AMD 6900 reviews thread (UPDATED)

[dookulooku]

At 25x16 with generous amounts of AA, 6950/6970 performance for its price is quite amazing, but below that, it's not great when compared to the 570 (but it's not bad).

The trend is similar to what we saw in 480 vs 5870, where the 480's large advantages at 19x12 shrunk considerably at 25x16.

The interesting question is while Cayman has great performance at 25x16 with AA, how will it perform against GF110 in future games, games that are too demanding for either GPU to run at 25x16 with AA?

 

[MentalIlness]

Well [H] uses a small number games at very high resolution and very high settings - precisely the best settings for the 6970/6950.

Look at the hardwarecanucks review - at 25x16 the GTX580 and the 6970 trade blows.

Which would be what ? Extremely high settings ? And that isn't good ?

Wouldn't that mean, that a person could keep a 6970 "longer" than a 580? If they went to a bigger monitor, they wouldnt need to upgrade the card. Including Eyefinity.

It seems to me, the higher the resolution, the better they do. Unless I'm tired and don't know what I'm talking about.

I have seen a lot of posts about waiting for the [H] review. And now, they are using "picked AMD settings that run best for AMD only" ?

 

[MentalIlness]

If there is a "dual" GPU coming from Nvidia. What is it supposed to be ? Two GTX460's or two GTX470's ? Because if Antilles is two 6950's, then it isn't looking to good for the NV dual GPU.

EDIT: Maybe even "two" GTX570's ? That would make it very interesting. But the way Crossfire is scaling, I'd expect AMD to come out on top.

 

[Smartazz]

At 25x16 with generous amounts of AA, 6950/6970 performance for its price is quite amazing, but below that, it's not great when compared to the 570 (but it's not bad).

The trend is similar to what we saw in 480 vs 5870, where the 480's large advantages at 19x12 shrunk considerably at 25x16.

The interesting question is while Cayman has great performance at 25x16 with AA, how will it perform against GF110 in future games, games that are too demanding for either GPU to run at 25x16 with AA?

I was thinking the same thing. In the future, maybe the 6970 will outlive the 580. I wonder what card is better for someone who uses massive amounts of AA.

 

[dookulooku]

Well [H] uses a small number games at very high resolution and very high settings - precisely the best settings for the 6970/6950.

Look at the hardwarecanucks review - at 25x16 the GTX580 and the 6970 trade blows.

Computerbase ratings (6950 = 1.00)
19x12 4xAA
6950 = 1.00
6970 = 1.10
570 = 1.11
580 = 1.27

25x16 4xAA
6950 = 1.00
570 = 1.06
6970 = 1.14
580 = 1.28

25x16 8xAA
570 = 0.92
6950 = 1.00
6970 = 1.13
580 = 1.16

 

[Teizo]

Which would be what ? Extremely high settings ? And that isn't good ?

Wouldn't that mean, that a person could keep a 6970 "longer" than a 580? If they went to a bigger monitor, they wouldnt need to upgrade the card. Including Eyefinity.

It seems to me, the higher the resolution, the better they do. Unless I'm tired and don't know what I'm talking about.

I have seen a lot of posts about waiting for the [H] review. And now, they are using "picked AMD settings that run best for AMD only" ?

No, I would say you are right perhaps. Question is whether or not gaming at 25x16 with these cards offers you the overall framerates you want for ideal gameplay in the future. Most people want higher fps though to ensure better longevity for cards purchased at such a high price.

- Edit

Nvidia's dual GPU is two GF110's. Don't know if they are the 570 version, or the 580 version though. I imagine it will be two 570's though.

 

[nonameo]

Here's what I see: 6950 crossfire, 600$.

 

[Unkle_Tar]

If there is a "dual" GPU coming from Nvidia. What is it supposed to be ? Two GTX460's or two GTX470's ? Because if Antilles is two 6950's, then it isn't looking to good for the NV dual GPU.

EDIT: Maybe even "two" GTX570's ? That would make it very interesting. But the way Crossfire is scaling, I'd expect AMD to come out on top.

6950 has the same power draw as a 460 (anand review), should be easy to slap 2 of them on a card.

 

[Unkle_Tar]

No, I would say you are right perhaps. Question is whether or not gaming at 25x16 with these cards offers you the overall framerates you want for ideal gameplay in the future. Most people want higher fps though to ensure better longevity for cards purchased at such a high price.

- Edit

Nvidia's dual GPU is two GF110's. Don't know if they are the 570 version, or the 580 version though. I imagine it will be two 570's though.

I'm not expecting one tbh, same deal as the 4 series if I were to guestimate.

 

[MentalIlness]

No, I would say you are right perhaps. Question is whether or not gaming at 25x16 with these cards offers you the overall framerates you want for ideal gameplay in the future. Most people want higher fps though to ensure better longevity for cards purchased at such a high price.

- Edit

Nvidia's dual GPU is two GF110's. Don't know if they are the 570 version, or the 580 version though. I imagine it will be two 570's though.

I agree.

Problem I am having though, is deciding on what monitor to go with my new build that is almost complete. Debating on a 24" or something larger. And since these cards are cheaper and almost produce the same results at a higher res than 1920, it almost seems ideal to me.

I'm still waiting on more quality reviews though. Since minimum frame rates mean the most to me.

At "over" 1920 resolution, I could care less if one card got 200 frames and the other one got 125 frames. Since I couldn't tell the difference anyway.

But overall...like I said, At $369 im looking at minimums only. If the quality reviews will include them.

EDIT: Ashley in my sig, will be going to my kids for a "huge" upgrade.

And I would like to get a better GPU in it for them as well. This 9800GTX has served me VERY well for the last two years and one month. It overclocks to 865/2107/2520. Load temps in Furmark are 55c after an hour.

Of course, that is with a Arctic Cooling Xtreme 9800 triple fan sink.

 

[GaiaHunter]

Which would be what ? Extremely high settings ? And that isn't good ?

Wouldn't that mean, that a person could keep a 6970 "longer" than a 580? If they went to a bigger monitor, they wouldnt need to upgrade the card. Including Eyefinity.

It seems to me, the higher the resolution, the better they do. Unless I'm tired and don't know what I'm talking about.

I have seen a lot of posts about waiting for the [H] review. And now, they are using "picked AMD settings that run best for AMD only" ?

You misunderstood the tone of my post or I didn't explain it very well.

These high end cards are clearly intended for high resolutions. The lower resolution already get enough performance, even from less expensive products.

 

[MentalIlness]

You misunderstood the tone of my post or I didn't explain it very well.

These high end cards are clearly intended for high resolutions. The lower resolution already get enough performance, even from less expensive products.

Yes, I probably did. Hard to tell when I am trying to stay awake and half falling asleep.

Happens to me with all new GPU launches. :thumbsup:

Next GPU launches, I vow to have a nice fresh pot of coffee made. Maxwell House FTW.

 

[GaiaHunter]

Computerbase ratings (6950 = 1.00)
19x12 4xAA
6950 = 1.00
6970 = 1.10
570 = 1.11
580 = 1.27

25x16 4xAA
6950 = 1.00
570 = 1.06
6970 = 1.14
580 = 1.28

25x16 8xAA
570 = 0.92
6950 = 1.00
6970 = 1.13
580 = 1.16

Also note that ComputerBase.de is using Quality settings for the GF110 and High Quality settings for the 6000 series cards, which it seems to mean all the AMD optimizations are off making those results even more impressive.

RussianSensation should get very pleased with AMD fixing their DX11 performance (asides from Lost Planet 2 that is an outlier).

 

[Teizo]

I agree.

Problem I am having though, is deciding on what monitor to go with my new build that is almost complete. Debating on a 24" or something larger. And since these cards are cheaper and almost produce the same results at a higher res than 1920, it almost seems ideal to me.

I'm still waiting on more quality reviews though. Since minimum frame rates mean the most to me.

At "over" 1920 resolution, I could care less if one card got 200 frames and the other one got 125 frames. Since I couldn't tell the difference anyway.

But overall...like I said, At $369 im looking at minimums only. If the quality reviews will include them.

Aren't most 24 inch monitors 19x12? If so, I'd go with the 570 OC. If you get a larger monitor with 25x16 then the 6970 would be better. I suppose you could go 6970 straight away and then upgrade your monitor later, but by the time you do that the 28nm's are going to be out and the performance @ 25x16 is going to be more ideal and you are likely going to want to upgrade again anyway.

Myself, I don't really see much need for higher than 19x10, but that is mainly because the pricing of the 25x16 monitors is too high imho for what they bring since 4xAA at 19x10, and especially 8xAA, completely removes all jaggies and delivers a really good blend of IQ and performance.

 

[MentalIlness]

Aren't most 24 inch monitors 19x12? If so, I'd go with the 570 OC. If you get a larger monitor with 25x16 then the 6970 would be better. I suppose you could go 6970 straight away and then upgrade your monitor later, but by the time you do that the 28nm's are going to be out and the performance @ 25x16 is going to be more ideal and you are likely going to want to upgrade again anyway.

Myself, I don't really see much need for higher than 19x10, but that is mainly because the pricing of the 25x16 monitors is too high imho for what they bring since 4xAA at 19x10, and especially 8xAA, completely removes all jaggies and delivers a really good blend of IQ and performance.

Good points.

However, When I purchase a monitor, I usually stay with it for a minimum of 3-4 years. That is what makes the decision hard for me.

EDIT: I "try" to upgrade the GPU almost every two years. And its that time again.

 

[badb0y]

I don't know about you guys but once the GTX 480/GTX 470/ and the 5800 series are gone the HD 6950 looks like it's going to be the championed card. 2 of these cost 100$ more than a GTX 580 and smack it around like nothing.

 

[MentalIlness]

6970 in stock at Newegg. 4 @ $369 / 1 @ $379

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6970&x=23&y=29

6950 in stock at Newegg. 4 @ $299 / 1 @ $309

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6950&x=12&y=29

 

[Teizo]

I don't know about you guys but once the GTX 480/GTX 470/ and the 5800 series are gone the HD 6950 looks like it's going to be the championed card. 2 of these cost 100$ more than a GTX 580 and smack it around like nothing.

Three things Nvidia will likely do is 1) lower the price of the reference 570, or 2) clock the upcoming 560 quite high to bring performance close to the 6950 @ 250, or 3) maybe release a further dumbed down GF 110 565 at the $300 price point.

Just speculating, and maybe not the thread for it, but my inner Fud get's the best of me sometimes, sorry

 

[badb0y]

Three things Nvidia will likely do is 1) lower the price of the reference 570, or 2) clock the upcoming 560 quite high to bring performance close to the 6950 @ 250, or 3) maybe release a further dumbed down GF 110 565 at the $300 price point.

Just speculating, and maybe not the thread for it, but my inner Fud get's the best of me sometimes, sorry

The 6950 is going to compete with the GTX 565, the GTX 560 is going after the HD 6870. That's what I believe anyways lol.

 

[MentalIlness]

Three things Nvidia will likely do is 1) lower the price of the reference 570, or 2) clock the upcoming 560 quite high to bring performance close to the 6950 @ 250, or 3) maybe release a further dumbed down GF 110 565 at the $300 price point.

Just speculating, and maybe not the thread for it, but my inner Fud get's the best of me sometimes, sorry

Wouldnt the highlighted part undercut the GTX570 ?

Seeing how the GTX465 turned out, and didn't last long or sell well at all...I doubt they would be a GTX565.

I say it will be most likely option 1).

 

[Teizo]

Good points.

However, When I purchase a monitor, I usually stay with it for a minimum of 3-4 years. That is what makes the decision hard for me.

EDIT: I "try" to upgrade the GPU almost every two years. And its that time again.

Well, monitor prices should drop for 25x16 the next few years I expect...so rather than go high end this time around with your new gpu, you could maybe go more 'mainstream' and save a bit...and then in a few years when those 25x16 monitors are priced better, and the 28nm's are rocking at that res, you can upgrade both then.

Just a consideration.

Wouldnt the highlighted part undercut the GTX570 ?

Yeah, you are right. I doubt they could get a 560 up that high any way considering there is a, what, 15 fps difference between the 460 and 6950? I imagine they are going to get as close as they can to it though.

The 6950 is going to compete with the GTX 565, the GTX 560 is going after the HD 6870. That's what I believe anyways lol.

Yeah, that is probably closer to reality, but there has been no mention of a 565 whatsoever, so it will be interesting to see if Nvidia has one up their sleeve.

 

[Adul]

6950 hit the spot for me, its been order by my gf for my xmas gift

 

[MentalIlness]

Well, monitor prices should drop for 25x16 the next few years I expect...so rather than go high end this time around with your new gpu, you could maybe go more 'mainstream' and save a bit...and then in a few years when those 25x16 monitors are priced better, and the 28nm's are rocking at that res, you can upgrade both then.

Just a consideration.

Yeah, you are right. I doubt they could get a 560 up that high any way considering there is a, what, 15 fps difference between the 460 and 6950? I imagine they are going to get as close as they can to it though.

Yeah, that is probably closer to reality, but there has been no mention of a 565 whatsoever, so it will be interesting to see if Nvidia has one up their sleeve.

It may be possible. They certainly have done it before. When overclocked, the GTX460 can even outrun the GTX470 with + voltage.

I'm still waiting on Techreport and Firingsquad for their reviews as well.

 

[HurleyBird]

Wow fail. I was just waiting to be one of the first people to buy a 6970. I'll pass. Hard to believe that AMD didn't go for a bigger die and basically pissed away the last year and a bit to launch such a marginal improvement over old tech.

 

[Jhatfie]

Hmmm, I am trying to think what to do. I am running 5700x1200 with my xfired 5850's. I think that 6950's would net me a pretty serious gain at that resolution with the extra 1GB vram. After selling my 5850's I am still looking at around $300 to upgrade.....what to do, what to do? I think my Antec TPN-750 should still be able to power them fine since they only seem to draw a bit more power.