ASUS Direct cu II v's MSI 6950 2gb Twin Frozr III

[dipsta]

Hey guys, right i have been looking for a new card, but i'm stuck between two at the moment.

My choices are Asus AMD Radeon HD 6950 DirectCU II 2GB v's MSI HD 6950 Twin Frozr III Power Edition

http://www.cclonline.com/product/55...D-6950-DirectCU-II-2GB-Graphics-Card/VGA0184/

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-...-pci-e-21-5200mhz-gddr5-gpu-850mhz-1408-cores

I'm thinking of the Asus card, as i currently have the MSI r5850 twin frzr II which is rubbish non reference with overclocking issues, and a voltage which will not go over 1139v.

I called CCL about the asus card and it does have the switch able bios. So your thoughts please... im open to other models if you can bend my arm.. Thanks in advance

 

[Frizz]

If you're going single card I'd highly recommend the ASUS.

 

[dipsta]

it will be a single card.. will i be able to unlock it to a 6970 to its full potential if it has a switchable bios?

thanks

 

[Darkleoco]

I would have to recommend the MSI 6950 but I would try and find the Twin Frozr II which runs at a higher voltage than standard 6950's 1.21v compared to 1.15v which improves its ability to overclock and I can testify that with very limited tinkering literally just setting the core voltage and your settings in MSI afterburner I have been able to achieve 945/1440 clocks on both of my cards and intend to push for 1000/1500

 

[Darkleoco]

it will be a single card.. will i be able to unlock it to a 6970 to its full potential if it has a switchable bios?

thanks

I wouldn't worry about the BIOS I would worry about whether or not you can unlock the shaders if anything because 6950's can easily exceed 6970 clocks with simple overclocking rather than a full BIOS switch, if you do not need to make a decision immediately I could go for unlocking the shaders on my 6950's within the next 2-3 days when I have some free time from school?

 

[dipsta]

I wouldn't worry about the BIOS I would worry about whether or not you can unlock the shaders if anything because 6950's can easily exceed 6970 clocks with simple overclocking rather than a full BIOS switch, if you do not need to make a decision immediately I could go for unlocking the shaders on my 6950's within the next 2-3 days when I have some free time from school?

thats great fella, CCL are pretty good to be honest and i can return it within 5 days if i am not happy, feel the urge to go and get one they are only half an hours drive. If i dont like it i can swap for the MSI

 

[dipsta]

I would have to recommend the MSI 6950 but I would try and find the Twin Frozr II which runs at a higher voltage than standard 6950's 1.21v compared to 1.15v which improves its ability to overclock and I can testify that with very limited tinkering literally just setting the core voltage and your settings in MSI afterburner I have been able to achieve 945/1440 clocks on both of my cards and intend to push for 1000/1500

Thanks fella ive had a look around and i'm struggling to find this card, but have just read this review...
should do nr to if not over 1000 if i follow their overclock procedure hopefully..

http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-r6950-twin-frozr-iii-power-edition-oc-review/22

 

[Darkleoco]

Thanks fella ive had a look around and i'm struggling to find this card, but have just read this review...
should do nr to if not over 1000 if i follow their overclock procedure hopefully..

http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-r6950-twin-frozr-iii-power-edition-oc-review/22

That is a very nice link indeed I will have to give that a try when I am increasing my clocks again

 

[Frizz]

I would have to recommend the MSI 6950 but I would try and find the Twin Frozr II which runs at a higher voltage than standard 6950's 1.21v compared to 1.15v which improves its ability to overclock and I can testify that with very limited tinkering literally just setting the core voltage and your settings in MSI afterburner I have been able to achieve 945/1440 clocks on both of my cards and intend to push for 1000/1500

Sorry I think the Twin Frozr II was lacking in the cooling department, I had two of those in crossfire and one of my cards could easily reach 1ghz as well but the problem was the cooler, even with the fan at 100% was just too weak to handle an OC above 950! But hey if the Twin Frozr III's cooler is better then that would be a good choice also.

The ASUS and MSI both have dual BIOS so both are possible to unlock.

 

[Darkleoco]

Sorry I think the Twin Frozr II was lacking in the cooling department, I had two of those in crossfire and one of my cards could easily reach 1ghz as well but the problem was the cooler, even with the fan at 100% was just too weak to handle an OC above 950! But hey if the Twin Frozr III's cooler is better then that would be a good choice also.

The ASUS and MSI both have dual BIOS so both are possible to unlock.

The Twin Frozr II's have dual BIOS? I have never looked for a switch because they were never marketed as dual BIOS cards and to my knowledge they do not have a dual BIOS switch, and perhaps it was your case or the space between cards causing heat issues? I am running both of mine in crossfire at 945 and my temps will not break 59 C even while playing Skyrim for hours and that is with the fans going at only 70%

 

[Frizz]

The Twin Frozr II's have dual BIOS? I have never looked for a switch because they were never marketed as dual BIOS cards and to my knowledge they do not have a dual BIOS switch, and perhaps it was your case or the space between cards causing heat issues? I am running both of mine in crossfire at 945 and my temps will not break 59 C even while playing Skyrim for hours and that is with the fans going at only 70%

I mean the OP's original choices have Dual Bios the MSI Twin Frozr III is one of the only cards that features Dual BIOS with a shortened PCB. I did say above 950, not like its a big deal since around 930ish is a high enough clock for 24/7 but yeah it was hard to bench one card at 1ghz because it would reach it's cooling limits even at 100%, my reference models before that did a much better job at stabilizing 1ghz even with higher voltages despite it being louder.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_6950_Twin_Frozr_II/32.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_6950_Twin_Frozr_III/27.html

Here is W1zzards review, based on his conlusions the Twin Frozr III is a big step up from the II anyway. I recommend the ASUS because I have a GTX 580 Direct CU II in the house which is overclocked and it does very well in cooling, there is barely any noise either so I can imagine if you pair that with a 6950 the temperature results would be even better and also all Direct CU II models from TPU got very good reviews mostly 9's so that is something the OP should consider as even though the reviewed cards were NVIDIA the ATI models also have the same cooler fitted.

 

[Darkleoco]

I mean the OP's original choices have Dual Bios the MSI Twin Frozr III is one of the only cards that features Dual BIOS with a shortened PCB. I did say above 950, not like its a big deal since around 930ish is a high enough clock for 24/7 but yeah it was hard to bench one card at 1ghz because it would reach it's cooling limits even at 100%, my reference models before that did a much better job at stabilizing 1ghz even with higher voltages despite it being louder.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_6950_Twin_Frozr_II/32.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_6950_Twin_Frozr_III/27.html

Here is W1zzards review, based on his conlusions the Twin Frozr III is a big step up from the II anyway. I recommend the ASUS because I have a GTX 580 Direct CU II in the house which is overclocked and it does very well in cooling, there is barely any noise either so I can imagine if you pair that with a 6950 the temperature results would be even better and also all Direct CU II models from TPU got very good reviews mostly 9's so that is something the OP should consider as even though the reviewed cards were NVIDIA the ATI models also have the same cooler fitted.

I have to agree with seeing Direct CU II models getting good reviews on TPU though as for the Twin Frozr III being a big step up I don't see it really from what you have linked seeing as I have already seen both of those reviews, at the same voltage they reach nearly the same stable overclocks the only thing the III could have going for it is a potentially higher standard clock than the II's 1.21v which would enable it to hit the 975 core clock rather than 945 reached by the II, however I am wondering if he perhaps did his testing slightly differently due to the II reaching a memory clock of 1440 and the III only reaching 1400? Seems to me that both should logically go up in a better performing model?

Either way he is going to end up with a great card though regardless of which model he ends up choosing.

 

[LordJummy]

Single card = Asus
Dual Cards = MSI

 

[Outback Bronze]

Id go the cheaper one. Both good cards!

 

[AZONIC[rus]]

I am afraid Asus couldn't be unlocked I have Asus DirectCu II 6950 2Gb non-reference...
I can't unlock it. But I am sure it has 2 BIOSes. The switch is not only for switching between dual DVI and single but also for bios switch. I tried to patch my own bios and I tried to flash bios from 6970 DirectCu II 2 GB (from this site)... and nothing... with 6970 PC just stopped...
Maybe someone could provide right guide? Maybe I am wrong...

This card is really quiet.

 

[LordJummy]

I am afraid Asus couldn't be unlocked I have Asus DirectCu II 6950 2Gb non-reference...
I can't unlock it. But I am sure it has 2 BIOSes. The switch is not only for switching between dual DVI and single but also for bios switch. I tried to patch my own bios and I tried to flash bios from 6970 DirectCu II 2 GB (from this site)... and nothing... with 6970 PC just stopped...
Maybe someone could provide right guide? Maybe I am wrong...

This card is really quiet.

Wrong thread for that buddy. It USUALLY unlocks. Not guaranteed though ever. Some just don't.

You need to go to the official unlocking threads. There are plenty of cases of people with that exact card. Use the search tool...

 

[AZONIC[rus]]

It USUALLY unlocks.
You need to go to the official unlocking threads. There are plenty of cases of people with that exact card. Use the search tool...

You are right - usually maybe not in my case...
What do you mean "official unlocking..."? I am seeking all around internet Can you give me a link?

 

[IlluminAce]

I highly recommend the Asus DirectCuII 6970. If you want quiet, this is it.

 

[Darkleoco]

You are right - usually maybe not in my case...
What do you mean "official unlocking..."? I am seeking all around internet Can you give me a link?

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2476764#post2476764

That is the go to thread for all 6950 unlocking questions

 

[dipsta]

Well guys i went with the Asus in the end, it does have the switch, but im unsure whether the bios is unlockable, i haven't tried yet, for now i wanted to see just how far i can push it out of the box. Now are artifacts caused by low voltage? or by high clocks, and what is the highest recommended voltage i can take this to? I've scored 30k+ in 3d mark 06 but started to artefact toward the end, gonne push more voltage as the temps are good i'm at 1.162 at the moment.

 

[Darkleoco]

If im not mistaken (not a GPU OC expert yet) artifacting is caused by hitting either
1: The limit of your cards clocks overall
or
2: The limit of your cards clocks at the current voltage.

What are your current clocks at?

 

[dipsta]

hey fella, 1.2v @ 935/1350

 

[snails]

I have the asus 6950 dc2 and had artifacting problems. At first i thought it was a dud card but it looks like it's VERY easy to knock the heatsink loose just by pushing on it wrong during installation. After cleaning up and reseating the heatsink with fresh thermal paste, I was careful to install the card be only pushing on the pcb itself.

Luckily it unlocked and has been running stable 1.2v @ 950mhz ever since.

The only gripe about the card is the entire heatsink is held on by only 4 screws. Take a close look at the card temps to see if they're sane. Don't push anything if you can't get it running stable with furmark at stock clocks at least.

 

[phanbuey]

Clearly the MSI is better as it has a III after it and the ASUS is only a II.

everyone knows that III>II

 

[Darkleoco]

hey fella, 1.2v @ 935/1350

I would look at trying to increase your memory clock to closer to 1400, you are probably near the limit for your core at that voltage since i am only doing 1.2v @ 945/1440.