HD 6950 reference models?

peppone

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Hello guys,
I got an old rig:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
MoBo: Asus M4a78e
PSU: Corsair 750w
RAM: 3gb random brand
Video Card: EVGA 9800 GTX+ 512Mb

Since my video card passed to better life, I'm planning to get a HD 6950 2Gb. (and from here I'm going to start changing all other pieces)
My question is: Since I know I can unlock SOME 6950 flashing them with 6970 bios, what brand should i get?
I saw forum posting about referenced models and not-referenced models.
Can anybody post a list so I can choose 1 "secure"card for unlocking?

Thanks
 
I would highly advise upgrading your CPU before you get the 6950.Theirs no chance you'll see an improvement over the 9800gtx+ with a 6950 on CPU like that.I know you said you were going to upgrade other pieces as you go but you should get the CPU and Mobo first.
 

peppone

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Well yeah I know you are right, but I still need to get a new video card since mine is not working anymore =]
So even if I need a new CPU i still needed the advices about the 6950 unlocking

Thanks for you help
 

peppone

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Sorry I didn't see this post...
So you also are saying that i should upgrade my CPU/MoBo before I buy the video card because I will not see any improvement?
 


No as i said i don't agree with that as the reason. Personally i think you will see improvement. You will be restricted by your CPU but i don't see it being a nothing at all upgrade.
Whats the time line between this and the other upgrades ?
Bottom line the way i see it is this if you are just doing it one piece at a time and you want to do this first then fine. However if you have any ideas that putting this card in will make a huge difference to your performance then you will end up being disappointed.
You could end up with no gain i just don't think so I cant say for sure but i know it would come down in part to resolution. @1920x1080 your CPU would be able to run a 5850 to its limits based on a couple of articles Toms have done on budget CPU's and bottlenecks.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-ii-x3,2452.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588.html
Looking at those you will see that a X3 720 can run up to the capabilities of a 5850( second link), also you will see that the Athlon II X3 435 is a pretty even match for said X3 720(first link).
Now look at this result http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/28?vs=112 You will see your CPU isn't far behind.
A 6950 is a faster card than a 5850 granted but based on all the data i cant see it being reduced down to no gain at all.

Mactronix :) PS If the result dosent come out im sure you can enter the CPU's into the drop down yourself ;)
 

peppone

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The timing will be 3 weeks/ 1 month every piece, but i need this computer up and running.
I rather have a nice video card bottlenecked by my CPU (but waiting for improvement) that a nice CPU/MoBo, but i still cannot use my computer because my video card is broken, make sense doesn't it? =]

I really appreciate your help and those links are really helpful.
Thanks again =]