
GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs Radeon HD 6850 X2

GeForce GTX 860M SLI
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Radeon HD 6850 X2
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is positioned at rank #280 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 860M SLI
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 6850 X2 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 860M SLI.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (285mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the Radeon HD 6850 X2 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 860M SLI and Radeon HD 6850 X2

GeForce GTX 860M SLI
The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock speed is 1029 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,500 points.

Radeon HD 6850 X2
The Radeon HD 6850 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 19 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 800 MHz. It has 960 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 254W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,534 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 860M SLI scores 2,500 and the Radeon HD 6850 X2 reaches 2,534 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is built on Maxwell while the Radeon HD 6850 X2 uses TeraScale 2, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 960 (Radeon HD 6850 X2).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,500 | 2,534+1% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280+33% | 960 ×2 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 860M SLI draws 120W versus the Radeon HD 6850 X2's 254W — a 71.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 600W (Radeon HD 6850 X2). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 8-pin.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W-53% | 254W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-42% | 600W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | — | 285mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Perf/Watt | 20.8+108% | 10.0 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is the newer GPU (2014 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 860M SLI | Radeon HD 6850 X2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $350 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $50 |
| Codename | — | Barts |
| Release | March 12 2014 | September 19 2011 |
| Ranking | #457 | #630 |
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