Improvements to performance, acoustics, and bundles can add big value once a reference graphics card is modified by third-party vendors. We compare four modified Radeon HD 6850 1 GB boards to find out which company's additions best suit your gaming needs.
Some say green is the new red, and no place is that more true than in the rebranding of ATI to AMD. And yet, marketing similarities between AMD and Nvidia don’t end in color, as the newer, more efficient Radeon HD 6850 offers performance and a price nearly identical to Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460 1 GB. If you want to know more about the card itself, check out our launch review of the Radeon HD 6870 and 6850.
AMD’s slightly better power consumption figures mean that buyers of the new green team can go green for the same green, while saving a little green over the life of the card (Ed.: Xzibit approves, dawg).

If you believe this makes the Radeon HD 6850 a perfect mid-priced performance part, you're in good company, as the number of folks willing to spend ~$200 is much greater than the market for flagship $500 boards.
If you're ready to buy, there are plenty of options available. Some vendors even offer multiple models. Choosing a card certainly doesn’t have to be difficult. We simply asked every major manufacturer to send its best, and those who didn’t have anything to offer beyond AMD's reference design chose not to participate. That left us with four souped-up models for your consideration.
| Radeon HD 6850 1 GB Comparison Specifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5 | MSI R6850 PM2D1GD5 | PowerColor AX6850 1GBD5-PPDHG | Sapphire Toxic 6850 100315TXSR | |
| GPU Clock | 790 MHz | 775 MHz | 820 MHz | 820 MHz |
| DRAM Rate | GDDR5-4000 | GDDR5-4000 | GDDR5-4400 | GDDR5-4400 |
| DVI | Two Dual-Link | Two Dual-Link | Two Dual-Link | Two Dual-Link |
| HDMI | Full-Size | Full-Size | Full-Size | Full-Size |
| DisplayPort | Full-Size | Full-Size | Full-Size | Dual Mini |
| VGA | By Adapter (x1) | By Adapter (x1) | By Adapter (x1) | By Adapter (x1) |
| Output Adapters | DVI to VGA | DVI to VGA | DVI to VGA | DVI to VGA Mini to Full DP |
| Length | 9.7" | 9.0" | 8.9" | 9.6" |
| Height | 4.8" | 4.4" | 4.4" | 4.4" |
| Total Thickness | 1.6" | 1.5" | 1.6" | 1.6" |
| Cooler Thickness | 1.4" | 1.4" | 1.4" | 1.4" |
| Weight | 18 Ounces | 16 Ounces | 19 Ounces | 27 Ounces |
| PCB Version | C223 Rev. 1.00 | V224 V1.0 | LF R97FF V1.0 | 109-C22237-00 |
| VRM | Three Phases | Three Phases | Four Phases | Four Phases |
| Warranty | Three Years | Three Years | Two Years | Two Years |
| Added Value | PCIe Power Adapter CrossFire Bridge CD Wallet | PCIe Power Adapter CrossFire Bridge | CrossFire Bridge Free "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" | 6' HDMI Cable 2 x PCIe Power Adapter CrossFire Bridge |
| Price | $200 | $205 | $210 | $210 |
- The Other Green Alternative
- Asus EAH6850 DirectCU Overclock Edition
- Asus Overclocking Software
- MSI R6850 PM2D1GD5
- MSI Overclocking Software
- PowerColor PCS+ AX6850 1GBD5-PPDHG
- Sapphire Toxic 6850
- Test Settings
- Benchmark Results: Alien Vs. Predator
- Benchmark Results: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Benchmark Results: Crysis
- Benchmark Results: DiRT 2
- Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat
- Benchmark Results: 3DMark Vantage
- Power And Efficiency
- Heat And Noise
- Conclusion
I use afterburner with a Gigabyte Card, (Flashed to ASUS). Works fine.
"Now, here did I put that Christmas list?"
here = where
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776.html
The previous article, which answered all your questions a month ago, was linked numerous times in this article.
Just my two cents, but that would seem like a much more interesting article. We already know the 6850 is mostly quiet and pretty efficient, but GTX470s are going for only a few dollars more in some cases. Bring the throwdown.
Great article also, thanks Mr. Thomas!
Cheers!
Thanks, I don't think I could have ever figured that one out...
What I like about the 6800s is that AA does not detract that much from framerate.
overclocked cards perform better and use more power.. we all know this
dooode....that is not OC of the new cards with new coolers. Also performance may be different with new drivers. Dont link me to old articles that I have read and have little to do with what i am asking!