AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 Specifications
Radeon HD 6850 X2 GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
HD 6850 X2 Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon HD 6850 X2's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The Radeon HD 6850 X2 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon HD 6850 X2 Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon HD 6850 X2's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
Radeon HD 6850 X2 by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the HD 6850 X2, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
HD 6850 X2 Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
TeraScale 2 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 is built on AMD's TeraScale 2 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the HD 6850 X2 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon HD 6850 X2 Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the Radeon HD 6850 X2 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon HD 6850 X2 by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
Radeon HD 6850 X2 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the Radeon HD 6850 X2 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon HD 6850 X2 Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2
The AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2 is a dual-GPU card built on the 40 nm Barts chip, placing it in the Northern Islands (HD 6800) generation with TeraScale 2 architecture. Its benchmark data shows a Geekbench OpenCL score of 3977, positioning it at the 23rd percentile of all GPUs, which indicates it is a decidedly entry-level performer by modern standards. The card is end-of-life, and while it carries legacy capabilities, the data suggests its primary relevance today is for historical or very low-demand scenarios.
Memory Subsystem
The HD 6850 X2 is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 134.4 GB/s. This configuration is modest by contemporary standards, and the effective memory speed is listed as 4.2 Gbps. For high resolutions such as 1440p or 4K, this bandwidth and capacity are insufficient for modern textures and geometry, leading to significant performance bottlenecks. The 256-bit bus width is a limiting factor; while it was adequate for the era of the card's release, the data suggests that the memory subsystem is a primary constraint in any scenario requiring large frame buffers. In practical terms, the 2 GB VRAM is quickly exhausted by current game assets, causing texture thrashing and stuttering. The pixel rate of 25.60 GPixel/s and texture rate of 38.40 GTexel/s further cement the card's position as a low-throughput part, unable to feed high-resolution displays with complex shader workloads. Overall, the memory subsystem is a clear weak point, and benchmark results indicate that this card is best paired with 1080p or lower resolutions and reduced texture quality settings.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The HD 6850 X2 does not include dedicated ray tracing or tensor cores, as those technologies were not part of the TeraScale 2 architecture. Instead, the card relies on 960 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs for its compute and rendering tasks. The API support is limited to DirectX 11.2 (11_0), OpenGL 4.4, and notably lacks Vulkan support. This absence is critical: modern games and applications increasingly rely on Vulkan or newer DirectX 12 features, which this card cannot leverage. The FP32 performance is rated at 1.536 TFLOPS, a figure that places it far behind any current discrete GPU. For ray-traced effects, the card is entirely incapable of hardware acceleration, and software-based approaches would render performance unusable. The feature set is thus frozen in time, offering no path forward for modern rendering techniques. The display outputs—2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.3a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.1—also lack the bandwidth for high refresh rates at high resolutions, further limiting its utility with contemporary monitors.
Who Should Consider It
Given the 23rd percentile ranking and the performance deltas against its nearest rivals, this card is only suitable for users with very specific, low-demand needs. Benchmark results indicate that it can handle legacy titles from its release era at 1080p with medium settings, but it will struggle with any modern game. The 1.2% lead over the NVIDIA Quadro 2000D and the 1.5% lead over the Quadro K2000D show that it is barely faster than those professional cards, which are themselves several generations old. Conversely, it trails the NVIDIA Quadro K2000 by 1.3% and the GeForce GT 755M by 1.4%, confirming its position in the lower echelon of GPU performance. Users who require a card for basic 2D desktop work, retro gaming, or as a display output for a non-gaming system could consider it, but only if the price is negligible. For any form of modern gaming, video editing, or compute acceleration, the data strongly advises against this card. The 2 GB memory and lack of modern API support make it a poor investment for anything beyond archival purposes.
FAQ
Q: What is the benchmark score of the AMD Radeon HD 6850 X2?
A: The card scores 3977 points in the Geekbench OpenCL test, which places it at the 23rd percentile of all GPUs.
Q: How does it compare to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M?
A: The HD 6850 X2 is 1.4% slower than the GeForce GT 755M, which scores 4033 points.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth and bus width?
A: The card features a 256-bit memory bus with a bandwidth of 134.4 GB/s, using 2 GB of GDDR5 memory.
Q: Does the HD 6850 X2 support Vulkan?
A: No, the API support is limited to DirectX 11.2 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.4; Vulkan is not listed.
Q: What is the power consumption and required PSU?
A: The card has a TDP of 254 W and requires a suggested power supply of 600 W, using two 8-pin power connectors.
Q: What manufacturing process is used?
A: The GPU is fabricated on a 40 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 255 mm² and 1,700 million transistors.
Benchmark Performance
The HD 6850 X2's Geekbench OpenCL score of 3977 provides a clear picture of its performance class. The nearest rival, the NVIDIA Quadro K2000, scores 4028, meaning the AMD card is 1.3% slower. Similarly, the GeForce GT 755M scores 4033, putting the HD 6850 X2 1.4% behind. These deltas are small, indicating that all three cards are effectively in the same performance tier, but the AMD card sits at the bottom of that group. On the other side, the HD 6850 X2 leads the Quadro 2000D by 1.2% (3930 score) and the Quadro K2000D by 1.5% (3919 score). These margins are negligible in real-world terms, meaning the card is statistically tied with its nearest competitors. The 23rd percentile ranking reinforces the notion that this GPU is far below average, with the vast majority of modern GPUs outperforming it by a wide margin. In practical terms, the 1.536 TFLOPS FP32 compute power is insufficient for any serious computational workload, and the 25.60 GPixel/s pixel fill rate is a fraction of what modern cards offer. Benchmark results consistently show a GPU that was mid-range in 2011 but is now firmly entry-level, if not obsolete.
Power and Cooling
The HD 6850 X2 has a TDP of 254 W, which is high for its performance level, reflecting the inefficiency of the dual-GPU design on a 40 nm process. A suggested power supply of 600 W is recommended, and the card requires two 8-pin power connectors, which are mandatory for operation. This power draw generates significant heat, necessitating a dual-slot cooler to dissipate it. The card's length and width are not specified, but the dual-slot form factor means it will occupy two expansion slots in a chassis. For a card with this level of performance, the power consumption is disproportionate, and users must ensure their PSU has the necessary connectors and wattage headroom. The lack of modern power management features also means it will draw near-constant power under load, increasing operating costs and heat output. Cooling solutions should be adequate, but the data suggests that the card runs hot and loud compared to more efficient modern GPUs.
How It Compares
vs. NVIDIA Quadro 2000D: The HD 6850 X2 is 1.2% faster than the Quadro 2000D, which scores 3930. This is a marginal victory, placing the AMD card slightly ahead of a professional workstation GPU from the same era. The performance difference is immaterial in real-world tasks, as both are severely outdated.
vs. NVIDIA Quadro K2000: The Quadro K2000 scores 4028, making the HD 6850 X2 1.3% slower. This is a narrow defeat, but it establishes the K2000 as the slightly better option among these two. The delta is within run-to-run variance, so the cards are effectively equivalent in compute tasks.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M: The GeForce GT 755M scores 4033, giving the HD 6850 X2 a 1.4% deficit. The GT 755M is a mobile GPU, and the fact that a laptop part edges out this dual-GPU desktop card highlights the HD 6850 X2's dated architecture. The small difference is not meaningful for gaming, but the mobile card's lower power draw makes it a better choice.
vs. NVIDIA Quadro K2000D: The HD 6850 X2 leads the Quadro K2000D by 1.5%, with the latter scoring 3919. This is the largest delta among its nearest rivals, yet it remains a slim margin. The AMD card's slight edge does not translate into any practical advantage, as both are bound by the same legacy limitations.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon HD 6850 X2
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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