HD 7850 - 1GB or 2GB - need help to decide

[mDee]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade to a new video card this holiday season and I'm pretty much set on a 7850 but I can't decide between the 1GB or 2GB version. These are my specs:

1090T @ 3.8GHz
Asrock 870 Extreme3
Seasonic X-560W
2x ASUS 22" - 1920x1080

My current card is a Sapphire 5750 (512MB) which is really struggling to play games @ 1080p while simultaneously driving a second monitor. Games like Mass Effect 2 run smoothly (max VRAM usage is about 350MB) but Company of Heroes flat lines with over 500MB of usage. I used to game @ 1680x1050 and it wasn't a problem but since upgrading to 1920x1080 and attaching a second display the card is pretty much overtaxed - and I can't blame it. It's been a great budget performer for me for over 2 years.

Techpowerup's review of the Club3D 7850 1GB Royal Queen makes it clear that it can game @1080p just as well as the 2GB version. I'm just a little worried that with my second display demanding its portion of VRAM the remaining amount will be a bit too borderline for AA/AF fancy titles like The Witcher 2 and, I assume, Assassins' Creed III. So 2GB might be the more future-resistant choice, but I lack the insight to say this with any certainty.

Here's the thing, though. The 1GB version (Sapphire's in this case) can be had for €125 here in Europe (special offer: down from €150). So, right now, the gap to the 2GB version is a lot bigger than it is in the US; here the 2GB costs €170 or more. I'm on a budget so the 1GB version is really tempting ... I just don't know if I'll regret not getting the 2GB.

Your thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

[W1zzard]

1 GB, especially with the large price difference.

you're not gonna use the second display for gaming, right?

[3870x2]

I would say the 1GB if the price difference is that big.

I would also say you should look around a bit more, maybe find a 2GB a bit lower. Im not sure what your options in the EU are.

[mDee]

Originally Posted by W1zzard

1 GB, especially with the large price difference.

you're not gonna use the second display for gaming, right?

No, just one display for gaming. Disconnecting the second display while gaming is an option, but I'd rather not. The whole point of having a second monitor is for it to be a convenience, right?

Originally Posted by 3870x2

I would say the 1GB if the price difference is that big.

I would also say you should look around a bit more, maybe find a 2GB a bit lower. Im not sure what your options in the EU are.

I haven't seen the 2GB version for anything less than €170 (France) and €177 (Netherlands). I'd love to be wrong though.

[3870x2]

PowerColor AX7850 2GBD5-DH Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-...
Too bad you live overseas.

Here is one for $184 ($142 euro)

[mDee]

Yeah, newegg

[W1zzard]

Originally Posted by mDee

No, just one display for gaming. Disconnecting the second display while gaming is an option, but I'd rather not. The whole point of having a second monitor is for it to be a convenience, right?

the second monitor will not use any memory (black during gaming) or use 8 MB (windows gui 1920x1080x4)

[mDee]

Originally Posted by W1zzard

the second monitor will not use any memory (black during gaming) or use 8 MB (windows gui 1920x1080x4)

Really? Only 8 MB? That is good to know. I guess I had overestimated its impact on available VRAM then. Thanks for the info.