Upgrading from 4890 to 6970

[LeeKeery]

Hi Guys,

I will be upgrading my card to the 6970 within the next month. I have chosen the Gigabyte Radeon HD 6970 OC 2048MB, simply because it appears to have a decent cooler and a decent price tag.

Does anyone on the forum currently have this card?
How are temps and does it deliver the performance promised?

I would also be interest to know how it runs an HDMI-HDMI connection at 1080 resolution, as currently my DVI-HDMI connection leaves my desktop distorted.

P.S. I have read good reviews on other brand 6970's, just want some insight on the Gigabyte card.

 

[EGuitarStar]

I would hold off from getting the 6970 until the new year, the new 7000 range are due to be released then so it may mean a better 7000 series card or a 6970 for a very good price.

 

[LeeKeery]

Yea I read post about the 7000 range being released shortly, but the 69** series should keep with the first releases of the 7 range.

I was hoping to upgrade this month, I doubt the prices will drop dramatically for a couple of months at least until the higher end 7 series are released. This card could tie me over until the 79** series are down to a decent price.

 

[tobsmonster2]

IIRC a pair of 4850 trade blows with a single 5850, so I'd guess the upgrade would net you around 180-220% of the performance of your 4890. Best thing to do would be to search for benchmarks of the 6970 using the games you intend to play, best way to figure out if the upgrade will be worth it for you IMO.

 

[TheRealDeal]

The 6970 probably wont keep with the high end 7970. I think the 7970 will be in the ball park of 70% faster. The least i expect will be 50% faster. Its not a great time to buy atm if you can get by with your 4890. People are saying the 7870 should be around the speed or a little faster than the 6970.

 

[Randomface74]

get the card - it'll be a long wait

 

[TheRealDeal]

get the card - it'll be a long wait

A month and a half is not a long wait. Hopefully we will get more on release dates on monday when amd have there conferance about the 7 series. I would be feeling pretty crap if i forked out money on a 6970 and a month and a half later i could have had a much better card for the same money.

 

[LeeKeery]

Thanks for the input guys.

The more I read through the forum, a lot of people are waiting rather than buying now. I'll maybe wait to see official dates when AMD plan to release the cards and which models.

Do you think the 7 series will just slot in around the £300 price range? i.e. 7950 or 7970...
Will they not be more expensive for the first few months?

 

[~>Dg<~]

card will probably be on sale with stock for feb

a 6970 is at least double your card in speed or nearly triple

if your card plays what you play now wait till new cards if it doesnt you decide whether to wait nearly three months .

 

[LeeKeery]

Thanks for the info Dg

My urge to upgrade is pretty big!
I may just go for the 6970 and upgrade to the top end 7 series late next year once all the driver kinks are ironed out.

Thanks for the info guys!