Upgrading For BF3

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

When is the 7 series released?

There are benchmarks run data already available. They should launch within a week or two from now, and even though their retail availability might be iffy, they would push down the price of a card such as the 6970 2gb.

It's a great card, but it won't give you near the performance of 5870cf. Of course, a single 6970 most likely negates the need to upgrade your PSU, which likely 5870cf would need.

So frankly a single 6970 2gb in a week or two appears to be your best bet to my eyes. Later you can upgrade your PSU, and after that another 6970 if you so desire. Either way, 1Gb is fairly constraining at this point, but a 2gb card future-proofs you well.

I am always hesitant to recommend something in particular unless I have all the information, which I don't, given that I have not read the entire thread. However, I felt the need to correct that person who was misinforming you, lest you make a costly decision based on ... fiction.

That's why I prefer posting relevant, objective measurements and facts, and let YOU make your own decision.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by Horrux

There are benchmarks run data already available. They should launch within a week or two from now, and even though their retail availability might be iffy, they would push down the price of a card such as the 6970 2gb.

It's a great card, but it won't give you near the performance of 5870cf. Of course, a single 6970 most likely negates the need to upgrade your PSU, which likely 5870cf would need.

So frankly a single 6970 2gb in a week or two appears to be your best bet to my eyes. Later you can upgrade your PSU, and after that another 6970 if you so desire. Either way, 1Gb is fairly constraining at this point, but a 2gb card future-proofs you well.

I am always hesitant to recommend something in particular unless I have all the information, which I don't, given that I have not read the entire thread. However, I felt the need to correct that person who was misinforming you, lest you make a costly decision based on ... fiction.

That's why I prefer posting relevant, objective measurements and facts, and let YOU make your own decision.

http://www.techspot.com/review/481-a...970/page6.html

I think xfire 6970 is the best bet.

[105tommy105]

Just another quick question. Would a HD 6990 be better than any other card?

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

Just another quick question. Would a HD 6990 be better than any other card?

Yes, of course. Until the 7990 comes, that is.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by Horrux

Yes, of course. Until the 7990 comes, that is.

Do you know if it will be a similar price?

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

Do you know if it will be a similar price?

If history is anything to go by, it will be roughly $800 in North America but this price may well not translate into other currencies. But yeah, that's pretty much what the 6990 cost at launch, I haven't looked at its price recently. But frankly, with that much GPU power, you would need a 120hz monitor to benefit. I'm using one, it's fantastic, but it also costs.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by Horrux

If history is anything to go by, it will be roughly $800 in North America but this price may well not translate into other currencies. But yeah, that's pretty much what the 6990 cost at launch, I haven't looked at its price recently. But frankly, with that much GPU power, you would need a 120hz monitor to benefit. I'm using one, it's fantastic, but it also costs.

So it will pretty much max everything on a 1920x1080@60hz even with all the AA's

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by Horrux

If history is anything to go by, it will be roughly $800 in North America but this price may well not translate into other currencies. But yeah, that's pretty much what the 6990 cost at launch, I haven't looked at its price recently. But frankly, with that much GPU power, you would need a 120hz monitor to benefit. I'm using one, it's fantastic, but it also costs.

You couldn't point me in the direction of a cheapish psu that is good quality that could handle a HD 6990 with an OC, no more than £50-£80 (USD $78-$125)?

[MatTheCat]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

You couldn't point me in the direction of a cheapish psu that is good quality that could handle a HD 6990 with an OC, no more than £50-£80 (USD $78-$125)?

Your thinking has gone all faulty m8.

If you are willing to spend in excess of £600 on an HD 6990, then you dont go and skimp on a cheap PSU. £100 will get you a cracking PSU that will handle anything you throw in your rig for years to come.

Also try to keep sight of your objectives here. This is for BF3 right? I can tell you now that if you dial down a few settings (starting with Shadows), that you can have that game running at a smooth 60PFS 95%+ of the time. When you do that, then you can run a cost-benefit analysis on whether that little bit extra graphic post processing quality and AA is worth £700!?

The other argument is that you like to keep your PC up to date and capable of handling the latest graphics and again, this is where the idea of buying a gfx right now is nonsensical. HD 7900 series is just around the corner. The HD 7970 has already been benchmarked and beats the GTX 580 by around 20% at stock clocks and this number improves greatly when the GPU is overclocked (early reviews show that the card overclocks very well) and driver maturation is only going to improve the performance of this card even further. This card is over priced in my opinion but it will still retail cheaper than the HD 6990 (which is really bad overclocker)...true the HD6990 will give stronger performance but with the unwanted added factor of having to deal with dual GPU gremlins.

If you have the money to spend, then stop scrimping on cheapo PSU's, and wait on the HD7970.....it will max BF3 out at your res with 4*FSAA for sure and if it doesn't then dropping shadows to High (u will notice zero difference in quality) will give you a solid 60FPS with that holy grail of 4FSAA smoothness.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by MatTheCat

Your thinking has gone all faulty m8.

If you are willing to spend in excess of £600 on an HD 6990, then you dont go and skimp on a cheap PSU. £100 will get you a cracking PSU that will handle anything you throw in your rig for years to come.

Also try to keep sight of your objectives here. This is for BF3 right? I can tell you now that if you dial down a few settings (starting with Shadows), that you can have that game running at a smooth 60PFS 95%+ of the time. When you do that, then you can run a cost-benefit analysis on whether that little bit extra graphic post processing quality and AA is worth £700!?

The other argument is that you like to keep your PC up to date and capable of handling the latest graphics and again, this is where the idea of buying a gfx right now is nonsensical. HD 7900 series is just around the corner. The HD 7970 has already been benchmarked and beats the GTX 580 by around 20% at stock clocks and this number improves greatly when the GPU is overclocked (early reviews show that the card overclocks very well) and driver maturation is only going to improve the performance of this card even further. This card is over priced in my opinion but it will still retail cheaper than the HD 6990 (which is really bad overclocker)...true the HD6990 will give stronger performance but with the unwanted added factor of having to deal with dual GPU gremlins.

If you have the money to spend, then stop scrimping on cheapo PSU's, and wait on the HD7970.....it will max BF3 out at your res with 4*FSAA for sure and if it doesn't then dropping shadows to High (u will notice zero difference in quality) will give you a solid 60FPS with that holy grail of 4FSAA smoothness.

Could you supply me a release date for the 7 series, can't find one. Thanks

[erocker]

January 9th.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by erocker

January 9th.

Can i make a new thread to adertise something i have to sell?

[erocker]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

Can i make a new thread to adertise something i have to sell?

There is a Buy/Sell/Trade section. Read over and follow the guidelines before posting a thread in that section. The rules are here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11040

[105tommy105]

Another Question, I have been recommended Xifiring my 5870 with another, how much of an increase would tri-fire give, going from 1 5870 to 3 5870's?

[JrRacinFan]

Very little from the 2nd card to a 3rd.

[105tommy105]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Very little from the 2nd card to a 3rd.

Ok

[mypg0306]

Originally Posted by 105tommy105

Another Question, I have been recommended Xifiring my 5870 with another, how much of an increase would tri-fire give, going from 1 5870 to 3 5870's?

Don't waste money for Tri-fire.

[105tommy105]

A 7970 looks good in benchmarks, Could someone tell me what would they rather have, a 7970 oc'ed or 2 6970's oc'ed?

[105tommy105]

?

[JrRacinFan]

Single 7970. Possible to crossfire that at a later time a little easier. Also lower power consumption.

[AndrewBUD]

Im confused at how your not getting enough performance to play BF3 maxed out from a 5870.

I have never had any issues playing any games with a single 5850. I decided to go with a second due to a deal I could not refuse..

There is not enough performance increase to upgrade from a 5800 to a 6900... 5800 to 7900 would be the best way to go