AMD HD 6950 and HD 6970 Review

[Nemix]

Here's the link: AMD Radeon HD 6970 and HD 6950 Review

Not all impressed, just upgraded to a GTX 460 (was going to wait for HD 6950) and I'm did (jump boat). IMO the GTX 570 is better than a HD 6970, it sells for less, runs cooler and draws the same amount of power; too bad I cannot afford one right now. I'm using the GTX 460 until summer 2011 before I upgrade to GTX 560/570, that's the final card before my CPU bottlenecks; can't wait.

 

[Zen00]

If you're want a 560, you might as well get a 6950, it will be virtually identical.

From my findings, if you play games at high resolutions (1920x1200 and higher) then the 6970 is much better than the 570, due to its increased frame buffer and memory bandwidth.

 

[Nemix]

The GTX 560 is going to cheaper, cooler running and probably requires less power consumption and overclocks better than the HD 5950. I can also go GTX 570 if the price drops in summer, I'm waiting for summer cause I want the factory OC 560's to come out with better heatsinks. For me, Eye of Infinity if worthless, PhysX has more use and CuDA is still better in application than Stream eg. Folding @ Home and Photoshop. I choose NVIDIA for this gen.

 

[mpcrsc562]

I'm skipping this generation entirely as I'm satisfied with my setup, but I digrees as this is about the 6950 & 6970...

I want to address this:

Eye of Infinity if worthless.

Subjective! I give you the benefit of the doubt as you did say "For me," but it is not worthless in the least. Granted, not every single game supports it, but for those that do, it is awesome. Have you played a game using Eyefinity?

Also:

PhysX has more use

...than what? Doesn't the GPU take a hit when PhysX is used anyway? Isn't that the reason why people go the way of two GPUs so that one can be used as a dedicated PhysX processor?

Lastly, I don't use Photoshop nor will I ever use my pc for folding. What advantage does CUDA have [for me]? Zero.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havok_(software)
PhysX ain't the only game in town...

 

[Nemix]

I'm skipping this generation entirely as I'm satisfied with my setup, but I digrees as this is about the 6950 & 6970...

I want to address this:

Eye of Infinity if worthless.

Subjective! I give you the benefit of the doubt as you did say "For me," but it is not worthless in the least. Granted, not every single game supports it, but for those that do, it is awesome. Have you played a game using Eyefinity?

Also:

PhysX has more use

...than what? Doesn't the GPU take a hit when PhysX is used anyway? Isn't that the reason why people go the way of two GPUs so that one can be used as a dedicated PhysX processor?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havok_(software)
PhysX ain't the only game in town...

@ mpcrsc562

Clearly you need to learn how to read or go back to school for some English lessons. I clearly stated for me, in other words for my needs; what I can make use of. And no that does not translate to my opinion cause if I can make use of Eye of Infinity (say I have the money and space for 2-3 monitors) or PhysX, between the two I would choose Eye of Infinity but the point is I can't. And let's just say again I do have three monitors and going for 6000 series for Eye of Infinity setup. I'd need 2 x HD 6950 in Crossfire to do so, clearly that's not in the same league or price range as 1 x GTX 560 (which can handle PhysX just fine alone but no needed to make games run).

Point is, I'm no AMD/NVIDIA fanboy and I was very careful with my wording as to not start a flame war. I'm clearly just stating what I can personally make use of for myself if I were to choose a card in the price range of a HD 6950/6970. This just makes it better for me to wait on a GTX 560 while I enjoy my GTX 460 (PhysX ON, pun intended), Fantastic Fanboys these days.

http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/131132-your-opinion-graphics-card.html

That's proves my point.

 

[mpcrsc562]

I clearly read your post, thus my statement:

I give you the benefit of the doubt as you did say "For me,"

Because I chose to call you out out the subjectivity of your statement, that does not mean I am attacking you.

And, may I add that you've contradicted yourself:

And no that does not translate to my opinion cause if I can make use of Eye of Infinity (say I have the money and space for 2-3 monitors) or PhysX, between the two I would choose Eye of Infinity but the point is I can't.

Sir, or ma'am, which is it? Either it is worthless as you claim [Eyefinity] or if you had the choice and the money, you'd choose Eyefinity! It must not be that worthless if you'd choose it over PhysX if you had the means...

Fellow SevenForumers, I apologize for this going slightly off topic. I felt I had to address the points that were levied against me, mainly, the need that i should be returning back to school for English lessons. Again, I read your post and only called out the subjectivity of your statement(s). I wasn't attacking you... I wasn't claiming AMD RULEZ AND NVIDIA SUX! Not in the least.

 

[Nemix]

I'm trying to compared an orange to a grape fruit not to a pumpkin. For one to have Eye of Infinity the requirements are: 2 or more monitors (if you only have one, that's cost extra), can a single card handle Eye of Infinity depending on resolution, in my case no 1920 x 1080 (3840 x 1080 Eye of Infinity) so you'd need two cards in Crossfire that costs double. If I were to compare a HD 6950 in Crossfire vs a GTX 560 in SLI then it'll be fair but SLI is just waste on NVIDIA side cause that extra horse power is not put to use on 60+ FPS games like Eye of Infinity. Thus I've been saying if I had the money, want to buy pair cards Crossfire or SLI, Crossfire win hands down cause I can dazzle up for Eye of Infinity (just get an extra monitor, I'd most like have the money to do so if getting HD 5950 Crossfire). But if I'm going with single card, single monitor setup between HD 5950 and GTX 560; NVIDIA gets my vote (free PhysX).

 

[SlackerITGuy]

Here's the link: AMD Radeon HD 6970 and HD 6950 Review

Not all impressed, just upgraded to a GTX 460 (was going to wait for HD 6950) and I'm did (jump boat). IMO the GTX 570 is better than a HD 6970, it sells for less, runs cooler and draws the same amount of power; too bad I cannot afford one right now. I'm using the GTX 460 until summer 2011 before I upgrade to GTX 560/570, that's the final card before my CPU bottlenecks; can't wait.

I'm not impressed as well.

I mean, I don't think they are bad cards, I just expected them to have a little more juice.

I might end up picking a GTX 570 early next year (along with Sandy Bridge).

 

[Zen00]

Just a reminder, the fact that TSMC scrapped the 32nm process put a huge wrench in both GFX card companies plans. These cards were just the backup plan. You'll have to wait till this time next year when the 28nm process is up and running before seeing any significant improvements.

 

[Rhammstein]

I don't have any faith at all in the present drivers. OC3D/timetolivecustoms did a xfire review, and I broke down the math best I could, and it seems that two, in xfire, perform 'more' than 2x better than the single card. Not sure, but given the results, it just doesn't add up, it's just not how things usually turn out, with either company.

Two issues, one, driver issues (the majority of reviewers seem to agree the drivers just aren't there, and in fact aren't even officially for the 69xx cards) and AMD is obviously going after the GTX4xx series cards, at least it seems that way.

My feeling is, to wait and see how things are and whether newer drivers make a difference.

For what it's worth, the 6970, stock reference card, did beat the GTX 570 in 66% of tests, and at high resolutions pretty much walked away.

I've preferred AMD for almost two years now, the 4xx cards (except the GTX 460, great value) really dissappointed me. These new 5xx cards are great tho, and I really hope AMD's cards pick up speed with drivers(at the very least just to combat Nv and help drive a battle, more aggressive pricing), which I think will happen, especially in DX11, high res gaming, which IMO matters more than synthetic 3dmark scores.

On paper, I like AMD and Nv more equally than ever, and I'm pretty damn happy. If things go well this should be great for consumers.

At this point for mainstream I'm recommending the 6870 to friends, and high end the GTX 570<, with an asterisk, possibly wait for more realistic 69xx performance and price info.

 

[Everlong]

If you're want a 560, you might as well get a 6950, it will be virtually identical.

From my findings, if you play games at high resolutions (1920x1200 and higher) then the 6970 is much better than the 570, due to its increased frame buffer and memory bandwidth.

I wouldn't say the 6970 is much better. At them resolutions they're more identical. Anandtech had the 570 outperformed on a 3rd of the games, the 6970 tied on a third of the games, and tied on the rest at them resolutions.

But like you said after, to see any significant improvements/changes we'll have to just wait again.

 

[Nemix]

Just a reminder, the fact that TSMC scrapped the 32nm process put a huge wrench in both GFX card companies plans. These cards were just the backup plan. You'll have to wait till this time next year when the 28nm process is up and running before seeing any significant improvements.

So true, I believe the next step is 28nm right? By then, I'd only have to get a GTX 660 (sounds dumb) or HD 7850 to get the same performance as a GTX 580/HD 5990 (soon to come). Just hope my CPU does not bottleneck by then (Phenom II 45nm).

 

[Zen00]

By then you could get a Bulldozer CPU to replace that Phenom as well.