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6970 vs 7850, for CS6

Y

yph

n00b
Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
5
Hi all, I'm looking to build a pc for mainly CS6 and light gaming. Now that CS6 is mainly using OpenCL rather than CUDA from nvidia, it is a no brainer to go with the AMD because GTX series don't have that. Though I got 2 questions:

1)
6970 uses OpenCL 1.1, while 7850 uses 1.2. Are there any significant differences?

2)
I will also use it for light gaming. Now that a new 2GB 7850 is the same price as an used 2GB 6970, I am leaning towards the 6970. I know the newer gpu runs cooler, power efficient and less noise, but I am using a haf x case that is tucked away and haven't had any noise issues with my previous cards, and I don't think I game enough to make a dent in the wallet from the power bill.

So is a used 6970 a clear choice?

Thanks for help :D
 
http://streamcomputing.eu/blog/2011-11-19/difference-between-opencl-1-2-and-1-1/

Id go with a new card. Reasoning is, warranty. With a used card the seller could have had it clocked really high. With something new, atleast you're covered for a while if anything goes wrong.

And as far as noise is concerned. Get something with more than one fan. I was surprised as hell when i got m second 7950 that had dual fans, my single one sounds like a jet when im gaming, dual fan, barely audible.

And it has 1.2 which might benefit you.

Others will chime in better than me im sure.

Peace
 
Wow I don't understand anything, but I guess for my purpose I should be looking at whether the differences are significant in CS6.

Does anyone know if I could just "update" a 6970 opencl to 1.2? From the wording on the catalyst driver it seems like you could just flash it or something...
 
go for a HD 7850. it has a better DX11 architecture which helps it to outperform HD 6970 in modern DX11 titles like BF3, Crysis 2. the card runs cooler, draws less power. also AMD has said that their drivers would focus on GCN architecture which is the basis for the HD 7000 and upcoming HD 8000 series. with a more advanced feature set supporting OpenCL 1.2 there is no reason to go for a used HD 6970. also a HD 7850 has amazing OC headroom . the HD 7850 at 1 ghz is faster than HD 6970 and at 1.2 ghz it matches HD 7870.

the PCS+ HD 7850 runs at 1 ghz and comes with sleeping dogs free game for USD 202 (192 after mail in rebate).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131472
 
Sadly I don't have that same deal going on here in Canada. But I found something similar: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=77602&vpn=FX-785A-CNL4&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1338

It runs at stock clock 860 I believe, for 205 shipped. But looking at the picture, I am not sure if the length of the card means something is missing? Looks awkwardly short...

Anyways, at the rate it is going, for 40$ more, should I go for the 7870? I don't know if my usage in CS6, or mainly premier pro, would actually benefit from that extra 40$ tho..
 
OP what psu do you have. how many amps does it supply on +12v rail ? for USD 255 the sapphire HD 7870 XT with boost which uses the tahiti le chip is an excellent buy. 1536 stream processors. 975 mhz boost. 256 bit memory at 6 ghz (192 gb/s). 30% faster than than HD 7850 and 8 - 10% faster than HD 7870, both of which use the pitcairn chip. the sapphire card comes with excellent dual x cooler. think and decide :)

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=558&item_id=057211

tahiti le reviews

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/01/powercolor_radeon_hd_7870_myst_edition_review/

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/revie...iti-le-graphics-card-review-introduction.html

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Club_3D/HD_7870_jokerCard_Tahiti_LE/28.html
 
yph said:
Now that CS6 is mainly using OpenCL rather than CUDA from nvidia, it is a no brainer to go with the AMD because GTX series don't have that.
Click to expand...

Every CUDA capable Nvidia GPU is also OpenCL1.1 compliant (Nvidia 8k series and up)
 
I didn't know that GTX cards have openCL as well. I looked on their web site and they only suggest workstation cards as listed in their specs. I have a 1200w psu Antec Quattor from a left over of a part out of a gaming rig I had last year, so that was out of the way.

Anyway fast forward, after hunting around there was no way for me to get the 7850 cheaper than 220 shipped. That's because the site that offers it cheaply charges more on taxes, and the places that don't charge much taxes don't have the same cheap offer.

So, I scored a HIS IceQ X² 7970 :eek: I was able to use memoryexpress.com to price match + 25% of the difference discount with that of newegg, and only paid 10$ shipping+taxes. It came up to 365 shipped to my door.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions
 
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