6950 1gb or 2gb

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 11:52

Going to buy a asus 6950 and do cf and unlock but i dont know if you need the 2 gb version to unlock and if you do will the 2 gb version fit with the motherboard named p8p67 deluxe? Also what version of asus should i get

arc@css · 16 Aug 2011 at 11:55

Not sure about the mobo off the top of my head, but iirc 1gb 6950's will not unlock, period. Also, it is hard now to find a 2gb 6950 that will unlock as well, since AMD have remedied this with the newer cards. You might get lucky and be able to unlick a 2gb model, but don't depend on it, count it as a bonus. Personally I wouldn't factor that in to the situation, simply overclock it - will achieve the same results if it can produce a decent one.

LOL 'unlick', sorry couldn't help but laugh at that. That's an edit I don't wish to do.

kayomani · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:12

You'll be lucky if you get an unlockable one regardless, personally I would go for 2gb.

daveash · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:13

Unlockable cards are becoming pretty rare these days, and when you can find them they tend to be pretty close to 6970 prices. Just buy the 2gb model with a decent cooler (the twin frozr III versinos are great) and OC them.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:19

Only have the money for a asus card also will my sound card fit if i get the 2 gb version will it fit with my mobo do i need 2gb as i only run 1920 x 1080

arc@css · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:22

wannabemixer said:
do i need 2gb as i only run 1920 x 1080

Depends. Do you like all eye candy enabled with AA? Mods? If something like that then yeah, get the 2gb. It's not like they cost that much more than the 1gb ones.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:26

Will it fit with my mobo and will a pci sound card fit? And do i need the sound card if it does not fit and is there a other mobo that i can buy in the same price range that can use both cards and still have a sound card

djxput · 16 Aug 2011 at 13:05

wannabemixer said:
Only have the money for a asus card also will my sound card fit if i get the 2 gb version will it fit with my mobo do i need 2gb as i only run 1920 x 1080

hmmm if you are wondering about the asus card - the 2 gb version 3 slot version is Really big; Id stay away from that if you are worried about space.

I guess you could get away with only using 1 gb; but the extra gig isnt that much more and may provide you with some benefit in the future.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 14:02

djxput said:
hmmm if you are wondering about the asus card - the 2 gb version 3 slot version is Really big; Id stay away from that if you are worried about space.

I guess you could get away with only using 1 gb; but the extra gig isnt that much more and may provide you with some benefit in the future.

What do you mean remember i am from sweden also is there no mobo that i can buy that will fit 2gb version of 6950 in cf?

Surveyor · 16 Aug 2011 at 14:22

wannabemixer said:
What do you mean remember i am from sweden also is there no mobo that i can buy that will fit 2gb version of 6950 in cf?

You can fit 2 dual slot HD 6950's and your PCI sound card on the motherboard you already have.

Dual slot HD 6950's such as this, this or this. Also several more expensive cards.

You will need a case big enough for the length of the cards. They are longer than the image shown below.

You will also need a qood quality power supply of around 750W, ideally with four 6 pin PCI-E power connectors.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 14:47

Is there any other gpu brand then the ones you listed? and why cant i use asus why only the brands u listed i mean whats the different?

Surveyor · 16 Aug 2011 at 14:56

wannabemixer said:
Is there any other gpu brand then the ones you listed? and why cant i use asus why only the brands u listed i mean whats the different?

There are several more expensive cards.

Basically any of the cards listed here should fit as I indicated above apart from the Asus ATI Radeon HD 6950 DirectCU II 2048MB because it's 3 slots wide.

The ones I listed are the cheapest 2GB cards. The 1GB cards aren't much cheaper so it seems pointless in getting them as it's better to have too much VRAM than not enough.

2GB of VRAM will certainly be handy if you game at high resolutions (if you don't already) or if you ever went for a 3 screen setup.

The main difference between the cards is the cooler fitted and the length of the warranty. Some have small overclocks but you can likely overclock any of the cards to these speeds anyway.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 17:12

whats best do you think sapphire 6950 or xfx 6950 or his 6950 or MSI Radeon R6950 Twin Frozr II/OC 2GB also will all of these cards work to do cf on my mobo and will i be able to use my sound card?

Surveyor · 16 Aug 2011 at 18:01

wannabemixer said:
whats best do you think sapphire 6950 or xfx 6950 or his 6950 or MSI Radeon R6950 Twin Frozr II/OC 2GB also will all of these cards work to do cf on my mobo and will i be able to use my sound card?

As long as they are dual slot cards then they will work in Crossfire with your sound card as I indicated in the picture I posted above.

As far as I am aware none of the manufacturers you've listed make triple slot cards.

Which card you choose will depend on the price and the only other main differences will be the type of cooler fitted and warranty. Some have more fancy (better?) coolers than others.

Some cards are supposed to be made with better quality components but you'll have to research each manufacturer for that.

As for 1GB or 2GB I suggest you read this thread and this thread and make up your own mind.

There are also several other threads on the same topic.

And don't forget to check the cards will fit in your case and that you have a good 750W power supply with four 6 pin PCI-E power connectors for Crossfire.

Just for clarification you want a card like this:

Not one like this:

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 18:34

Surveyor said:
As long as they are dual slot cards then they will work in Crossfire with your sound card as I indicated in the picture I posted above.

As far as I am aware none of the manufacturers you've listed make triple slot cards.

Which card you choose will depend on the price and the only other main differences will be the type of cooler fitted and warranty. Some have more fancy (better?) coolers than others.

Some cards are supposed to be made with better quality components but you'll have to research each manufacturer for that.

As for 1GB or 2GB I suggest you read this thread and this thread and make up your own mind.

There are also several other threads on the same topic.

And don't forget to check the cards will fit in your case and that you have a good 750W power supply with four 6 pin PCI-E power connectors for Crossfire.

Just for clarification you want a card like this:

Not one like this:

thanks i got a haf x will it be big enuf? and corsair 850ax it sucks and the last i had from corsair named hx850 sucked to cus they make this coil whine even with eist and c1e off and am grounded so ill see if it will be gone when i get my new cpu mobo and ram and gpus

ps.. will the 6950 card still be good if i cant unlock it? will it be better than a gtx 590

harmony · 16 Aug 2011 at 18:49

TBH I don't think it's worth saving £20 for not going for the 2GB version. I visit Cafe Rouge monthly and each time I spend £20.

If you must buy a 1GB card then go for a GTX 560 Ti.

I do not recommend "putting 1GB cards into SLI/CF only to fail to max out some games and future games due to vram shortage".

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 19:02

wannabemixer said:
thanks i got a haf x will it be big enuf? and corsair 850ax it sucks and the last i had from corsair named hx850 sucked to cus they make this coil whine even with eist and c1e off and am grounded so ill see if it will be gone when i get my new cpu mobo and ram and gpus

ps.. will the 6950 card still be good if i cant unlock it? will it be better than a gtx 590

still need the answer for this one ;D

Surveyor · 16 Aug 2011 at 19:08

wannabemixer said:
ps.. will the 6950 card still be good if i cant unlock it? will it be better than a gtx 590

wannabemixer said:
still need the answer for this one ;D

Have a bit of patience.

A HAF-X will be big enough.

A Corsair AX850 will be powerful enough and has enough PCI-E power connectors for Crossfired HD 6950's.

You need to think about unlocking the other way.

It's virtually impossible to get HD 6950's now which will unlock so work on the basis that all you're going to get is a card which will be locked as a HD 6950.

If by some small chance you get a card which unlocks that's a bonus.

A HD 6950 will not be better than a GTX 590. You are comparing apples and oranges.

In the UK a 2GB HD 6950 is roughly £200-£240 depending on the model.

A GTX 590 is a dual GPU card and costs around £590-£650 depending on the model.

A pair of HD 6950's in Crossfire, costing £400-£480, will be pretty close to the performance of a GTX 590.

wannabemixer · 16 Aug 2011 at 19:10

what do you recommend me to buy because i can buy a gtx 590 if i want

fowler002 · 16 Aug 2011 at 19:11

wannabemixer said:
what do you recommend me to buy because i can buy a gtx 590 if i want

a 6990?