"Sapphire Updating the 7850 Lineup"

[3DVagabond]

LINK

<snip>

The first two new versions of the HD 7850 being introduced by SAPPHIRE have 2GB of the latest DDR5 memory. The standard model will ship with a core clock speed of 860MHz, and. memory clocked at 1200MHz (4.8Gb/s effective). At the same time SAPPHIRE is introducing a higher performance model, the SAPPHIRE HD 7850 OC Edition, with the faster clocks of 920MHz core and 1250MHz (5Gb/s effective) for the memory. Offering excellent performance at an even keener price point, the third model in the series is the SAPPHIRE HD 7850 1GB model which will ship with the core clock of 900MHz and memory at 1200MHz (4.8Gb/s effective).

All three models are equipped with a dual BIOS, and the new output configuration of Dual link DVI-I, Dual link DVI-D, HDMI and Display Port. They also feature SAPPHIRE&#8217;s latest dual-extractor cooler technology - Dual-X - a highly efficient multi-heatpipe cooler with dual fans providing quiet and very cool operation during normal operating conditions, and superb cooling performance even under extreme load.

I find the 1Gb model interesting. Possibly the $199 MSRP price point people have wanted? Also the Dual-X cooler, dual bios (will they unlock ), and updated connectivity seem like improvements.

 

[ViRGE]

1GB for a $200 card in 2012? I don't know, that just seems too small to me. You can already bust 1GB cards on 1920x1080 in a few different games.

 

[3DVagabond]

I'd prefer 2gig myself. Lot's of people want cheaper though.

 

[Arkadrel]

Games like Battlefield 3, Crysis 2, Batman Arkham City, can go over 1gb of Vram used, at 1920x1080 even with just tons of MSAA.

For most people a 1gb card would probably be okay for 1920x1080, as long as you use low MSAA.


here for fun is a "list" of known/suspected games that use more than 1gb Vram @1920x1080 with very high settings and some AA:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18255161

 

[lehtv]

1GB VRAM is fine if you intend to have maximum framerates e.g. constant 60fps. With a single GPU setup, that requires low enough image quality that VRAM won't be a problem. Even 7850 1GB Crossfire should be fine if you intend to play BF3 on a 120hz monitor at 120fps and save $100 compared to 2GB cards

 

[SirPauly]

It's nice to have the choice for both though -- for many gamers -- 1 gig may be fine.

 

[Destiny]

From my experience and observation, Battlefield 3 on Ultra with MSAA off @ 1920x1200p chews about 1300MB to 1700MB depending on the map and intensity of the action.

 

[SolMiester]

1GB should be fine for 16x10 though yes?..

 

[aayjaay]

What are the actual changes going to be for the 2gb models? I can't see any from what the article is saying? They look the same as the current specs? http://videocardz.com/ati/radeon-7000/radeon-7850 or am I misunderstanding something?

 

[3DVagabond]

What are the actual changes going to be for the 2gb models? I can't see any from what the article is saying? They look the same as the current specs? http://videocardz.com/ati/radeon-7000/radeon-7850 or am I misunderstanding something?

They've updated the output connections, given it a dual bios, and put their Dual-X (extractor) cooler on it.