HD 6870 or GTX560 Ti Superclocked?

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RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

#84284 28-May-2011 01:27

Hey all,

I'm looking at doing my first system build n the next week or two and up until now have been set on buying a Radeon HD 6870 which currently costs $349. I have just been looking on computerlounge.co.nz though and see they are currently selling an overclocked version of the GTX560 Ti for $389.

As I have no experience of Nvidia cards, Id like to hear some peoples opinions on which of the following cards would be a better option?

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14187

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14395

Id also like to know:
- Would there be a significant difference in terms of performance between these two cards in gaming?
- How well does the GTX560 Ti scale in SLI compared to the 6870 in crossfire?
- Will it be possible to play games across 3 monitors off of a single GTX560 Ti in the same way that you can using an AMD card with eyefinity, otherwise is it possible to this with two cards in SLI?

Thanks :)

Ragnor

8218 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#475302 29-May-2011 01:15

Performance, pretty close
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330?vs=290

SLI performance +60-90% for adding a 2nd card, depends on the game. You may hit a bottleneck with your current cpu limiting potential maximum performance though
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/1

Nvidia's surround gaming requires 2 cards in SLI minimum, otherwise it's basically the same as AMD's Eyefinity.

Ragnor

8218 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#475303 29-May-2011 01:24

Also you might want to look at a 6950 rather than a 6870
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=293
http://www.gearbot.co.nz/pages/prod/4379/Radeon-HD-6950-1GB-PCI-E/

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#475392 29-May-2011 12:10

Should check this thread before you consider the 560Ti: http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s=b89b1939f560262daba85199b57ca1db&showtopic=193106&st=0

RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

#477978 5-Jun-2011 13:16

Thanks for the replies.
Ok so computerlounge is now selling the Sapphire 6950 1GB for $385 so its either going to be the Sapphire 6950 or the EVGA GTX560 Ti SC.

After looking through a few forums most people seem to prefer the Nvidia card as it runs cooler but 3 monitor Eyefinity is always nice to have but not essential and noise levels aren't much of a concern for me.

Are there any other factors I should consider?
Such as should a Corsair HX650 be able to handle 2 of either these cards in a 2500K based system? As PSU's seemed to be the cause of quite a few of the problems in the Nvidia forum Oubadah linked me. Thanks

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#478183 6-Jun-2011 11:20

I will always strongly advise against multi GPU solutions on the grounds of Microstutter. Also, I'm not familiar with your CPU, but I'm guessing it would be too much of a bottleneck for two 560s anyway.

RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

#478197 6-Jun-2011 12:04

I have heard that quite a few problems can come with using multiple GPU's but I am just trying to "future proof" my system as much as possible while still staying in my current budget.
I don't think Ive already said so but I am only currently looking at building a system with one graphics card for the moment and will then look at adding another one later on down the road when I'm beginning to need a bit of a performance boost. Otherwise if my budget allowed for it now, I would just be looking at a more powerful single GPU solution.

One of my main concerns with one of these setups though is whether a HX650 PSU would be enough to run 2 of either of these cards.

As far as CPU bottlenecking is concerned, I doubt two 560's or 6950's would be bottlenecked by a core i5 2500K? Sorry if I didn't clearly state this was the CPU I'll be getting :)

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#478239 6-Jun-2011 15:14

RealityClash: I have heard that quite a few problems can come with using multiple GPU's but I am just trying to "future proof" my system as much as possible while still staying in my current budget.
I don't think Ive already said so but I am only currently looking at building a system with one graphics card for the moment and will then look at adding another one later on down the road when I'm beginning to need a bit of a performance boost. Otherwise if my budget allowed for it now, I would just be looking at a more powerful single GPU solution.

I'm not sure if you'd consider second hand, but I noticed a GTX 570 on TM for $440. Just so you know: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Components/Video-cards/PCIExpress/auction-381310580.htm

RealityClash: One of my main concerns with one of these setups though is whether a HX650 PSU would be enough to run 2 of either of these cards.

The HX650 should be fine. I've had two, and they're a strong PSU with an excellent track record (aside from the coil whine). If you're not overclocking, I don't think there is anything to worry about.

RealityClash:As far as CPU bottlenecking is concerned, I doubt two 560's or 6950's would be bottlenecked by a core i5 2500K? Sorry if I didn't clearly state this was the CPU I'll be getting :)

My bad, I was looking at your current CPU.

PS. If you're getting a 2500K, make sure you factor a half decent cooler into the price. If you ask me, that tiny piece of aluminium that comes with it is unacceptable even for stock speeds. A Hyper 212+ is only ~$50.

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RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

#478289 6-Jun-2011 19:11

Oubadah: I'm not sure if you'd consider second hand, but I noticed a GTX 570 on TM for $440. Just so you know: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Components/Video-cards/PCIExpress/auction-381310580.htm

Hmm some of those listings are very tempting, I also saw a GTX480 currently at $400 which would be nice. I think Ill stick with the 6950 from computerlounge though as I prefer buying parts new and Id rather buy everything together. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Oubadah: The HX650 should be fine. I've had two, and they're a strong PSU with an excellent track record (aside from the coil whine). If you're not overclocking, I don't think there is anything to worry about.

Great thats really reasurring, do you think I'd be able to get away with two stock 6950's and overclocking the CPU to around 4ghz on the HX650 or would that be pushing it?

Oubadah: If you're getting a 2500K, make sure you factor a half decent cooler into the price. If you ask me, that tiny piece of aluminium that comes with it is unacceptable even for stock speeds. A Hyper 212+ is only ~$50.

As I'm already maxing out my budget I'll stick with the stock cooler for the mean time but if I decide to OC the CPU at all or if temps become a problem ill look at getting something like the 212+ down the road. In the mean time I think I should be fine with the stock cooler in a NZXT Lexa S as the case seems to have pretty decent airflow :)

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#478322 6-Jun-2011 20:23

RealityClash:
Great thats really reasurring, do you think I'd be able to get away with two stock 6950's and overclocking the CPU to around 4ghz on the HX650 or would that be pushing it?

I'm not sure, but personally I'd be using an 850W PSU for that setup.