5870's or 6850's and mod

[stinger608]

Okay, in about a month or so, I am planning on getting one or two new video cards. Now the question is:

Do I grab a pair of the last generation 5870's or pick up a couple of the new generation 6950's and mod them to the 6970 bios?

Now I have to wonder; will the 6950's be able to run the bios? Keep in mind that it will be at least a month before making a decision on the purchase. I realize that no one knows for sure if the newer cards by that time will be able to run the 6970 bios, however, I have to wonder if it wouldn't behoove me to try to pick up a couple of cards on the for sale forum that are known to run the 6970 bios.

I guess I could do some research a couple of weeks prior to purchasing cards and find out what people are saying about the newer cards they are purchasing.

And again, would picking up a couple of 5870's be a smarter purchase. Keeping in mind that they would probably be from someone that upgraded to the 6XXX series of cards.

Thanks in advance

Dano

[afw]

I dont know about unlocking a 6850 to 6870 ... thought it was only possible with the 6950s ... anyways ...

I would suggest you to go with 2x6850s ... reason ...
1) Crossfire scaling is better (2x 6850s with be equal to a 5970 ... i.e 2x960 cores vs. 2x1600 cores ... just wow) ---> http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/A...ssFire/23.html
2) Low power consumption
3) Has better OC potential (IMO)
4) Better tessellation.

[stinger608]

Crap Afw, yea, that is what I was meaning to say........LOL, the 6950's......Doh!!!

[meran]

hmm i also was torn between 5850 and 6850 and i got the 5850 since its faster and clocked lower
725 vs 775 and i oced it to 1000core /5300 memory and i am happy with it since tesselation isnt much faster on the 68xx i see the 58xx better for single card
in crossfire since i play on 1680x1050
1-you should consider video memory 1gb isnt good for 1080+res
2-the new cards seems to scale well
3-for crossfire i strongly suggest the 2GB models

[Goodman]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Crap Afw, yea, that is what I was meaning to say........LOL, the 6950's......Doh!!!

Go back & edit you first post then...

[afw]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Crap Afw, yea, that is what I was meaning to say........LOL, the 6950's......Doh!!!

Well in that case .. i'd still suggest you to go with 2x6950s ... why .. ???

1) Awesome scaling
2) Can unlock to 6970 ... (if youre lucky to get ones from the first stock)
3) Low power consumption (will help reducing your EB... saving some $ there)
4) 2GB Memory (more future proof + better performance in eyefinity)
5) Better tessellation
6) Faster than 5870 crossfire (58xxs dont scale that well)

and also take a look at this article --> http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/...570_sli_review

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Goodman

Go back & edit you first post then...

Yea except you can't edit the title.

[Goodman]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Yea except you can't edit the title.

Just send a PM to a mod & ask him/her to change the title for you