AMD 6950 vs gtx 560 ti vs gtx 570

Parsnip

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2011
91
0
18,630
I'm currently in the common debate between the 6950 and the 560 ti. What's your opinions on the two? How about the 570 -is it worth the extra cash if I can afford it? Obviously I know its better due to its price....

Edit: Ill be playing either 1680x1050 on my current monitor or possibly buying a new 1080p (1920x1080) monitor. I will be using only a single monitor, not a multiple screen setup. I was thinking the 1gb version when comparing it too the 560 ti but the 2gb version is always an option as well.

What I'm thinking on this build (first ever build!)

Case: Cooler Mast HAF 922 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197

CPU: i5 2500k

Mobo: Possible deal (I need advice on mobo's) MSI Z68a GD 65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.674899

OR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

PSU: Corsair 650w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

GPU: One of the above

RAM: 4gb (or is 8 more appropriate?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231276

LG CD/DVD Burner

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
 
GTX 570. No contest. It will run just fine with any of Corsair's 650W offerings. If you'll only be running with one video card, choose a Z68 motherboard within your price range. You won't have to pay for the added SLI-ready:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128501&cm_re=gigabyte_z68-_-13-128-501-_-Product

Though if you want added expansion capabilities in the future, choose an SLI-ready motherboard (if you like MSI):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-130-602&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=100&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=sli#scrollFullInfo

and here's an SLI-ready Gigabyte model:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128500&cm_re=gigabyte_z68-_-13-128-500-_-Product

 

zodiac321

Distinguished
Mar 20, 2010
76
0
18,640
One, post monitor resolution, otherwise, its impossible to tell what you need. If it will be lower than 1080p, the 570 is the way to go. If 1080p or higher, the 6950 2GB will destroy the 570. Remember, also post which 6950 model you will buy, the 1 GB or 2GB. The 1 GB is no match for the 570. The 2 GB 6950 is on par with the 570, and can overclock a lot.
 

Are you kidding? What are you basing your suggestion on?

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon_HD_6950/8.html

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-6950-6970-review/22

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950-cayman,2818-12.html
 

Parsnip

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2011
91
0
18,630


Ill be playing either 1680x1050 on my current monitor or possibly buying a new 1080p (1920x1080) monitor. I will be using only a single monitor, not a multiple screen setup. I was thinking the 1gb version when comparing it too the 560 ti but the 2gb version is always an option as well.
 

0ozee

Distinguished
Apr 22, 2011
107
0
18,690
6950 2gb, best price-performance (in between 560ti and 570 performance) and when oc'd goes to 570 speeds, if you get a reference vers its even better it can unlock to 6970
 

shrkbay

Distinguished
Mar 8, 2011
1,216
0
19,360
uhm... 1680x1050 + 560Ti or higher = overkill
OP: you should be comparing 6950 to 570 not 560Ti, 560Ti is a lot slower than 6950 and many of them *560Tis* don't OC that well.. usually ~925Mhz is max. imo you should go for the cheapest or any good deal available...i cant load newegg website right now, but if prices haven't changed since i last visited it, you can find some 1GB 6950s for around 225$, thats around 15% higher price vs performance than that 570 for 289$. Btw, non-reference 6950 models can also be unlocked.
 

With no AA, I'd agree with you on the 560 or 570 being overkill.

It's not overkill when you crank the AA+AA (16x or 32xAA + 8xAA transparency) Transparency up. Also, there's no guarantee the 6950 you get can be unlocked and it voids your warranty. There's actually nothing like it when these cards are cranking out this kind of video.
 

Parsnip

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2011
91
0
18,630
Im not going to flash the 6950. So with that option out whats your opinions?

Also can you recommend brands? In my 570 research, it seems like alot of the models break after a few weeks or a month or so.
 
Take whatever you've read about video cards "break"ing with a grain of salt. Most functioning video cards, unfortunately, go unreported.

570s are great cards. I would say a majority of larger companies do a good job of honoring their warranties. If you don't OC the card beyond the factory OC if such is the case, you won't have anything to worry about.

This reference spec PNY card has a lifetime warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133370&cm_re=gtx_570-_-14-133-370-_-Product

Both of my PNY cards are plugging away just fine. Haven't had to deal with their warranty department, so I wouldn't know... My experience with this company so far is they put out a quality product.

If I were going to spend any more, it would be either on an MSI (reference) with a 3/2 warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130620&cm_re=gtx_570-_-14-130-620-_-Product

or on a Gigabyte (factory OC) with a 3/3 warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125384&cm_re=gtx_570-_-14-125-384-_-Product
 

Parsnip

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2011
91
0
18,630

wakanabi

Distinguished
Apr 1, 2011
16
0
18,510
You guys are all crazy. Price per performance, 560Ti SLI is best bang for your buck.... For $480 you get TWO GTX560Ti's, and before you start saying "Why not get a single GTX580 that would be sooo much better" look your numbers up

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/1

Beats a 580 by 20fps in many cases. That's what I do, why pay $330 for a single 570 that ONLY gets 4to6 fps more in most games than a 560Ti that only costs $240??? Get a 560, then buy another when you can and you'll be set for a few years