Big mistake to buy a 6950 or 6970 today?

[Skidder]

I am pushing the button on a parts for a new system later today. 2500k based, 16gb ram, SSD

Have HDDs, Enrermax 1000w PSU and optical drives.

I run three monitors but game on one at 1920x1200

Is it a horrible idea to pick up an AMD GPU today (in terms of the impending release of the 7000 series)? Realistically how long will it be before the new GPUs are out? And realistically will one of the cards I mention above allow me to max out games for a while anyway?

Intend to play BF3, star wars mmo in short term

I have the budget through work to buy the whole system today. I could hold off on the GPU and use some 8800gtx s I have sli for a bit but would end up buying new GPU myself that way. What you good people do?

I have a set budget so could delay the card and spend more on 2600k/2700k, better cooling or whatever so not a loss as such to delay.

 

[Skidder]

Thanks, I know it's what I should do and I am leaning towards that

Really tempting just to get a decent system within my budget with a 2500k and GPU though!

 

[Skidder]

If you wanna go AMD it really can't be recommended to buy a 6900 now when a 7970 which might be released as soon as next month could give xfire 6950s a run for it's money on it's own.

is there a sensible Nvidia option? (was only thinking AMD as could go single card with 3 screens)

 

[Skidder]

I play games pretty infrequently as I have a busy work life and two small kids and as such the coming christmas break gives me one of the few opportunities of the year to actually sit down and game which is one reason why waiting isn't very appealing!

I really am tempted to just get a 6950 as I reckon I would probably be perfectly satisfied with it (compared to trisli 8800 gtx) and I would have the pleasure of a fully new build now. I know it's a flawed plan though.

 

[Skidder]

Now now, behave. I would have agreed with you until I saw an LG 42" passive 3D telly in John Lewis. Gobsmacked, blown away it was so emersive I wanted one right away. Sorry to OP for going off topic.

that's alright I have the 47 inch LG passive 3d and it's lush


Thing is I have about £900 to spend on parts this week on the business, if I don't spend it on a GPU but spend it on other parts, then when I buy a GPU in a month I will be buying it myself.

 

[Skidder]

Thanks for the insight from the last several posts

 

[Skidder]

Waits for the 7xx benchamrks showing them to be slower than the 6xx series due to 800 million transistors missing....

(Having had an FX53 in the past I was very excited about faildozer - haven't had an ATI GPU for several generations)

 

[Skidder]

Still haven't made a move as have been too busy to place order. I'm not going to be benchmarking, at least I don't want to. I got sucked into that around the time Crysis was out and knocking out great benchmarks is a very ephemeral pleasure and costly! I do think a 6950 would probably provide what I need for the mo and I could enjoy setting up and getting everything in order over christmas. Oh well will sleep on it

 

[Skidder]

ok gibbo has just pointed out in the other thread and like i said before dont expect the cards that compete with the 6950/70 to be out before feb march and wont be much cheaper

so basically not january (high end in jan). so basically youre gunna wait 3 to 4 months or play whatever you want now . at worst youre gunna love about 40-50 quid for a same speed card

7850-7870

the bigger cards are way over price budget.

what gibbo just said

In fairness the 6950 2GB still the card to get, as its replacement that offers same performance but consumes less power will probably not show face until Feb/March and the cost will be similarish or at best £50 less but it could be no less, to early to predict as such.

The current GPU's have had a very good life as the 6950 2GB has been a great card, hence its sales strength.

nvidia 570 gtx arnt lowering wither and once sold out they will remain sold out.

so if you in the 150-200 quid card markey just buy now and enjoy

thanks

 

[Skidder]

OK, I'm buying today then, should I go 6950? which cards have possibility of unlocking 6970 shaders?

Or should I just get the OcUK 6970 which is only about 40 more I think. Ta peeps

 

[Skidder]

6950 at £200 is still a good buy and 6950 will remain current until approx March next year.

thanks

 

[Skidder]

Unlocking makes such little difference I would not worry too much about it. Overclocking a card with a decent cooler will give better gains.

which 6950 would you go for?

 

[Skidder]

Depends, water-cooling tends to give awesome results; so if thats a possibility for you then get one that will take a full cover waterblock

going to air cool this machine (it's my work PC )

 

[Skidder]

for those who speak about Nvidia killers, just we cannot believe you anymore..

do I have to remind you what happened with 6970 before it comes out, 50% faster and better than gtx580?? or buldozer, 50% better than sandy bridge cpus? AMD lovers, love also the 50%... why... why not 10-20-30-40-60... lol? or any Ati product before the release date?

I am afraid that when you hear about a tree with lots and big apples, just get a small basket with u... lol

I cant believe it personally

Sorry, what?