Overview
Ever since the release of AMD Radeon HD 6800(Barts) cards a few months back, it is not surprising to see most sub-vendors coming out with overclocked models that are slowly emerging from the market day by day. Now, we’ll take a look on the MSI HD6850 Cyclone. The first thing that will capture your attention is the spiral like shape Cyclone heatpipe-based cooler. This GPU cooler is one of MSI’s most famous and popular non-reference cooler that have been used by MSI in most of the OCed cards in the past.


Power Edition Architecture
The MSI R6850 Cyclone is the first AMD Radeon HD6850-based GPU supporting triple over-voltage function. With the MSI-exclusive OC software, Afterburner, users can easily adjust the voltage of the GPU, RAM and VDDCI. If compared to other GPU of the same model level, this card definitely has more OC potential. Additionally, the MSI R6850 Cyclone is equipped with a more robust power system compared to other graphic cards of the same level. When compared with the reference design, the 6+1 power system can enhance OC stability and unleash the full potential of the graphic card.


MSI P/S Switch Function
With the P/S Switch, power users can switch from Performance Mode, which provides best cooling demand or Silent Mode, which balances noise and GPU temperature to meet their needs at different times.



Unboxing


This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 07:45 PM

Test Setup
• Processor: Intel i7-870
• Mainboard: MSI Big Bang Fuzion
• HSF: Thermaltake Jing
• RAM: Kingston Value RAM 2X2GB
• GPU: MSI HD6850 Cyclone
• HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB
• PSU: Seasonic X-750W
• OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)

Benchmarking
I’ll be using official bechmark software and Fraps. Standard procedure is of highest settings, 1680x1050, AF 0x and MSAA 0x unless stated.

For the entire benchmark, I’ll be using 10.12a hotfix driver + DirectX End User Runtime.


This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 07:45 PM

Battlefield: Bad Company 2



Call of Duty: Black Ops



This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 07:45 PM

Resident Evil 5



Street Fighter IV



This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 07:46 PM

Unigine Heaven v2.1


3DMark Vantage


This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 07:47 PM

Final Thoughts
I must admit that the driver is extremely problematic, which is chaotic. But I would like to add in that the performance of MSI R6850 Cyclone 1GD5 Power Edition is one of the most powerful Radeon HD 6850-based graphic cards with the most functions and highest quality.

I would like to thank MSI-Malaysia, Sanko and DarkSilver for guiding me through this review, really appreciate their help.

This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 14 2011, 09:09 PM

If you want to test maximum FPS, you should turn off VSYNC. If you have this option on, it will sync every frame and that will always cap your frame rates at 60 FPS maximum because your LCD is at 60 Hz.

VSync is off? I remember turning it all off

anyway, thanks for the advice. First debut review

This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 12 2011, 10:03 PM

Where is this p/s switch located? Can we see it on the pictures?
Have you try OC?

This post has been edited by DeerDance: Jan 13 2011, 08:17 AM

Fantastic result!
Yes, the V-sync is off. clawhammer see wrong, I guess.
It doesn't matter!

I don't know if this help, try install AMD APP(OpenCL Driver) too.
Get it here, http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pag..._win7-64.aspx#2

Thanks for the credit.

This post has been edited by DarkSilver: Jan 13 2011, 09:20 AM

See carefully. In the Black Ops screen, sync every frame is Vsync. Besides you should suspect something amiss because with this card, it will obviously go more than 61 fps for this game.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU. Just realized that
anyway, I'll try to to another benchmark again by tonight.

there is some driver problems with this card, so yeahh. Can't really feel teh power of it

---

Added on January 13, 2011, 2:20 pmYes, the OC I'll create another thread specially for the OC results of this card.
Don't worry, you'll see popular games like LFD2, B:BC2, BO, Dirt 2, Metro 2033 and Crysis.

This post has been edited by TechnoG: Jan 13 2011, 02:20 PM

TS,

Cant u resize ur pic...
its too big

for black OPs .. Anti alliasing pls make it full... 16X
currently I play this game with all full include AA with my HD6870


This post has been edited by bex9432: Jan 14 2011, 08:09 AM

no such thing as 6850 driver only AMD/ATI drivers now. i think u better RMA your card

Ooops, I've got it wrong here too. Anyway, I edited it already.

And yeah, before the bechmark test I already stated that I'm using 10.12

Perhaps new mature driver will extract some more juice from this card

Between, interested in reviewing TIM? Still looking for freelance reviewer for the latest Tuniq TX-4, sample unit will be provided

Grantz for ur debut ~ hope to read more review from you bro

This post has been edited by lingloong: Jan 14 2011, 10:49 PM

Unigene score is not very good comapre to gtx460.

great job
any furmark testing on full load vs idle temps?

btw is any shops selling 6850 cyclone yet?
i'm thinkin about gettin crossfire once i get my 3rd u2311h for eyefinity

Nice card you have bro. Wish i have budget to get that card.

+1 from me.

interesting benchmark it has.. however unigine benchmark a bit low..