5850 --> 7870 or 7950?

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
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So I feel like its finally time to upgrade since the gtx 660ti is out and I was pretty much waiting for the market to shape out with this release.

I play pretty much every game at 1920x1080 and I enjoy playing at high/max settings with AA. Im sort of debating between the 2 cards due to the price. I mean if its justified to spend $40 more please convince me then.

More specs- i5 2500k 3.8ghz
750w psu

Thanks
 
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Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
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the HD 7950 would be the better buy it performs better especially with AA and ocs great ? what games do you play
 

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
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the HD 7950 would be the better buy it performs better especially with AA and ocs great ? what games do you play

Looking to play every new game as it comes out. Its been a bad habit of mine. I've been buying games and not finishing, lol
 

Rvenger

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator <br> Video Cards
Apr 6, 2004
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Sapphire, Gigabyte and MSI are all great brands. I would recommend the aftermarket coolers of those brands as well.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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www.techbuyersguru.com
So no one thinks the 7870 is worth looking at?

It simply isn't a strong upgrade from a 5850. I'd say it's on average 40% faster than a 5850, and both overclock equally well. If you've waited this long, I'd say you deserve more of an upgrade. The 7950 nets you another 15%. So you get a 40% upgrade for about $230 or about a 55% upgrade for $300. On that basis the 7870 is actually a better value (in contrast to what is noted by other posters above), but if you are willing to overclock, the outcome is completely different. The stock 7950 leaves so much performance on the table.

What's your 5850 at right now? If you haven't OC'd it, perhaps you wouldn't be interested in the 7950.
 
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TakeNoPrisoners

Platinum Member
Jun 3, 2011
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I would also look at the GTX 660 Ti as it overclocks well but not as well as the 7950, it fits between those two in performance.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
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7870 exceeds stock 7950 when overclocked. But then the 7950 itself has a ton of OC headroom.

Since you have a big PSU I would say get the 7950. Personally I probably will get the 7870 so I don't have to upgrade my 450 watt supply.
 

aaksheytalwar

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2012
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A stock 7870 is 50-60% faster than a stock 5850. Oced 7870 is nearly twice as fast as a 5850. A 7950 oc will compete with a 6950 cf.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
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7950. Best deal currently is the MSI windforce for $309, but I saw it for $287 a couple of weeks ago. Keep your eyes peeled for deals.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
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I jumped on a 7870 for $195 and I'm going to crossfire it with my 7850.

The 7950 is a good deal at $300 but it's a lot to pay for a GPU.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
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doesn't really matter, he will get insane speeds even with CF 7850's

for me personally I am going 7870 since I am not going to go higher than 1080p

I like to upgrade GPU every couple years... can't justify spending $350 each time. $250 is enough.
 

ShreddedWheat

Senior member
Apr 3, 2006
386
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If your mobo is crossfire why not get a cheap 5850? That is what I did and for the games I play they support crxfire. Crossfire 5850s are about 15-20% slower than 7970 from what I have seen. I'm happy with my setup!