Looking to finally upgrade video card

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r1sefromru1n

Member
May 22, 2009
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I posted a few weeks back and everyone here was a great help. Still haven't replaced my 4870 that has died and wanted to fish for a few more opinions. My budget has changed too and I can move it up if necessary. I'd like to make this card last as well because I only replace about every 2-3 years. Had the 4870 since the 01/2009. Here are are the newly updated details:


Purchase Details:

1.Budget(Be sure to include currency if not USD): willing to spend up to $400


2.Do you consider rebates? yes


3.Any particular preferences(Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapp, EVGA, etc], non reference cooler)? no preference


4. Crossfire/SLI? nope


5.Have you previously looked at a product which you feel would fill your needs? really not sure what would fill my needs


6.Which games (If any)do you plan to play and @ which desired detail levels? BC2, Crysis, hoping to get something that will give me the best chance to handle Crysis 2, Battlefield 3, and Skyrim as well (even though specs aren't released yet for these games yet)


7. Are there any other uses(Folding, Photoshop, Video editing or watching Blu-Ray) or features (DX11, CUDA, OpenGL, 3D, Eyefinity) you are looking for besides gaming? DX11 - this is for gaming


8. Is the performance added by overclocking something you would take into consideration? sure

System Specs:

1. Pre-built(HP, Dell, etc)? Ordering(a new computer) or Upgrading? currently running a Gigabyte EP45-UD3P rev1.6, 8gb of DDR2 800 (corsair xms2)


2.Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 is the res i game at currently


3.Processor: Q9560 w/ Zalman 9700 (OC to 3.8Ghz)


4.Power Supply Unit: Corsair TX750 Bronze Enthusiast


5.Case Dimensions(Length, Low Profile, Cooling): Lian-Li PC60 (fits the 4870 with about an extra inch of clearance)
 
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load81

Member
Jan 21, 2011
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RavenSEAL said:
Or he can get more memory and the same performance with a small OC for a smaller price instead of a bunch of useless features?
Click to expand...

More memory is useless at 1080p. And calling the extra features useless is just your opinion. I thought the same when I was an ATI guy but its nice to have options.


happy medium said:
I'd save a few bucks and grab this PNY gtx570 for 340$ and 309$AR plus you get 2 free good games, Just Cause 2 and Mafia 2.
Click to expand...

Wow yeah I would go for that deal..Physx is great in Mafia 2 and Just Cause 2 is pretty fun.
 
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RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,670
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happy medium said:
I'd save a few bucks and grab this PNY gtx570 for 340$ and 309$AR plus you get 2 free good games, Just Cause 2 and Mafia 2.
The card is just as fast as both the cards mentioned above at your resolution and the price can't be beat. The card has more then enough memory at 1080p.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-370-_-Product
Click to expand...

If he wanted to save money he could just unlock the shader cores on an HD 6950 for $250

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-356-_-Product
 
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RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,670
3
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load81 said:
More memory is useless at 1080p. And calling the extra features useless is just your opinion. I thought the same when I was an ATI guy but its nice to have options.
Click to expand...

Yea...P.s. breaking news, there is something called "the future". Can you believe that?

P.s. They're useless because he doesn't need em. Otherwise he would have said it.
 
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SolMiester

SolMiester

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2004
5,331
17
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load81 said:
Or you can get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121432 Its faster than the 6970, 35$ cheaper than the one linked above, has physx, cuda, folding, better tessellation, and has a better control panel.
Click to expand...

I notice they say surround 3D vision as a feature on this card, yet I thought you need 2 card for 3 monitors support on NV cards...Thats got to be borderline advertising surely!...
However you are right, cheaper than the 6970, + more features and better software for those that appreciate more than just fast frame rates.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
load81 said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by happy medium
I'd save a few bucks and grab this PNY gtx570 for 340$ and 309$AR plus you get 2 free good games, Just Cause 2 and Mafia 2.

Wow yeah I would go for that deal..Physx is great in Mafia 2 and Just Cause 2 is pretty fun.
Click to expand...

And a lifetime warranty!
 
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RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,670
3
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Wow, the GTX570 actually has that much of a jump on that 6970?! Ouch...

I bow down to the fainbois. Better off getting the 570 then. Those extra 800mb of vRAM on the 6970 though...more future-proof.
 
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load81

Member
Jan 21, 2011
105
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0
RavenSEAL said:
Yea...P.s. breaking news, there is something called "the future". Can you believe that?

P.s. They're useless because he doesn't need em. Otherwise he would have said it.
Click to expand...

In the future there is a new process that will blow the cards of today out of the water and I'm sure it will happen before we need 2gb of vram for 1080p. And just because he didn't list those features it doesn't mean they aren't nice to have. Sorry I upset you by recommending a Nvidia card.

RavenSEAL said:
Wow, the GTX570 actually has that much of a jump on that 6970?! Ouch...
Click to expand...

With the latest drivers its starting to.

before- http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti/images/perfrel.gif
after- http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/Radeon_HD_6990_CrossFire/images/perfrel.gif
 
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RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,670
3
0
load81 said:
In the future there is a new process that will blow the cards of today out of the water and I'm sure it will happen before we need 2gb of vram for 1080p. And just because he didn't list those features it doesn't mean they aren't nice to have. Lol sorry I upset you by recommending a Nvidia card.
Click to expand...
Not upset lol, just sayin' :D
 
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r1sefromru1n

Member
May 22, 2009
39
0
66
Wow thanks all. Love all of the opinions. So before I go through with this I'm gathering that the 570 here is probably my best option for getting a good two more years of gaming on my current spec'd system? And this 570 wont be held back with my Q9560 I am assuming? Thanks again for all the help everyone - I really appreciate it.
 
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1h4x4s3x

1h4x4s3x

Senior member
Mar 5, 2010
287
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76
load81 said:
before- http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti/images/perfrel.gif
after- http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/Radeon_HD_6990_CrossFire/images/perfrel.gif
Click to expand...

For the sake of context
perfrel_1920.gif


Anyway, 570 is not a bad purchase for that price. I myself would get a 6950 and unlock it.
 
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r1sefromru1n

Member
May 22, 2009
39
0
66
1h4x4s3x said:
For the sake of context
perfrel_1920.gif


Anyway, 570 is not a bad purchase for that price. I myself would get a 6950 and unlock it.
Click to expand...

Why would you rate the 6950 over the 570 - even after flashing? And can all 6950 boards be flashed....I think I read that some of them don't flash as easily. Thanks.
 
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Arkadrel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2010
3,681
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Why would you rate the 6950 over the 570 - even after flashing? And can all 6950 boards be flashed....I think I read that some of them don't flash as easily. Thanks.
Click to expand...
like 3% fail to unlock.


From techpowerup (same review that gave that graph).

Games where the 570 is faster than a 6970 (1920x resolution):
HAWX
Farcry 2
Civ 5 (game favors nvidia cards alot)
Call of Juares 2 (game favors nvidia cards alot)
Battleforge (game favors nvidia cards alot)
battlefield bad company 2
metro2033 (Only 0.2 fps faster so besically a wash)


Games where the 6970 is faster than the 570 (1920x resolution):
Aliens vs preditors
Call of duty 4
Crysis
F1 2010
UT3
World of warcraft

3d mark 2011 (not a game)
Unigine Heaven 2.0 (not a game)



*IF* You play alot of:
Civ 5, Call of Juares 2, Battleforge
(how many of the games above are TWIMTBP titles?)

The 570 is by far a better card for you.

Otherwise... just look at the chart, find the games you play the most, and pick the card that performs best in most of them. IF you plan on playing at higher resolutions, the 6970 performs abit better in some of the titles, makeing it more even with the 570 or faster.
 
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1h4x4s3x

1h4x4s3x

Senior member
Mar 5, 2010
287
0
76
r1sefromru1n said:
Why would you rate the 6950 over the 570 - even after flashing? And can all 6950 boards be flashed....I think I read that some of them don't flash as easily. Thanks.
Click to expand...
What Arkadrel said.
Choose according to your preference (games) and resolution.
 
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