Can a q9650 @ 4GHz handle 2 6970s?

[CarpeDiem99]

My current config:

Q9650 @ 4050 mhz 450x9
Asus Rampage Formula x48
4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2
PC P&C Silencer 750W

1920x1080p 50" Plasma

Currently using 2 GTX 285 in SLI with SLI hack. I'm wondering, if I can upgrade to 2 6970s or 6950s without any bottleneck?

Thanks

 

[RavenSEAL]

Should be fine, but expect some bottlenecking.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

The only reason you'd need more gpu power at 1080p (than the 285 sli) would be to turn up more physX or to run games in 3D. Neither of those apply to 6970's so I'm not sure what you're looking for? Are the 285 sli not fast enough?

 

[notty22]

My current config:

Q9650 @ 4050 mhz 450x9
Asus Rampage Formula x48
4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2
PC P&C Silencer 750W

1920x1080p 50" Plasma

Currently using 2 GTX 285 in SLI with SLI hack. I'm wondering, if I can upgrade to 2 6970s or 6950s without any bottleneck?

Thanks

Yes, let us know how it goes.

The only reason you'd need more gpu power at 1080p (than the 285 sli) would be to turn up more physX or to run games in 3D. Neither of those apply to 6970's so I'm not sure what you're looking for? Are the 285 sli not fast enough?

Maybe he has a buyer for his old cards, avoid the hacks, get a better ,faster experience, when dual gpu is not supported.

 

[happy medium]

Why not just 2 6950's or gtx560's for about 500$. No need to spend $720 for a small performance boost over them with a 6970 setup.

Best bang for your buck in my opinion is 2 6870's for about $400 for your system.

You can still get 120$ each for your gtx285's also.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I went with two 5870's with my 3.6GHz PhII. I noticed gains over a single 5870 in the games I play. But, I'm sure I'm not getting everything I could out of these cards with my current processor. I imagine you'll be in a similar situation. But, I can't complain, I've stretched this AM2+ board out about as far as it can go, I got plenty of value out of it.

 

[happy medium]

I went with two 5870's with my 3.6GHz PhII. I noticed gains over a single 5870 in the games I play. But, I'm sure I'm not getting everything I could out of these cards with my current processor. I imagine you'll be in a similar situation. But, I can't complain, I've stretched this AM2+ board out about as far as it can go, I got plenty of value out of it.

Well with his cpu at 4.0 it should be like your Phenom II at 4.3.
He should be fine. I think 2 6970's is a little overkill and is not worth the money.

 

[Castiel]

Why not just a single 580 instead or a pair of 560's?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Yes, let us know how it goes.


Maybe he has a buyer for his old cards, avoid the hacks, get a better ,faster experience, when dual gpu is not supported.

in that case he could get by with a single GPU and save a ton of money

it is a legitimate question though, there really aren't many scenarios where 1080p 60Hz will be much of a challenge for the fastest single GPU solutions let alone dual ones.

Crysis and Metro 2033 are some of the only games that will still be a challenge at 1080p, and lets face it, neither of those games are games to specifically build a rig for.

I agree with Happy's recommendations, although I might even recommend a single 6950/6970 or GTX 570 depending on the games being played.

 

[CarpeDiem99]

I was wondering what would be the maximum GPU performance I can get without causing a bottleneck. The 285s in SLI are fine, but would like to get an upgrade in the future and experience DX11.

Since I have an x48 chipset, it is best to go with crossfire rather than SLI to avoid using hacks. I'm not sure if it is possible to use the hack with the newer GTX cards.

I'd like to utilize the x48 chipset to it's fullest potential and use 2 cards instead of a single.

So, my question is do I need to OC more not to cause a bottleneck?

Thanks

 

[happy medium]

So, my question is do I need to OC more not to cause a bottleneck?

No, your system is just fine for any 2 cards up to a gtx560 or 6950.
2 gtx580's/570's/6970's is pushing it. unless you had a 2500x1600 monitor.