The ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics accelerator was released in the fall of 2003. This adapter belonged to the eminent computer manufacturer to a series of devices with very high speed. Moreover, such an accelerator was quite popular. It could be purchased both in the company version and in the non-reference version.
Main characteristics
As noted earlier, the ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics adapter belonged to the flagship product line. It has a really high level of performance. This accelerator is based on the RV870 microprocessor, whose code name is Cypress. This silicon chip was manufactured using 40 nm technology and included 2154 million semiconductor elements. Moreover, all of its transistors are made on a surface layout, which today is obsolete.
This chip includes 1440 stream processors, 32 rasterization modules and 72 TMU units. All these elements in nominal mode operate at a frequency of 725 MHz.
The volume of the video buffer is 1 GB. The type of memory used in the graphics accelerator is GDDR5, which operate at a frequency of 4000 GHz. The capacity of the RAM switching bus is 256 bits. The bandwidth of the latter is 128 Gb / s.
All the previously mentioned characteristics are relevant for the nominal mode. But some very famous manufacturers sold devices with initially overpriced specifications.
The procedure for setting up accelerators of this model
The graphic adapter configuration algorithm consists of the following steps:
- We remove the video subsystem from the box.
- We remove the side panels of the computer in the off state.
- You must install a video card in a free expansion slot on the system board. You also need to connect additional power connectors without fail.
- After that, the case of the stationary computer must be assembled back.
- Next, you need to connect the monitor to the accelerator output.
- Turn on the computer and wait for the end of its download.
- The next important step is the installation of drivers from electronic media, which the manufacturer included in the package.
Types of Accelerators
By design, graphics adapters can be divided into two large groups: for desktop PCs and for laptops. In the first case, the accelerator runs to the limit of its capabilities without any restrictions. And in the second case, the algorithm of the adapter’s operation changes dramatically and battery life, rather than speed, comes to the fore. This concept was implemented in the accelerator for laptops ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850.
In turn, solutions for stationary system units are divided into two large groups. One of them is reference devices. That is, they are completely identical to the performance and specifications of the manufacturer. The second group is called non-reference. In this case, the specifications and performance may vary dramatically. Moreover, such modifications of accelerators come initially with increased clock frequencies and an improved power system.
Brand Accelerator
Initially, the AMD / ATI Radeon HD 5850 was equipped with an active cooling system, which included a set of plates, heat removable tubes and a cooler. The accelerator microprocessor operates at nominal frequencies, as does the memory. A PCI-EX slot is used to connect to the system board. It is most optimal to use its modification 2.1 for such switching. But it is also compatible with any other version of this hardware interface. For image display, this accelerator is equipped with three types of digital ports: DVI, HDMI and, of course, Display Port.
In a proprietary version, such an accelerator cannot be purchased. AMD refused to manufacture it and provided this opportunity to third-party developers. She only makes demo samples, which are then tested in various information laboratories.
ASUS Accelerator: Adapter Specifications
A review of the ATI Radeon HD 5850 from ASUS in the EAN5850 version indicates that this accelerator fully complies with the specifications that were previously indicated for the factory accelerator. Even the cooler in this case has an identical appearance and a red-black design. Its only difference from the proprietary accelerator is the presence of the ASUS logo. The accelerator package, in addition to himself, includes a driver disk and other related software, a warranty card, a DVI / VGA adapter, special adapters for additional power supply to the device, and a user manual. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. This solution uses faster Samsung memory chips.
Some manufacturers sought to reduce the cost of the device: they used Hynix chips with a lower frequency and reduced the speed of the accelerator. Of course, the cost of such electronic elements was significantly lower. But the speed of their work adversely affects the performance of the graphics subsystem of the electronic computer. In turn, the company "ASUS" in every possible way avoids this kind of savings and strives to provide its customers with devices with the best characteristics and specifications. These two criteria perfectly match this model of the graphics adapter.
HIS Adapter: Specifications
The HIS ATI Radeon HD 5850 accelerator is labeled H585F1GD. It has typical factory specifications and all of its elements operate in nominal mode. The power system is based on economy class semiconductor elements and therefore it is not possible to initially accelerate such an accelerator. The list of equipment for this device is increased. In addition to everything previously listed for ASUS EAN5850, it is complemented by a special Crossfire switch. With the help of the latter, such accelerators can be combined with each other in one computing cluster and increase the speed of the PC graphics subsystem.
Model by Gigabyte
The performance of the ATI Radeon HD 5850 in this performance indicates an excellent combination of cost and performance. This accelerator is equipped with a powerful cooling system of two fans. Therefore, even under significant load and in case of acceleration, this device will work stably and reliably. In addition, unlike the other solutions considered in this review, the power supply system of this accelerator is based on solid-state capacitors with an increased service life. Therefore, such an accelerator has excellent overclocking potential and high performance against the background of analogues.
MSI solution. Device features
Marking MSI ATI Radeon HD 5850 has the form R5850 TwinFrozr II. This accelerator is equipped with an exclusive cooling system of two coolers. This provides improved heat dissipation and allows you to disperse even more adapter. In addition, this accelerator initially has an increased clock frequency of 1000 MHz against the factory 750 MHz. Therefore, according to the test results, this graphic accelerator demonstrates a 15 percent increase in productivity.
Its only drawback is a shortened communication list. The factory accelerator is equipped with four ports, and this adapter has three. For some reason, the manufacturer has installed only one instead of two DVI connectors.
Like any other adapter of this model, this accelerator occupies two expansion slots in the computer. This is due to the increased overall dimensions of the cooling system.
Discrete PowerColor Subsystem
The model of this manufacturer is marked AX5850 1GBD5-DH. The RAM in this modification of the accelerator, like any other accelerator ATI Radeon HD 5850 - 1Gb. Unlike all the previously reviewed devices, this accelerator is equipped with lower-speed chips manufactured by Hynix. Therefore, the performance of this accelerator is lower. Also, the video card cooling system includes only one fan. Therefore, the graphics accelerator may experience cooling problems during operation.
Another significant drawback of the device in question is the configuration. Although the manufacturer assigns this adapter to a series of premium devices, its delivery list is very truncated. From it, PowerColor excluded from the delivery list additional power wires and adapters with which you can use such an accelerator in Crossfire mode.
VTX3D device
The VTX3D ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics card is labeled VX5850 1GBD5-DH. The manufacturer significantly saved on this accelerator and equipped it with Hynix chips with initially lower frequencies. Accordingly, the speed of the accelerator will be very, very low. The cooling system is typical for this model of a video card and is based on only one cooler. The difference from the corporate design in this case is that the radiator and cooling fan are red instead of typical black. In addition, the cooling system is not very well designed and during operation of the microprocessor the temperature is really too high. Also, the wiring of the power system is far from the highest level. Therefore, acceleration of such an accelerator is minimal. In addition, due to the latter circumstance, the reliability of the graphics subsystem is significantly reduced.
Conclusion and recommendations
The Gigabyte GV-R585OC-1GD model boasts the best price-performance ratio of the previously reviewed ATI Radeon HD 5850 models. He really has the best specifications against competitors. In second place is the MSI accelerator. He is second only to the leader in the number of communication ports. The third place is occupied by the ASUS adapter. The remaining representatives of this review have comparable parameters.
It is also necessary to take into account the fact that this accelerator was introduced to the market of computer components for a long time. During this time, it is out of date. Therefore, the PCs of which it is a part need modernization.