Rhezuss
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2006
- 4,118
- 34
- 91
Just got my Sapphire 6850 today, to replace a 4870-512.
It solved by biggest gripe with the 4870: noise. The PowerColor 4870 BIOS (which they never updated) ran the fans too slow in auto mode (quiet with cooking GPU, then screaming fan to cool down, then repeat). With manual mode I had to run at a noisy 39% constantly for 3D. I also had to run the rear case fan at a noisy level to keep things cool.
With the 6850 using the auto fan control it runs silently for 2D and quietly for 3D, while staying 10c cooler (53c) after an hour of gaming with the case fan near silent. Nice!
I also can run Fallout 3 with max quality settiings at 16x10 more smoothly than the 4870 ran at 14x9. Possibly even at 19x12, I just haven't tried it yet.
A 6850 makes a great upgrade for 4850 and 4870 owners, at a very reasonable $180.
I run Fallout NV at 1920x1080, Ultra settings 8xAA/8xAF, HDR on, Vsync on (and in the 3D settings in the CCC: Catalyst A.I. to High Quality, Adaptative MSAA, triple buffering on, Vsync always on and AA/AF settings controlled by application) and it runs really well. The only slowdowns I have are due to the Gamebryo engine from what I read but the game runs smooth as butter. Enjoy your new card, it's a little beast!
I have the XFX model that replaced my Sapphire Hd 5770 Vapor-X. A little noisier than my 5770 but overall I can't complain and i'm sure you'll see lower temps too. You will have fun!
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