GTX 570 vs 2x 6850, planning new build

[tisue001]

Hello all, and thanks for your advice. I'm planning to build a new gaming rig in about 2-3 months and keep going back and forth on video cards..

I was originally planning to go with this card:

MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III 2GB ($280 after rebate).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575

Then I started reading that 2GB isn't really necessary for single display 1920x1200, and that the GTX570 is a step above the 6950 in performance.

After researching the 570 and seeing these BFBC2 benchmark comparisons I was a bit a shocked:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-570-gf110-performance,2806-11.html

Are two 6850's in crossfire the way to go over a single 570? Should I worry about micro-stuttering, extra heat, additional power consumption?

The GTX570 I am considering is this:

ASUS ENGTX570 DCII/2DIS/1280MD5 ---$320 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121432

The 6850 I am considering is this:

2xGIGABYTE Ultra Durable VGA Series GV-R685OC-1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB ---$300 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

Below is the rest of my relevant info:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: December/January BUDGET RANGE: $250 ~ $350 (for the video card) After Rebates

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming: BFBC2, BF3. Photo-editing/Adobe CS5 work for design & architecture work, Autodesk REVIT, AutoCAD, etc

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Dell Studio XPS 16 (1645) laptop with AMD Radeon HD6570M/5700 series

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:

Planned build includes:

**Video card TBD $250 ~ $350

Cooler Master HAF 912 case $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 motherboard $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

i5 2500k $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

XIGMATEK Gaia heatsink/fan $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233082

SeaSonic X750 Gold power supply $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

Crucial M4 64GB SSD $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 64MB cache $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB $52
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

ASUS DVD burner $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: whatever is the best for BF3 gaming and above mentioned Adobe CS5 / Autodesk software

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200 single display

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: looking for something a step above the average; something with excellent cooling and performance

 

[dalauder]

Let's swap around a couple of your parts.

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB. It's just as fast as a Caviar Black and was on sale for $50 on Newegg last weekend. I own 3.

DVD: Newegg has an ASUS DVD burner on sale for $17. I suggest that one.

RAM: Any 1600CL9 will do, you could spend $45 instead for 1600CL9 or $50 for G. Skill 1600CL8 if it comes back on sale.

PSU: I'd be happy with a Corsair TX750, but that's me.

GPU: Here's some info on micro-stuttering: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html
You can decide if you're worried about it or not.

At your resolution, you need more than what 6850's can handle. I'd go for 6950 2GB's or maybe a single GTX 560Ti for $180. The 6950's will tie a GTX 570 once you SLI them and thoroughly trounce SLI'd GTX 560Ti's. And the 2GB frame buffer will matter at that resolution. Even if Newegg doesn't have those prices I just quoted at this very moment, you can sign up for their email list and you'll see the prices in the next week or two. Slickdeals had the 6950 2GB at $20 a couple days ago: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3346094

 

[tisue001]

Thanks dalauder; are you suggesting I go with 2x 6950 2GB in crossfire? I don't think that's in my budget. I'm debating between 2x 6850 1GB in crossfire VS a single GTX570...

 

[17seconds]

Go with the single GTX 570 for stability, convenience, and Nvidia goodness.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

go with the single gtx 570. the micro stutter is very prominent with the 6850 xfire, and the 570 will run anythign you throw at it; i should know i have one

 

[yasir siddiqui]

best choice is GTX 570.

 

[dalauder]

I'm suggesting a single 6950 2GB for now. Then a second next year on sale sometime. Considering I've never heard of a GTX 570 for under $249 and 6950 2GB's sometimes go for $199, I'd go for the 2GB 6950. At your high resolution, the 2GB might help and it's a good deal price/performance.

So I say spend $220 on a 6950 2GB instead of $280 on a GTX 570.

Not only do you save money, but if you ever switch to a dual card setup, you'll get just as good of performance and have an extra $120 or so in your pocket.

 

[tisue001]

Going with the MSI 6950 Twin Frozr III ($280 after MIR) is what I had originally planned. BUT, I'm paying a premium to have 2GB vs. 1GB, and am having a hard time deciding if it's worth it. For just a little more money I could go with the GTX570, which people say is more powerful.

What 2GB 6950 have you seen for $200. I don't want to spend my money on bottom shelf parts. It's worth the money to me to have quality parts, efficiency and excellent cooling.

 

[tisue001]

Why is amd-fanboy recommending an nVidia card?? haha!

Actually, I have no idea what the hassles are with a dual card configuration, so that's why I'm asking. I appreciate your input. It seems like the detrimental effects outweigh the increase in performance when it comes to SLI / CF..

I think I'll pony-up and go for this card:

ASUS ENGTX570 DCII/2DIS/1280MD5 GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121432

$320 after mail-in-rebate.

My mouth started watering after I watched newegg's product presentation showcasing ASUS' proprietary enhancements to the board and cooling.

Thoughts?

 

[jjb8675309]

OP

yes the asus dc2 models are damn nice I have the gtx 560ti variety, I would def not go with 6850/70 crossfire it is garbage and has terrible microstuttering, forget the raw power difference the gtx 570 will be much more stable and enjoyable, also you will be able to oc the dc2 model to high hell!!! have fun

I had 6870 crossfire and the micro stuttering was unbearable...

 

[tisue001]

Thanks, JJB.

What's OP?

 

[jjb8675309]

Original Poster----->>> thats you buddy!

 

[jjb8675309]

my ASUS GTX 560ti holds a 1ghz core oc and is practically on par with a gtx 570 (sometimes beating it) just to let you know the asus dc2 models Rock!

 

[tisue001]

Double thanks, JJB. I see you're using a 650W PSU. How does it hold up with what you have? I was going to go with a 750W PSU, but can see that if I go with a 650W I can save about $30.

I would either go with this 750W:
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

Or this 650W:
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&cm_sp=Cat_Power%20Supplies-_-YTVideo-_-YT17-139-020

I don't see myself going SLI anytime soon if I buy the ASUS 570 do you think 650W is enough with the i5 2500k and other parts I listed in the original post?

 

[FlintIronStagg]

I run my system with a 570 on a 600w without any issues

 

[assassin123]

okay now bro if you want a gpu then the GTX570 is quite better than the 6850 because the gtx is single and the 6850 is sli it will also cost you alot and if you compare the gtx570 sli and the 6850 sli so you will see that the gtx 570 is much better than the 6850

 

[tisue001]

Thanks amd-fanboy and FlintIronStagg - I think I'll go with the 650W and justify spending a little more on the ASUS 570

 

[FlintIronStagg]

very good choice - the asus DCII is a GREAT card.

 

[Mvx15n]

Just one remark by the end of the year hd7xxx and gtx6xx will be close to release so postpone your decission til the last moment. If you need to buy before release of the new ones I'd suggest buying a 460 or a 6850 and play for a short while until new cards arrive..

 

[FlintIronStagg]

true true, although there will be a significant leap in tech and performance with the new series, the 570 is a beast, and will perform nicely for a long time

 

[johnners2981]

If you're not going to build for a 2-3months the new cards will be just around the corner, if you're buying now definitely get the 570

 

[jjb8675309]

good choices all around a 650w will do just fine like many have said, you will have plenty of room for ocing that way, and then some.... If you ever do go sli it will run that as well

52Amps on a 12v rail is a lot! and the TX actually delivers what it promises unlike some less reputable psus

 

[jjb8675309]

okay now bro if you want a gpu then the GTX570 is quite better than the 6850 because the gtx is single and the 6850 is sli it will also cost you alot and if you compare the gtx570 sli and the 6850 sli so you will see that the gtx 570 is much better than the 6850

...someone needs to do some homework... you are right for the wrong reasons!?

 

[Djentleman]

Lol.... 6850 in sli?
I'm going to be doing 6850 in crossfire. I've never done it, but for someone like me who's on a budget. I would say do it! But for you it seems that isn't the case as much.
If i were you; i would get the most badass one you could get. Which is the 570.

 

[jjb8675309]

^ 6850 crossfire is a HUGE mistake, I had 6870 crossfire and the micro-stuttering was unbearable, if your on a budget you are better off getting a single affordable gpu imo,

low end crossfire is a huge fail due to the microstutter and driver blunder imo, I would highly recommend looking into a single 6950 or gtx 560ti to anyone thats on a budget over 6850/70 crossfire... did you miss the article toms put out on this very matter about a month ago?