Ok need some opinions on Video card upgrade

Ern88 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:16 pm

Alright,

I did have my HD 5850 for sale but took it down. Would the 6950 2 gigabyte be worth upgrading to? Or should I just keep what I have and maybe get a second one for crossfire. I looked as some benchies and didn't see any huge FPS climbs. Maybe 10-12 FPS increase. Here is what I have exactly.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?psn=000101&pid=286

Phonix · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:19 am

Follow the rule of 50%. If you don't get a 50% performance increase, then wait a while. 40 is fine too it's a matter of opinion. I just try to get 50% more out of any upgrade I make. Sometimes you can't get a card 50% better than your current so you get the best thing you can. But that's always kept me happy.

Ern88 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:40 am

Hey Phonix,

Thanks man. I think I will keep the 5850. It is still a very capable card. I think I will put the money in my new Sandy Bridge Build. a 10% increase isn't worth it.

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:37 am

I was asking this question myself. I do like the 6 series line-up however. Both the 68 and 69 series. Prices are good overall and you get decent bang for the dollar.

But as my 5850 plays everything max so no upgrade for a little while yet and as Phonix mentioned there isnt much of an increase. Its a lil crappy that when i bought my card I paid 325 plus tax and now I can get another for 199 lol

Dr_BenD_over · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:54 am

For 1680x1050, stick with the 5850.

Ern88 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:17 pm

Ya, you guys are right. It's little performance increase. And Newf, your right. We paid over $300 on it. So, when I upgrade the Monitor. I will just get a second 5850. So, ya I will hang on to it. Thanks guys. Think I am glad that I didn't sell it. Guess it was an impulse thing :roll:

.

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:18 pm

1920x1080 here thanks to the missus!

Lost · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:57 pm

Still running a 23" 1680 monitor here. Just upgraded my whole machine and yay I get to bump a few settings to higher detail. Not a massive improvement in performance since it was pretty good before (and I had an 8800GT). Time to get a new monitor I suppose.

Ern88 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:24 pm

I'm doing it. It's live for sale :twisted:

Dr_BenD_over · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:41 pm

A certain e-tailer was selling 5850's for $149.99 last week :wink:

Ern88 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:00 pm

Well, after speaking to Steve today. We discussed some stuff. Like getting a better monitor in the near future that will do 1080p. And after looking at the 6950. I am sure that this card will be a great single card for a higher res monitor and Looks like a great choice to crossfire the card later on.

CMDR Steve-O · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:13 pm

Oh great, now it's all my fault

Ern88 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:23 pm

LOL You persauded me Steve old buddy hahahaha. Just thinking about the future man. I am sure that the 6950 will be a good upgrade for my future system and monitor later on.

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:05 pm

6950 can be bios'd to a 6970

apparently ALL 6950's do it. A friend of mine did it and he said it was easy and it worked like a charm.

Also not to worry as the card has a DUAL bios so if anything happens during flashing, no harm done. schweeeet!

Ern88 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:17 pm

Ya, I have been following this as well. But I have also read that people who did this first, are now having permanent damage done to the card...YIKES!!!!

Here is a link to the discussion
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=138287

But I have also read that you can just unlock the extra shaders. which is kewl

Ok need some opinions on Video card upgrade

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