Sapphire AMD Radeon HD6950 2GB DiRT3 Edition Graphics Card Review

[fundilyfun]

did he get it for free?



[PlayMoreNow]

Will this card handle Eyefinity with 3 monitors at 1080p ?

[dutchdigger1996]

@PlayMoreNow Yes.

[michigantoga]

Great Review. Heard & Read Good things about this card

[vellaa1]

hi i just got htis card and set it to the exact same clock speeds, ran this test and only scored 11873 on my gpu score i have no idea what is wrong can someone help please?

[Gurrak]

@vellaa1 because this is over 6 month old?

[ImStaticZz]

6950 owwwwnnssss gtx 560 ti .

[asilaydyingfrik]

@ImStaticZz I think that 6870 beats 560 and some times 560 ti

[ollethegreat4]

@asilaydyingfrik no.

[ollethegreat4]

@ImStaticZz no.

[AmalProductions]

@ollethegreat4 Um yes. It does actually.

[ollethegreat4]

@AmalProductions I have a 6950 2gb. My friend has a 560ti. But no matter how much I want to own him, my card will never be more than a few percent better than his overall. So no, 6950 2gb does NOT own 560ti. It is however slightly faster.

[AmalProductions]

@ollethegreat4 Yes but when you take this certain card that's able to unlock shaders to that of a 6970, it definitely does.

[ollethegreat4]

@AmalProductions Well, but then it's no longer a 6950, but rather a poor quality, hot running 6970. So sure, THIS 6950 may be a fair bit better, but you can't unlock all 6950's.

[AmalProductions]

@ollethegreat4 Poor quality and hot running? Haven't seen any temperature rise in my 6950 actually, and honestly not many people think the 6970 is worth an extra $100 when you compare it's performance to a 6950, so this is the next best thing.

[gtfoxy]

Excelent review. I have this exact card and it is a great performer. Did TriXX come on your driver disk or did you have to DL it?

[TurnWhiteProductions]

Gtx 560 ti twin froze or this should i buy ?i think 560 ?

[furiousfr4nk]

@TurnWhiteProductions This, i own one and a mate owns the 560ti twin frozer and this card performs better.

[MrMINOXO]

@TurnWhiteProductions hd 6950 all the way its a difference of 40 fps to 50 fps

[aronnedgeofficial]

DON'T USE A HD6970 BIOS!

The hd6970 has different memory timings, and that's the reason why the life time will be extremely reduced by doing this! You CAN overclock this beauty though. Just switch the BIOS and set the clocks to 880/1375 with 1.175 voltage! If the card runs stable with that, edit the BIOS with RBE 1.28 to overclock without using any "start with windows" programs. Run a Heaven test for 30min and a 3DMark 11 test for 30min and be sure the temps are not getting higher than 90Celsius

[iliasdj1980]

@aronnedgeofficial What power supply needed for this card ?700watt its OK?

[RHossall]

@iliasdj1980 yeah, a 550w power supply is recommended by sapphire though i suggest a 600w, 700w will run it perfectly fine, even if you overclock it (depending on your other specifications, like CPU and wattage needed from that)

[iliasdj1980]

@RHossall Thanks for your help.I new it just for sure i posted this comment. :-D

[RHossall]

@iliasdj1980 ok no problem :) a good tool to use is the PSU calculator on newegg dot come :)

[beermandan420]

@aronnedgeofficial I'm like 95% sure that 90C is WAYYYYYYYYYY too hot for this card, especially when its overclocked. also; fuck off about turning it in to a 6970, its got a 2 year warranty and i'll have a 79xx or better by then anyways :-P

[aronnedgeofficial]

@beermandan420 Go find out, the max. temp is 105C before it will completely fuck up, but it's safe if you ain't going higher than 90C to prevent heat damage. GPU's are build to handle high temperatures, they're not like CPU's.

And why are you using offensive language? I mean, it's my choice to turn it into a HD6970 and I'm aware of the risks. I'm aware of how to avoid the risks too. Just run FurMark, though it's not the best stresstester, every card will go up to 90C.

[stetdawg]

@aronnedgeofficial No card is going above 80c unless your case is a lead box

[aronnedgeofficial]

@stetdawg "max full load temp is 95c with HD6970 shaders" - overclock(.)net . Where are you getting your info from

[Defarnz]

All that its nice,but how to get this card to work properly??I instaled drivers and card worked fine first day,but another i get BSOD and artifacts on my desktop /sigh

btw:i have tryed with drivers on Cd,and next time i downloaded newest from amd and same thing again /sigh 2x

[detmer87]

My HD6950 2GB DiRT3 Edition does 950MHz 100% stable, while keeping the temps below 62 degrees. My 3DMark11 score is P6072 (!). 3DMark Score P6072 Graphics Score 6255 Physics Score 5731 Combined Score 5376 GraphicsTest1 23 FPS GraphicsTest2 30 FPS GraphicsTest3 38 FPS GraphicsTest4 22 FPS PhysicsTest 18 FPS CombinedTest 25 FPS

[kevthajum]

@detmer87

can you give me your trixx settings please for when i get the card? looks awesome!!

[detmer87]

@kevthajum: I didn't do anything with Trixx except the clock speeds, the voltage @ 1180 (maxed) and saved the profile. Trixx was the only active clocking tool so nothing conflicts with it.

Also make sure that PowerTune in CCC is at +20%.

[kevthajum]

@detmer87

thnx very much!!

[detmer87]

My advise for this videocard: Go easy with the memory. Not all the memory chips get active airflow and there are no ram heatsinks. Due to this I recommend to keep the memory below 1400, preferably to 1300.

The HD6950 performance is restricted by the GPU speed, memory speed is totally insignificant. The HD6950 has sufficient memorybandwidth.

Also notice that the GPU has memory error checking (ECC), so highest clock speeds on the memory isn't the fastest when error's need to be recalculated.

[DTakos1989]

very good review, thanks

[97Wanne]

Alien vs Preditor

[123pvpworld]

how waterblokk fit this grafic card?

[detmer87]

@123pvpworld No full-cover water-block would fit. At least its not recommended. Off course you can cool the GPU but the rest still needs active cooling. VRM cooling is the most important. So I would recommend you to buy a reference design HD6950 with a fullcover water-block AND a backplate (heavy water-blocks put's a lot of stress on the PCB, so backplate's recommended).

[superhacker35]

i so wanna win this ! is the contest over yet ?

[genryuusai]

1:41

thats what she said =p

nice review... getting mine soon

[PeTe360SkillZz]

Hey, im currently ordering ordering all the parts for my first gaming build and im wondering because im a massive fan ofcod4 seen as though ive come straight from the console..but yeah how well will this card run with a x4 3.5ghz processer on cod4 like an estimate fps? thanks sorry to be a noob but im really conscious about this because it's alot of money and I don't want to be disapointed..

Thanks

[yz509]

@PeTe360SkillZz oh my friend a 6950 with a quad core will run cod4 at 250fps which is great very very great

[Dicidar400]

anyone know where the bios switch is i genuily cant find it

[kiloneter]

@Dicidar400 read the manual

[jymri]

@Dicidar400 Next to crossfire connector.

[Lethalgnome]

Hey,

I would like to point out that you can unlock this card to a 6970, upping the shaders from 1408 to 1536

[Halo2fanBf2]

@Lethalgnome is it just by switching the bios ? thx for the info

[Vavronicsium]

Will this card fit in a NZXT Lexa S mid tower case?

[fiddlesti5]

its funny when he says we get good results because its lagging pretty bad.

[Thegrandhighoracle]

I might get 2 OF THESE PUPPIES >:D

[nvanadium]

Good God that thing is a monster!

[Crasus77]

buyin this tomorrow:P

[TheExprima]

Why is there only one Crossfire finger?

[Remi1115]

What do you recommand to use; The included HDMI cable that comes with this card or a DVI cable that comes with the moniter?

[TheExprima]

@Remi1115 DVI, use a separate set of speakers for sound, ones built-in to monitors are usually crap.

[Remi1115]

@TheExprima

Ok, thank you for your advice.

[Berieyon]

Can you flash this card to an 6970??

[Korbs21]

@Berieyon

Yes you can, but theres lots of reports that the card starts failing after 2 or more months.. but its up to you

[Grilofuzeta]

@Berieyon i have one 6950 flashed to 6970. 6 months and no problems (only TEMPS!)

if you want to play GTA 4, go to Nvidia.

[psycold]

@Grilofuzeta I still play GTA on occasion but noticed my Nvidia Quadro card in my M6500 laptop runs GTA MUCH better than any Ati card I have owned, even if the Ati card dominates that card with other games. Although my laptop has an i7 2.86ghz quad core and my desktop only has a Q6600 at 2.9ghz. I am planning on putting a 6950 in my desktop until I upgrade it to an i7 like my laptop. Do you think GTAIV will run ok before the processor upgrade?

[RoboRandy1]

What kind of PSU do you need to run it?

[LillMikel]

@RoboRandy1

I'm building a system with this + a 2500k and I'm going for a 650W, which should be enough, even while OC'ing.

[TheLuminousty]

He said, " 500mhz on memory clocks" when it says 5000mhz

[RATSHADY]

@thefunniestdude:thank's for the reply

[NineLivesProductions]

Some people got a Dirt 3 RC car with their game, but mine came with a 6950 LOL

[TheZachmann21]

What motherboard do u have with your i5 2500k?

[19sob]

amazing channel man.. absolutely love it

[RATSHADY]

Can this card be crossfired with the original 6950 2gb!

[TheFunniestDude]

@RATSHADY of course man! as long it has the same chip! you even can crossfire a 2gb and a 1gb version

[nobodypersonsomeone]

Dirt 3 easter egg anyone?

[nobodypersonsomeone]

Dirt 3 easter egg anyone?

[taddungo]

there lots of version of trixx in sapphire site which one in the best for hd6950

[Hardy123Zhao]

lol do you get to keep all these Graphics cards you review? If yes you must have alot of copys of dirt 3... maybe you should give them away to people that don't have it :P

[xMCxKaOss]

Just bought 2 of them :)

[losdiketown]

@xMCxKaOss me too! =D

[Francisco19734]

i bought it :)

[wick15RP]

I just got this card for my PC. Can't flaw it in the slightest. Picked it up in the UK for £210. Thanks @PCWizKid for the good review :)

[carbinfibre]

also gotta ask, can this Specific Card Be flashed to a 6970?? if not can the XFX Radeon HD6950 2GB do it instead... if not that one either just tell me any other type of 2GB 6950 xD

[killersaad]

damn in norway that card cost $361 USD

[carbinfibre]

@killersaad O_O LOL!, $270 AUS

[xSmithxx]

just bought mine

[Francisco19734]

@xSmithxx are u happy whit it?

[Halo2fanBf2]

can this card be unlocked ?

[DFFAS2009]

@Halo2fanBf2 yea, search for it on yt

[barf245]

@Halo2fanBf2 the switch is next to the crossfire bridge ports

[RavenFalco]

Can anyone confirm if sapphire actually gives rebate or just a scam?

[startrekker13]

@RavenFalco Ive got my rebates from them in the past, not a scam.

[Flackdiesel889]

PCWizKid, love love love the videos man. Quick question, if I were to get 2 of these and put them in crossfire, would they get an overall better performance then a 6990?

Much love...no homo

[Halo2fanBf2]

@Flackdiesel889 i am not sure about that but, a single 6950 can beat 6970 if overcloacked.

[juggernautxtr]

@Flackdiesel889 you'll get about half the performance with those, it takes 2 6970's to get 3/4 of the 6990.

but even with 2 of the 6950's you'll be in heaven.

[Halo2fanBf2]

@juggernautxtr but if you overcloack crossfire 6970's can they beat 6990 ?

[juggernautxtr]

@Halo2fanBf2 you might get up to or slightly past,I think the one's i saw were factory overclocked versions at 3/4 of 6990 really in mho not worth the effort of trying to scale to a 6990. the 6990 scales better than any 2 cards ever would or could out of pure design. personally I am going to just go with a 6950/70 and call it good. personally to me trying to see performance not visible to the naked eye is pointless. and you can only see between 50-65 hz.which is 50-65 fps

[piemasterp]

What do you guys think about sapphires MIR? Is it legit, or do they try hard to scam you out of it?

[TheCircuitSmith]

@SNIPrA55A55INS, you'll wanna go with atleast a 600W PSU.

[SNIPrA55A55INS]

is a 450 watt power supply good enough for this card

[Korbs21]

@SNIPrA55A55INS

Nah dude, you should update to a 600W

[Dragging40]

I hope you get paid for your reviews, great review!

question: does anyone know if overclocking a card will void the warranty, if you use the included software to overclock?

[CrazyTechTime]

amd or intel for an mainstream pc cant decide budget of 1k

[XxGRIZZWALDxX]

@CrazyTechTime With a budget of 1k, go with AMD. Although Intel may have the best chip out there. AMD spanks them as far as price per performance goes. And for 1k you can build yourself a really nice rig.

[Gmodhacka]

HOLY SHIT $250 for a graphics card AFTER REBATE? damn son

[nelizmastr]

@zlucca it can just barely play Minecraft in crossfire, so I doubt it :P

[iTat1000]

@nelizmastr That might be a issue with minecraft not being optimised to take advantage of your crossfire config.

[therealbuba]

@iTat1000 Or it might be the issue that minecraft is not optimized to take advantage of anything since its written in java :p The most demanding 8 bit style graphics game ive ever seen...

[iTat1000]

@therealbuba 8/16 Bit textures, the rest of it is 3D. Being written in java doesnt help, But its still a good game.

[sangolt88]

45 nm is so oldstyle

[blackendheart1s]

@sangolt88 its 40nm

[TearsOfWar1]

I heard a lot of 6950s are breaking when unlocked. Don't know if it was just the ones that were overclocked and unlocked that were breaking, but I don't doubt it will if you don't have good cooling.

[TearsOfWar1]

I have a 6970 with Mk-13 vga cooler on it with all the vram heat sinks and w/e else needs cooling, and two 120mm slipstream scythe fans. Overclocked to highest in catalyst.

[jonowee]

"It's not that long, it looks really big, but it's not that big, it's deceiving. It's a good size thou."

That's what she said.

[Batou04]

I'm running two 6950's in crossfire and they are pretty damn good. I'm a bit jealous of this model though.

[x900lbGorillax1]

@PCwizkid, if get a chance can you tell me what power supply brand you used and how many watts it is on this test system? 

[Thejebe]

Like Elric from MB.org said... This thing is a freaking BEAST!

[zeyzey017]

love that thing :D



[coijoi]

nice♥

[YonOtto]

Great card :D faster than a 560ti Super Overclock :D

[Arthedes]

@pcwizkid does it have a dual bios switch?

[reach313]

what should i do gtx 560 ti twin frozr 200 (euro!) or this for 220 i have amd x4 955

[ylulnlulsYx1]

@reach313 this 6950

[reach313]

@ylulnlulsYx1  oke thanks

[srakso2]

@reach313 Get the 6950 it's faster, plus you get a free game.

[MrComputereviews]

@reach313 get this because you have an amd proseser and then they would wok together good

[reach313]

@MrComputereviews ok thanks

[tombell12]

Impressive heatsink design, that will work very well! :-))

[Aristowi]

Giveaway!

[TechHeat]

dirt 3 edition and dirt 3 doesn't even get benchmarked

[Ros3w00d]

They had to make this card to compete with VisionTek who released this same card months ago lol

[helldrag0n47]

... for something with dirt in it's name, this thing ain't DiRT cheap.

[MadSupra354]

No thanks, I'll stick with my flashed 6950 :)

[SupersayainG2]

1:41 - 1:47

"talking about amazing, check it out not that long looks really big but its not that big

its deceiving but its a good size though"

[gta4life55]

1:41 Thats what she aid :\?

[NoztrozeR]

bought a GTX 560... It's alright, but one thing's for sure... I wont be buying another Nvidia card for a loooooooong time. I used to have an AMD card and I regret not buying one when I upgraded :P

[Electroguy1996]

Aliens vs. Predator is indeed a beautiful game, much more so with that card.

[mcwiggles1213]

What is the minimum power requirements for this one though? I only have 250w so I know I cant run much.

[DriftProD3signZ]

@mcwiggles1213 550W would be minimum i think

my hd5770 needs 450w and iam only using 400w^^

[gustavohuink]

@DriftProD3signZ I have a HD 6850 running on a Corsair 400CX...

[acetic20]

@mcwiggles1213 the graphics card alone is rated at 225W maximum (2 6-pins + PCI-e)... so unless your CPU is rated at <25W, then no.

[MegaSMITH1123]

i wish I had that card

[ultimatessjgoku]

hey pcwizkid could you show us crysis 2 @ ultra settings (i mean the patched crysis 2 with dx11) and the high texture pack and show us how much fps you can get out of it

[MarkoMax1k]

ALIEN VS PREDITOR

u mad ? ;D

[Avex701]

I wish I had money, lol.

[NorwayGuy100Gaming]

How do I download that software you use to see the grapchics card specs and stuff?

[TYDIRocks]

I just got the radeon 6950 from newegg yesterday for $200 :D I got connections at newegg :P

[ddd0iii0eee0]

I LOVE THE DESIGN!

[kindafunny3000]

DDR5? :3

[91splash]

@kindafunny3000 lol yep

[NMFrame]

It is cool and everything, but... Will it blend? 

[TheTheRealBeast007]

@NMFrame you are just trying to get thumbs up too bad i thumb down

[Flytrox]

@TheTheRealBeast007 I will go ahead and give you a thumbs up, because you are completely right. :)

[NMFrame]

@TheTheRealBeast007 Not really, to prove it, i will thumbs you up :D

[madsipuli]

I have an eyefinity set up (3x1080p).. Should I upgrade my 5870 to this 6950?

[zcinciev]

@madsipuli this one :)

[Trillios]

@madsipuli i think you should wait for the 7000 series

[MrAlexanderTV]

awesome review !

[nanquan491]

Why don't you ever review nVidia cards as well?

[hydraflyer]

i bought one of these but i get the Error code: C9B what do i do?

[SSGLeader]

thanks, i asked for this in the last video. thanks for noticing me

[deadly1010P]

LIKE A BEAST

[ER0PS]

what performance would it get if it was bios flashed to 6970 then overclocked to those setting?

[mareno395]

grate

[TF2Pyrosux]

predator

[tsukasa2k6]

can i have the dirt 3 code ?

[probscus]

lol you didnt even do a benchmark with dirt3. love your videos keep it up.

[magicdevil09]

just got it £190 in the uk, only bad thing it cant unlock to 6970, but just overclock it it still comes close

[helehole]

why would you need 2gb? I have one and I can run all the games on highest quality with no lagg what so ever 0,o

[iRacerMatt]

Upgraded from a 4870x2 to a Sapphire 6950 a month ago, big improvement

[Jaschar60]

show urself :D