2x AMD HD5970 2gb Black Edition vs single AMD HD6990 4gb

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karder

New Member
Just got a computer that contains 2 XFX RADEON HD5970 2gb Black Edition in Crossfire, and I was wondering if that setup is better than a Single HIS RADEON HD6990 4gb?

Should I leave the two 5970's in the build or remove them and install the 6990?

Thanks
 
I'd say that two 5970s are likely going to be faster than a single 6990, but as the 5970s have 2GB of V-RAM and the 6990 4GB, the 6990 would be able to play at higher resolutions with higher FPS than the CF 5970s would.

Is it really worth replacing them though? I'd say no.
 
Higher resolutions, as in anything about 1080. Not gonna find a game today that will use more than maybe 1.5GB for a single 1080.

I'd say stick with the 5970s. Still a powerful setup.
 
I have all these cards in my possession, so it's not like I'm going to pay extra.

So if I want better fps in higher resolution, Ishould go with 6990?

Btw, thanks for the responses
 
Do you game at higher than 1080?

Not to mention your not going to see a night and day difference. So imho what would be the point?
 
karder said:
So if I want better fps in higher resolution, Ishould go with 6990?
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You'd likely get higher FPS with the two 5970s. 2GB is still more than enough V-RAM anyway really. 4GB is overkill. Most games don't use over 1.5GB really, certainly not up to 4GB.
 
Even then the 4gb 6990 is only 2gb as its 2 cards in one isnt it?

Then again by that logic that means the 5970's are only 1gb as theyre also 2 cards in one. So technically speaking (if iv got this right of course).

The vram useable is 1gb for the 5970's and 2gb for the 6990's.


Still you wont see a massive difference....if any tbh.
 
I can't remember if any 2GB 5970s were released, but looking at the way OP worded it and how they are "Black Edition" cards, I will guess that each one is 2GB. I think you're right though Mike as most 5970s were 1GB IIRC.

As the 6990 is two GPUs on a single PCB (and is thus not using Crossfire), I think that all 4GB is usable. I think it's only when you use more than one card that the V-RAM gets capped. Don't take my word for it, but I think that's how it works. 4GB is overkill anyway.
 
My old 3870x2 (1gb) edition was only 512mb so i presume it will be the same for the 6990 in that only 2gb is useable. Pretty bad advertising if you ask me lmao.
 
As I understand, it seems as if the two 5970 will have better FPS on 1080p while the 6990 will be slightly better on 2560x1600.

Assume there is only one way to really find out.

Test away!

Thanks for your inputs guys and girls
 
vistakid10 said:
I can't remember if any 2GB 5970s were released, but looking at the way OP worded it and how they are "Black Edition" cards, I will guess that each one is 2GB. I think you're right though Mike as most 5970s were 1GB IIRC.

As the 6990 is two GPUs on a single PCB (and is thus not using Crossfire), I think that all 4GB is usable. I think it's only when you use more than one card that the V-RAM gets capped. Don't take my word for it, but I think that's how it works. 4GB is overkill anyway.
Click to expand...

they are in crossfire, it's the same exact performance as having 2 6970's in crossfire but they have the bridge in the card.

the only way the 4gb's would matter is if you are running multiple monitors at 1080p or higher, and that's assuming that each processor has 4gb's which i think it is split into 2gb's each.

5970's should be faster
 
karder said:
As I understand, it seems as if the two 5970 will have better FPS on 1080p while the 6990 will be slightly better on 2560x1600.

Assume there is only one way to really find out.

Test away!

Thanks for your inputs guys and girls
Click to expand...

Correct, I do not know if that resolution will use more than 2GB.
 
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