HD 5850 vs. R7 260X?

[Fortress]

One of my computers (currently being used by my brother) is currently fitted with an old Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 from 2010 (I think). Since I'm going to be building a new PC for myself, I'm planning to buy him a new graphics card and upgrade his current card to an R7 260X, but my question is, is there going to be an improvement. I don't really mind power consumption, noise and heat output since he has a 600W PSU and a case with 4 fans fitted on it. Answers will be greatly appreciated!

[Mr Fister]

most definitely yes!

[PlayStation 2]

Get him an R7 265. Can't be that much more and the 265 is the next door neighbor to the 270.

[iamdarkyoshi]

R7 cards are kinda stupid. It really wouldnt add a whole lot. If possible, perhaps add a second 5850 in crossfire. Here is a really rough benchmark for gpus http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

[Arc_Jester]

whats the max you're willing to spend?

[Fortress]

R7 cards are kinda stupid. It really wouldnt add a whole lot. If possible, perhaps add a second 5850 in crossfire. Here is a really rough benchmark for gpus http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

I could add another one. I have a spare 5850 in my cabinet and I could probably add that to his PC since I think he still has 1 PCIE slot left.

[Fortress]

whats the max you're willing to spend?

Around $100 max. 

[Mo5]

Around $100 max. 

there are some great deals for used 7970/280X. Just make sure they weren't mined on.  

[iamdarkyoshi]

I could add another one. I have a spare 5850 in my cabinet and I could probably add that to his PC since I think he still has 1 PCIE slot left.

I would try this if you can keep temps under control. I notice nearly a double in framerate using two cards instead of one.

[Fortress]

I would try this if you can keep temps under control. I notice nearly a double in framerate using two cards instead of one.

So if add another 5850, I could just skip buying a new R7 260X? That's quite interesting.

[dalekphalm]

I could add another one. I have a spare 5850 in my cabinet and I could probably add that to his PC since I think he still has 1 PCIE slot left.

Personally I would recommend against Crossfire. Many games don't work well with them, and some don't even work at all. Your performance will simply be inconsistent. Getting a single, faster, GPU will give you a much more consistent experience.

 

Where are you located? US?

 

If you can spring for the R7 265, you'll be getting a noticeable improvement for only a bit extra. Otherwise, I'd just stick with the R7 260x.

[iamdarkyoshi]

So if add another 5850, I could just skip buying a new R7 260X? That's quite interesting.

as another user said, some games do not like crossfire, some have no issues. Considering that you already have another one, it certainly wouldnt hurt to try!

[Arc_Jester]

Around $100 max. 

Try to see if you could get something like a 270/270X used.

[Fortress]

Personally I would recommend against Crossfire. Many games don't work well with them, and some don't even work at all. Your performance will simply be inconsistent. Getting a single, faster, GPU will give you a much more consistent experience.

 

Where are you located? US?

 

If you can spring for the R7 265, you'll be getting a noticeable improvement for only a bit extra. Otherwise, I'd just stick with the R7 260x.

I'm currently staying here in the Philippines for a short vacation. And the difference between an R7 260X and an R7 265 is quite massive (around $40) and the both cards are  expensive ($90 & 130 - respectively).

[don_svetlio]

5870 is about the same as a 260x so a 5850 is within spitting distance of the 260x in terms of raw power - it's not worth getting a 260x but a 2nd card (if you have one) will yield better results

[Fortress]

as another user said, some games do not like crossfire, some have no issues. Considering that you already have another one, it certainly wouldnt hurt to try!

Alright, I'm going to give that a try. If it doesn't work, then I'll try to look for a store that sells an R7 265 or an R7 260X cheaper, since both are sold at $90 & $130 respectively.

[don_svetlio]

Alright, I'm going to give that a try. If it doesn't work, then I'll try to look for a store that sells an R7 265 or an R7 260X cheaper, since both are sold at $90 & $130 respectively.

260x isn't really worth for a max of 10% performance increase - a 265 or a 270 is a different story

[dalekphalm]

5870 is about the same as a 260x so a 5850 is within spitting distance of the 260x in terms of raw power - it's not worth getting a 260x but a 2nd card (if you have one) will yield better results

Do you have a source for that?

 

It's hard to find anything that directly compares them, but:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

Radeon HD 5850: 2,265

 

Radeon R7 260X: 3,014

 

I would not call that insignificant. I would be interested in seeing info that shows them performing similarly in actual games with the same settings and resolution.

[don_svetlio]

Do you have a source for that?

 

It's hard to find anything that directly compares them, but:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

Radeon HD 5850: 2,265

 

Radeon R7 260X: 3,014

 

I would not call that insignificant. I would be interested in seeing info that shows them performing similarly in actual games with the same settings and resolution.

A guy was asking about a 5870 a while back and dug up some info about both - I guess I overestimated the 5850 a bit but it's still a decent enough card - a 5770 can run Witcher 3 @ 768p 35 fps and a 5870 can run it @ 1080p 30 fps so it's still an okay card - add a 2nd one and see how it fairs

[dalekphalm]

A guy was asking about a 5870 a while back and dug up some info about both - I guess I overestimated the 5850 a bit but it's still a decent enough card - a 5770 can run Witcher 3 @ 768p 35 fps and a 5870 can run it @ 1080p 30 fps so it's still an okay card - add a 2nd one and see how it fairs

The fact that the OP has a second card available, he might as well see how it runs. But I would not under any circumstances advise a user to purchase a 2nd card from a generation that old for Crossfire - it's notoriously inconsistent with the experience.

[don_svetlio]

Do you have a source for that?

 

It's hard to find anything that directly compares them, but:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

Radeon HD 5850: 2,265

 

Radeon R7 260X: 3,014

 

I would not call that insignificant. I would be interested in seeing info that shows them performing similarly in actual games with the same settings and resolution.