Graphics Card Advice (Better value/graphics)

ChrisDobbo

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Mar 8, 2013
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Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my graphics card (mainly for Sim City, Battlefield 3, GTA IV), I currently have a HD4850 running, but I'd like to upgrade to something with better performance on the above games.

My budget isn't massively, £150 is definitely the top range and I seem to have narrowed it down to the HD6950 (available from a friend for £100), and a HD7850 (probably this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-11200-07-20G-Graphics-HD7850-GDDR5/dp/B008HV63NM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top).

I was wondering which is the better card, and is it worth shelling out the extra £50 for the 7850, given that it will come with a manufacturers warranty (and less power consumption?).

My processor is a Studio XPS Intel Core i7 Processor 920 (2.66GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec), and I'm running this power supply (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/ocz-zs650w-uk-zs-series-atx-psu-650-w-11342059-pdt.html#longDesc), so I imagine both cards should be compatible.

Many thanks.
 

shamsmu

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May 30, 2012
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bf3_1920_1200.gif


from the becnhmark hd 7850 is about 10% faster than a hd6950. With that being said, with the current catalyst drivers, I believe the difference would be around 15%. However, that sapphire model you specified can be easily overclocked to the level of a hd7870 and that easily gives you a massive 30-40% boost over the hd6950. That coupled with lower power consumption, better cooling and newer architecture, my votes goes to hd7850
 

ChrisDobbo

Honorable
Mar 8, 2013
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10,510
That's great thanks SR-71 and shamsmu!

I'm guessing it's pretty to easy to overclock it safely nowadays so imagine I'll go down that route.