AMD Cpu with 6950 or i5 with 6870

[vtphs]

I was just wodering if the extra gpu would be a good idea with a amd processer or would it bottleneck?

 

[mryoink]

Which AMD processor?

 

[vtphs]

Which AMD processor?

anything from a 955 be to a 1090 t would be in the same price range as and i5 right now.

 

[kaweee]

955 + 6950 will be the better choice if you are gaming at a high resolution

955 shouldn't be bottlenecking the 6950

 

[vtphs]

955 + 6950 will be the better choice if you are gaming at a high resolution

955 shouldn't be bottlenecking the 6950

I won't be just gaming so what kind of performance loss will i get on basic computing things?

 

[kaweee]

I won't be just gaming so what kind of performance loss will i get on basic computing things?

As long as you are not doing any CPU intensive stuff like video rendering the 955 should be fine

 

[vtphs]

Basically i could do this

i5- $757 - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=318792&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

or pretty much the same build with a am3+ mb and 1090 t or 955 be for 60-100 cheaper which would allow a upgrade to a 6950. what would you do. Also like i said it isn't just a gaming pc. I do basic web surfing, video editing, gaming, and many other things. I'm looking for a strong all around build.

 

[vtphs]

955 + 6950 will be the better choice if you are gaming at a high resolution

955 shouldn't be bottlenecking the 6950

Also I won't be going to high of a resolution so is the 6950 overkill?

 

[kaweee]

The i5 will definitely give you a better overall performance in what you are doing

But if you have plans to upgrade your CPU when bulldozer comes out, AMD might the way to go with their new 8 cores coming out

 

[vtphs]

The i5 will definitely give you a better overall performance in what you are doing

But if you have plans to upgrade your CPU when bulldozer comes out, AMD might the way to go with their new 8 cores coming out

1920-1080 is my res. And yah I have thought about getting bulldozer when it comes out. i keep bouncing back between intel and amd. My first thought is im not just gaming so processer over graphics. But then i wonder if i will really feel a difference between a 965 or 1090t and a i5 2500k. Also i want to have good life from this gfx card so a 6950 will last that much longer. which would you do? Also with amd i get crossfire support.

 

[mdd1963]

Many P67/Z68 Intel mainboards have XFire/SLI support as well....

 

[Uther39]

OK, 1090t is the way to go as it will give you very good overall system performance as well as plenty of gaming performance, it will not bottlekneck your 6950 at all, the 1090t is also a very good overclocker and with a cheap aftermarket cooler OCs of 4ghz are very common with this CPU, just make sure you buy an AM3+ board so its compatible with bulldozer on its release, and in the long term the 6950 will serve you much better than a 6870.

 

[vtphs]

OK, 1090t is the way to go as it will give you very good overall system performance as well as plenty of gaming performance, it will not bottlekneck your 6950 at all, the 1090t is also a very good overclocker and with a cheap aftermarket cooler OCs of 4ghz are very common with this CPU, just make sure you buy an AM3+ board so its compatible with bulldozer on its release, and in the long term the 6950 will serve you much better than a 6870.

This was my original plan but their are so many people who say drop it and get a i5. I think im gonna go with it. =) any other suggestions, i'll post my build in a min. Also should their be a certain 6950 im looking for. Heres what i found.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949

 

[Uther39]

Thats a very good card but if your budget can stretch it the 2gb version like this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575
Are pretty amazing.

 

[vtphs]

Thats a very good card but if your budget can stretch it the 2gb version like this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575
Are pretty amazing.

Can certain 6950s still unlock the shaders?
and would i be better with a cooler master hyper 212 or a CORSAIR CAFA50?

 

[Uther39]

I think the Coolermaster is the better unit but ny only a slight margin, so go coolermaster 212, but fit the extra fan so 2 fans in a push pull configuration for super cooling.

Yes i think all 6950s can be flashed to 6970s.

 

[vtphs]

Heres my build.

Cooler master haf 912 - $55 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Asrock AM3+ MB - $105 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

Sapphire 6950 - $240 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949

Antec EarthWatts EA-650/w cord- $60 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB - $40 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

Hyper 212+ - $27 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Seagate Barracuda /w Asus Cd/Dvd - $68 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696141

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T w/ Dues Ex - $160 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.694104

I have $56 worth of combos and $46 worth of promos.

Total Price Without Mail in Rebate - $755

What do you think, respectable first time build?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Not all 6950's can be flashed to 6970, they locked down on that a while back,
you can however still unlock shaders which is more important and less risky
Build looks solid though
Moto

 

[vtphs]

Not all 6950's can be flashed to 6970, they locked down on that a while back,
you can however still unlock shaders which is more important and less risky
Build looks solid though
Moto

Thanks alot!
I guess it should be after all I've been debating i5 or a phenom build for about a month but couldn't get everything I wanted at the right price. The 2500k is amazing but its 28% more expensive not including the more expensive motherboard. Plus you don't get Dues Ex .

And yah i was reading that you could unlock shaders wiithout messing with memory timings and things correct? Is their anyway you can direct me to a guide so when it comes in i could try?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

http://vivithemage.com/2011/02/how-to-unlock-shaders-on-6950/
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159
Theres plenty out there, but yes, you can unlock the shaders alone without any other messing, unless ofc you wanted to, but then again thats your choice
Moto

 

[vtphs]

http://vivithemage.com/2011/02/how-to-unlock-shaders-on-6950/
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159
Theres plenty out there, but yes, you can unlock the shaders alone without any other messing, unless ofc you wanted to, but then again thats your choice
Moto

Oops almost forgot, can you recommend a nice cheap monitor?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Are you U.K. or U.S.?
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/3231/2498/-/15572328/LG-E2240S-PN-22-inch-Widescreen-LCD-LED-Monitor-Black/Product.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824262011
although I'm sure shopping around you could find better deals
Moto

 

[vtphs]

Are you U.K. or U.S.?
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/3231/2498/-/15572328/LG-E2240S-PN-22-inch-Widescreen-LCD-LED-Monitor-Black/Product.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824262011
although I'm sure shopping around you could find better deals
Moto

I'm US. Heres what i have now which i love, but since I'm getting money for it i figured i'd upgrade to 1920-1080. But i also want to keep that 2ms response time because i play xbox on it too. Its ashame they don't make 16:10 1080p anymore. I prefer that ratio.

http://www.amazon.com/LG-W1952TQ-19-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B0017I3GNW/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1313930864&sr=1-5

 

[Uther39]

Whats your monitor budget?

 

[sarinaide]

Most neutrals are clinging to the hope that the bulldozer provides a competition to the i5 and i7, though the likelihood is that it would be a underutilized and inefficient eight core processor that will still be schooled by a near perfect sandy bridge. At least it is a 32nm, that said Intel will come out with a 22nm chip, my money is on the bulldozer running hot.