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- Joined
- 31 Aug 2009
- Posts
- 1,015
- Location
- Surrey, UK
I don't want to wait until the 7xxx series releases to build a new PC, but I'm holding off on buying BF3/Skyrim until I've upgraded (I'm weird, don't ask). Current spec:
- Q8300 @ 3.2ghz
- 4GB DDR2 1066mhz
- 2x 5770 CF
I'll be able to upgrade in December or January. I'm happy about going up to 2500k/Z68/DDR3, but I'd really want to be able to max BF3/Skyrim with no worries at all - which means a new GPU.
A single 6950 isn't much faster than 5770 CF (may get higher minimum frames and less stutter), but paying out for a 580 just when something 50+% better at the same price comes along a couple of months later would be very annoying.
I know I could get another 6950 in time and have an awesome rig, but I'm trying to steer clear of CrossFire; fed up of ATI's poor software support and having to download .dlls and trick programs into getting CF to work as it should.
I play at 1920x1200 so I'd really like more than 1.5GB VRAM which is why I'm avoiding the 580 (the 3GB 580s are too expensive). As far is I can see my options are thus:
- 580 1.5GB for now, but worry about lack of VRAM and probably want to replace in a few months.
- 580 3GB, too expensive and I'm dubious forking out that money when a new gen is around the corner.
- 6950, enough VRAM and pretty cheap but one alone is not much better than what I have now and won't max BF3.
- 6950 CF, puts me back in the CrossFire hell-zone and is pricey, but would be a long term solution.
If ATI sorted their **** out with big game releases not having CF support until days/weeks after release, I'd be happy to go 6950CF and not upgrade for at least another year, but I'm tired of having to Google "new game name crossfire fix" every time I buy a new title. I know a LOT of people play CF and have no problems, but it just always seems that I do and frankly, personally, I'm disillusioned with ATI and would like to avoid a CF set up.
So, I need something in the mean time, before getting a single 7970 when it releases. Any ideas?
- Q8300 @ 3.2ghz
- 4GB DDR2 1066mhz
- 2x 5770 CF
I'll be able to upgrade in December or January. I'm happy about going up to 2500k/Z68/DDR3, but I'd really want to be able to max BF3/Skyrim with no worries at all - which means a new GPU.
A single 6950 isn't much faster than 5770 CF (may get higher minimum frames and less stutter), but paying out for a 580 just when something 50+% better at the same price comes along a couple of months later would be very annoying.
I know I could get another 6950 in time and have an awesome rig, but I'm trying to steer clear of CrossFire; fed up of ATI's poor software support and having to download .dlls and trick programs into getting CF to work as it should.
I play at 1920x1200 so I'd really like more than 1.5GB VRAM which is why I'm avoiding the 580 (the 3GB 580s are too expensive). As far is I can see my options are thus:
- 580 1.5GB for now, but worry about lack of VRAM and probably want to replace in a few months.
- 580 3GB, too expensive and I'm dubious forking out that money when a new gen is around the corner.
- 6950, enough VRAM and pretty cheap but one alone is not much better than what I have now and won't max BF3.
- 6950 CF, puts me back in the CrossFire hell-zone and is pricey, but would be a long term solution.
If ATI sorted their **** out with big game releases not having CF support until days/weeks after release, I'd be happy to go 6950CF and not upgrade for at least another year, but I'm tired of having to Google "new game name crossfire fix" every time I buy a new title. I know a LOT of people play CF and have no problems, but it just always seems that I do and frankly, personally, I'm disillusioned with ATI and would like to avoid a CF set up.
So, I need something in the mean time, before getting a single 7970 when it releases. Any ideas?
I'm a graphics card snob whose ideals write cheques that my wallet can't cash!
