Did I make a mistake in my GPU purchase?

[d3fu5i0n]

I think it's more likely to be like 400 < 5000 this time because we're at another node change, and step one (AMD launching first) has already happened. The big weakness of 500 mm2 + dies is that it takes longer to get them right. Kepler 1 will probably be a bit like fermi 1, and, just like the recent generation, the refresh part will benefit immensely from the matured manufacturing process.

Hmmh... well, we'll have to wait and see.
I'll be waiting though. We never know what'll really be best. We can presume or predict situations through trends in the past, but something may be different this time around. :|
AMD is averaging out GPU performance with increased computational power for situations such as GPGPU, rather than heading for fully fledged gaming performance. Once the new architecture is done, then I suppose they can focus on big boosts in all of those, across the board, in the future. ^_^

 

[d3fu5i0n]

So yeah... Essentially, this has now become a matter of - how to best OC my 6950.
I'm guessing any application, even the use of SapphireTech's own "Trixx" application voids the warranty, right?
I'd probably just go for the CCC though.

So, feel free to give me some numbers as to what's best. + The recommended clock speed for my 2500K to match up to an OC on the 6950.

 

[lsv]

You could also unlock shaders on a 6950, reference card is not required. Take a look here - http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/159

I plan to do this after new years and some work is done. Just be very careful if trying this on a card that doesn't have a dual bios switch in the event you screw your card up

 

[d3fu5i0n]

You could also unlock shaders on a 6950, reference card is not required. Take a look here - http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/159

I plan to do this after new years and some work is done. Just be very careful if trying this on a card that doesn't have a dual bios switch in the event you screw your card up

Exactly my point of it being a non-reference card -> no BIOS switch.
SapphireTech's uses a custom PCB for the non-reference model, as well.
You'd apparently get just as much, or more performance out of an OC - no risk [well, if you do it properly] versus a big risk of unlocking the shaders.
I managed to make an unlocked version of the BIOS on my card a long while ago, albeit I don't have the confidence to type up those lines of code press enter on that CLI.

What OC speeds would you recommend though?