Hot or Not? Sapphire 6850

[srock77]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-908-_-Product

$125 after rebate

Getting it for a mid-range system - Want to be able to play new Microsoft Flight coming out in Feb ( Flight sim buff )- Win 7 quad core 16megs ram (its cheap)

Will cards drop much this month with Radeon 7000's beginning to debut this month?

 

[hansmuff]

The 6870 isn't much more expensive but worth the difference in performance, IMO.

 

[Termie]

Considering the 6870 was recently $130 and the 6850 went down to $100 on BF, this isn't really hot, but unfortunately, prices are going up right now, so this is the best deal going. The lowest price for a 6870 is about $150AR/shipping, and Nvidia isn't even in the ballpark, with $150 GTX460s and $160-$170 GTX560s.

 

[sm625]

HOT (If I say otherwise I get anally violated by a train of forum nazis)

It is a newegg customer choice winner. Even if you can find something for 15% less, it likely wont have the quality of this card.

 

[rivethead]

Hey OP, thanks for asking these questions.

I was looking at this card last night and thinking the same thing. Still wondering what the release of the 7000 cards will do to prices of the 6000 cards. But I probalby won't wait to find out.

 

[Kidste]

I just purchased a Gigabyte 6950 from eBay for $219 shipped. I know it's not the 6850, but still a pretty hot price. Just make sure what ever you buy fits your current case. This card is 5" wide and 11.4" long.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

yes that is a hot deal for a reputable brand on a great card. For that price, it is well worth it. But as stated, if you ponied up for a 6870 you wouldn't be disappointed.


Still a hot deal for this particular card.

 

[Gothgar]

I just got a 6870 and I love it. I would suggest any of the 6xxx series cards. The 7xxx at the same price point shouldn't be as good. For example the 7770 is going to be around this price point, and it looks like it will be significantly slower. We wont know for sure till we see benchmarks, but the numbers make it look a lot lower.

 

[Termie]

I just got a 6870 and I love it. I would suggest any of the 6xxx series cards. The 7xxx at the same price point shouldn't be as good. For example the 7770 is going to be around this price point, and it looks like it will be significantly slower. We wont know for sure till we see benchmarks, but the numbers make it look a lot lower.

This. The 7000 series, while compelling at the high-end, looks to be incredibly disappointing at the low-end. Anyone looking to spend $100-200 on a card in the near future simply should not wait for the 7000. It's going to disappoint. Anyone remember the 5770? Well, sure you do, because it's still around. But when it came to the market at $180 (the $160 list price didn't hold), after lots of folks had passed up on buying $125 HD4890s in anticipation, and it couldn't even match a 4870, well, people got burned.

The 7000-series below $200 will perform worse than the 6000-series at the same price points. You can count on that.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

This. The 7000 series, while compelling at the high-end, looks to be incredibly disappointing at the low-end. Anyone looking to spend $100-200 on a card in the near future simply should not wait for the 7000. It's going to disappoint. Anyone remember the 5770? Well, sure you do, because it's still around. But when it came to the market at $180 (the $160 list price didn't hold), after lots of folks had passed up on buying $125 HD4890s in anticipation, and it couldn't even match a 4870, well, people got burned.

The 7000-series below $200 will perform worse than the 6000-series at the same price points. You can count on that.

they overclock like a beast though. http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/25387-hd-7970-boasts-stunning-overclockability


unknown how much of a boost that OC gives you though

 

[WilhelmII]

I have two of these in CF and they play everything I am currently playing at 1900x1200 at max settings. They were a big step up from the 4870X2 I previously had.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Considering the 6870 was recently $130 and the 6850 went down to $100 on BF, this isn't really hot, but unfortunately, prices are going up right now, so this is the best deal going. The lowest price for a 6870 is about $150AR/shipping, and Nvidia isn't even in the ballpark, with $150 GTX460s and $160-$170 GTX560s.

They are getting ready to roll out the 7 series, retailers are most likely in their last legs of cards and probably doubt AMD will ship that many more when the 7 series will be here in feb/march.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It's a jalapeno but no habanero. Good card, seen them for about $10 - $15 less though. Lots of retailers have stock so why not wait until Feb?

 

[srock77]

Lots to think about- Stressing (only a little) about the difference 6850 vs 6870. I am building a middle system - Plan a major build in a year or two - My major uses are flight simulation and photoshop and occasionally video -Nowhere near the demand of high end games. Any of these cards will give me a year or two and are a big step up from my 8800 GT. Have had Saphire before and they are in general good cards. Suspect I will not wait more than a couple of days. I dont think we are suddenly going to see fire sales from what I am hearing from all of you.

 

[angry hampster]

Lots to think about- Stressing (only a little) about the difference 6850 vs 6870. I am building a middle system - Plan a major build in a year or two - My major uses are flight simulation and photoshop and occasionally video -Nowhere near the demand of high end games. Any of these cards will give me a year or two and are a big step up from my 8800 GT. Have had Saphire before and they are in general good cards. Suspect I will not wait more than a couple of days. I dont think we are suddenly going to see fire sales from what I am hearing from all of you.

this would be a great upgrade from an 8800GT.

 

[rivethead]

I jumped on this card last night. I don't think we'll see any fire sales due to the 7000 series launch. If anything, I think we might see the opposite as 6000 series card supply declines.

 

[srock77]

Price up and down ( as many of the posters said it would be)

Up as high as $ 140 last several days.

Today the lowest recent:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-14102908-L07A

$134.99 -15.00 (free shipping)= $119.00 (if rebate goes through- Damn I hate them...)


In for 1

 

[OSULugan]

$134.99 -15.00 (free shipping)= $119.00 (if rebate goes through- Damn I hate them...)

I show it as $134.99 after the $15 MIR.

 

[Termie]

I show it as $134.99 after the $15 MIR.

He forgot to post the $15 code:

EMCNJJN45

 

[pmanipole]

hey does anyone remember that website that tracks the trends in pricing of units in a graph? i know it gives the prices and links.
not pricewatch.

 

[srock77]

Sorry about leaving out the promo code

Also for those who care, free copy of Dirt 3 (coupon for game) is included - supposed 49.99 value


Steve

 

[Termie]

hey does anyone remember that website that tracks the trends in pricing of units in a graph? i know it gives the prices and links.
not pricewatch.

http://camelegg.com/product/N82E16814102908

 

[dbailey]

I think your best chance for improvement would be upgrading from 16mb of ram to maybe say 8gb?

 

[srock77]

OK. So its no longer a secret that I don't type so good. Yes, 16 GB is correct

BTB, ordered 6850 from NE Wed for 119AR and it arrived Thurs - Packing was classic NE - Large box - lots of filler(paper based) for padding -But the card was placed on the bottom of the box and the padding placed above (well protected from a top hit, but no protection from below)- Given all the criticism of NE packing over the years- you would think they would improve - Guess they dont have to

Will install this WE - hope the card is OK (retail box was fine)

Coupon for Dirt 3 in the box

cross fire cable included! (not so common these days)

One happy camper

 

[rivethead]

OK. So its no longer a secret that I don't type so good. Yes, 16 GB is correct

BTB, ordered 6850 from NE Wed for 119AR and it arrived Thurs - Packing was classic NE - Large box - lots of filler(paper based) for padding -But the card was placed on the bottom of the box and the padding placed above (well protected from a top hit, but no protection from below)- Given all the criticism of NE packing over the years- you would think they would improve - Guess they dont have to

Will install this WE - hope the card is OK (retail box was fine)

Coupon for Dirt 3 in the box

cross fire cable included! (not so common these days)

One happy camper

I received mine Monday night. My packing was fine - paper packing on bottom, top, and sides. But I also had a dvd drive and a wireless adapter in the box.

I also got the Dirt3 coupon - which I didn't expect (it wasn't advertised when I orderd the card....although I see it is now).

I hope you have better luck with your 6850 than I did. I think mine is already dead. I installed Tuesday night, re-ran the Windows Experience Index (went from 7.2 (with my 5750) to 7.9 with the 6850), played BF:BC2 for 30 minutes and went to bed. Everything ran fine. The next night booted up the computer and immediately started getting artifacts. Then crashes. You can read more about it in the Computer Help forum.