Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

  1. #1
    HEXUS.admin
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    31,709
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2,073 times in 719 posts

    Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Up against Radeon HD 5850 XF and GeForce GTX 460 SLI. Who wins?
    Read more.

  2. #2
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Brighton
    Posts
    20
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • detonator's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P6TD Delux
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i7 920, 2.66GHz
      • Memory:
      • Corsair - 12Gb DDR3 1333Mhz
      • Storage:
      • OCZ Agility 3 120gb SSD, Samsung 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 580
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone Modular 850W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster CM-690 Dominator V2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 24" HD @ 1920x1200
      • Internet:
      • 8mb

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Very impressive! I was always an nVidia buyer untill I got a 5870 earlier this year and have been stoked with its bang4buck/temperature/audio/power draw. Good to see that ATI have paid attention to what they were falling behind on - tesselation and dual card scaling.

    Can't wait to see some real 6970/6990 numbers, but theres so much choice now its hard to pick! One high end card or two mid range cards? Or another 5870 which will only set me back about £280.. choices choices.

  3. #3
    Team HEXUS.net
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    1,396
    Thanks
    75
    Thanked
    411 times in 217 posts

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    My suggestion, in a purely personal capacity, would be to offload the HD 5870 to the Bay of Fleas and go for two HD 6850s.

  4. #4
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Brighton
    Posts
    20
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • detonator's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P6TD Delux
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i7 920, 2.66GHz
      • Memory:
      • Corsair - 12Gb DDR3 1333Mhz
      • Storage:
      • OCZ Agility 3 120gb SSD, Samsung 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 580
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone Modular 850W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster CM-690 Dominator V2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 24" HD @ 1920x1200
      • Internet:
      • 8mb

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    I think it will still be cheaper to get another 5870, and the performance will be way better? If its from an architectural point of view.. I could just get one of the new high end ones..

  5. #5
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    The thing that would change this is the fact that the 6850s stay so cool under load when CF'd and use so little electricity. I really can't believe the 100w+ energy saving compared to the GTX 460s.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Brentwood, Essex
    Posts
    1,364
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    43 times in 39 posts
    • sammorris's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P55A-UD4 / Z68MX-UD2H / Z97N-WiFi
      • CPU:
      • i5-750@3.8 / 3470 / 4690S
      • Memory:
      • 12GB XMS / 8GB XMS / 16GB XMS
      • Storage:
      • SSD in every build, 53TB fileserver
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX970 / HD7770 / GTX960 ITX
      • PSU:
      • ZM850-HP/ CX500 / RM650
      • Case:
      • HAF 932 / NZXT Lexa / Fractal Node 304
      • Operating System:
      • Win 8.1 / Win 8.1 / Win 10 IP
      • Monitor(s):
      • UP3214Q / U2312HM x2
      • Internet:
      • Enta FTTC 70/20

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Still no minimum frame rates in Hexus benches... so sad.

    Is it just me or does Crossfire scaling seem to be up considerably for the HD6 series versus the HD5?

  7. #7
    WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! MadduckUK's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Lytham St. Annes
    Posts
    17,297
    Thanks
    653
    Thanked
    1,580 times in 1,006 posts
    • MadduckUK's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B450M Mortar
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 5 3600
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 3200 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 1x480GB SSD, 1x 2TB Hybrid, 1x 3TB Rust Spinner
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon 5700XT
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX750w
      • Case:
      • Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SJ55W, DELL S2409W
      • Internet:
      • Plusnet 80

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Quote Originally Posted by sammorris View Post
    Is it just me or does Crossfire scaling seem to be up considerably for the HD6 series versus the HD5?
    it's a documented feature
    Quote Originally Posted by Ephesians
    Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit
    Vodka

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Brentwood, Essex
    Posts
    1,364
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    43 times in 39 posts
    • sammorris's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P55A-UD4 / Z68MX-UD2H / Z97N-WiFi
      • CPU:
      • i5-750@3.8 / 3470 / 4690S
      • Memory:
      • 12GB XMS / 8GB XMS / 16GB XMS
      • Storage:
      • SSD in every build, 53TB fileserver
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX970 / HD7770 / GTX960 ITX
      • PSU:
      • ZM850-HP/ CX500 / RM650
      • Case:
      • HAF 932 / NZXT Lexa / Fractal Node 304
      • Operating System:
      • Win 8.1 / Win 8.1 / Win 10 IP
      • Monitor(s):
      • UP3214Q / U2312HM x2
      • Internet:
      • Enta FTTC 70/20

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Indeed, but I was expecting some marginal gains, not near-100% scaling in every test. I'm baffled as to why this wasn't possible before, and suddenly is now. I was expecting one HD6850 to take on a GTX460 1GB, but I was not expecting two to take on two 460s and win. That plus the fact you can run them with only two PCIe 6-pins and use less power than a GTX480 is super-impressive. They run pretty damn cool as well owing to the fact that ATI have finally understood they should leave the dual-slot coolers on the single 6-pin cards as reference, though am I right in thinking the reference version of the HD6850 is not retailing? (Same as with 4830)

  9. #9
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    17
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Wow... In the conclusion, the author go as far as to imply that ''3D vision'' is a serious deciding factor, worthy enough to actually prevent him from calling a winner! Hexus people, please, raise you hands, all of you who currently use 3D vision, or plan to use it in the next 12 months! I'm waiting... What? No one??? Who would have though!!! Minus 1 or 2 for the credibility right there.

    At the same time, he carefully omitted to mention that AMD now support stereoscopic 3D as well. The last thing going for Nvidia, as far as ''worthy'' exclusive feature is concerned, is CUDA. Until OpenCL takes over that is. We will all be VERY happy to commemorate the death of one of the last proprietary format in the GPU world. The same is true for the 30ish games supporting PhysX; it's also living on borrowed time until OpenCL and DirectCompute takes over in 2011.

    He also omitted to overclock both cards. The XFX 6850 Black is already clocking over 1Ghz @ 1.3V on air, and this is the first silicon batch! The 460 top at 850Mhz on air, and that's with cherry picked GPU that run very hot and consume a lot of power at that peed.

    The price/performance/power ratio is clearly in favor of the AMD card here. Feature wise, my bet is also with AMD. 6 screens Eyefinity with ONE card, better quality HD decode, improved anti-aliasing etc...Far less power, far better overclockability, better and more useful feature set, for the same price. Why the fence???

    I got a winner for you alright and it's obviously the 6850. Unless you already own a 460 and want to go SLI, or if CUDA is actually a deciding factor, then you have no reason to buy a 460 over a 6850. Oh, and the BOM for the 6850 is a lot cheaper than the 460, meaning that Nvidia is pretty much stretching the profit margin very very thin already as it is and AMD can still chop the price further if necessary. Not good for Nvidia.

    look like a lose-lose situation for Nvidia. Can we say checkmate, when you also consider Cayman is around the corner? And then Antilles? LOL... As it is, the 580 is only a PR stunt, paper launch card at best and it's already beaten on paper. Nvidia is more and more looking like 3DFX: Desperate and dying. I rest my case.


    Ramon

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Brentwood, Essex
    Posts
    1,364
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    43 times in 39 posts
    • sammorris's system
      • Motherboard:
      • P55A-UD4 / Z68MX-UD2H / Z97N-WiFi
      • CPU:
      • i5-750@3.8 / 3470 / 4690S
      • Memory:
      • 12GB XMS / 8GB XMS / 16GB XMS
      • Storage:
      • SSD in every build, 53TB fileserver
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX970 / HD7770 / GTX960 ITX
      • PSU:
      • ZM850-HP/ CX500 / RM650
      • Case:
      • HAF 932 / NZXT Lexa / Fractal Node 304
      • Operating System:
      • Win 8.1 / Win 8.1 / Win 10 IP
      • Monitor(s):
      • UP3214Q / U2312HM x2
      • Internet:
      • Enta FTTC 70/20

    Re: Reviews - AMD Radeon HD 6850 1,024MB in CrossFireX review

    Yeah 3D Vision is worth a mention, but nothing more. That is a bit weird. I don't usually read concluding blurb much though, the results will speak for themselves, and few reviewers are totally unbiased.
    To be fair, AMD's Stereoscopic 3D efforts are absolute crap. Is a shame, Driverheaven commented on their experiences.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 65
    Last Post: 27-01-2011, 07:16 PM
  2. Reviews - AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W CPU review
    By HEXUS in forum HEXUS Reviews
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 01-09-2010, 11:23 PM
  3. Replies: 31
    Last Post: 16-11-2009, 04:15 PM
  4. PSU Calculator
    By Hullz-Modz in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 146
    Last Post: 10-04-2008, 07:07 PM
  5. Replies: 18
    Last Post: 07-08-2007, 10:16 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •