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6870 CF or?

Secret_Window

Secret_Window

Secret_Window

Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2006
Posts
5,207
After recently getting a Samsung S27a950d monitor which uses amd 3d tech in mind, I now feel that I need to switch to amd hardware to benefit all the monitor's functions. Trouble is I have a bit of trouble deciding which route is most sensible and not pure money wasting.

Currently I own a gtx 570 (which I am using) and 6870 (which I owned before 570 and is currently stored away) and I am contemplating using my 6870 again but getting another and crossfiring it. However I am not keen on the crossfire issues I keep reading about such as the microstutter etc and also considering a more expensive single gpu solution but not at all keen on current 79xx prices.

What do you think - crossfire my 6870 that I have stored away or push the boat out and get one fast single gpu?

This is all purely for using AMDHD3D and tridef solution in games and movies - I explored the nvidia 3d vision emulator for the monitor but it was way too buggy and hit and miss.
 
Microstutter isn't always noticeable, so you can't predict whether it will bother you or not. I have CF 5850's and i've yet to notice any microstutter from them. The main problem with crossfire is support in new titles, it usually gets there eventually but can cause problems in the mean time.

If money is an issue I think you would be fine buying another 6870 for now. Then when prices come down later you could sell them both and buy a single GPU solution. If you can afford it, a more powerful single GPU will always be more stable and less prone to compatibility issues.
 
I'd go for a single 7950 or 7970 if you can afford it. If you can wait then prices are gradually coming down.

If you had a 6950 or 6970 then I'd say it'd be worth considering the crossfire route.
 
6870 is a 1gb card isnt it?

Personally if i were in your boots keep the 570 for now a wait for the competition to release thiers and then pick the best bang for buck from the two sides

The 570 isnt exactly a slouch!
 
My set up is 6870cf and they scale really well. It was a good upgrade from the 5870. Haven't had any problems with micro stutter with a mechanical HDD. I did have issues when I ran games off a SSD but it could have been a problem with the SSD rather than the GPU.

My cards are only 1GB each which means I have to keep AA low if I want eyefinity.
 
Ideally want something on par with my 570 or faster. The reason why I don't want to wait is so I can still sell my 570 for a reasonable amount before all nvidia prices drop when kepler hits.

I thought about the 6970 but its a lot to spend on something that is now being replaced. If I were to crossfire my 6870 that I have spare then I wouldn't necessarily be committing myself to expensive obsolete tech and could move to something faster and more up to date when prices have fallen on the 79xx. But part me thinks I am wasting my time with the hassle getting 6870 crossfire to work well and may be better off grabbing a 7950 instead. I just can't get my head round the 79xx prices, as I feel they are not right for what they are. I can afford a 7970 for example but I just don't think it's worthy of its £400-500 price tag.
 
Bit of a bump.

Pretty certain on selling my 570 now and going the AMD route for best compatiability with my 3d monitor.

Things are still a bit up in the air as for which route to take. I like the idea of getting a second 6870 but don't feel too confident about sticking with 1gb of vram for future titles. Which is now why I am now considering 6950 crossfire unlocked to 6970. However I feel for the same price I could just get a single 7970 and save some issues. But after even further contemplating now feel a 7950 is a happy medium in price-performance ratio using the money from my soon-to-be sold 570.

Is there any right way to go?
 
I think you're right. It seems a safe investment but if I were to go for one I would want one to match my Gigabye SOC 570 in terms of temps and noise. With that in mind I was particularly interested in the Gigabyte windforce 7950 but a little more and I can get a 7970, so there it becomes tricky.
 
Secret_Window said:
I think you're right. It seems a safe investment but if I were to go for one I would want one to match my Gigabye SOC 570 in terms of temps and noise. With that in mind I was particularly interested in the Gigabyte windforce 7950 but a little more and I can get a 7970, so there it becomes tricky.
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I don't anticipate the temps being the potential issue, but yeah, I see where you're coming from with regards to noise, and as you mention, usually that means spending more than the cheapest model which pushes you ever nearer to the next model up. I suppose the other alternative is to wait a little longer and see how well the 7870 / 7890 2gb fares, or after selling your 570 buy a 6950 and at a later date add another.
 
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arc@css said:
I don't anticipate the temps being the potential issue, but yeah, I see where you're coming from with regards to noise, and as you mention, usually that means spending more than the cheapest model which pushes you ever nearer to the next model up. I suppose the other alternative is to wait a little longer and see how well the 7870 / 7890 2gb fares, or after selling your 570 buy a 6950 and at a later date add another.
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You make some good points.

If I assume that I get minimum £160 for my 570 SOC then I have only got to fork out £230 or so for a cooler and quieter 7950. But, for around £40 more I can get a 7970 but again the issue arises with regards to temps and noise with a stock cooler model. If the difference was small in temps and noise moving from my 570 SOC, then I would definitely opt for it but some people have complained of the noise with 7970 stock coolers and I feel being used to how quiet my 570 is I may also find it an issue.

The 7970 is just so tempting for £40 more!
 
Secret_Window said:
You make some good points.

If I assume that I get minimum £160 for my 570 SOC then I have only got to fork out £230 or so for a cooler and quieter 7950. But, for around £40 more I can get a 7970 but again the issue arises with regards to temps and noise with a stock cooler model. If the difference was small in temps and noise moving from my 570 SOC, then I would definitely opt for it but some people have complained of the noise with 7970 stock coolers and I feel being used to how quiet my 570 is I may also find it an issue.

The 7970 is just so tempting for £40 more!
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I think it's worth staying with a quieter card, it's what you have gotten used to and I think you might regret opting for a cheaper but noisier cooler. I can appreciate what you mean, my gtx 480 has the Gigabyte windforce cooler on it (same as yours) and it has been bliss in that regard. I couldn't imagine going back to the stock type cooler on my old 4870X2 - though to be fair that was only really worthy of criticism when it was under load (I made sure I kept it very clean because otherwise it would get too noisey even at idle), and even then with earphones on it didn't bother me excessively. I guess it depends how sensitive you are on this point.

In the meantime I would just listen to other experiences, try to sift through the information about what's quiet and what isn't re: 7950 / 70 coolers.

Ultimately, if budget / value is the most important factor then a 7970 might not be the right move, but a 6950 / 7890 or 7870 more than likely would be; if cost / value is of a lower priority...well, there's always the buy button. :D

Personally, I would be more inclined to wait for the 7890 (in particular), and then weigh that up with a 6950 for cross firing either one further down the line. 'If' you can get a good price for your 570, and 'if' you can source a reasonably priced 7950 with a good cooler, then that might be what would sway me if I was in your position. I don't think it would hurt to still wait for the 7800's though.
 
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No idea if this will help but i've gone from a 5970 BE to x2 6870's in x-fire and i've got better FPS and both actually run cooler than my 5970 did. Not had any issues since day 1 but then again i've never had any issues with either ATi or NVidia. I'd say go for it.
 
Good points but what card or setup do I need to get 60fps in bf3 ultra settings? As this is now something else I want to achieve performance wise from whichever route I take!
 
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Ok it's going to be between the 7870 and 7950 I think. If I get the 7870 then it will be to replace my 570 directly (like for like) and possibly a second later on when prices are cheaper. But I still think paying a bit more for a single gpu like the 7950 is a good option but is it worth the extra?
 
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