Another theoretical video card purchace.

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Which video card

  • GTX 570

  • HD 6950 2GB

Results are only viewable after voting.
dpodblood

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
1
81
Hey all, I think I have video card ADD so I am going to post yet another theoretical video card purchase up for the fine folks at AT to review. :D

Out of the 2 would you choose:
a) GTX 570
b) HD 6950 2GB

If I we're to go with the HD 6950 I would want to flash it to 6970 for sure. If the 6950 does not flash what is newegg's return policy like? Will they allow you to return for any reason within 30 days, or only if there is a manufacturer defect?

Note: This would be used for gaming @ 1080p with a 2500k, and 8Gig DDR3.

Update - I finally pulled the trigger:

Thanks all for your advice and your votes. This really was a tough decision, but I finally made my order.

I ordered the MSI GTX 570 OC, and the Antec Truepower New 650W Modular PSU. Here are my reasons why:

Video Card - No doubt the HD 6950 2GB is the best bang for the buck. There have been countless arguments for it, and it's even more valuable with a 97% unlock rate, but at the end of the day I just didn't want to regret my purchase so I went with the higher performing card. The cheapest 6950 2GB I could find on sale was $255 after MIR, while the 570 was $310 after MIR, but also came with an $20 NCIX gift card which I will be using in the immediate future. Essentially this brings the price difference to about $35, which is negligible IMO.

PSU - I really wanted that XFX 650w unit, but the Antec is a mere $40 after MIR, which makes up for the extra cost of the 570. While I do prefer the single rail design of the XFX the Antec has gotten great reviews from reputable sources including Johnny Guru, and Bit-tech.

A big thanks to everyone for your help and input. Even though I went against the vote I really appreciate it!
 
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A

Arkadrel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2010
3,681
2
0
Im gonna go with 6950 + flash it = get 6970 for cheap.

Why?
6950 cheaper ones go for around 240$.
When you flash it to 6970 (before overclocking), its as good as a 570 stock.

the cheapest 570 on newegg is around 320$.

80$ differnce, use 1hour research, finding bios + flashing the 6950, pocket the differnce.

80$ of a 240$ buy, represents 33% price differnce, for simular performance (after a bios flash).


If the 6950 does not flash what is newegg's return policy like?
Click to expand...
like 3% of them fail it... but if your one of those, meh... your still getting good value, the stock 6950 at 240$ is still good value.

So even if it doesnt flash (which happends rarely), your not really loseing out on anything, and the chances of you gaining alot for free, are big ~97%.
 
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I

Idontcare

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
21,110
59
91
dpodblood said:
If I we're to go with the HD 6950 I would want to flash it to 6970 for sure. If the 6950 does not flash what is newegg's return policy like? Will they allow you to return for any reason within 30 days, or only if there is a manufacturer defect?
Click to expand...

Interesting question.

I'm also curious if flashing the bios on a 6950 voids the warranty? (seperate issue from returning within the return window)

I've RMA'ed stuff to Newegg, both defective hardware and stuff that I did not want once I used it. Newegg has never charged me a restocking fee, I suspect they do that if your profile suggests you are abusing their return policy.

Your best source for an answer is Newegg. Just ask them what their returns policy is for hardware that you buy and use but decide you don't like and want to return for whatever reason.
 
RussianSensation

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
The cheapest 570 I see right now is PNY $310 with 2 free games. The cheapest 6950 2GB I see is $245 with $10 promotional gift card. If you are interested in Just Cause 2 / Mafia 2, then it's not as clearcut. Otherwise the 6950 2GB is a better value.
 
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dpodblood

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
1
81
Free games would not come into the equation for me since I've already played both Mafia II and Just Cause II. :)
 
dpodblood

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
1
81
Everyone seems to be voting for the 6950. I am still nervous about it though. I know the chance is low, but if I can't unlock the card I will end up with a card that doesn't perform as well as the 570.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
dpodblood said:
Everyone seems to be voting for the 6950. I am still nervous about it though. I know the chance is low, but if I can't unlock the card I will end up with a card that doesn't perform as well as the 570.
Click to expand...

for 60 bucks less.
 
dpodblood

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
1
81
mnewsham said:
for 60 bucks less.
Click to expand...

I am not so much worried about the $60, my dilemma is this.

-The 6950 is cheap and may unlock to 6970 surpassing the 570's performance, but on the other hand there's a chance it may not.
-The 570 is more expensive, but stock performance is guaranteed out of the box.
-The 6970 is just too expensive.
 
B

badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
30
91
With 3% fail rate I would take my chances with the 6950. Even if it doesn't unlock you can mildly OC it to 6970 levels and have 2.7% less performance than a similarly clocked 6970.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
dpodblood said:
I am not so much worried about the $60, my dilemma is this.

-The 6950 is cheap and may unlock to 6970 surpassing the 570's performance, but on the other hand there's a chance it may not.
-The 570 is more expensive, but stock performance is guaranteed out of the box.
-The 6970 is just too expensive.
Click to expand...

As long as you are getting it from newegg i dont see a problem only about 3% dont unlock and newegg allows returns within 30 days.

The following conditions are not acceptable for return, and will result in the merchandise you have returned to Newegg being returned to you:
Cards exhibiting physical damage
Cards that are missing the manufacturer label containing model number, part number or serial number
Cards that are missing the manufacturer warranty label
Cards returned without all included accessories, bonus games, and documentation
Click to expand...

The return policy doesnt specify that you didnt want it, they will accept a return as long as you have the requirements in that quote.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
dpodblood said:
The 6950 is cheap and may unlock to 6970 surpassing the 570's
Click to expand...

Who told you that? A 6970 is not faster then a gtx570 unless you have a 2500x1600 monitor. Even then it only 1% faster. This is with the latest drivers

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/Radeon_HD_6990/22.html

perfrel_1920.gif
 
L

llee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2009
1,152
0
76
Nvidia GPUs work better with CUDA & Photoshop. Time is money. 570.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
dpodblood said:
This would be used for gaming @ 1080p
Click to expand...

The gtx570 is faster then a 6970 at your resolution.

Take the 2 free games and sell them for 30$ and its even a better deal. overclock it to gtx580 speeds and its a garaunteed better deal with no unlocking.

Did you know that unlocking a 6950 only nets you a 2.7% performance boost from a stock 6950?
 
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B

badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
30
91
Why is the 6970 being discussed here? The choices are GTX 570 and AMD 6950.
 
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