Nov 6 2010 - The AMD Radeon HD 6870 is a second-generation DirectX 11 graphics card with 1GB of GDDR5 video memory. Featuring the new "Barts" chip, the Radeon 6870 offers faster tessellation and AMD HD3D support for 3D gaming. Although it does not replace the ATI 5870 (which can be confusing due to AMD's naming model), it does fill the sub-$250 niche quite nicely. The Radeon 6870 is best suited for gamers looking to build a new rig or upgrade from a pre-5000 series card. It outperforms the NVIDIA GTX 460 in most games and can handle high resolutions with ease.
Pros
- Second-Generation DirectX 11 Graphics with Faster Tessellation
- Low Power Consumption
- AMD HD3D Support for 3D Gaming
Cons
- Requires Two Slots
- NVIDIA GTX 470 is Faster for Similar Price
- Naming Model is Confusing (HD 6870 Doesn't Replace Radeon HD 5870)
Description
Review - AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
Image Courtesy AMD
As reported earlier this year, AMD made the decision to drop ATI branding but keep the Radeon product name. This is evident in the release of the AMD Radeon HD 6870. It's been one year since the launch of the highly successful DirectX 11 Radeon HD 5870. However, the HD 6870 doesn't replace the aging HD 5870 as originally thought. The second-generation DirectX 11 AMD Radeon 6870 is actually tailored for mainstream gaming with an upcoming "Cayman" 6900-series graphics card targeting high-end gaming. It is unfortunate AMD chose this naming model, as it has proven to be confusing to some gamers. Naming aside, the AMD Radeon 6870 is a worthy competitor in the midrange graphics card market.
When AMD launched the Radeon HD 6870, it was supposed to go head to head with the NVIDIA GTX 460. However, the AMD 6870 performs much better than the GTX 460. Positioned against AMD's own graphics line, the AMD Radeon HD 6870 outperforms the HD 5850 but cannot take on the 5870, which is fine considering the 6870 is priced at $240.
Visually, the Radeon HD 6870 is average in length for a midrange graphics card. It does take up two slots, though, so be sure you have adequate space. Technical specifications of the AMD Radeon 6870 built with the new "Barts" chip include a 900MHz core clock, which is 50MHz higher than the HD 5870, and a 1050MHz memory clock. The Radeon HD 6870 also offers 1120 stream processors, 56 texture units, and 32 ROPs.
Second-generation DirectX 11 graphics make for a pleasant gaming experience thanks to faster tessellation, a new anti-aliasing feature, and improved filtering. The Radeon HD 6870 performed well using 1920x1200 resolution at the highest settings in the latest games, such as Battlefield Bad Company 2 and Mafia II. In certain games, the card was pushed to its limits with 2560x1600 resolution and maxed out settings, but considering the price point and the fact that a majority of midrange gamers don't have 30-inch displays, it's not a problem.
When upgrading to a new graphics card, it's important to ensure compatibility with other hardware, such as your monitor. The AMD Radeon HD 6870 graphics card requires two 6-pin power connections and is equipped with the following ports: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4a, and two DVI ports. It also offers AMD's new HD3D technology for 3D gaming, as well as AMD CrossFireX multi-GPU technology for a dual-GPU configuration and multi-display AMD Eyefinity support.
Overall, this card is excellent for midrange gaming. It offers improved power consumption, runs cool, and outperforms the NVIDIA GTX 460 in nearly every game. If you are upgrading from a pre-5000 series card or are looking to build a new gaming rig entirely, the AMD Radeon HD 6870 is an outstanding buy. It offers smooth gameplay at high resolutions with advanced settings. The Radeon 6870 also supports 3D gaming thanks to AMD HD3D technology.