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GTX 480 or HD6950

Nightglow

Nightglow

Nightglow

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2010
Posts
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Help!

GTX480 or HD6950 which one is the best buy.

Was considering buying a XFX 6950, but I'm having second thoughts now before spending the cash I don't want to make the wrong choice/ expensive mistake.
Got a good 850w psu & a pair of 24" monitors, could afford a third in a few months.

Will be rebuilding the rest of the pc in a few months, most likely Core i5 2500k & Asus P8P67 Pro, so I want to get the graphics choice right.
 
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Id go for the gigabyte 480 SE for £199 as it would overclock better but my asus 480 got 2 hot using 2 monitors so maybe the XFX is better for you which is a Rev1 that can be flashed to 6970
 
ATI/amd are better for muilti screen with much better support for 3 screens in game

i would say go with the hd6950 or if you can a get a 6970.
 
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Well the 480 is quite a bit faster than the 6950 but it does run a bit hotter and noisier. Personally, I went for the 480 myself but it depends on how much of a stickler for a quiet pc you are.
 
The way I see it, Gigabyte GTX480>6950>Reference GTX480 for single card setups, the GTX480 is a bit faster than the 6950 (although the unlocking of the 6950 to a 6970 negates that performance difference). But if you're going multi screen, AMD's eyefinity is better implemented than Nvidia surround. Plus, if you want to upgrade to multi gpu in the future I would also recommend the 6950. 480 sli is incredibly hot and power hungry (the gigabyte cards exhaust it into the case), and the crossfire scaling of the 6 series has been improved to the point that it has overtaken SLI.
 
Thanks for the replies, plenty of ideas.

A three monitor setup isn't essential, but nice for gaming.
The 6950 performance might improve a bit more with the Catalyst 11.4 so a 6950 it will be, as a 6970 is just beyond my budget.

Mojo:Never realise that the crossfire scaling of the 6 series has been improved to the point that it has overtaken SLI, I'm a bit behind with the graphic card scene.
 
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could not be happier with my SOC 480 tbh i dont know what all the fuss is about with noise and heat, you cant hear it when in windows in games you can just hear it but its not loud in any way. mine gets upto about 70c when playing IL2 with the fans on auto,
 
I can certainly recommend the 6950 especially if you get a reference version with the dual bios as it is pretty easy to flash to a 6970 and virtually risk free.

Basically I did it and I'm sure if I can, anyone can!

Only thing to think about it case size as it's a looooong card but fine for full towers and I've just ordered a Fractal Define R3 and it fits in there ok.
 
If i had this choice when i goy my 470 id take the 6950, less heat and noise, lower power draw and you get a free upgrade to a 6970. Iv got 3 monitors but cant use them lol. To be fair after clocking it 50% faster it keepa up with a 6970 but its cost me in the long run with waterblock and more rads to dral with the insane heat :p
 
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