6850 vs 6870

[adrin]

Hi guys. I am building a new rig (primarily for work but games occasionally) and need to get the best GPU for the money.
AMD only no Nvidia (dont ask why, lets say its a driver compatibility issue ). The question is should I get 6850 or 6870 (assuming both stock frequency and reference design). 6870 is around $22 more expensive (~15%) - is the performance benefit worth it?. I may consider buying a second card when new ATI/NVIDIA platforms are released (and 6xxx prices drop hopefully) to get CF. BTW do i need exactly (same model) the same card for CF to work?

 

[yowen]

I've seen mixes of video cards in crossfire (not the same brand).

It's worth it to me, you can even recoup that money in many cases with a mail in rebate. I am in the same boat and am pretty sure I'll be going with the 6870.

 

[DNME]

I would definitely grab a 6870 with today's prices over 6850

 

[biggles]

6870 if resolution is 1080p or higher.

 

[mgrman]

Might as well shoot for the 6870, the price difference isn't a lot.