Question RX 6950XT XFX Speedster MERC 319 or ASRock Phantom Gaming?

[Shmee]

Nice enjoy the new card.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Got the card today.

I think your current CPU wouldn't be that much of a bottleneck at 4K, especially with AMD's lower driver overhead than the Geforce drivers.

 

[Ajay]

Got the card today. It's really big. I read that it came with a bracket but there doesn't seem to be one. I think I'll have to get something. I have an INWIN GRone case so should fit ok. Can't get that case anymore not sure why it's a great case.

Congrats! Hope all goes well . Huge cards no? I like the Z-bar, works great as well.

Adrenaline software/drivers broke a utility I rely on allot, pffft.

 

[jamesdsimone]

Congrats! Hope all goes well . Huge cards no? I like the Z-bar, works great as well.

Adrenaline software/drivers broke a utility I rely on allot, pffft.

I haven't install the card yet. I'm configuring everything first before getting the new card installed. I'm using a place holder 4850 card now while I'm installing everything. Can I install the video drivers or should I wait until the RX 6950XT is installed?

 

[Ajay]

I haven't install the card yet. I'm configuring everything first before getting the new card installed. I'm using a place holder 4850 card now while I'm installing everything. Can I install the video drivers or should I wait until the RX 6950XT is installed?

I’d use DDU (from Guru3D I think) to do a final driver clean before removing the 4850. Download the drivers, and then run the e e after installing the 6950. DDU has an option to turn off windows auto driver update - I always check that option to get a true clean install of the new drivers (the newest Adrenaline drivers came out a couple days ago).

 

[jamesdsimone]

I’d use DDU (from Guru3D I think) to do a final driver clean before removing the 4850. Download the drivers, and then run the e e after installing the 6950. DDU has an option to turn off windows auto driver update - I always check that option to get a true clean install of the new drivers (the newest Adrenaline drivers came out a couple days ago).

I haven't installed any drivers yet. I'm using the generic VGA drivers that come with Windows. I have the AMD driver cleanup that I was going to use on another system I am upgrading. Is the one you suggested better?

 

[Ajay]

I haven't installed any drivers yet. I'm using the generic VGA drivers that come with Windows. I have the AMD driver cleanup that I was going to use on another system I am upgrading. Is the one you suggested better?

No, the AMD one is fine. If you are already using the generic driver for AMD that windows installs by default, installing the new driver should be a problem. The ones MS publishes are meant to be very stable and minimal - and generally are terrible for AAA game playing.

 

[jamesdsimone]

Congrats on the new card! As for the CPU upgrade, I would probably go with either a 5800X3D or a 5900X to go with that card. Keep in mind you can get good used deals on AM4 chips as well.

Congrats on the new card! As for the CPU upgrade, I would probably go with either a 5800X3D or a 5900X to go with that card. Keep in mind you can get good used deals on AM4 chips as well.

Flashed my BIOS and picked up a 5900x on Prime day for 274.91. 5900x/RX 6950XT should be a good combo. I was looking at some benchmarks and the 7900x is only 10-20% faster with a 3090ti.

 

[Shmee]

Nice, 5900X is a good choice, a good upgrade from 2700X. As for the 4850 and the 6950XT, be sure to install the latest drivers when the new card is installed, as the 4850 uses legacy AMD drivers as it is an older card.

 

[aigomorla]

Flashed my BIOS and picked up a 5900x on Prime day for 274.91. 5900x/RX 6950XT should be a good combo. I was looking at some benchmarks and the 7900x is only 10-20% faster with a 3090ti.

Get a GPU bracket for that GPU if your GPU is mounted in the standard position.

I have been recommending this a lot, and use these guys a lot on card with monster heatsinks:

https://www.amazon.com/Aivalas-Support-Graphics-Adjustable-Universal/dp/B0BPGJCLYR/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3QMID0BPISHS&keywords=gpu+bracket&qid=1689223680&s=electronics&sprefix=gpu+bracke%2Celectronics%2C165&sr=1-14

 

[jamesdsimone]

Nice, 5900X is a good choice, a good upgrade from 2700X. As for the 4850 and the 6950XT, be sure to install the latest drivers when the new card is installed, as the 4850 uses legacy AMD drivers as it is an older card.

I use Handbrake a lot. I've been getting by with my old FX8350 and get about 16fps out of it. I did a quick transcode last night and got about 60fps with the 2700x. I'm guessing the 5900x will hit triple digits. I have the latest AMD drivers for the 6950XT. I have not installed the card yet because I need a bracket. This one will not work because there is a fan at the bottlom of the case where the bracket supports the card.

https://www.amazon.com/Aivalas-Support-Graphics-Adjustable-Universal/dp/B0BPGJCLYR/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3QMID0BPISHS&keywords=gpu+bracket&qid=1689223680&s=electronics&sprefix=gpu+bracke%2Celectronics%2C165&sr=1-14

 

[aigomorla]

I use Handbrake a lot. I've been getting by with my old FX8350 and get about 16fps out of it. I did a quick transcode last night and got about 60fps with the 2700x. I'm guessing the 5900x will hit triple digits. I have the latest AMD drivers for the 6950XT. I have not installed the card yet because I need a bracket. This one will not work because there is a fan at the bottlom of the case where the bracket supports the card.

scale is completely wrong according to pictures.
Its actually really tiny.
And all you need is to support the corner where the fan is not touching.

There are other brackets if you want something a bit more blingy, but they get a bit more expensive.
In all tho, i still recommend a bracket, unless you want risk cracking your PCB like many have seen happening as of late due to the massive increase in size on the heatsink.

 

[jamesdsimone]

scale is completely wrong according to pictures.
Its actually really tiny.
And all you need is to support the corner where the fan is not touching.

There are other brackets if you want something a bit more blingy, but they get a bit more expensive.
In all tho, i still recommend a bracket, unless you want risk cracking your PCB like many have seen happening as of late due to the massive increase in size on the heatsink.

Ill have to see how the card fits then decide on a bracket. Can I use any non conductive material?

 

[aigomorla]

Ill have to see how the card fits then decide on a bracket. Can I use any non conductive material?

you can use a piece of wood if you want.
However it will look aesthetically unpleasing.

 

[jamesdsimone]

you can use a piece of wood if you want.
However it will look aesthetically unpleasing.

Couldn't look any worse than my cabling. I'll see what I can put together. I have some plexiglass I might be able to use.

 

[aigomorla]

just remember you want it at the edge of the video card to support it so it prevents gpu sag and possible warping, which later can result in cracking, should your pc experience a vertical shift from impact or something else like a motorized rising desk.

 

[jamesdsimone]

just remember you want it at the edge of the video card to support it so it prevents gpu sag and possible warping, which later can result in cracking, should your pc experience a vertical shift from impact or something else like a motorized rising desk.

I'm being really cautious with this. Hence the delay in installing the card. I have never had to consider this problem.

 

[aigomorla]

I'm being really cautious with this. Hence the delay in installing the card. I have never had to consider this problem.

gpu heat sinks didn't weigh almost 2kg like they do now...

Here is more on GPU cracking.