running 6950's

[gareth170]

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=138287&page=3

Thats a good read. Might just be scaremongering, but I am not for taking the risk.

if people's 6950 are breaking after flashing in that thread it's either they using the 6970 bios or pumping way to much voltage though it or letting it get to hot or driver bugs or they don't know what they are doing....

using the 6950 unlocked shaders bios is perfectly safe..

my 6950 has been perfectly fine for many weeks now using the 6950 unlocked shaders bios, i game at 930/1450 1.175v

 

[el Kuarlos]

I totally agree mate. If you have a look at my first post thats what I said. That thrad reaches the same conclusion. Would be interesting if one of the mods could say whether they have had any returns over this issue.

 

[MikeHiow]

Most of the people in that thread have come back later on to say that their issues turned out to be game/driver issues.

 

[tommybhoy]

Sorry to be so vague in the OP, the games I play are:
GTAIV
Farcry 2
Call of Duties


But I'd also like to be able to try out crysis on max settings to get the experience

Hope this helps, I ran some benches for you.

All at 1920, 6950/70, c2Q6600 @ 3.3G, 8g ram, W7 x64.

Crysis (the highlighted mins were for another post)

GTA IV Episodes L&Damned Benchmark. max settings, max sliders too.

Farcry 2 (max everything)

Metro DOF ON

Metro DOF OFF

Metro DOF OFF PHYSX ON (9800gt hybrid physx, because I want to and choose to have it)

 

[Predicament]

@tommybhoy

Gheez thanks my man!

On crysis 21.1 FPS is too low for good playability

 

[Skellig]

@tommybhoy

Gheez thanks my man!

On crysis 21.1 FPS is too low for good playability

That's the min FPS. I doubt you'll dip that low very often.

 

[tommybhoy]

@tommybhoy

Gheez thanks my man!

On crysis 21.1 FPS is too low for good playability

That's the min FPS. I doubt you'll dip that low very often.

No problem, glad to help.

The dip is only really at the start of the benchmark which gives a very slight glitch, but take into account the benchmark is a 'flythrough', which is significantly faster than when you are actually playing the game.

 

[Predicament]

No problem, glad to help.

The dip is only really at the start of the benchmark which gives a very slight glitch, but take into account the benchmark is a 'flythrough', which is significantly faster than when you are actually playing the game.

so your saying actual game would have higher fps?

 

[J.D]

@tommybhoy

Gheez thanks my man!

On crysis 21.1 FPS is too low for good playability

Look at the AA use though. 4xAA wouldn't be as demanding so should equate to more FPS.

 

[Predicament]

bump

 

[tommybhoy]

so your saying actual game would have higher fps?

I couldn't say for sure that actual gameplay has higher fps, but there is no visable stuttering of fps, gameplay is quite smooth. The flythrough used in the benchmark must make the gpu work harder as it draws the frames quicker than when during actual gameplay.

 

[Predicament]

bump

 

[GJ02]

bump

what is it exactly you want to know ? im confused

 

[J.D]

Hi guys

I have a few questions:

1 )Can a 6950 bios flashed to a 6970 handle games on max settings?
1a) If not, is it possible to crossfire 2 6950's (and have them both be unlocked to 6970's) > no one has answered this yet!
1b) If I crossfired the two, would i need extra fans (using a antec 900) / a bigger psu (larger than 650)
2) any other recommendations?


background information:
24.5 inch monitor so 1920x1080

Sorry to be so vague in the OP, the games I play are:
GTAIV
Farcry 2
Call of Duties


But I'd also like to be able to try out crysis on max settings to get the experience

Question one is dependant on what is playable to you. Playable to me might not be playable to you or vice versa. The best way to see this is by reading benchmarks of games and the FPS they are getting a your resolution.

Question one (a):. Of course you can and this is easy to find so I don't know why you waited on someone replying and bumping twice rather than a quick search on google?.

Question one (b). I don't think you'd need extra fans but you may need to up the fan speed. I would want a bigger PSU than a 650 to power two overclocked and unlocked 6950s.

Question 2: There is only one other recommendation and that's the GTX580 but I don't think it's worth the extra money as I see the GTX 570 and 6950Unlocked/6970 as the cards to buy. If you've got loads of cash and don't mind splashing it then I'd go for the GTX 580 but if you'd rather save a few quid then it's a choice of GTX 570 and 6950 (unlocked).

I play on nearly max on Crysis at 1600x1200. I only use medium for motion blur though as I don't enjoy the effect when playing. Blur-o-vision . I would play at a bigger resolution but ATI drivers do not support my CRT gaming screen . I was testing a 9800GTX about 10 weeks ago and could select my proper resolution with Nvidia but ATI and Windows 7 I get nothing .