ATI 6990 vs. Nvidia ?

Eric. K · Jan 12, 2012

I am shopping for a new video card. What would be the best card out there today? I will mainly (if not only ) use it to drive 3 monitors to play rF2.

Anyone has one of those and used it with rF2 with 3 displays? how did it go? Any Nvidia alternative you could suggest?

[Edit] 7970 looks as another good card that "might" be able to drive 3 monitors
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7970/1.html

James Maskell · Jan 14, 2012

GTX590 aren't worth their price tag. You can't get the best out of them unless you have a nice water cooling setup. You are better off buying 2 GTX580's over 1 590. Also 2 580's will be more effective if you get 3gb models because they will have more ram. Unlike the 590 which only has effectively 1.5gb of ram even if it says 3gb on the box. Cooling solutions on cards is getting better even if the cards don't vent the air outside the case you still get nice temps if you have good airflow. I have only talked about Nvidia's cards in here but it is very much the same for ATI/AMD. If you buy 590, 790, 6990 or even the 7990 you will be limiting yourself, and you are much better off buying two single GPU cards. You can run triple monitors off one ATI/AMD card because they have that capability physically built into their cards. Nvidia are also rumoured to be doing this with their 7xx series. So you don't really need two gpus unless you want the eye candy which isn't necessarily what racing games are about. But if you want high resolution and all the perks turned up and keep a decent frame rate you will need 2 if not 3 cards (game dependent/ Personal preference)

Also you cant compare ATI/AMD's 7xxx series new cards against Nvidia's 5xx series cards as it is an un fair fight. Nvidia has the upper hand because they can now beef up their cards more if they need or want to. But ATI/AMD will have the earlier release and increased sales due to their earlier release but the companies have their individual timelines. Personally im waiting for the 7xx series to come out just because i have been satisfied with Nvidia's cards and prefer them over the Red team's cards.

Hampus Andersson · Jan 14, 2012

You don´t really need watercooling for Nvidia cards.
They are ment to operate at very high temps (90 degress celcius without a problem, over 95 and they start to loose performance)
It´s your CPU that you should worry about, temp wise.

James Maskell · Jan 14, 2012

Yea but the heat from a 590 will effect just about everything else in you case.

Eric. K · Jan 14, 2012

Thanks... but I do like the Eye Candy factor...

I am not too worried about the heat. The CPU itself can take a lot heat and it will shut off the system if it reaches some temp. The rest of the case it well aired.

Thanks guy for the thoughts.

Eric. K · Jan 18, 2012

I just jumped the gun and ordered one of those -> http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rade...8VO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326899495&sr=8-1

Will let u know how well it performs with rF2 and 3 monitors.

Brian Clancy · Jan 18, 2012

Eric Kaczmarek said:
I just jumped the gun and ordered one of those -> http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rade...8VO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326899495&sr=8-1

Will let u know how well it performs with rF2 and 3 monitors.

Ooooo you buggar! Nice, I love my 6970 so can only imagine what that monster is like hehehehe

Eric. K · Jan 18, 2012

Thanks Brian. I am excited. I am only worried how well it will work with the Linux part of my system. ATI's support for Linux is not as good as Nvidia.

Brian Clancy · Jan 18, 2012

Eric Kaczmarek said:
Thanks Brian. I am excited. I am only worried how well it will work with the Linux part of my system. ATI's support for Linux is not as good as Nvidia.

Well I am just starting my first steps in to Linux....... But I was impressed with the SPEED! :O No idea what the support will be like, but let us know

Eric. K · Jan 18, 2012

I switched to Linux all my work and home PCs (all dozen of them... lol) a little over a year ago and never looked back. However, I had to setup a dual boot machine to play rF2 again.

Danny Asbury · Jan 18, 2012

That thing is a dual GPU, correct? The 7970?

Alex Ball · Jan 18, 2012

7970 is just the new version of the 6970, a single gpu card

Danny Asbury · Jan 18, 2012

What in tarnations!

I'll have to save up to get one of those...

Eric. K · Jan 18, 2012

Alex Ball said:
7970 is just the new version of the 6970, a single gpu card

Not just... it is brand new Architecture. Yes, it is a single GPU.

Mitchell Phillipi · Jan 18, 2012

Brian Clancy said:
Ooooo you buggar! Nice, I love my 6970 so can only imagine what that monster is like hehehehe

How does your 6970 handle RF2? I was looking at upgrading to one of these.

Brian Clancy · Jan 18, 2012

Mitchell Phillipi said:
How does your 6970 handle RF2? I was looking at upgrading to one of these.

Ahhh well, I seem to have a very lucky or unique PC as my rig delivers around 120 FPS with all settings at max but no HDR. The 6970 is a potent card for the money, especially if you want to drive 3+ monitors. Eyefinity is excellent

If your not going to use eyefinity,take a look at the Nvidia cards also and make a judgement based on reviews as to what suits you best

Mitchell Phillipi · Jan 18, 2012

Brian Clancy said:
Ahhh well, I seem to have a very lucky or unique PC as my rig delivers around 120 FPS with all settings at max but no HDR. The 6970 is a potent card for the money, especially if you want to drive 3+ monitors. Eyefinity is excellent If your not going to use eyefinity,take a look at the Nvidia cards also and make a judgement based on reviews as to what suits you best

Thanks Brian. I'll be driving a TV with this card for the game, so no 3+monitors for me. With that said, I will drive my pc monitor, and a projector with it, but not simultaneously.

Jim Cole · Jan 19, 2012

Hehehe, put a show on for your friends. Use your monitor for racing and have the projector going so they can see the racing in large screen

Eric. K · Jan 21, 2012

I got my 7970. Installed it... Repackaged it and sent it back for a full refund.
1. No proper Linux drivers to run 3 monitors (AMD/ATI always sucked with those). Since Linux is my primary OS right there it was enough.
However
2. This card is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY loud. Once I shut down my PC I was relieved!!

Bob Luneski · Jan 21, 2012

I just upgraded my 6950 to a 6970+ using the procedures here http://www.overclock.net/t/1070678/unlock-and-oc-that-6950-tf3-twin-frozr-iii-the-definitive-guide . Many manufacturers 6950 will no longer flash up to a 6970, but MSI still does. It not only unlocks the extra shaders, but also greatly increases the overclock limits in MSI After burner. Absolutely screams now. 120+ FPS in rF2 @ 3 monitor 5760x1080 . Still very quiet. I could push it further, but there's no reason to. Very happy.