5670 , 6670

[mirceapopg]

Hello.

1. What should I choose (considering performance) between 5670 1GB or 6670 512MB, both DDR 5 for 1280 x 1024?
2. DDR 5 is pointless given that I only have PCI-E x16?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaguarskx]

The HD 6670 has about 10% better performance than the HD 5670. However, it is probably priced at around $99 compared to around $65 for the HD 5670. Therefore, you need to determine if the extra $$ is worth the extra 10% performance.

DDR5 is not pointless. Going with DDR3 would decrease performance.

 

[mirceapopg]

The HD 6670 has about 10% better performance than the HD 5670. However, it is probably priced at around $99 compared to around $65 for the HD 5670. Therefore, you need to determine if the extra $$ is worth the extra 10% performance.

DDR5 is not pointless. Going with DDR3 would decrease performance.

The fact that I don't have PCI Express 2.0 or later won't limit the DDR 5 ?

 

[frankthetank909]

No it wont limit the DDR5 on board, what it will limit is your total throughput. The card will perform slower on a PCI-E 1.X slot then what is was designed for a PCI-E 2.X Slot. So that 10% performance is negligible at best. I would personally go with the 5xxx series in your case, just because spending the extra cash would't make sense.

 

[jaguarskx]

The HD 6670 cannot use all the bandwidth available on a PCI-e x16 version 1.x slot so there will be no decrease in performance.

However, there have been some reported cases of a compatibility issues with a PCI-e 2.1 card in a PCI-e 1.x slot. All radeon HD 6xxx cards are PCI-e 2.1 cards so if you want to be cautious, then you should look for a PCI-e 2.0 Radeon HD 5670. There are people who had no issues with a PCI-e 2.1 card in a PCI-e 1.x slot. It's just something you should be aware of.

AMD started using the PCI-e 2.1 interface halfway into the production of the Radeon HD 5xxx series. Therefore, there will be PCI-e 2.0 and PCI-e 2.1 versions of the HD 5670 so you need to pay attention if you decide you don't want to risk compatibility issues with a PCI-e 2.1 card.

 

[frankthetank909]

The bottom line OP is yes you can use a 2.1 video in a 1.x slot. but are limited to the 1.x specs. So it isnt common practice for gamers, but for you..it should be okay.

Here is a quick youtube video (its like 50 sec. long)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Vdn0WF5k8