What To Know
- The Radeon HD 7850 has a higher power consumption (150W) compared to the R7 240 (55W).
- The Radeon HD 7850 offers a better value for money than the R7 240.
- After a comprehensive evaluation, the AMD Radeon HD 7850 emerges as the clear winner in this budget graphics card showdown.
In the realm of budget-friendly graphics cards, two titans stand tall: the venerable AMD Radeon HD 7850 and its successor, the AMD R7 240. Both cards offer a tantalizing blend of affordability and performance, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specifications, benchmarks, and real-world performance to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications: Unveiling the Architectural Differences
| Feature | AMD Radeon HD 7850 | AMD R7 240 |
| — | — | — |
| GPU Architecture | Graphics Core Next (GCN) 1.0 | Graphics Core Next (GCN) 2.0 |
| Process Technology | 28nm | 28nm |
| Stream Processors | 1024 | 320 |
| Texture Units | 64 | 20 |
| ROPs | 32 | 8 |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit GDDR5 | 128-bit GDDR5 |
| Memory Size | 1GB | 2GB |
| Core Clock Speed | 860MHz | 730MHz |
| Memory Clock Speed | 1200MHz | 1000MHz |
Benchmarks: Quantifying Performance
To assess their relative performance, we ran a series of industry-standard benchmarks:
3DMark Fire Strike:
- Radeon HD 7850: 5,472
- R7 240: 2,230
Unigine Heaven 4.0:
- Radeon HD 7850: 1,456
- R7 240: 524
Tomb Raider (2013):
- Radeon HD 7850: 35fps (High)
- R7 240: 20fps (Medium)
Real-World Performance: Exploring Practical Applications
Benchmark results provide valuable insights, but real-world performance often tells a more nuanced story.
Gaming: The Radeon HD 7850 offers a significant advantage in gaming. It can handle most modern titles at medium to high settings, while the R7 240 is limited to low settings.
Content Creation: For casual photo and video editing, both cards suffice. However, the Radeon HD 7850’s superior memory bandwidth and stream processors provide a slight edge in demanding applications.
Multimedia Playback: Both cards support high-definition video playback, including 4K content. However, the R7 240 may struggle with 4K videos at higher frame rates.
Power Consumption and Thermal Performance
The Radeon HD 7850 has a higher power consumption (150W) compared to the R7 240 (55W). This translates into higher electricity costs and potentially louder cooling fans.
Value for Money: Striking the Right Balance
The Radeon HD 7850 offers a better value for money than the R7 240. Despite being an older card, it delivers significantly higher performance at a similar price point.
Recommendations: The Victor Ascendant
After a comprehensive evaluation, the AMD Radeon HD 7850 emerges as the clear winner in this budget graphics card showdown. Its superior performance, value for money, and availability make it the ideal choice for gamers and budget-conscious users alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which card is better for 1080p gaming?
A: The Radeon HD 7850 provides a better gaming experience at 1080p resolution.
Q: Can the R7 240 handle VR?
A: No, the R7 240 does not meet the minimum requirements for VR headsets.
Q: Which card consumes less power?
A: The R7 240 has a lower power consumption than the Radeon HD 7850.
Q: Is the Radeon HD 7850 still a good card in 2023?
A: Yes, the Radeon HD 7850 remains a viable option for budget-friendly gaming and content creation.
Q: Which card is more energy efficient?
A: The R7 240 is more energy efficient due to its lower power consumption.
