Most futureproof: 6870 or 6950?

[SmoulderingCircuits]

After getting an A* in my GCSE science exam i didn't even care about, a relative has offered to buy me a new card around the £200 mark. I have my eye on a 6870 Twin Frozr which will be better for overclocking and uses less power so won't have to worry about crossfire drinking all the juice at a later date when i get round to it @£190 OR a 1GB XFX XXX Edition 6950, with better performance out of the box and even better when overclocked, however doesn't have military grade components like the Twin Frozr 6870 and isn't likely to have enough power should i crossfire later on @£210.

**I have a 750w power supply**

 

[Grizzly]

After getting an A* in my GCSE science exam i didn't even care about, a relative has offered to buy me a new card around the £200 mark. I have my eye on a 6870 Twin Frozr which will be better for overclocking and uses less power so won't have to worry about crossfire drinking all the juice at a later date when i get round to it @£190 OR a 1GB XFX XXX Edition 6950, with better performance out of the box and even better when overclocked, however doesn't have military grade components like the Twin Frozr 6870 and isn't likely to have enough power should i crossfire later on @£210.

**I have a 750w power supply**

6950 is the better of the two, the xFx still uses a non-reference heatsink so you've still got good overclocking potential.

But is there any reason why you're going red? 560 is the better card currently at that price point. MSI 560.

 

[Qubo420]

Congratz.

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

6950 is the better of the two, the xFx still uses a non-reference heatsink so you've still got good overclocking potential.

But is there any reason why you're going red? 560 is the better card currently at that price point. MSI 560.

Purely for the option of later crossfire. Otherwise i would go green.

Now wondering whether to get a 1GB XFX XXX Edition aforementioned or 2GB Powercolour 6950, clocked slightly lower at stock but is cheaper, and double the memory. My only concern with it is i haven't read very good experiences with powercolour's latest releases

 

[Grizzly]

Purely for the option of later crossfire. Otherwise i would go green.

Now wondering whether to get a 1GB XFX XXX Edition aforementioned or 2GB Powercolour 6950, clocked slightly lower at stock but is cheaper, and double the memory. My only concern with it is i haven't read very good experiences with powercolour's latest releases

2GB won't be worth it unless you're using multiple monitors or a monitor with a high resolution. 1GB suffices most peoples needs. Spesh if you plan to go crossfire later on which you'd gain 1GB doing if you got the xFx card.

 

[ruthless_villain]

After getting an A* in my GCSE science exam i didn't even care about, a relative has offered to buy me a new card around the £200 mark. I have my eye on a 6870 Twin Frozr which will be better for overclocking and uses less power so won't have to worry about crossfire drinking all the juice at a later date when i get round to it @£190 OR a 1GB XFX XXX Edition 6950, with better performance out of the box and even better when overclocked, however doesn't have military grade components like the Twin Frozr 6870 and isn't likely to have enough power should i crossfire later on @£210.

**I have a 750w power supply**

slighly of topic but....

Was it the january physics exam??

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

2GB won't be worth it unless you're using multiple monitors or a monitor with a high resolution. 1GB suffices most peoples needs. Spesh if you plan to go crossfire later on which you'd gain 1GB doing if you got the xFx card.

Hmm, i think i'll go for the powercolour 6950 is fiver cheaper and extra gig of ram. If it keels over then i'll just get a refund then order the XFX instead. If works out fine, it works out fine

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

slighly of topic but....

Was it the january physics exam??

It was the january exam but wasn't on physics, more genetics

 

[realneil]

Isn't the 6950 able to be BIOS-flashed to a 6970 for better performance?

 

[marsey99]

with xfxs aftersales in the uk mate i wouldnt touch them with a bardge pole.

if your going ati saphire all the way imo.

as said you only need more than 1gb ram really for higher res (or more than 1) screens so the only real reason to take a 2gb card would be if its cheaper.

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

with xfxs aftersales in the uk mate i wouldnt touch them with a bardge pole.

if your going ati saphire all the way imo.

as said you only need more than 1gb ram really for higher res (or more than 1) screens so the only real reason to take a 2gb card would be if its cheaper.

The 2gig powercolour card is cheaper. Which were you suggesting i go with?

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Isn't the 6950 able to be BIOS-flashed to a 6970 for better performance?

Yeah but i wouldn't risk it for the extra power draw through an insufficient delivery

 

[fraghappy245]

6950 and flash it to a 6970 bang for buck if you ask me

 

[Aurus_OC]

6950 and flash it to a 6970 bang for buck if you ask me

I don't think so. First you are using a BIOS that is not designed for the card, second you void your warranty, third you will be better off overclocking the 6950 to 6970 rather than just throwing a completely different BIOS at it. Just my 2 cents,

 

[dugdiamond]

I don't think so. First you are using a BIOS that is not designed for the card, second you void your warranty, third you will be better off overclocking the 6950 to 6970 rather than just throwing a completely different BIOS at it. Just my 2 cents,

ditto - the cards aren't cheap enough to waive warranties

 

[fraghappy245]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Warranty's[/font] what are they as soon as every one get's a new cpu ram or card we all overclock them any way so warranty's don't come into it lol get a 6950 and flash it i am getting mine and i will be doing it they are dual bios anyway so you can always flash it back

 

[dugdiamond]

overclocking is completely different to flashing the firmware

overclocking does not VOID the warranty

flashing firmware does

BTW: they will know if you flash it and then flash-back

 

[fraghappy245]

did not know they could tell thanks for info i will still be doing it tho risk vs the price of card is well worth it for me anyway only £189, does upping the voltage on a card void warranty then ?

 

[dugdiamond]

...does upping the voltage on a card void warranty then ?

no - but if you fry it due to stupidity, then that's another ball game.

use common sense - these hardwares were only meant to operate at certain settings.

WE PUSH AT OWN RISK

you will only make the mistake once! lol. if you want to throw away money, throw it in my direction

 

[fraghappy245]

lol might throw you some next month lol and i made the mistake on a 7900 once that went to silicone heaven lol didn't smell to good either lol

So on these new cards they let you up voltage but only to a certain amount is that Wright ?