Powercolor 7850 for $180. Any cause for concern?

[dennilfloss]

I know this is basically the reference design but are there horror stories about it or is it a safe choice? Not planning to overclock much if at all and I prefer a card that exhausts out of the case and isn't too loud. If it runs a bit warmer than the cards with custom coolers, I don't mind as long as it's not warmer than my 4870 (which has lasted me 4 years while being considered a hot-running card).

I am quite content with the way my current Diamond 1GB 4870 plays Skyrim nonoverclocked but would like to get 2GB RAM and a bit more oomph. Will probably not buy another game until Bethesda's next installment of TES.

Here's a review. Card is said to be only 8" long.

http://circuitremix.com/?q=content/powercolor-radeon-hd-7850-2gb-video-card

 

[Greenlepricon]

Those shroud coolers usually run louder and hotter as you said, but if it's that cheap there isn't any reason not to buy it. Aftermarket is usually better but the 7850 are pretty cool and quite compared to other gpu's to begin with, so I think you'll be fine. Just do quick checks on the temps and see if you can handle the noise if you get it.

 

[dennilfloss]

Found a video review. It reaches 76C under load with 21C ambient temperature. My 4870 has lasted 4 years at 83C while gaming (ambient temp is 28-29C ). Looks comparable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rnvzlk4eAs

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Great price, I do have to mention the only video card that's ever failed on me was a Power Color. Didn't last much more than a year either.

 

[SickBeast]

I own the Powercolor 7850 and its cooling is inadequate if you're planning to overclock. It was noisier than I like at idle as well. You'd be better off paying a bit more for a card with better cooling.

 

[dennilfloss]

I'm reading your former thread at the moment.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2242521&highlight=warning+prospective+7850+owners

Looks now like it might be a better idea to wait and see what comes out of this week's price cut.

 

[BD231]

Correction. *Any* stock video card cooler is inadequate for overclocking short of the big copper special editions. If you're going to OC buy the cheap card and get a real cooler for it.

 

[RussianSensation]

dennilfloss, AMD is cutting prices on 7850/7870 really soon. Might want to wait a week or so. Plus they intend to throw in Sleeping Dogs game.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6175/amd-radeon-hd-7800-series-price-cuts-new-game-bundle-inbound

 

[dennilfloss]

That's what I said in post #6.

I got notified of the price cut announcement from AnandTech's Facebook page before the thread appeared here.

 

[RussianSensation]

Nice! You are well ahead of the game