So, your 6970 CF was faster then the 6990 at 950MHz core? That seems a little odd. When the 6990 is at that speed, it should be the same if not faster then the 6970 CF?
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Is the 6990 the fastest single card solution?
- Thread starter TheMadHatterXxX
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Lord_Exodia
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Not really, keep in mind that the 6990 runs at a slower memory speed than the 6970 running at 5000 instead of 5500, even on the ausum bios setting, also keep in mind that the 6990 will be more TDP limited than 2 6970s and powertune would definitely hold the card back a little with a maximum TDP Power of 450Watts vs 250Watts for each 6970 for 500W total. You would need a 6990 overclocked maybe 20-30mhz heavier on the core and the same on the memory to equal a 6970.
I'm not saying 6990 is a bad card. For a single slot it's as good as it gets aside form a mars 2 $1000-$1500 beast.
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LigTasm
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Yeah this guy hit the nail on the head, the 6970's are slightly faster even at the same settings and OC higher, the 6990 does not like to go past ~1375mhz memory. Personally, I prefer the 6990 just for simplicities sake. Its nice have so much power in a single slot.
samuelmorris
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I'd say it tops the Mars 2 as well, at 2560x1600+, but that's another story
I hadn't considered the powertune issue, but that would go some way to explaining, why someone who normally uses nvidia hardware and is overclocking two separate systems sees unusually low performance on the AMD side.
Lord_Exodia
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I'd say it tops the Mars 2 as well, at 2560x1600+, but that's another story
I hadn't considered the powertune issue, but that would go some way to explaining, why someone who normally uses nvidia hardware and is overclocking two separate systems sees unusually low performance on the AMD side.
I'm not 100% sure if one tops the other at 25x16. Brent Justice hinted that there is a quad review coming up. I'd honestly think that the mars 2 will beat it since 580 SLi beats 6970 crossfire at that resolution by a little. The review that would put this to rest for me would need to use the ausum bios setting on the 6990 as it's there and it's warrantied by companies.
I wish there was a good review with real world results using the ausum bios setting. Even though my gut tells me a slight win by the mars 2 it may make many question why even bother paying a huge premium for the mars 2 over a 6990.
Memory error-checking kicks-in for the 6970 at 1400 memory clocks and over. So there is no differences with a 6990, even if you have 1500 for the memory clocks on a 6970, it won't matter.
I know, I have 5X 6970 at home, and had a 6990. I did ALOT of benching, and 1450-1475 is often SLOWER then 1400 for alot of my 6970s.
Also. The AUSUM BIOS of the 6990 raise the TDP ALOT vs the 6970. My 6990 was not throttling at 1095-1400, while all my 6970 are throttling at 1045-1400. You have more range with the TDP on the 6990s then on the 6970s. I'm waiting for a 6970 Lightning that is in the mail. The Lightning has a switch to raise TDP, so I hope to push it more without the stupid throttling I get with all my 6970s.
You have to test it to see it. My 6990 was a better overclocker then all my 6970s.
It's sad that alot of people are talking about cards they never had in their hands, or never pushed to the limit.
I know, I have 5X 6970 at home, and had a 6990. I did ALOT of benching, and 1450-1475 is often SLOWER then 1400 for alot of my 6970s.
Also. The AUSUM BIOS of the 6990 raise the TDP ALOT vs the 6970. My 6990 was not throttling at 1095-1400, while all my 6970 are throttling at 1045-1400. You have more range with the TDP on the 6990s then on the 6970s. I'm waiting for a 6970 Lightning that is in the mail. The Lightning has a switch to raise TDP, so I hope to push it more without the stupid throttling I get with all my 6970s.
You have to test it to see it. My 6990 was a better overclocker then all my 6970s.
It's sad that alot of people are talking about cards they never had in their hands, or never pushed to the limit.