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AMD Radeon HD 8850M

AMD Radeon HD 8850M

The AMD Radeon HD 8850M is a 28nm DirectX 11 graphics card based on the GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture. Built primarily for medium-sized laptops, the card is positioned in the performance category as of 2013. Compared to the similar Radeon HD 7850M, the 8850M offers slightly different clock speeds.

The design of the Radeon 8800M series has its roots to the Cape Verde chip as found, for example, on the desktop Radeon HD 7770 with 640 1D shader cores and 40 texture units. However the core clock of the 8850M is only 575-725 MHz (or up to 625-775 MHz with Boost) versus the 1000 MHz of the desktop HD 7770. As a result, general performance of the HD 8850M should be similar to the desktop HD 7750.

Equipped with GDDR5 memory, the HD 8850M competes with the Nvidia GTX 660M. The DDR3 version of the HD 8850M is expected to be a bit slower, although it could offer higher clock rates. Many games of 2013 can be played fluently in medium or high detail and resolution settings.

The 640 shader cores can be used with OpenCL 1.2 for general-purpose calculations.

Features of the 8850M include video decoding via UVD3 for decoding MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, and Flash directly from the AMD GPU. Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid) HD videos are now compatible as well.

The 8800M series also supports automatic graphics switching between the integrated GPU and discrete GPU. Called Enduro, the technology supersedes AMD's Dynamic Switchable Graphics and is similar to Nvidia's Optimus. Furthermore, the 8850M can directly support up to 6 connected monitors using Eyefinity Technology if Enduro is disabled.

Other features of the 8800M series include ZeroCore for reducing power consumption when the display is turned off and Power Gating to power down areas of the chip that are not used. PowerTune allows automatic overclocking and underclocking of the graphics card as long as the GPU is within its TDP limit. For example, the chip may be underclocked when running FurMark and OCCT, but will overclock in certain games like Lost Planet, Crysis or Resident Evil 5.

The integrated HD audio processor is able to transmit HD Audio (TrueHD or DTS Master Audio) over HDMI and DisplayPort (e.g., for Blu-Ray videos). Additionally, it now allows audio to output simultaneously and in parallel to multiple devices with the new Discrete Digital Multipoint Audio (DDMA) feature.

Power consumption of the 8850M should be below that of the 8870M, corresponding to the core clock. Therefore, the 8850M is suited for medium-sized laptops and DTRs.

ManufacturerAMD
Radeon HD 8800M Series

Radeon HD 8870M

640 @ 725 MHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz
Radeon HD 8850M 640 @ 575 - 725 (Boost) MHz128 Bit @ 4500 MHz

Radeon HD 8830M

640 @ 575 MHz128 Bit @ 2000 MHz
ArchitectureGCN
Pipelines640 - unified
Core Speed *575 - 725 (Boost) MHz
Memory Speed *4500 MHz
Memory Bus Width128 Bit
Memory TypeGDDR5, DDR3
Max. Amount of Memory2048 MB
Shared Memoryno
DirectXDirectX 11.1, Shader 5.1
Transistors1500 Million
technology28 nm
FeaturesOpenCL 1.2
Notebook Sizelarge
Date of Announcement18.12.2012
* The specified clock rates are only guidelines for the manufacturer and can be altered by them.

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Ref. Match 64Bit
0% 100%
min: 98      avg: 98 (98%)     median: 98 (98%)     max: 98 Points
Cinebench R15 - OpenGL 64Bit
0% 100%
min: 46.93      avg: 46.9 (36%)     median: 46.9 (36%)     max: 46.93 Points
3DMark (2013) - Fire Strike Standard Graphics 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 1828      avg: 1845.7 (15%)     median: 1845 (15%)     max: 1864 Points
3DMark (2013) - Cloud Gate Standard Graphics 1280x720
0% 100%
min: 11312      avg: 11826.3 (15%)     median: 11387 (15%)     max: 12780 Points
3DMark (2013) - Ice Storm Standard Graphics 1280x720
0% 100%
min: 43556      avg: 54921 (7%)     median: 44037 (6%)     max: 77170 Points
3DMark 11 - Performance GPU 1280x720
0% 100%
min: 2340      avg: 2380.7 (15%)     median: 2349 (15%)     max: 2453 points
3DMark 11 - Performance 1280x720
0% 100%
min: 2444      avg: 2513.3 (19%)     median: 2507 (19%)     max: 2589 points
3DMark Vantage - P GPU no PhysX 1280x1024
0% 100%
min: 8370      avg: 8538 (18%)     median: 8538 (18%)     max: 8706 Points
3DMark Vantage - P Result no PhysX 1280x1024
0% 100%
min: 7809      avg: 8222.5 (21%)     median: 8222.5 (21%)     max: 8636 Points
3DMark 06
0% 100%
min: 8105      avg: 10281.5 (34%)     median: 10281.5 (34%)     max: 12458 Points
PCMark Vantage - Gaming Score 1024x768
0% 100%
min: 4305      avg: 4305 (16%)     median: 4305 (16%)     max: 4305 Points
SPECviewperf 11 - Siemens NX 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 9.29      avg: 9.3 (15%)     median: 9.3 (15%)     max: 9.29 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Tcvis 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 3.1      avg: 3.1 (5%)     median: 3.1 (5%)     max: 3.1 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - SolidWorks 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 13.29      avg: 13.3 (21%)     median: 13.3 (21%)     max: 13.29 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Pro/ENGINEER 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 3.18      avg: 3.2 (17%)     median: 3.2 (17%)     max: 3.18 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Maya 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 6.63      avg: 6.6 (6%)     median: 6.6 (6%)     max: 6.63 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Lightwave 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 15.34      avg: 15.3 (19%)     median: 15.3 (19%)     max: 15.34 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Ensight 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 19.99      avg: 20 (25%)     median: 20 (25%)     max: 19.99 fps
SPECviewperf 11 - Catia 1920x1080
0% 100%
min: 5.55      avg: 5.6 (8%)     median: 5.6 (8%)     max: 5.55 fps
Cinebench R11.5 - OpenGL 64Bit
0% 100%
min: 43.3      avg: 48.5 (44%)     median: 45.1 (41%)     max: 57.2 Points
Cinebench R10 - Shading 32Bit
0% 100%
min: 6106      avg: 6715 (55%)     median: 6957 (57%)     max: 7082 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Gaming graphics
0% 100%
min: 6.4      avg: 6.4 (81%)     median: 6.4 (81%)     max: 6.4 points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Graphics
0% 100%
min: 6.4      avg: 6.4 (81%)     median: 6.4 (81%)     max: 6.4 points
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card

Game Benchmarks

The following benchmarks stem from our benchmarks of review laptops. The performance depends on the used graphics memory, clock rate, processor, system settings, drivers, and operating systems. So the results don't have to be representative for all laptops with this GPU. For detailled information on the benchmark results, click on the fps number.

The Elder Scrolls Online
low 1024x768
44.4  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
33.4  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
27.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
17.2  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
Titanfall

Titanfall

2014
low 1024x768
60  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
49.9  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
38.7  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
24.9  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Thief

Thief

2014
low 1024x768
27.1  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
22.5  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
19.7  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
11.5  fps      Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
X-Plane 10.25
low 1024x768
56.4  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
27.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
13.5  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
11.7  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
low 1024x768
35.1  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
33.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
16.9  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
Battlefield 4
med. 1366x768
40.7  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
30.6  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
Total War: Rome II
med. 1366x768
62.6  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
51  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
16.8  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Saints Row IV
low 1280x720
33.9  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
26.8  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
21.6  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
17.8  fps      Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
med. 1366x768
39.8  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
27.8  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
20.8  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
Splinter Cell: Blacklist
med. 1366x768
37.1  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
24.4  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
Dota 2

Dota 2

2013
low 1024x768
78.7 144.3 ~ 112 fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
50.6 55.5 96.9 ~ 68 fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
39.2 41.7 ~ 40 fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Company of Heroes 2
low 1024x768
31.8  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
28.8  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
17.9  fps      Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
GRID 2

GRID 2

2013
med. 1366x768
52.9  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
45.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
14.7  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Metro: Last Light
low 1024x768
31.7 32.4 ~ 32 fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
25.3 29.6 ~ 27 fps      Compare
high 1366x768
20 21.5 ~ 21 fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
11.9  fps      Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
BioShock Infinite
low 1280x720
76.6 99.2 ~ 88 fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
55.3 55.9 ~ 56 fps      Compare
high 1366x768
44.3 48.2 ~ 46 fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
16.9 16.9 ~ 17 fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
med. 1366x768
89.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
64.5  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
21.3  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
SimCity

SimCity

2013
low 1024x768
64  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
35.7  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
26.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
13.5  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
Tomb Raider
med. 1366x768
67.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
47.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
21.8  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Crysis 3

Crysis 3

2013
low 1024x768
44.5  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
28.8  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings low.
Dead Space 3
med. 1366x768
84.8  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
66.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
42  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Hitman: Absolution
low 1024x768
21.4  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
18.5  fps      Compare
» The benchmarks indicate that the game is not playable in the tested settings.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
low 1024x768
70.6  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
59.5  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
46.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
27.8  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Medal of Honor: Warfighter
high 1366x768
42.2  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
17.5  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Dishonored
low 1024x768
59.3  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
53.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
51  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
42.6  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Counter-Strike: GO
high 1366x768
101.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
78.1  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Sleeping Dogs
med. 1366x768
47.3 63.5 ~ 55 fps      Compare
high 1366x768
35.9 36.6 ~ 36 fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Dirt Showdown
low 1024x768
70  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
46.7  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
31.9  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..
Diablo III
low 1024x768
111.6  fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
77 77.3 ~ 77 fps      Compare
high 1366x768
66.2 68.6 ~ 67 fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
43.1 44.4 ~ 44 fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings ultra.
Anno 2070

Anno 2070

2011
low 1024x768
128.9 142.9 ~ 136 fps      Compare
med. 1366x768
59.6 74.5 ~ 67 fps      Compare
high 1366x768
43.5 45 51.7 ~ 47 fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
20.7 20.8 ~ 21 fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
med. 1366x768
48.8  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
37.5  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
23.6  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Battlefield 3
med. 1366x768
40.2  fps      Compare
high 1366x768
36.9  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
16.4  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Deus Ex Human Revolution
high 1366x768
75.1  fps      Compare
ultra 1920x1080
32.6  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings high.
Metro 2033
low 800x600
123.5  fps      Compare
med. 1360x768
87  fps      Compare
» With all tested laptops playable in detail settings med..

For more games that might be playable and a list of all games and graphics cards visit our Gaming List

Notebook reviews with AMD Radeon HD 8850M graphics card

Dell Inspiron 15R-5537: Intel Core i7 4500U, 15.6", 2.5 kg
  Review » Review Update Dell Inspiron 15R-5537 Notebook

Dell Latitude 3540: Intel Core i5 4200U, 15.6", 2.3 kg
  Review » Review Dell Latitude 3540 Notebook

Dell Inspiron 15-3537: Intel Core i7 4500U, 15.6", 2.3 kg
  External Review » Dell Inspiron 15-3537

Dell Latitude 3540: Intel Core i5 4200U, 15.6", 2.3 kg
  External Review » Dell Latitude 3540

Samsung 770Z5E-S01P: Intel Core i5 3230M, 15.6", 2.4 kg
  External Review » Samsung 770Z5E-S01P

Samsung ATIV 670Z5E-X01DE: Intel Core i5 3230M, 15.6", 2.3 kg
  External Review » Samsung ATIV 670Z5E-X01DE

» Comparison of GPUs
Detailled list of all laptop GPUs with a short description. Classified and sorted by performance.

» Benchmark List
Sortable and restrainable list of all GPUs with benchmarks (e.g. 3DMarks).

» Notebook Gaming List
Which game can be played with my graphics card.

Class 1
GeForce GTX 980
GeForce GTX 590
GeForce GTX 580
Radeon HD 6970
GeForce GTX 570
GeForce GTX 560 Ti
Radeon HD 5850
Radeon HD 7770
Radeon HD 7770
GeForce GTX 460 768MB
Radeon HD 6790
Radeon HD 5770
GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Class 2
GeForce GTS 450
Radeon HD 4850
Class 3
Radeon HD 5670
GeForce GT 240
Radeon R6 M255DX
GeForce GT 430
Radeon HD 5570
GeForce GT 220
Radeon HD 6450 GDDR5
Class 4
Radeon R3 (Mullins/Beema)
Mali-T760 MP6
Class 5
PowerVR GX6450
Radeon HD 4350
GeForce G 107M *
Chrome9HD *
Class 6
unknown *

* Approximate position of the graphics adapter

> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News > FAQ / Tips / Technics > Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards > AMD Radeon HD 8850M
Author: Klaus Hinum (Update: 2013-01-17)