AMD
Radeon RX 590 vs Radeon HD 6850
Full comparison of specs, performance and benchmarks
AMD
HD 6850
Aggregate performance score
We've compared RX 590 and HD 6850 across specs and all relevant benchmarks.
↗RX 590 outperforms HD 6850 by ~28% on the catalog index; this is not a measured FPS gain.+28%
Scores are normalized on the Head to Head scale. Higher is better. How is this calculated?H2HBench Data Quality
Low confidenceSpecifications: Field verification not recordedVerified gaming results: 0Estimated / unverified results: 32Price record updated: Sep 6, 2026
Limited verified data
H2HBench Verdict
Higher catalog score: Radeon RX 590 (~4%)
The score difference is not a measured FPS improvement.
Reasons to consider RX 590
- Higher catalog performance index
- More graphics memory
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 2.1 · AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR)
Reasons to consider HD 6850
- Lower stated power consumption
- Lower recorded market price
- Recorded feature support: OpenCL 1.2 · Not supported
Catalog metrics radar
Axes with missing data are hidden; every value uses a fixed scale.
AMDPerformance
Efficiency
Price / performance
Memory capacity
4132
6184
100100
6856
Graphics card ranking
Positions 174–179of 321
Which should you choose?
Two practical conclusions based on community votes and gaming value.
Radeon RX 590
101 likesHead to Head visitors currently choose this model more often.
Radeon HD 6850
Price $25.00Based on catalog performance per unit of current market price, not measured FPS.
Overview
Scores are calculated from specifications, performance, and efficiency.
GamesDirectX, OpenCL, and Vulkan performance
41Better
32
Professional applications3D modeling, video editing, and rendering
36Better
29
AI and machine learningMachine-learning and AI capabilities
34Better
27
Power efficiencyPower consumption across workloads
61
84Better
Head to Head scoreOverall catalog score
51Better
49
Specifications
The better numeric value is highlighted in green, taking the metric direction into account.
DisplayPort
HDMI
Device class
Max resolution
USB Type-C
DirectX
Vulkan
OpenGL
TFLOPSBetter
Power consumptionBetter
Memory type
Power connector
Release date
ArchitectureBetter
Thickness
Compute API
Launch priceBetter
Shader units / coresBetter
Clock speedBetter
Base clockBetter
Boost clockBetter
VRAMBetter
Memory frequencyBetter
Memory bus
Memory bandwidthBetter
Interface
Power consumptionBetter
Process nodeBetter
Recommended PSUBetter
LengthBetter
Die sizeBetter
Memory cache
Transistor countBetter
Max monitors
Upscaling
Gaming FPS
Available results are shown separately; missing data is not treated as zero.
The Gaming FPS section compares RX 590 and HD 6850 across curated H2H Lab game presets. The useful signal is not only average FPS, but also how each device behaves at 1440p and 4K, how memory capacity and bus width affect heavy textures, and whether the game engine favors raster performance, ray tracing, or driver maturity.
RX 590HD 6850
Verified externalEstimatedSources ↗
Counter-Strike 2
1080p High
191 FPS
161 FPS
1080p Ultra
134 FPS
110 FPS
1440p Ultra
97 FPS
63 FPS
4K Ultra
32 FPS
23 FPS
Counter-Strike 2RX 590191 FPSHD 6850161 FPSRX 590134 FPSHD 6850110 FPSRX 59097 FPSHD 685063 FPSRX 59032 FPSHD 685023 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077RX 590123 FPSHD 6850104 FPSRX 590106 FPSHD 685087 FPSRX 59070 FPSHD 685046 FPSRX 59021 FPSHD 685016 FPS
Forza Horizon 5RX 590155 FPSHD 6850131 FPSRX 590101 FPSHD 685083 FPSRX 59087 FPSHD 685057 FPSRX 59046 FPSHD 685034 FPS
Hogwarts LegacyRX 590101 FPSHD 685085 FPSRX 59084 FPSHD 685069 FPSRX 59063 FPSHD 685041 FPSRX 59022 FPSHD 685016 FPS
H2H workload indices
Comparable internal indices on a fixed 0–100 scale.
H2H Raster IndexH2H Index / 100413225%
H2H Compute IndexH2H Index / 100473529%
H2H Rendering IndexH2H Index / 100493923%
H2H Memory Workload IndexH2H Index / 100685619%
H2H Efficiency IndexH2H Index / 100618432%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
H2H AI workload indices
Estimated workload profiles based on available performance and memory data.
H2H Image Generation IndexH2H Index / 100534321%
H2H ML Training IndexH2H Index / 100524124%
H2H Inference IndexH2H Index / 100493923%
H2H Local LLM IndexH2H Index / 100564522%
H2H Computer Vision IndexH2H Index / 100493923%
These are versioned H2H calculated indices derived from normalized catalog data. They are not results from a third-party benchmark.
Graphics APIs, SDKs and upscaling
DirectX12.011.0
Vulkan1.3Not supported
OpenGL4.64.4
UpscalingAMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR)Not supported
Compute APIOpenCL 2.1OpenCL 1.2
Architecture and release
ArchitectureGCN 4.0BetterTeraScale 2
Process node12 nmBetter40 nm
Release date20182010
Device classDesktopDesktop
GPU cores, die and clocks
Transistor count5700 millionBetter1700 million
Die size232 mm²Better255 mm²
Shader units / cores2304Better960
Base clock1469 MHzBetter775 MHz
Boost clock1545 MHzBetter775 MHz
Board size, power and compatibility
InterfacePCIe 3x16PCIe 2x16
Length241 mm198 mmBetter
ThicknessDual-slotDual-slot
Recommended PSU450 W300 WBetter
Power connector8 pin6 pin
Display outputs and limits
HDMIHDMI 2.0bHDMI 1.3a
DisplayPortDisplayPort 1.4amini-DisplayPort 1.1
USB Type-CNoNo
Max monitors45
Max resolution7680 × 43204096 × 2160
Memory and compute throughput
VRAM8 GB GDDR5Better1 GB GDDR5
Memory typeGDDR5GDDR5
Memory bus256 bit256 bit
TFLOPS7.119Better1.488
Other comparisons
Reviews and questions
Explain this comparison
Beyond percentages: causes, relevant specifications, and practical impact behind every chart.
What AI will explain
Overall score, radar, FPS, synthetic tests, specifications, efficiency, and value.
Evidence details
Data coverage
- Verified gaming results
- 0
- Verified synthetic results
- 0
- Games with verified results
- 0
- Verified community results
- 0
- Estimated / unverified results
- 32
- Specifications
- 0 / 70
Calculated scores · How is this calculated?
Scores use the catalog model and may include estimated inputs. Open each score to see its origin and the methodology.
clamp(round(performance × 0.7 + (efficiency ?? 50) × 0.2 + (value is missing ? 0 : (value − 50) × 0.2)), 0, 100)Price evidence · View sources (6)
Verified community results
No verified community benchmarks yet.
Reviewed by
No individual editorial review is recorded for this comparison.
Comparison history
Show recorded changes (4)
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
- · Record updated: products
Why you can trust this comparison
Origin and confidence are evaluated from the evidence attached to each value. Unverified results are identified, and specification, benchmark and price dates remain separate.
Owner experiences
Real builds, results, and community feedback.
Moderator reviewedHelpful to the communityExpert badges
Frequently asked comparison questions
Short recommendations based on performance, memory, power consumption, and intended use.
01Which is better for gaming: RX 590 or HD 6850?+
RX 590 has the higher overall gaming score, while RX 590 offers the better price-to-performance ratio. The final choice depends on resolution and settings.
02Which is better for streaming?+
RX 590 is the stronger streaming choice thanks to performance, hardware encoding, and application support. Check AV1, H.264, and HEVC support before buying.
03Which is better for Blender?+
RX 590 is generally the better option for Blender and GPU rendering. Rendering-engine support and available VRAM also matter.
04Which is better for video editing?+
RX 590 offers more overall performance, while RX 590 offers more memory headroom. Codecs, hardware encoders, and editor optimization can change the result.
05Which is better for neural networks and AI?+
RX 590 is the more practical option for local AI workloads. VRAM capacity, compute libraries, and framework compatibility are especially important.
06Which is better for 1080p?+
RX 590 is the most rational 1080p choice, where high frame rates and cost per frame matter most.
07Which is better for 1440p?+
RX 590 leads in combined 1440p performance. RX 590 can be preferable for heavy textures and games with high VRAM usage.
08Which is better for 4K?+
RX 590 is preferable for 4K, where total performance, memory bandwidth, and VRAM capacity have the greatest impact.
09Which is better for a quiet PC?+
HD 6850 is easier to use in a quiet build because of its lower estimated power and thermal load. Actual noise depends on the specific cooler.
10Which is better without replacing the power supply?+
HD 6850 is the safer candidate because its stated power consumption is lower. Verify PSU wattage, age, and power connectors.
11Is it worth upgrading from the previous generation?+
Consider upgrading to RX 590 if your current device no longer delivers the required FPS, memory capacity, or feature support. A gain below 15–20% is usually worth waiting for a price cut.