6950 or 6870 with different CPU's

[Fantasyalive]

I know there is a lot of threads like these but this comes with a slightly different variation. To keep my new PC within budget I can grab a 6950 1gb with a phenom x2 560(chance to unlock to x4) or I can grab a 6870 with a phenom x4 965. This is pretty much last part I have to decide and having a hard time picking. I play at 1920 x 1080

 

[samuelmorris]

6870 and the 965, hands down. The 6950 and 6870 really aren't that far apart. the 1GB 6950 loses the benefit of being able to unlock, and is non-reference so not to the same quality standard as the 2GB version. A 6870 1GB is only $195 after MIR from HIS in the US and is a great buy. Coupled with a decent quad [I assume you already own an AM3 platform you're upgrading?] you will get a good system for relatively little expenditure.

 

[sirmonkey1985]

what card do you currently own? either way i'd go with the phenom II 955 C3 or 965 C3. though i perfer the 955 since you can get it slightly cheaper and it overclocks pretty much the same as the 965. if your a battlefield series fan the 955/965 will be far more useful then the x6 560 even with the 6950.. the difference between a 955 and 560 is about 15-20 fps in BFBC2 and soon to release BF3. as more and more games start moving to cpu accelerated physic's the x4 will pay for its self in the long run.

 

[Fantasyalive]

I took his advice and went with a 6870 and the 965 cpu. I went with the the 965 over the 955 because it was actually cheaper in a combo deal Microcenter was offering over any 955/mobo combo offered on Newegg for a full atx board. I am currently using a nvidia 9800gt.