Should I bite on this HIS HD6950?

[Smartazz]

Hey, I'm thinking it's time to finally replace my GTX 260 Core 216. I game at 1920 by 1080 and play just about every game out there. The rest of my system is:
Intel Q6600@3.3GHz
6GB 800MHz DDR2 RAM
64GB Corsair SSD
1TB WD Caviar Black
Corsair TX650 650Watt PSU
Antec 1200

This was the card I had in mind:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollHelpful1

It's $220 shipped after the promo code. Would this be a worthwhile upgrade and is this a good card to buy? I know it got a couple bad reviews on newegg, but I'm not so sure most newegg reviews are worth considering anyway.

 

[Unheard]

The 6950 is a great care. I have a HIS 6850 and havent had any problems from it. Remember, you have a chance to unlock the 6950 and make it a 6970.

 

[96Firebird]

The 6950 is a great care. I have a HIS 6850 and havent had any problems from it. Remember, you have a chance to unlock the 6950 and make it a 6970.

As far as I know, the 1GB 6950s cannot be unlocked. However, I am not positive.

 

[Arkadrel]

You should get a 2gb version

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

that way you can unlock it and flash it to a 6970.

 

[dpodblood]

Personally I would save a bit more and get the 2GB model. On sale you can probably find them for ~$250.

 

[RussianSensation]

Grab an XFX HD5870 for $170. If you are going for the 6950 with 1GB, then the HD5870 is almost as fast and costs less. Otherwise, save up for the 2GB version and unlock it into a 6970.

 

[nwo]

Grab an XFX HD5870 for $170. If you are going for the 6950 with 1GB, then the HD5870 is almost as fast and costs less. Otherwise, save up for the 2GB version and unlock it into a 6970.

Agreed, that 5870 is a better buy than a 1GB 6950 since 1GB versions cannot be unlocked/flashed to a 6970.

 

[OCGuy]

> 1GB VRAM @ 1080p is worthless, don't spend a cent on it.

I would go with what you linked or the 5870, or a GTX560.

 

[Jacky60]

Get the 2Gb version this is a real no brainer-no matter what happens you'll be much happier some games when fully maxxed out at 1920/1200 need more than 1gb ram. It's more future proof too and more resaleable.

 

[Arkadrel]

The fact that you can unlock the 2gb referance designs, makes buying a 1gb version not worth it... atleast thats how I see it.

6950 2gb is 97% likely to be a 6970, once you unlock shaders ^-^

 

[Smartazz]

I was under the impression that some users who flashed their cards to full shaders ran into problems later on. Either way, that 5870 and 6950 linked above are intriguing options as well. If flashing the 6950 is a safe option, then it's a no brainer to me.

 

[RussianSensation]

I was under the impression that some users who flashed their cards to full shaders ran into problems later on.

This only happens if you flash the 6950 2GB card with 6970's BIOS. The problem is related to the additional voltage at which 6970's memory runs. As a result, you can simply:

1) Save your GPU BIOS using GPU-Z.
2) Run a Wizzard script to unlock the shaders of your card
3) Reflash the BIOS with unlocked bios from step 2.
4) Then you just have to modify MSI Afterburner to enable unofficial overclocking.

Steps 1-3 are outlined here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2160965&postcount=1234
and here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2134576&postcount=19

Step 4 is outlined here:
http://www.overclock.net/ati/641299-guide-enabling-unofficial-overclocking-msi-afterburner.html

Works like a charm.

 

[Smartazz]

Thanks Russian! It looks like that 6950 2GB is a real winner. I'm a bit worried that my CPU could seriously hold back an unlocked 6950, but I remember AMD's cards being less CPU demanding than their Nvidia counterparts.

 

[MentalIlness]

Since you "seemed" interested in a 1 gig card. If you do go that direction, there is a HIS 6870 @ $199 on Newegg as well. Which oc'd, would run like a 6950.

Unless you want the 2 gig of RAM, or to unlock it. Then the 2 gig is the only way to go.

 

[Smartazz]

Since you "seemed" interested in a 1 gig card. If you do go that direction, there is a HIS 6870 @ $199 on Newegg as well. Which oc'd, would run like a 6950.

Unless you want the 2 gig of RAM, or to unlock it. Then the 2 gig is the only way to go.

I've used the HD6870 before and I'm quite impressed with it, however I don't mind spending a bit more for some extra performance. Unlocking is certainly a tempting option.

 

[nwo]

Since you "seemed" interested in a 1 gig card. If you do go that direction, there is a HIS 6870 @ $199 on Newegg as well. Which oc'd, would run like a 6950.

That's pretty much a rip off since you can get a 5870 for less or a 6950 1GB for around the same price, both of which are faster than a 6870.