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AMD Radeon HD 7850 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£25
  • Avg. price in US: ~$30
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 130 W

AMD Radeon HD 7850 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

3.6

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.2

Technical Score

10.0%

7.3

User score

Poor
3.2

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.6

Performance

24.0%

3.4

Memory

12.0%

4.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.5

Design

4.0%

6.9

Connectivity & Media

Poor
7.3

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

4.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(28)
amazon
5.0
(1)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(35)
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(9)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The AMD Radeon HD 7850 is a performance-segment graphics card launched in 2012, based on the 28nm Pitcairn PRO architecture and featuring 1,024 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. It typically comes with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit interface, operating at a base core clock of 860 MHz with a maximum power draw of 130 W. Main pros include high power efficiency for its era, excellent overclocking potential, and support for multi-display technologies like AMD Eyefinity. However, its primary cons are its aged feature level (limited to DirectX 11_1), the requirement of an external 6-pin power connector, and performance that struggles with modern, demanding DirectX 12 titles.

Technical Specifications of AMD Radeon HD 7850

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.6

Performance

24.0%

3.4

Memory

12.0%

4.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

4.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.5

Design

4.0%

6.9

Connectivity & Media

3.2
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a technical score of 3.16 points, which is lower than that of 96.2% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

4.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(28)
amazon
5.0
(1)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(35)
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(9)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.3
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a user score of 7.27 points, which is lower than that of 88.6% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
4.2
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a popularity of 4.2 points, which is higher than 58.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

3.6

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

5.5
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.5 points, which is lower than 90.9% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

1.761 TFLOPS
AMD Radeon HD 7850 delivers 1.761 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 97.5% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

2 GB
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.5% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

?
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
AMD Radeon HD 7850 uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

153.6 GB/s
AMD Radeon HD 7850 reaches 153.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 91.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

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DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

?
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
Show more
Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

2
AMD Radeon HD 7850 offers 2 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to 10.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.2
AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports DisplayPort 1.2, which is older than on 93.6% of graphics cards and equal to 4.8% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

5.4 Gbps
AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% of graphics cards.
Show more
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

130 W
AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a TDP of 130 W, which is lower than that of 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 3.4% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

130 W
AMD Radeon HD 7850 draws 130 W under peak load, which is lower than 79.8% of graphics cards and equal to 3.5% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

500 W
AMD Radeon HD 7850 recommends a 500 W PSU, which is lower than that of 76.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 9.6% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

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PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

210 mm
AMD Radeon HD 7850 is 210 mm long, which is shorter than 86.8% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.5% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

?
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
AMD Radeon HD 7850 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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AMD Radeon HD 7850 vs the average graphics card

  • 16x larger L2 cache
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.512 MB vs 32 MB
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.130 W vs 215 W
  • 75.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is shorter than the average graphics card (210 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is shorter than the average graphics card (210 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.210 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
  • 21.2x cheaper
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£25 vs £530).
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£25 vs £530).£25 vs £530
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).1:16 vs 1:64
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • 16x larger L2 cache
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (512 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 2 more monitors per output type
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports more monitors per output type than the average graphics card (6 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 monitors per output type.
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 75.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is shorter than the average graphics card (210 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.

Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 55.2% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (860 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 24 fewer compute units
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 120 fewer TMUs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 85.4% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (55 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 83.3% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (27.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 92.3% lower FP32 performance
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (1.8 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 92.4% lower compute throughput
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (1.8 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 76.3% lower FP64 performance
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 3,328 fewer FP32 units
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,024 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 74.7% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (4,800 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 65.7% lower memory bandwidth
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (153.6 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 31.4% slower VRAM clock
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,200 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 11 older
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,012 vs 2,023).
  • Older PCIe version
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • No XeSS support
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Worse SAM support
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • Older encoder generation
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (1 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • Older OpenCL version
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 3.0).
  • No sampler feedback
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 87.2% fewer transistors
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (2,800 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 decoding
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 1.4a).
  • No VRR support
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support VRR, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDCP version
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 2.3).
  • Not VR ready
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • 2 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • No fan stop
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • No backplate
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 5.6x larger process node
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (28 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.28 nm vs 5 nm
  • 2 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 24 fewer compute units
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.16 vs 40
  • 55.2% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (860 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (860 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.860 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • 120 fewer TMUs
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (64 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.64 vs 184
  • 85.4% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (55 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (55 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.55.04 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 83.3% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (27.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon HD 7850 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (27.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.27.52 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
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Graphic comparison of AMD Radeon HD 7850 and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
28 Reviews
amazon
5.0
1 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
35 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
9 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about AMD Radeon HD 7850?

  • Excellent power efficiency and low power draw for its performance class
  • Strong overclocking potential, often reaching 1GHz+ core speeds
  • Runs relatively cool and quiet, especially in custom partner models
  • Competitive mid-range performance, capable of handling most 1080p games at high settings
  • Good value for money at launch and as a used budget option later
  • Compact physical size fits well in most cases and HTPC setups

What customers dislike about AMD Radeon HD 7850?

  • Only 2GB of VRAM (and a 1GB variant) which limited longevity for newer high-res textures
  • Faces stiff pricing competition from certain NVIDIA counterparts like the GTX 560 Ti
  • Lacks advanced modern DirectX 12 feature levels (only supports up to 11.1)
  • Requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector, which some very basic systems might lack
  • Dual-slot design effectively blocks an adjacent expansion slot
  • Historical reports of stability issues on specific older platform configurations (e.g., Sandy Bridge-E)

Expert reviews

U
uk.pcmag.com
02/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7850 - Review 2012

The AMD Radeon HD 7850 launched as a mid-high end "Pitcairn" family graphics card priced at $249, designed as an affordable gateway for gaming enthusiasts. Built on a 28nm process with Graphics Core Next architecture, the card delivers solid overall performance, outperforming its main rival, the Nvidia GTX 560 Ti, in most gaming benchmarks like Aliens vs. Predator and DiRT 3,. It...Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
03/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 & HD 7850 Review

The AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition ($349) and HD 7850 ($249) successfully bridge the performance and pricing gap between the entry-level HD 7700 series and the expensive high-end HD 7900 cards. Built on AMD's efficient 28nm "Pitcairn" Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, these mid-range offerings target the lucrative "sweet spot" of the desktop market. Equipped with 2GB of GDDR5...Read more

E
expertreviews.co.uk
05/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7850 review

The Expert Reviews analysis of the AMD Radeon HD 7850 highlights it as a competent, sub-£200 upper-mid-range graphics card that provides plenty of gaming power for a reasonable price. Built on a 28nm process, it features 2GB of GDDR5 RAM, a 256-bit memory interface, 1,024 stream processors, and a core clock speed of 860MHz. Major pros include its excellent overclocking potential...Read more

H
hothardware.com
05/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 and 7850 GPU Previews

The ⁠HotHardware review evaluates the AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition and Radeon HD 7850, highlighting their position in the traditional mid-range "sweet spot" of the graphics card market. Built on the 28nm "Pitcairn" GPU architecture, both cards utilize AMD’s Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, successfully scaling down premium features like PowerTune, ZeroCore Power, and...Read more

L
legitreviews.com
04/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition & 7850 Video Card Review

The AMD Radeon HD 7800 series launch introduces the 28nm "Pitcairn" GPU architecture to bridge the price gap for mainstream gamers with the Radeon HD 7850 ($249) and the Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition ($349). Built on Graphics Core Next (GCN) technology, the HD 7870 features 1280 stream processors and a 1GHz core clock speed, while the HD 7850 is a scaled-back version operating at...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
04/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 And 7850 Review: Pitcairn Gets Benchmarked

AMD Radeon HD 7870 and 7850 AMD’s launch of the Radeon HD 7870 and 7850 graphics cards successfully fills the massive price and performance gap between the high-end HD 7950 and budget HD 7700 series. Based on the 28 nm Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture code-named "Pitcairn," these cards effectively replace the older HD 6970 and 6950 models at competitive suggested retail prices...Read more

W
wsgf.org
07/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition & HD 7850 Review Are you looking for driver performance updates for this card in modern games, or are you strictly inte...

The WSGF review of the AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition and HD 7850 highlights these 28nm GPUs as highly efficient, delivering performance surpassing the HD 6900 series with reduced power, heat, and noise. Key advantages include the shift to a 2GB VRAM frame buffer and enhanced architectural efficiency, offering significant value over older hardware. Conversely, the review notes a...Read more

A
au.pcmag.com
03/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7850 - Review 2012

The AMD Radeon HD 7850 is a mid-high end graphics card launched in March 2012 for around $250, acting as an affordable gateway for mainstream PC gaming. Built on a 28nm "Pitcairn" architecture called Graphics Core Next, the card features 2GB of GDDR5 memory, a 153.6GBps memory bandwidth, 1,024 stream processors, and an 860MHz engine clock. The review awards it a 3.5 out of 5 "Good"...Read more

H
hexus.net
05/03/2012
Review: AMD Radeon HD 7870 and HD 7850 graphics cards(pcworld.com) | 5 March 2012 | AMD Radeon HD 7850 review: The new sweet spot

AMD Radeon HD 7870 and HD 7850 Review Summary AMD expanded its 28nm GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture into the upper-mid-range market with the announcement of the Pitcairn-based Radeon HD 7870 ($349) and HD 7850 ($249) graphics cards. Designed to replace the aging HD 6900 series, both cards feature a dedicated 212mm² die size, 2GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, and full...Read more

T
techspot.com
05/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7870 & Radeon HD 7850 Review

The TechSpot review of the AMD Radeon HD 7870 and 7850 highlights the "Pitcairn" GCN architecture as a strong performer, with the 7870 trailing the HD 7950 by only 8% and outpacing the GTX 580 in select titles. The 7850 offers high efficiency for mainstream gaming, boasting superior performance over the GTX 560 Ti, with both cards featuring 2GB GDDR5 for improved texture handling....Read more

G
guru3d.com
04/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7850 and 7870 review

The AMD Radeon HD 7800 series review on Guru3D highlights the launch of two mid-range graphics cards built on AMD's 28nm process and the Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, designed to replace the older 6800-series. The Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition ("Pitcairn XT") features a 1000 MHz core clock, 1280 Stream Processors, and an MSRP of $349 USD. Meanwhile, the Radeon HD 7850...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
04/03/2012
AMD Radeon HD 7850 & HD 7870 2 GB Review(tomshardware.com) | 4 March 2012 | AMD Radeon HD 7870Go to product viewer dialog for this item. And 7850 Revi...

The TechPowerUp review of the AMD Radeon HD 7850 and HD 7870 highlights the Pitcairn architecture's 28 nm efficiency, 2 GB GDDR5 frame buffer, and superior overclocking capabilities, with the HD 7870 reaching 1205 MHz on stock voltage. These cards deliver strong, competitive 3D performance and excellent power efficiency (including ZeroCore power technology), with the HD 7870...Read more

K
kitguru.net
05/03/2012
AMD HD7870 and HD7850 Graphics Card Review

The KitGuru review by Allan 'Zardon' Campbell evaluates AMD's 2012 "Pitcairn" mid-range architectural lineup, consisting of the HD 7870 and HD 7850 graphics cards. Built on a 28nm manufacturing process with 2.8 billion transistors, these GPUs are designed to fill a major pricing gap between the ultra-high-end "Tahiti" series (HD 7970/7950) and the budget-oriented "Cape Verde"...Read more

C
computerbase.de
18/07/2012
Club3D Radeon HD 7850 1.024 MB im Test

The Club3D Radeon HD 7850 royalQueen is a cost-effective variant of the standard Radeon HD 7850, distinguished primarily by its halved video memory of 1,024 MB GDDR5 compared to the reference 2,048 MB. Despite this reduction, the card maintains the same technical specifications as the reference design, including an 860 MHz chip clock and a 256-bit memory interface. This modification...Read more

(Translated)Show original
P
pcwelt.de
05/03/2012
Test: AMD Radeon HD 7870 & 7850

The AMD Radeon HD 7870 is a highly capable mid-range graphics card that punches above its weight, delivering performance on par with the higher-end Radeon HD 7950 in several gaming benchmarks. Built on a 28-nanometer process with a 1 GHz GPU clock and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, it effortlessly handles modern games, achieving a smooth 41 FPS in Battlefield 3 and 60 FPS in Anno 2070 at...Read more

(Translated)Show original
P
pcwelt.de
11/05/2012
Gigabyte HD 7850 OC im Test

Review Overview The Gigabyte HD 7850 OC (Windforce 2X) is a factory-overclocked graphics card featuring a customized cooling design and a core clock speed boosted from 860 MHz to 975 MHz. In performance testing, it delivers excellent OpenGL acceleration, reaching 79.28 frames per second in Cinebench 11.5, which outshines even higher-tier AMD cards and makes it highly suitable for...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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