Worth an upgrade from a 5850?

[clarkey01]

Can I expect major gains by getting the ATI Radeon HD 6950 Crossfire Bundle?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...tid=56&subcat=

I game alot and am quite looking forward to BF3 etc

Cheers,

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yes, you should expect some good gains. You should at least double your performance, and would probably see up to 3.5x the performance in certain situations (tesselation, VRAM limitations).

 

[Maximilian]

Yep, could just stick another 5850 in there though for a similar result, much cheaper too.

 

[clarkey01]

Yep, could just stick another 5850 in there though for a similar result, much cheaper too.

I've never done SLI or crossfire before, I just need ANY 5850 and the bridge connector right ?

 

[GaiaHunter]

I've never done SLI or crossfire before, I just need ANY 5850 and the bridge connector right ?

Yes.

And make sure to download the Cat Application Profiles in case you havent yet.

 

[Maximilian]

I've never done SLI or crossfire before, I just need ANY 5850 and the bridge connector right ?

Yep pretty much, just grab the cheapest 5850 you can find, OCUK had a great deal on one not long ago £114 i think it was, dunno if theyre still doing it. Ive been considering this as well but my single 5850 is doing fine for now.

 

[clarkey01]

Think I'll get another 5850 then ! Should last me for a year or two. Any suggestions?

 

[GundamF91]

Just the cheapest card will do generally for Xfire. That said, you may consider getting one same brand as your existing one...or at least similar cooling capability. With 2 cards running side by side, you'll run into cooling issues if not careful, and you'd want both to have similar temps otherwise you could run instability or artifacts caused by the hotter one.

 

[clarkey01]

Just the cheapest card will do generally for Xfire. That said, you may consider getting one same brand as your existing one...or at least similar cooling capability. With 2 cards running side by side, you'll run into cooling issues if not careful, and you'd want both to have similar temps otherwise you could run instability or artifacts caused by the hotter one.

My case runs pretty cool anyway and in the UK ambient temps arnt that high (I usually leave the window open)

I was looking at this ;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=411

Thoughts? Does the extra power cable and Crossfire connector come with it ?

 

[clarkey01]

Any thoughts ?

 

[Maximilian]

Ah thats the one that was on offer a while ago, it probably comes with a crossfire cable Dont know for sure tbh, you would get a better answer over on their forums the guys who run ocuk will be able to tell you exactly what it comes with, theyre pretty active on the forums.

 

[Castiel]

Why don't you just get another 5850

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=411

 

[djnsmith7]

Another 5850 would net some good results & be far less expensive.

 

[Powermoloch]

Your card has enough juice by all its own for 99.9% of games that are out already. It is sensible to get another 5850 at a cheaper price, controlling your cost

 

[clarkey01]

Your card has enough juice by all its own for 99.9% of games that are out already. It is sensible to get another 5850 at a cheaper price, controlling your cost

Yeah its just I've been out of the hardware loop compared to my earlier years.

I like to buy in 3 year cycles, but with games like Civ 5 with massive maps I do get lag (although that maybe ram dependant). Also I'd like to be in good sted for BF3

Think I'll see how I am after the next pay cheque and think I'll land myself another 5850 from OCUK