Time for a new GPU

[Zadock]

Its looking like I'm going to have a little bit left over this month to treat myself to a new graphics card

I'm about 75% sold on the 6950 2Gb for overall performance and future proofing with the extra memory, and I also like the fact it has low power draw when its idle (I am an environmentalist afterall ).

So the questions are:

1. Which one would you get? i.e. make/model; and why?

2. Are there any inherent problems I should be aware of with my existing hardware? (I am aware that there may be a little bottle necking but it should be minimal with my current OC?)


Cheers guys!

[Domestic_Ginger]

Aim for one you can unlock all the shaders on. Probably a vanilla card.

[Phage]

^^This. Sapphire have a good reputation, but you defintely need a Rev 1 version.

[dfour]

I have a xfx 6950 version 1 with the shaders unlocked and they are all the same with different stickers on. Look at the one with the best price and warrenty on it as well as the duel bios option

[Zadock]

Thanks guys, I forgot you could unlock them some of them!


Right here are a couple I am looking at:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/254950

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-a...dp-2x-dvi-hdmi

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-s...ores-dvi-mhdmi

Edit: powercolor one doesn't unlock...

Sapphire one or asus one then. I'll see if I can find a review

[Zadock]

It seems my upgrade will have to go on hold until I can get back to my folks place... looks like I left the connector wallet for my psu there! My 8800GTS only needs one pcie power lead, the current generation of graphics cards need two d'oh! good job I checked or I'd have been disappointed come delivery day

[dfour]

You could always use a 2*4 pin to 2*4 PIN PSU TO 6 PIN PCIE adapter temp until you get all your cables back.

Ignore all the 1 gig models as they wont unlock and any with custom cooling either. Get the asus one as its cheaper and the voltage tweak will also work without needing a bios flash.

[Domestic_Ginger]

I don't know much about the asus RMA. After looking into the gigabyte I am keen to use them in future as thier RMA centre is in milton keynes (I like the fact its in UK; the fact its milton keynes is a mute point.)

Crescent electronics at 209 They seem legit and have a number of cheap offers. Worth checking out yourself imo.

[Zadock]

I have owned gigabyte cards and motherboards in the past and never been dissapointed, good price too. Cheers!

I have heard some horror stories about Asus customer support actually, generally about them taking a very long time. That was a couple of years ago though they may be better now.