2 HD5970 vs 1 hd6990 vs 2 hd6970's

[rupertm]

Hello,

Im currently specing a new gaming computer. Im am hoping to run BF3 in Eyefinity running 3 monitors each at 1920x1200 maxed out. Ill also have a i7 2600K, 16GB on a ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68. My question is what video card setup should I be looking at? Im thinking one of the three listed above would be a good choice, but can anyone tell me what would be the best way to go. Im not sure if the 2 5970s which are about a year old would be better them one 6990, or if I would be better off with two 6970s? What would you guys do?

Thank you
Matt

 

[HostileDonut]

If you can grab the two hd5970s, those would yield the best results!

 

[gmcizzle]

6990 is overpriced.
5970s I heard have really bad crossfire issues.
6970's in xfire would be the best option of those 3.

 

[megamanx00]

A pair of 6970s is faster than a single 6990 and quieter too. As for the 5970s it depends. Some games don't benefit for more than two GPUs in crossfire, so in those cases having two 5970s is the same as having one. For games that do support quad crossfire X though you will see some benefit and they will be faster than two 6970s. Since BF2 Bad company had good crossfire scaling with 3 or 4 GPUs I think that BF3 should scale just as well if not better so I'd go for the 5970s. Of course that just for one game so it's up to you.

 

[amirp]

Two 6970s is all you need I think. Make sure to get the 2gb models though.
If crossfire doesn't work at least you still have a strong single card to work with.

Here is a 5970 crossfire review , http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon_HD_5970_CrossFire/25.html

I dont think it's worth it, the 6970 crossfire scales much better.

 

[HugoStiglitz]

I would go the 6970's.

the 6 series scales ALOT better than the 5 series.

and you have the ability to disable the crossfire if it causes problems or if you want to split the cards up to sell / put in other computers.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

6970's.....6990 is a dog and 5970 is just ....well.....old

 

[rupertm]

Ok, Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Based upon what I read I went with two of the 6970's.
Thanks again everyone.
Matt

 

[HostileDonut]

Ok, Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Based upon what I read I went with two of the 6970's.
Thanks again everyone.
Matt

I hope they work great for ya! (I know they will, they are two hd6970s! 😉 )

 

[johnnyq8]

i will take 3x6870's the 2gb version

 

[HostileDonut]

i will take 3x6870's the 2gb version

I don't believe you can tri-crossfire hd6870s. Unless you buy a hd6870 x2 and one hd6870.

 

[megamanx00]

You can crossfire up to 4 6870s so long as the cards have two CF fingers. Same with most of the AMD GPUs except for lower end models.

 

[HostileDonut]

You can crossfire up to 4 6870s so long as the cards have two CF fingers. Same with most of the AMD GPUs except for lower end models.

Got it, I just didn't think they had a two crossfire connector version of the card.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

6990 is overpriced.
5970s I heard have really bad crossfire issues.
6970's in xfire would be the best option of those 3.

i concur. +1

 

[rupertm]

Best answer selected by rupertm.

 

[miteefastwhitey]

or you could just get 2 6950's with the switch on them and flash the BIOS of the card to make it a 6970... save yourself almost $100 each card (AMD still has the switch and i believe ASUS does as well) and then rock ****....