AMD 6950 Unlock worth it?

[charon711]

If I get a AMD 6950 with the ability to unlock to 6970 shaders is it worth it for the extra price they typically run at? What can I expect to see?

 

[fah_q]

Absolutely not... Just overclock that mofo!!!! I unlocked both of mine and tried it out.. no difference in games!!! NONE! A tiny bit in benchmarks but just OC that biaaatch. I have my Twin Frozr II's at 950/1450 1181v beast mode!

 

[KelvinTy]

If you run at 2650 or dual monitor with 1080p, the "marginal" premium absolutely worth it... or else?
Use the change to buy some game fuel for the enjoyment...

 

[fah_q]

I run in Eyefinity and tested logging min/avg/max in fraps and @ 5760x1080 there was maybe .5 fps difference. Just throwing that out there. The difference comes from the overclock.

 

[KelvinTy]

I run in Eyefinity and tested logging min/avg/max in fraps and @ 5760x1080 there was maybe .5 fps difference. Just throwing that out there. The difference comes from the overclock.

Are you sure?
Even toms review have different results, less "significant" in Metro2033, but quite significant in BF3.
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-core-benchmark,3082-6.html
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-core-benchmark,3082-4.html

 

[fah_q]

I don't understand what you're getting at with those benchmarks... first off I play in 5760x1080 in ultra (no msaa though) and by no difference I mean from unlocked shaders. There's a huuuuuuge difference going from stock 6950 clocks to 6970 clocks and above. What I mean is that the shaders going from 14xx whatever to 1536 makes jack of a difference. The overclock is all you need to focus on

 

[fah_q]

My 6950 by itself (I normally run xfire) with an OC gets the same fps as those benchmarks but in ultra, no HIGH @ that 1920x1080 res. Again my point was there's no need to "unlock"... just get in MSI Afterburner, up the voltage and set the clocks and enjoy a 6970

 

[KelvinTy]

It's like, why go 580 when you can OC 570 and get just as well?
The fact that it's free performance, easy and has no consequences (given you don't flash both bios), why not?
Besides, the twin frozr II is built to OC, but it's more expensive than regular 6950s at around $40~$50 price gap, there must be at least some difference, right?
In addition, the large RAM size helps in any resolution higher than 2560, going for the 1GB version might only be good for 1080p or 2560 res.

 

[fah_q]

Exactly that's my point hahaha I can't tell if you're agreeing or arguing with me LOL

I'm saying to get a 6950 and just over clock it. Don't even worry about the "unlock" all your doing is adding a couple shaders which don't do ***. Once you take that 6950 and overclock then you will get the exact same performance as a 6970. The twin frozr II is worth the extra bones. My cards stay at 950/1450 and I never see over 63c in BF3 in Eyefinty resolution... plus they're SUPER QUIET!

 

[charon711]

Ah, so just get a decent 6950 and overclock it.

so would this one do fine for overclocking? It looks like it would be good at cooling. plus it unlocks.

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 2GB