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Radeon HD 6870 vs. 6950. Is there a big performance difference?

Discussion in 'Audio and Video' started by Atham, Jul 18, 2011.

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  1. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    What does it mean, "modular power supply"?

    So the GS800 will work just as fine for crossfire hd 6950 as the hx850, right, excluding the different wattages.
    Atham, Jul 20, 2011
    #21

  2. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    Modular is in reference to the cable solution used on the power supply. A typical power supply features all the available connectors wired directly inside the PSU.

    A modular PSU takes it a step further by allowing you to connect only the cables you require for your computer setup, thus reducing the clutter caused by cables not used. Think of it as plugging in connectors to cables you want, and not the ones you don't.

    A Corsair GS800 has 4 PCI-EX connectors, so will be fine powering CF HD6950's. The same is true of the HX850, which carries 6 PCI-EX connectors.

    The GS800 is non-modular, and the HX850 is modular. If I had to choose between the two, I would take the HX every time; it comes with a 7 year warranty (Only 3 years for GS800) for a start, and secondly its modular, so you only use the cables you need, rather than being stuck with crap loads blocking airflow.

    Below is a picture showing the connectors of the HX850 PSU...

    [IMG]

    Non modular PSU's have the entire wiring hard-wired much like in the left corner of the picture where it displays the 24pin connector which is hard-wired.
    Leeky, Jul 20, 2011
    #22

  3. Mizzou TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 930

    Great post Leeky, that's about as well as it can be said.
    Mizzou, Jul 20, 2011
    #23

  4. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    Okay. So what about the TX850 v2? Is that modular?

    So modular ones are better. I guess that is the reason they are more expensive. If the performance is the same in modular and non-modular, and I am on a tight budget then I guess it is better to go with the cheaper one, right?

    Should I overclock the MSI_RADEON_R6950_Twin_Frozr_III_OC once I get it or should I leave it at its overclocked settings?
    Atham, Jul 20, 2011
    #24

  5. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    Only the Corsair Professional and Professional Gold series (HX and AX) are modular systems.

    I would go with the HX850 as first choice, the TX850 V2 (only the V2 I might add!) as second, followed by the GS800.

    I would also be hitting for a 850W PSU if it was me, as your hexacore will be hitting quite high wattage overclocked, and you need the headroom if you plan to OC the HD6950's further than the factory OC's.

    It is also considered unwise to fully stress any PSU for prelonged periods, and you should always build your system with capacity to spare - over time PSU's age, and the rated capacity decreases, added to which running it at max power (in the case of a underpowered system) will cause premature failing of the PSU, and is likely to affect voltage fluctuation due to excessive overloading. That also puts components elsewhere in the system at risk, so in short, don't skimp and more is better (within reasons of course)

    In either case, the HX850 is a bargain deal, and even HardOCP.com agree that its top quality, giving it a Gold rating - Read the full review here: http://hardocp.com/article/2009/05/27/corsair_hx850w_power_supply/

    The TX850 fairs nearly as welll too, HardOCP.com giving it a Silver Award. Full review here: http://hardocp.com/article/2008/12/19/corsair_tx850w_power_supply/

    For clarity, HardOCP.com are highly regarded are the reviewer of choice for PSU's, and more fail than pass their rigorous tests, so the units than pass are top quality. Either choice is a wise one from a PSU standpoint.

    P.S. Thanks Mizzou. :)
    Leeky, Jul 20, 2011
    #25

  6. Marty7n Newcomer, in training Posts: 49

    :cool: savage thread lads,looking around for a good high end GPU,saves alot of hassle lol.
    modular all the way!
    Marty7n, Jul 20, 2011
    #26
     

  7. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    The V2 is the only one I can get in Slovakia. So for price's sake I would go with the TX850 v2 instead of HX850.

    Okay so, the TX850 V2 it is.

    So my final system should look something along the lines of this:

    CPU Phenom x6 1100T OC'ed to about 4GHz
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 +
    Motherboard either GIGABYTE 990FXA UD3 or ASUS M5A99X EVO. I can't decide which one to pick. Which would be better?
    GPU MSI RADEON R6950 Twin Frozr III OC
    PSU Corsair TX850 V2
    RAM 2x2 GB RAM Dual channel DDRIII 1066 MHz

    :)
    Atham, Jul 20, 2011
    #27

  8. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    I would go Gigabyte all day long, but the Asus will no doubt be highly recommended.

    The TX850 V2 will serve you well.

    Wait a min, do you not have the 1100T yet?!?
    Leeky, Jul 20, 2011
    #28

  9. Mizzou TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 930

    These are very comparable boards and I usually wind up trying to decide between ASUS and Gigabyte as both are good. I would need to check some reviews to see if one has an advantage over the over. Do know that the ASUS has the new EFI Bios which looks pretty cool, might be a little easier to navigate than traditional BIOS.

    In this case I would tend to lean towards ASUS (because of the EFI Bios) but haven't done the research needed to make a specific recommendation.
    Mizzou, Jul 20, 2011
    #29

  10. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    No.

    Doesn't the Asus one support 4 GPUs? I could get the Gigabyte one without VAT, making it cheaper than the Asus one.
    If the Asus one is better however, then I don't mind spending an extra 20 Euros on it.
    Atham, Jul 20, 2011
    #30

  11. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    I wouldn't even get the 1100T if you haven't got it yet. If you definitely plan on overclocking I would go for a 1055T, or a 1075T, and overclock that. They're essentially the same with the exception of the clock speed. e.g. A 1055T will overclock the same as a 1100T, and its quite possible for a 1055T to beat 1100T speeds and beyond. The only difference between the Thuban hexacore's is the set clock speed.

    Least thats how I understand it. I went the 1055T route myself, no point paying more when I can have better for cheaper once overclocked. No doubt others can or will confirm or deny this.
    Leeky, Jul 20, 2011
    #31

  12. Mizzou TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 930

    Go with the Gigabyte then, not enough difference to justify any extra money ... they're only $5 apart here in the states. If you're sure that you will be overclocking then the 1055T would be a good way to save a few more bucks.
    Mizzou, Jul 20, 2011
    #32

  13. red1776 Omnipotent Ruler of the Universe Posts: 5,794   +24

    Yeah the 1055,1075,1090,1100 are the same CPU with the exception of the BE feature of the 1090 and the 1100. I had a 1055T and got a 1100T because the prices are so good on them now, and makes a good placeholder until AMD finally gets Bulldozer out the door. I also got the 1100 for the unlocked Multi and the chance that the 1100 was binned a bit higher. I managed to get another 200Mhz than I did the 1055T. I don't know if that was the change from the Asus Formula IV to the Gigabyte GA-990-FXA-UD7, or actually a better bin. If you are really an avid OC'er, you may want to pay for the BE.
    red1776, Jul 20, 2011
    #33

  14. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    So should I wait for the bulldozer series? But those will get to Slovakia in a year!

    I want the 1100T for being the only BE where I can buy it from. I like the unlocked multiplier.

    So what do you think I should get?
    Atham, Jul 21, 2011
    #34

  15. Mizzou TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 930

    It really comes down to what your budget is for this build. If you can afford it then go ahead and get the 1100T. Along those lines, you might also want to consider some higher speed memory; say at least DDR3 1333 - preferably DDR3 1600. Also, might not be a bad idea to go with 8GB (2x4GB).
    Mizzou, Jul 21, 2011
    #35

  16. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    Maybe I will update that later. Anyway I have windows 32 bit so more than 4GB will not be usable.
    Atham, Jul 21, 2011
    #36

  17. Mizzou TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 930

    True, missed that.

    Just one other thing comes to mind and this is strictly a matter of personal preference. While I'm sure that the MSI RADEON R6950 Twin Frozr III is a nice card it will (because of it's design) vent heat into the case. The reference design of the HD 6950 has a closed housing which vents almost all the exhaust out of the back of the case.

    Heat build up inside the case is going to have a direct bearing on your maximum stable overclock. Since it sounds like you may have space issues with your current case this could pose a problem.
    Mizzou, Jul 21, 2011
    #37

  18. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    I don't have fans in/on my case.

    Is this for the CPU or the GPU? Oh and, how much space should be left between the CPU cooler and the case panel?
    Atham, Jul 21, 2011
    #38

  19. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    If you don't have fans in your case your going to have huge issues with cooling two OC'd HD6950's, and a 1100T.

    You must have plenty of cooling, it is crucial as heat is the arch nemesis of anything overclocked. I would also seriously recommend reference cards as well, as like Mizzou has stated above, they will vent the heat they're generating out the back of the case. You do not want two cards hitting 60-80'C blowing area around your case with no reasonable way of it escaping.

    As long as the CPU cooler clears the side panel its fine. Its more important to ensure that wiring is kept clear of any moving parts to prevent entanglement.

    What case are you using?
    Leeky, Jul 21, 2011
    #39

  20. Atham TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 517

    I am only going to use one 6950 so far. Once I get two into CrossFire then I might consider a new case.

    Here is my case - in Slovak. You can translate. Here in English.
    Atham, Jul 21, 2011
    #40
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