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6870 Crossfire or single 6950?

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Hi folks,

Just a quick question. I currently have a single 1GB 6870, I feel it is the "bottleneck" of my system, esp with new games on the very near horizon.

I have the following:

-2500K @ 4.5GHz
-8GB XMS3 @ 1600MHz
-MSI Z68A-GD65
-Chieftec 750W Modular PSU

I can pick up a second 6870 at a reasonable price these days. I realise two would far outperform a 6950, but the only thing holding me back is lack of VRAM, which is why I'm considering selling my 6870 and putting the cash towards a single 6950.

I game at 1920x1080 on modern games. I do have an Eyefinity setup (5760x1080), but only really use that for older games that run smooth, or the occasional racing game. Frames per second are more important to me, esp on first person shooters, so I will be playing all upcoming releases on one monitor only.

Which way should I go? Thanks for your collective wisdom in advance :)
 
In terms of performance (and benchmarks) a Crossfire is much better - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/301?vs=293 (as you pointed out yourself). If FPS is your main concern, then clearly, the crossfire is better (on these benchmarks of course).

In reality? My understanding is Crossfire is becoming MUCH better now, as more and more games are really utilizing the potential within two cards (instead of one). It still is far from perfect, and some games can have problems running on two cards (will run better on one for example). I read in the RAGE (not the best example), and BF3 Beta a few problems with this.

A 6870 is on deal of the day at £119.99 - be quick though, not many left - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-143-OK
 
Yeah I was looking at the benchmarks as well, Crossfire seems to scale rather nicely, esp on the 6xxx series.

However I know games eg BF3 are happy to munch 1.5GB of VRAM and up. What happens when I don't have the VRAM? Micro-stuttering? Any other negative effects?

Are AA and texture quality the biggest VRAM hoggers? Happy to turn down the AA if need be...
 
AA is a massive vram hog. I maxed bf3 out at 1920x1200 with 480 gtx sli and 1.5gb of ram was certainly holding me back. Averaging 60 fps in the outdoors and 100 indoors. I imagine without aa these would double. I don't see the point in cross firing 1gb cards personally, especially not if you have the option of eyefinity.
 
I don't mind playing on one monitor for now (it's 27") till next gen cards come out and can run Eyefinity resolutions with more ease.

Can you describe any symptoms of running out of VRAM from experience? Or are you mostly aware of it due to a VRAM monitor, eg the MSI Afterburner?
 
Bump :)

Any other opinions? If I'm happy with no AA would I be better with the Crossfire option till next gen cards come out? Thanks
 
I have the exact same spec as you (except for P67A-GD65 instead of Z68) and have also considered xfire or a single card upgrade.

Personally I have been extremely impressed with my MSI 6870, plays all my games at or near max at 1080p so I've decided to stick with it and wait for the 7XXX series.
 
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