GPU Upgrade - Need Suggestions!

PC Hardware & Gaming Graphics Cards & GPUs
1

Hi Folks :slight_smile:

I’m planning a GPU upgrade and need suggestions. I’m currently running a HD5850 (rig specs in my siggy) and was thinking about upgrading. My budget is around 15-16k. Should I upgrade to a HD 7850 or maybe something else? I’m open to suggestions from ATI or Nvidia. Is the 7850 even worth getting over the 5850 that I’m running?

TIA
Regards,
Black_Hawk

2

Yes your choice to go with HD7850 is very good!
HD7850 is based on 28nm process vs the 40nm with HD5850! So, the former is more energy efficient, a better performer as well as a better overclocker (if you overclock ofcourse).

Check out this link-
Radeon HD 5850 vs Radeon HD 7850 – Performance Comparison Benchmarks @ Hardware Compare

Please note that it is completely theoretical and the real world performance may differ.

Also check out this review. Shows the architectural improvements of pitcairn (HD7850) vs cypress(HD5850)

Review: AMD Radeon HD 7850 vs 6850 vs 5850 at same clocks - Graphics - HEXUS.net

3

Not worth the UPGRADE apart from newer architecture, power efficiency. Real world performance is slightly better in HD 7850

Check this review : Review: AMD Radeon HD 7850 vs 6850 vs 5850 at same clocks - Graphics - HEXUS.net - Page 5

Instead, save some money and wait for GTX 670 SE or GTX 660 which is expected to release within August.

or, get GTX 670 / HD 7950 . A very good upgrade and you’ll feel the difference.

4

Yeah!
I agree but at OP’s budget, it’s the best he can get!
Or are you suggesting him to wait?

Also, let’s not forget there is a lot of improvement in “minimum” frame rates with pitcairn. Which matters a lot as no-one cares about max FPS(if they are above 40 :face_with_tongue: ).

5

Yes, Min fps matters and pitcairn shows their prowess in that. I’d suggest him to wait as he already has a good card which is running fine.

If someone has GTX 560 ti, he doesn’t need to shell another 15k to get HD 7850 for 10% improvement. Just my opinion.

6

Cypress should be replaced by Tahiti or nothing. As much as AMD claims Pitcairn is the successor to Cypress, in reality it is Tahiti. Cypress was not a cut down chip in anyway. Nor is the Tahiti. However Pitcairn is definitely built to a cost.

7

@Black_Hawk the best thing is to wait, do not be a hurry and rush out to buy a card. Wait for the GTX 660 [at-least], your HD 5850 has plenty of fight left in it.

The release of the ‘Kepler’ midrange will trigger another price revision in both camps and this will equate to a better overall purchase in my books. If you are in a real hurry for the card look for nothing below the HD 7870 2GB, it is expensive but the performance increment is solid and the card is a proven over-clocker snapping on the heels of HD 7950 and even the HD 7970 in certain games.

Hope this helps, Cheerio!!

1 Like
8

upgrade to 7850 is not worth for minor performance gain.
sell your 5850+your budget and get at least 7950.

AnandTech - Bench - GPU12

9

Souptik, chuck the idea of a GPU upgrade and hold on until the next batch arrives. Get a PS3 in the meantime and play the exclusive titles. :face_with_tongue:

10

Can’t agree more with luster!
Sell HD5850(many takers BTW:bounce:) and add 15-16k to it and you can call it a respectable upgrade!

11

Yep, Don’t spend money now on HD 7850, it’ll be waste. Go for HD 7870 or GTX 670 to see substantial increase in performance.

Damn, I’m short on money but I’ll wait for Maxwell :joy:

12

Many thanks for all the input guys! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

The HD 7870 is priced at 22.5k (+VAT) presently and seriously I don’t want to shell out that much as I might have to spend on an SSD as well (Gannu you know what I’m talking about bro!). The thing is though, the HD 5850 has given be stupendous performance all these years but somehow Ghost Recon: Future Soldier made it struggle a bit. Anyone else running a 5850 faced the same thing? Also, my biggest query is if I were to hold back the purchase will the 5850 be able to run games like Far Cry 3 and Hitman Absolution which are in the pipeline and hold it’s ground for another year? This is my biggest worry although bearing in mind that I game at 1680X1050. :ashamed:

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@Black_Hawk, I cannot say 100% that your card will be able to ‘hold its own’ but for the most part gaming shall not be a chore on it. It is quite unlike my HD 5770 which has been struck off the benchmark listings long back.

Also Future Soldier has been noted to have a lot of optimization issues, so it might just be a one-of problem. The performance of the card in future titles is highly dependent on the following factors –

  • game engine; big deal – most games earlier were based on highly MOD-ed Unreal Engine Ports, now a days most independent studios have their own proprietary engine(s) which can be absolute resource hogs;

  • your overall graphics fidelity settings, as long as you are not rite and can survive with a few effects toned down you are in the safe zone;

  • Looking at the gameplay videos of most upcoming titles I do not see any reason why your card should not perform [until particle effects are NOT used];

  • over-clock your card a little, I think it must be in its last lap of warranty and who knows what a wayward RMA might yield.

All in all savour gaming on your HD 5850, it is a great card and definitely worth all the praise it received and continues to serve with distinction with a lot of gamers here and away.

P.S. – So you Mr. S.B. on Gannu’s facebook wall.