as it's only possible not Guarantee

 

[zakattak80]

Performance wise their almost identical, but in every other way the 7850 is a notch higher. cooler, less power consumption, and more overclock headroom, it's pretty much a obvious choice.

 

[bigcyco1]

I would agree the 7850 is the better over all choice if they are same price between those two cards 7850 is better if the 7850 cost more than $20 more not worth it imho.

 

[SteepledClock]

Thanks for the replies. So I guess I'm gonna go with the 7850, but will I get a huge amount of bottlenecking with it and the 2400?

 

[XXStavrosXX]

Take 7850 and no there will be no bottlenecking, you have a powerful CPU.

 

[nao1120]

I purchased the 6950 on a sale for 189 - Never looked back. If you can get it cheaper, its worth the buy. Idles at really good temps, No issues. Plays everything solid without OC. Yes, the 7850 is newer, runs a bit cooler etc... But the 6950 has a bit more raw power to it, 1400 stream processors apposed to 1024. Perhaps it doesnt matter? I think it does.

Both are equally good choices.... I'm looking to see for another 6950 on a flash sale... 150 would get my attention for a second one before its phased out.

 

[XXStavrosXX]

6950 is a strong card, but u should opt for 7850 mainly for its improved architecture which shows its teeth in the new DirectX11 games. Check the performance differcence with 6950 in such games (like Dirt3). Future games will take advantage of this architecture even more, so 7850 will remain this strong for longer.

 

[gamerkila57]

+1 go for the HD 7850

 

[cobot]

I purchased the 6950 on a sale for 189 - Never looked back. If you can get it cheaper, its worth the buy. Idles at really good temps, No issues. Plays everything solid without OC. Yes, the 7850 is newer, runs a bit cooler etc... But the 6950 has a bit more raw power to it, 1400 stream processors apposed to 1024. Perhaps it doesnt matter? I think it does.

Both are equally good choices.... I'm looking to see for another 6950 on a flash sale... 150 would get my attention for a second one before its phased out.

Comparing the number of stream processors is irrelevant across different architectures.
For example: My cell phone has 4 cpu cores, as does my computer. Even so, my 2500k completely obliberates the cpu in my cell.

If the price is the same, I can't come up with a single good reason to go with the 6950 instead of a 7850.

 

[gamerkila57]

I purchased the 6950 on a sale for 189 - Never looked back. If you can get it cheaper, its worth the buy. Idles at really good temps, No issues. Plays everything solid without OC. Yes, the 7850 is newer, runs a bit cooler etc... But the 6950 has a bit more raw power to it, 1400 stream processors apposed to 1024. Perhaps it doesnt matter? I think it does.

Both are equally good choices.... I'm looking to see for another 6950 on a flash sale... 150 would get my attention for a second one before its phased out.

i got mines on sale for $150

 

[mohit9206]

yes but he needs to know why going for 7850 is a better idea. because its a new card. as more driver updates come you may see increase in performance . also directx 11 games will run much better on 7850 than on 6950. and so many dx11 games are coming out. also price is same so there you go

 

[SteepledClock]

K guys, thanks for the help. Look like I'm going with the 7850.

 

[SteepledClock]

Best answer selected by SteepledClock.