2x 6970 in crossfire overkill?

[nrnx]

I just recently got a 6870 without knowing about ATi's changing of their numbering system. Would 2x 6970 in crossfire be overkill for a 1080p resolution with all the special effects cranked up? I am thinking about putting my 6870 in my other rig, giving my 5770 to a friend if I do upgrade, and I would also need a new PSU but I got that covered. I believe my case has adequate cooling, however I am very interested in water cooling the GPUs. What do you guys think?

 

[Dougx1317]

I can play all my games maxed out at 1920x1200 with a single 6970, so I think it probably is overkill right now. I'd recommend holding off on the second card until you need it. Crossfired 6870 is a nice setup as well.

 

[nrnx]

Well going to upgrade my PSU to a 850W from 650W, from 8GB DDR3 to 16GB DDR3 and get a 128GB SSD To replace my raptor. Figure it never hurts to be on top of technology, I get good performance from my 6870 however, would like if I could skip next gen by getting 2x 6970. Either which way I am not sure what to do. When are the dual chipped single cards coming like the 6990?

 

[Dougx1317]

There is no such thing as overkill

Good answer. Especially when it's someone elses money.

If you have the money and the highest end graphics is what you want go for it. The only thing above it would be SLI'ed GTX580's.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

@ op, what are you blaming AMD's numbering system for? Do you buy all your products based on numbers? did you think you were going to get their top end card for $250?

 

[HostileDonut]

What CPU do you have? I assume its grand smokin' good because of the other components, but a bottleneck is possible.

 

[bystander]

Overkill would depend on your monitor resolution. What's your resolution?

 

[HostileDonut]

If you want it, go ahead, but I think that one would do you fine.

 

[HostileDonut]

I already said go for it...!

Haha, as if your the only guy he needs options from.

 

[purple stain]

What speed is your 1090T at?

Would you have enough space between the cards to run an aftermarket cooler or even a water system?
Usually the cards are practialy touching and barely enough room for the top card to get air.

What type of case do you have?

 

[bystander]

The part that matters in terms of overkill is his monitor resolution and refresh rate. Once he's over 60 FPS on most monitors, any thing more is overkill. If he's playing at 2560x1600, then two will definitely be used. Eyefinity would give the same use of two 6970's. 1600x900 would definitely be overkill.

 

[purple stain]

^true
Having just one monitor @ 1920x1080 wouldn't stress the GPU a whole lot.Having an eyefinity setup would be more worth the money.I think it might even be possible to get 60+FPS with just 1 6970.

 

[HostileDonut]

^true
Having just one monitor @ 1920x1080 wouldn't stress the GPU a whole lot.Having an eyefinity setup would be more worth the money.I think it might even be possible to get 60+FPS with just 1 6970.

Just watched a video of a x3 monitor display with one hd6970 and the performance was great. He will handle one monitor fine.

 

[17seconds]

Be careful that you don't end up with a very hot and noisy setup with two 6970's in Crossfire:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1084/pg21/xfx-radeon-6970-and-radeon-6950-graphics-card-review-power-temp-noise.html

 

[nrnx]

okay to answer some questions.

My processor has a CoolerMaster big ass cooler on it, not sure what the name is and is overclocked to 4ghz. I want to water cool the components yes, but I have never done it before and am afraid I will screw something up in the process if it requires me personally taking off the old component. Again I run at 1080p in 3D Full effects turned on every game. I would like to be able to skip the 7000 series, so I figure two 6970s would be the way to go. The case that I have is a Thermaltake V9 blackX edition, and the PSU I am looking at is an 850W Thermaltake PSU that has nice glowy colors.

I am looking at benchmarks and the 6970 trounces the 6870 by nearly double in some cases, so I figure 6970 crossfire would allow me to get 100 FPS in games such as Starcraft 2 etc, where it really matters. Plus I read that 6970 is finally able to play Crysis at full settings, which I have been holding off on playing Warhead simply because of that, and with Crysis 2 coming out - I need to be prepared.

If I were to get the two cards, how would I even go about putting an after-market cooler on them? Which are the best aftermarket GPU coolers? And does it require soldering?

One other question you might be able to answer: Do you put games on your SSD? I am getting a 128 GB SSD and would like to put a few always played games on there, however I have read that it can mess up your SSD.

 

[nrnx]

@ op, what are you blaming AMD's numbering system for? Do you buy all your products based on numbers? did you think you were going to get their top end card for $250?

No I have been buying AMD since the 3XXX series, and thought they had their naming scheme down. Plus last gen cards were that cheap so yeah I thought the 6870 was a top end card at 250. I actually got mine for $172 with discounts at local shop.

 

[marney_5]

No such thing as over kill guys! Especially when it comes to GPU's.

If you've got the cash go for it.

 

[HostileDonut]

If you really want to skip 7xxx series, then go ahead and get 'em. It sounds like you have logical reasons for it, go ahead.

 

[jjb8675309]

crossfire your 6870, it will be excellent at 1080p, although I do agree in the statement that "there is no overkill" I would say for now that dual 6970s is overkill. I think with dual 6870s you can easily skip a generation. If it were my choice I'd get a second 6870 and still game like a champ...

but then again 32nm might bring some unbelievable cards so you never know but I doubt it...

 

[jjb8675309]

really imo the only time the 6950/70 "trounce" the 6870 is when resolutions are greater than 1080/1200p. But at 1080p there is not that big of gains in most games imo. However, even though its been said a million times, the 6900s soar at 25X16 and that is where the 2 gigs or ram really helps out. Supposedly AMD is coming out with 1 gig 6900 series cards which will likely be cheaper and geared more towards people gaming at 1080/1200p

 

[HostileDonut]

hd6870 or hd6970, either way, you will be happy.

 

[nrnx]

For quick reference anyone got charts of a 6870 vs a 6970 single?

 

[jjb8675309]

^^^^ http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950-cayman,2818.html

 

[HostileDonut]

Look, we do not know how much you game, what will be coming out, your financial situation, etc. So, you should really do what YOU think is best. Yeah, the hd6870 CF I know would be a enough for me, but, you sound like a pretty heavy gamer who wants really high FPS. It also depends what the refresh rate on your monitor is. I think that if you really want the cards and you have the money, then go ahead. It's your call man. SO, in the end, hd6870s or hd6970s CF, you will be very happy. I hope this helped.

 

[jjb8675309]

^+1