Crossfire Set up?

[Johnny5]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

A 6970 would "downclock" to match the 6950.

No it wouldn't.

 

[INSTG8R]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

um... k?

 

[Johnny5]

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

 

[the54thvoid]

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]

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]

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.