Switching from ATI to Nvidia

[GoogalyMoogaly]

Hi,

I'm planning to upgrade my rubbish, slow single 5870 to 570 SLI.
I don't want to have to do a fresh install of the OS, so what's the best way to deal with the drivers?
Is it as simple as just uninstalling the ATI/AMD drivers, turning the PC off, switching the cards and then installing the Nvidia drivers when the pc restarts?

Or do I need to use some driver cleaner?
I've heard these can cause more problems than they solve?
If I should, which one is best?

Thanks.

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

What motherboard are you using.

MSI P55-GD65 (I think)

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

I'm planning to remove the stock HSF from the (reference design, Sapphire) 5870 and attach an EK waterblock.
It seems like there could be quite a lot of scope for things to go wrong, anyone got any tips?

Thanks.

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

2 X 2GB 6950 ref 1 unlocked to 6970 shaders/sclocks are faster/scale better and much cheaper than 570 sli.

You say that but you don't know how much I paid for my 570s.
Also, I already have the 570s so using them is cheaper than buying 6950s.
Also, when I got my 570s there was a lot of talk around the heat and the noise of the 69X0 cards. The 570s seemed to be reported to run cooler and quieter.

If I was buying them now, I'd probably look into a couple ref 1 6950s with 3rd part coolers.

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

Were they cheaper than £192 each?

No, but I bought them a while ago, before the VAT change I think. so not sure you'd get new AMD 6950s for £192 either. I think they were around £220 at the time.

Like I have done, AC extreme 5870 coolers doing a stunning job on my 6950>70's

Or even just the ones that come with the Twin Frozr II or something like that.

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

How much did yours cost? Just curious how much you got them for.

I think one was £260 and the other was a bit less.

You can get the Asus one today only for £192 if you have a look, you can get the 2 Gb 6950 nearly every other day at that price or there about.

Now, sure, but I bought these in mid February. I don't think the 6950s were going for £192 in mid-February. I think they were closer to £220 at the time.