6870, but with 1 or 2GB?

[alxcsb]

I've set my mind on an XFX 6870, but there's two options, 1 or 2GB. The difference in price isn't all that big, but I remember back in the day there were cards that were actually slower with more VRAM. I am also going to crossfire it as soon as I get watercooling for the FX 6100, but it is going to be on it's own for a couple of months. So, 1 or 2GB? Thank you.

 

[ruairi.C]

2gb is defo better but it's up to you if you're willing to spend the extra bit but I recommend it as it's better if you plan on getting more monitors but only if you think the price is right but I'd go for it if it was only a small difference

 

[Josh Weston]

May I ask, what price are you getting these for?

 

[seumasbeathan]

^As above, Unless it is very cheap you would most likely be better off with a 7850

 

[alxcsb]

1GB option is £110, the 2GB is £129.

 

[seumasbeathan]

Get a 7850 instead Faster and uses less power There is this one - http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...R5+PCI-Express+Graphics+Card+?productId=52579 although you might want to spend more and get a better one

 

[alxcsb]

Never heard of that VTX brand, will an XFX or Sapphire do? Also, how does it scale in crossfire? One of the reasons why I wanted to get 6870s was because they scaled beautifully in crossfire, and as I've seen, with the newer drivers the micro-stuttering issue is almost solved. And one last question, how does the 7850 do with some OC? Thanks for the quick answers.

 

[seumasbeathan]

Oh you are going to get 2? You would be much better off with just getting a single card, I recommend either the 7950 or if you want to spend a little more then a GTX 670

 

[alxcsb]

I'd love to be able to do that, but my budget comes in small chunks, which is why I have to go down this route. Selling the 7850 (for example) later on and getting a 7950 is just too much trouble, and to be honest, I always wanted a watercooled SLI/Crossfire rig, just for the sake of it. I know pound for pound it isn't the best option, but the rig will be an on going project for at least the following 12 months, but in the next month I would love to have it running, on air, and with a single, budget GPU.

 

[seumasbeathan]

what is the max amount you could spend in the next month?

 

[alxcsb]

It would be around the £400 mark, and I've already ordered the CPU. So for that amount I need a mother board (probably the Sabertooth 990FX), a GPU, an 8GB kit, case, HDD and PSU.

 

[seumasbeathan]

I mean what is the max you could spend on the gpu?

 

[alxcsb]

£130 would be the most I can do, I want to invest more in the motherboard, since I plan on using it with Piledriver, if they turn out to be decent CPUs.

 

[Josh Weston]

What CPU have you ordered, and is there anyway at all that you can return it/cancel it?

 

[seumasbeathan]

He has an FX 6100 I think

 

[Josh Weston]

Ok, so, is there any way that you can return the FX6100?

The case is great for watercooling in the future - one of the best, in fact.
This way, when you fancy an upgrade, you can upgrade to something like a 3570k.

I have no hopes for Piledriver whatsoever, sorry

 

[alxcsb]

It sort of was a gift, and I also want to do some overclocking, which I think the I3 doesn't offer. Is it really that bad? I will also be doing some CAD stuff which the 6 cores would greatly help at, and the gaming side of things is limited time wise, since I have to keep a job, a girlfriend and so on. As I said earlier, I am thinking of shoving it in a Sabertooth 990FX and a 7850, with a decent 8GB kit. Would the end result be that bad that it would be a better idea to not use the FX6100? As I said, I can't return it, or sell it, as it was paid for by my girlfriend (long story).

 

[airdeano]

i wouldnt buy that sorta board, stay mid-line MSI GD80 or Giggy UD5. unless the
feature package is what is there for that.. the PRO R2 has the same features
just less in cost. same power phase and allows higher memory clocking.

airdeano

 

[alxcsb]

I can get the Sabertooth R1 for around 100. The one's you suggested are £25-35 more than that. I also read in a couple of places that for the FX 6100 to run in the Sabertooth I need to flash a new BIOS version. Anyone in the Cambridge area with an older AM3 CPU that I could borrow for an hour? I can provide with any sort of brand of beer you would like.

 

[SpinalTap]

Just put the XFX 6870 in my new build and must same it is an awesome card and very quiet. Just be careful with wording of advert for your card as it may not have 2gb onboard memory but 1gb with the other 1gb being hypermemory. Or were you aware of that anyway.lol. Am just using the once card and playing Vindictus, Warface and BFF2P all on highest possible settings with excellent frame raters even when recording. Tempted to retry STO as old gcard let me down in space battles.