Crossfire Set up?

Johnny5 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:02 PM

I currently have a 6950 and was looking to add another card. Just wondering what would be better to add, 6950, 6970, 7850, or 7950 and 7970?

Trying to improve my framerates in a couple of games.(skyrim and battlefield 3)

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:04 PM

I have two unlocked 6950's at stock clocks getting around 11K in 3dmark11 and from what I have seen a OCed Ghz edition 7970 gets that much as well so like 680/7970 speeds.

INSTG8R · Nov 28, 2012, 01:06 PM

Well I mean your choices are really a 6950 or a 6970. Of course the 6950 is the right choice. A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950.

3870x2 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:07 PM

Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945.

I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix.

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3870x2

Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945.

I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix.

I really haven't had an issue except like older games and arma2 but as well all know arma 2 is a piss poor optimized game.

RCoon · Nov 28, 2012, 01:24 PM

Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli

brandonwh64 · Nov 28, 2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCoon

Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli

This kinda makes no sense. Its all according on his situation cause you gotta think, He would have to sale his current card to help cover the cost of a newer higher end card in all the while he could pick up someones second hand card for Xfire and make just as much if not a little more power. Its all about what he is willing to do to achieve his goals.

Jack1n · Nov 28, 2012, 01:30 PM

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

RCoon · Nov 28, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

This kinda makes no sense. Its all according on his situation cause you gotta think, He would have to sale his current card to help cover the cost of a newer higher end card in all the while he could pick up someones second hand card for Xfire and make just as much if not a little more power. Its all about what he is willing to do to achieve his goals.

It is true, but I dont see selling his 6950 as much of an issue, i didnt think it was too difficult to sell off a card on here, i managed to sell off my two 570's and cover the cost of 2 7950's by selling a couple of the games. I'd rather be within the current generation for crossfire than cling on by crossfiring the previous gen. That is just my opinion, but as far as he is concerned, i think i would advise him to stick with what he knows/is comfortable with.

JrRacinFan · Nov 28, 2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSTG8R

A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950.

No it wouldn't.

INSTG8R · Nov 28, 2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

No it wouldn't.

You sure about that? The "rule" always was it would "match" the lowest card. Unless they made some changes that I was unaware of. Now not knowing off the top of my head whether the 6950 and 6970 share the same clocks speeds of course I would be off on that.

Zubasa · Nov 28, 2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

The 7970/680 is will out-perform 2x6950 once you factor in crossfire scaling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSTG8R

You sure about that? The "rule" always was it would "match" the lowest card. Unless they made some changes that I was unaware of. Now not knowing off the top of my head whether the 6950 and 6970 share the same clocks speeds of course I would be off on that.

They changed the down-clocking a long time ago. Now both cards will run at full speed.
The 6970 will have to wait for the 6950 to render but that is another question.

the54thvoid · Nov 28, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

Way off I'm afraid. Given a sample game (BF3) a single 6970 gets 40fps. Crossfired wouldn't get more than what the single GHz 7970 gets. And that's me comparing a 6970, you're saying a 6950 crossfire is faster than any single gpu. The 7970's (and 680's) really are that good.

exodusprime1337 · Nov 28, 2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1n

2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell).

im sorry, but no it is not. one of my 7970's wins in all but 2 of the benchmarks i ran against the 2 6970's i also owned. 1 7970 for me was faster, perhaps not by much, but definately fast. I have 2 7970's now and i can't 'believe the performance i'm getting, it's mind blowing

drdeathx · Nov 28, 2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exodusprime1337

im sorry, but no it is not. one of my 7970's wins in all but 2 of the benchmarks i ran against the 2 6970's i also owned. 1 7970 for me was faster, perhaps not by much, but definately fast. I have 2 7970's now and i can't 'believe the performance i'm getting, it's mind blowing

Ohh yea? My dad can beat up your dad! LOL

exodusprime1337 · Nov 28, 2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdeathx

Ohh yea? My dad can beat up your dad! LOL

um... k?

Johnny5 · Nov 28, 2012, 07:30 PM

So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

the54thvoid · Nov 28, 2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny5

So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

Yes and in games where crossfire isn't optimal - very much worse.

manofthem · Nov 28, 2012, 08:12 PM

I went from 2 6950s to a 7970 and I had no complaints at all. I say go for that! Even at 2560.1400 a single 7970 runs like a champ

jasper1605 · Nov 28, 2012, 08:18 PM

Single card set up is always preferable to a dual card set up. Less heat, power draw, compatibility issues. If the speeds are close to the same and you can swing it $$ wise, I'd always recommend getting the stronger solo card.

Nov 28, 2012, 01:02 PM	#1
Johnny5 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 204 (0.09/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts System Specs	Crossfire Set up? I currently have a 6950 and was looking to add another card. Just wondering what would be better to add, 6950, 6970, 7850, or 7950 and 7970? Trying to improve my framerates in a couple of games.(skyrim and battlefield 3)

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Nov 28, 2012, 01:04 PM	#2
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,562 (10.03/day) Thanks: 2,146 Thanked 5,338 Times in 3,695 Posts System Specs	I have two unlocked 6950's at stock clocks getting around 11K in 3dmark11 and from what I have seen a OCed Ghz edition 7970 gets that much as well so like 680/7970 speeds. __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB Unlocked = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

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Nov 28, 2012, 01:06 PM	#3
INSTG8R Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lost in Norway Posts: 2,581 (0.83/day) Thanks: 934 Thanked 378 Times in 320 Posts System Specs	Well I mean your choices are really a 6950 or a 6970. Of course the 6950 is the right choice. A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950. __________________ Sys. Specs. i7 2600K@4.6\|ASUS P67 Sabertooth\|2x4096 Corsair Vengence 1600 \|Sapphire HD7970 OC\|WD Caviar Black 6.0Gbps 1TB x2@RAID 0\|SB X-Fi Fatality Pro\|TT Toughpower 1.2kW\|TT Kandalf L.C.S.\|Acer V243H 24" 1920x1080\|Logitech G25\|Logitech G500\|Logitech G19\|Saitek X-52 Pro\|TrackIR4 w/Trackclip Pro

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Nov 28, 2012, 01:07 PM	#4
3870x2 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Joplin, Mo Posts: 4,540 (2.38/day) Thanks: 175 Thanked 691 Times in 557 Posts System Specs	Add a 7950 and sell that, you should come out of pocket $140. My 7970 overclocks 40% stable on core (850 to 1180), and is amazing in terms of performance, and I only have a pii 945. I try to avoid crossfire, as it can become a pain in the ass in some circumstances, IE cannot do crossfire in windowed mode, and then multiple monitors sometimes has fits. AMD drivers have enough problems keeping up without adding crossfire into the mix. __________________ A+, N+, S+, MCSE. Heatware STEAM ID Name: furi0nst0rmrage (0s are zeros) M O D E R N\|\|W A R F A R E \|\| 2 \|\| CLUBHOUSE // TEAM “The amount exaltation of the processor cores can brings amazing floating” -sparkle Last edited by 3870x2; Nov 28, 2012 at 01:15 PM.

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Nov 28, 2012, 01:24 PM	#6
RCoon Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 1,204 (3.04/day) Thanks: 111 Thanked 408 Times in 293 Posts System Specs	Until you're hitting the top end of the scales on current gpus (ie 7950, 7970, 670, 680) i would get a single higher end card. Once you're at those top scales, then think about xfire/sli __________________ "So many times I wanted to move about (make poop but can't leave the game because it's online)" - Underworld

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Nov 28, 2012, 01:30 PM	#8
Jack1n Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Israel Posts: 616 (2.74/day) Thanks: 32 Thanked 128 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	2x6950 are faster then any single GPU out there,but i would only suggest that if you could get that second 6950 dirt cheap,if not sell it and get a 7950 which will also give quite a few games with it (can use or sell). __________________

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Nov 28, 2012, 07:30 PM	#17
Johnny5 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 204 (0.09/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts System Specs	So 2 6950 is going to be slower than a single 7970?

Nov 28, 2012, 08:12 PM	#19
manofthem Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: WPB, FL Posts: 3,328 (3.86/day) Thanks: 2,077 Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,274 Posts System Specs	I went from 2 6950s to a 7970 and I had no complaints at all. I say go for that! Even at 2560.1400 a single 7970 runs like a champ __________________ My Heatware "P.S. Why buy from Newegg...when you can buy from Sneeky!" -LiNKiN

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Nov 28, 2012, 08:18 PM	#20
jasper1605 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,178 (0.91/day) Thanks: 356 Thanked 228 Times in 191 Posts System Specs	Single card set up is always preferable to a dual card set up. Less heat, power draw, compatibility issues. If the speeds are close to the same and you can swing it $$ wise, I'd always recommend getting the stronger solo card. __________________ 1 in 8 people in the world do not have access to clean water. 20 Liters is trying to do something to change 750,000,000 people's lives. Click to help - Love life and live a life of love - If you would like prayer for anything going on in your life or someone else's send me a PM My Heat 11-0-0 My Sig Rig Pics -Updated 11/1/10 TPU Eyefinity Club

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