GTX570 vs HD6970

[happy medium]

Hasn't been pretty well demonstrated that the risk with unlocking is related to the memory? So unlocking the card and then overclocking it should give you pretty much 6970 performance, no? Like I said, it's an option to consider, an option many people seem to have taken advantage of. If the OP doesn't want to consider a 6950, I would go with whichever is cheaper, in this case that's the GTX570.

I'll say it again, just overclock the 6950 and its only a average of 2.7% slower, but I would bet in most cases a locked 6950 will overclock higher and with less noise, heat and power usage. Those are some of the facts.
And lets not turn this into another derailed thread about unlocking.

The gtx 570 IS the best choice, last I looked there was one on newegg for 309$ shipped and I have seen sales for under 300$ 2x in the past 2 weeks.:thumbsup:

 

[Mistwalker]

My first recommendation would be a 6950, you are almost guaranteed to get within a few percent of a 6970's performance for much, much less money than even a 570.

That said, between a 6970 and 570, at your resolution the 570 is clearly the better choice (performance-wise and price-wise).

I wish people would be more careful about bringing up driver problems (endlessmike, you seem to be confused about drivers bricking cards, and posting such misinformation only perpetuates it), as these days it's largely a wash between the companies IMHO.

Happy does bring up a point about Nvidia's superior game support, which is undeniably true (for what it's worth).

 

[happy medium]

much less money than even a 570.

I've seen 2 gtx570 for 287$ shipped in the past 2 weeks at Newegg and 1 offer had 2 free games as well.

They are comming down in price, you just gotta look.

 

[Mistwalker]

I've seen 2 gtx570 for 287$ shipped in the past 2 weeks at Newegg and 1 offer had 2 free games as well.

They are comming down in price, you just gotta look.

True, but the same could be said for the 6950 depending on the way the instant rebate winds blow (right now I see 570s at $335 and up, 6950s for $275 and up, ignoring mail-in-rebates which tend to favor the 6950). I hesitate to recommend anything based on "occasional deals" because you can't count on them. Two free games would be something to consider at the time of the deal.

That said, if there's a 570 for $287 shipped some time in the window of the OP's purchase decision, I would absolutely suggest jumping on it!

 

[Castiel]

THIS 570

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59...nufacture=ASUS

 

[RussianSensation]

His monitor is 1920x1080. Currently he has a HP computer with a core2quad Q6700(I think) and 6gigs of ram.
I have him upgrading to a Antec truepower 650w PSU, and one of these cards. In the summer/fall, he will be upgrading his case, processor, motherboard and ram. I realize the card may be overpowered now but he will be bringing it over with him to the new system.

I would suggest an HD6950 2GB then for $260. Less $ than both of the 570 and 6970 and it can be flashed to the 6970. Either way, even that card will be bottlenecked until your friend upgrades.

Based on the 1080P resolution and lower price of the 570, I would lean towards the 570. The problem is, NV Fermi cards will perform worse with a slower CPU. So it's inconclusive. Plus, does it make sense to spend $60+ more on the 570 when it only gets 3 fps more in Crysis 2 at 1920x1200?

Performance wise, the 570 has a slight edge at 1080P. Again, this depends on the games your friend intends to play (i.e., in Lost Planet 2, Hawx 2, NV is far ahead).

Honestly, your friend may be better off grabbing a GTX460 to hold him over until the fall. Then when he upgrades his CPU, just sell the 460 and upgrade to a faster card. By that time cards will be even cheaper (and perhaps new generation close to release??? *crosses fingers*).

Besides that, you can even get an HD5870 for $210. Do I think GTX570 is $110 better than the 5870 or is the HD6970 $150 better? Both are not much faster than 15% at 1080P. So NO.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Fud

I had a ton of problems with them during my stay on the red side with my 5870.

Grey screens, couldn't use overdrive and eyefinity at the same time out of the box, issues with new games i wanted to play not having aa supported for months (starcraft2 anyone?) bought my brother a 5770 when i got the 5870 and he still has to be choosey about drivers.

Sorry bro, it is still true. Great hardware. Bad support.

How about that huge driver update that was going to blow everyones socks off.... and it was UI upgrade to the drivers.

 

[happy medium]

THIS 570

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59...nufacture=ASUS

Hmm I didn't see the op was in Canada, good call. :thumbsup:

Cheapest 6950's are 270 AR and the gtx570 is 309$ AR with a 20$ gift card, free 3d mark 11 advanced edition and 2 free games , mafia 2 and Juste Cause 2.

The gtx570 is a no brainer. :thumbsup:

 

[RussianSensation]

The gtx570 is a no brainer. :thumbsup:

So you'd pay $100 extra over a $210 HD5870 for an 18% performance increase? I know you wouldn't because for 6 months the performance with a Q6700 would be identical.

Also, why wouldn't it make sense to set aside $100 'saved' towards your next videocard upgrade in 2012? I am guessing a GTX670 will be at least 50% faster than an HD5870. I mean besides Hawx 2, LP and Borderlands (and tessellation) HD5870 can hold its own.

 

[happy medium]

So you'd pay $100 extra over a $210 HD5870 for an 18% performance increase? I know you wouldn't because for 6 months the performance with a Q6700 would be identical.

Also, why wouldn't it make sense to set aside $100 'saved' towards your next videocard upgrade in 2012? I am guessing a GTX670 will be at least 50% faster than an HD5870. I mean besides Hawx 2, LP and Borderlands (and tessellation) HD5870 can hold its own.

Show me a hd5870 for 210$ on the OP's Canadian website and I'm right behind you Russian.:thumbsup:

 

[RussianSensation]

Show me a hd5870 for 210$ on the OP's Canadian website and I'm right behind you Russian.:thumbsup:

XFX 5870 for $210 CDN. I believe he would get lifetime warranty with it too (and that MSI 570 only has 3 years).

 

[Castiel]

XFX 5870 for $210 CDN. I believe he would get lifetime warranty with it too (and that MSI 570 only has 3 years).

No voltage control on the center mounted XFX 5870's

 

[RussianSensation]

No voltage control on the center mounted XFX 5870's

Ya, that's fine.

1. He is using a Q6700 until he upgrades in the summer/fall. By that time prices of videocards will fall even more (realistically a $300 card will lose more value than a $200 card, making depreciation for a higher priced card more costly to the consumer).
2. 5870 was never a great overclocker even with voltage control. So performance wise, I am not sure it matters that much.
3. The 570 is a whooping $100 more expensive. It's actually more because in Canada we have to pay taxes on the pre-rebate price.

For example in my province I would need to pay 13% tax.

GTX570 = $330 * 1.13 tax - $20 rebate = $353 (and no lifetime warranty)
5870 = $240 * 1.13 tax - $30 rebate = $241 (with lifetime warranty)

So is a GTX570 $110 better? For you maybe hehe.

 

[happy medium]

XFX 5870 for $210 CDN. I believe he would get lifetime warranty with it too (and that MSI 570 only has 3 years).

Hey, I'm right behind you good call.:thumbsup:
The only thing that concerns me is the tessalation performance, but not that big of a concern right now at least.:thumbsup:

 

[happy medium]

The 570 is a whooping $100 more expensive. It's actually more because in Canada we have to pay taxes on the pre-rebate price.

To be fair you do get 2 free good games, a 20$ gift card and 3d mark 11. Thats worth about 50$ in my eyes. Plus I would bet a much better resale value.

But that 5870 is still a good deal.

 

[Castiel]

Hey, I'm right behind you good call.:thumbsup:
The only thing that concerns me is the tessalation performance, but not that big of a concern right now at least.:thumbsup:

Damnit happy. Let your inner Nvidia fanboy come out. :biggrin:

 

[happy medium]

Damnit happy. Let your inner Nvidia fanboy come out. :biggrin:

Heheehehe, stop it buddy. It's the new me.:thumbsup:

 

[RussianSensation]

Hey, I'm right behind you good call.:thumbsup:
The only thing that concerns me is the tessalation performance, but not that big of a concern right now at least.:thumbsup:

Yes, but then you just sell the 5870 for $100 in 12 months, put $110 saved now towards the 670 in 2012. Of course, if he friends doesn't own those 2 games yet, then ya, it's closer towards the 570

 

[Castiel]

Heheehehe, stop it buddy. It's the new me.:thumbsup:

The new you SUCKS. I want the "i'll endorse nvidia for 10 pages" happy

 

[RussianSensation]

The new you SUCKS. I want the "i'll endorse nvidia for 10 pages" happy

Wait until HD6990 vs. GTX590. That's at least a good solid 2-3 weeks of happy time!

 

[Castiel]

Wait until HD6990 vs. GTX590. That's at least a good solid 2-3 weeks of happy time!

I keep hearing tuesday but i think it'll be a paper launch

 

[happy medium]

Wait until HD6990 vs. GTX590. That's at least a good solid 2-3 weeks of happy time!

You guys are killing me , but you are right on the money.:thumbsup: and russian its less then 3 weeks more like 1 week. I actually think the 6990 is comming on Tuesday (at least the NDA is) and the gtx590 on the 14th.

Thats what I'm hearing from some reviewers.()

 

[Castiel]

You guys are killing me , but you are right on the money.:thumbsup: and russian its less then 3 weeks more like 1 week. I actually think the 6990 is comming on Tuesday (at least the NDA is) and the gtx590 on the 14th.

Thats what I'm hearing from some reviewers.()

We'll see tomorrow. Usually you can find disabled links via google shopping but there is nothing for the 6990 or 590

 

[sandorski]

XFX 5870 for $210 CDN. I believe he would get lifetime warranty with it too (and that MSI 570 only has 3 years).

Placed an order for that card Thurs. Expecting it Tue/Wed, should be a nice replacement for my 4850.

 

[badb0y]

I had a ton of problems with them during my stay on the red side with my 5870.

Grey screens, couldn't use overdrive and eyefinity at the same time out of the box, issues with new games i wanted to play not having aa supported for months (starcraft2 anyone?) bought my brother a 5770 when i got the 5870 and he still has to be choosey about drivers.

Sorry bro, it is still true. Great hardware. Bad support.

How about that huge driver update that was going to blow everyones socks off.... and it was UI upgrade to the drivers.

People had problems with the GTX 460 for months after release, where were you then hiding under a rock?

Again I say it, FUD. Pick your color and go with it.

EDIT: I like the new happy_medium .