Now that the 6990 is out....5970 or 6950 still the way to go? Building a box

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

Really leaning towards  used 5970 or a new 6950

The prices are similar but the 5970 is going to have higher performance (and heat / watt) correct?


Just wondering if it's still king.

Thanks in advance guys.


Edit: memory size or anything else important? Basically wondering what stats makes the best miner.

[mortalis]

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

[xenon481]

Integer Computations Per Watt is the only significant factor. And the cost of the card itself.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

Integer Computations Per Watt is the only significant factor. And the cost of the card itself.

Thanks that's what I was looking for (thanks mortalis too, good info)

Now I have to ask: how do we determine integer computations? Straight up stream processors? Anything else to worry about like memory bandwith etc etc?

[Garrett Burgwardt]

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

False. The 6970 has fewer SPs than the 5870 but still hashes faster. I'd expect the same from the 6990

[martok]

It'll be interesting to see hash results on the 6990 and I'm sure that'll happen soon enough. I think a better question though and it's been discussed elsewhere is whether to build a rig at this point at all. If difficulty keeps increasing at current rates, you will be hard pressed to recover an investment into a 5970 or a 6950. You could do it today assuming difficulty stays where it is but that isn't going to happen and video cards depreciate rather quickly indeed.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

It'll be interesting to see hash results on the 6990 and I'm sure that'll happen soon enough. I think a better question though and it's been discussed elsewhere is whether to build a rig at this point at all. If difficulty keeps increasing at current rates, you will be hard pressed to recover an investment into a 5970 or a 6950. You could do it today assuming difficulty stays where it is but that isn't going to happen and video cards depreciate rather quickly indeed.

The only thing I have going for me is I live in Chile. Cards are more expensive here. I'm from the states originally so I can bring a few used cards down, put them up for sale and mine with them until they're sold. I either break even on the cards or profit a little.

I also partially want to do it from a "help the community perspective" I'm not just in it for cash. I'm looking in to electricity costs and options now, if I can find some cheap power that makes it a lot better.

It's looking like used 5970's is the way to go.

[mortalis]

I see. What component makes it Hash faster?

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

False. The 6970 has fewer SPs than the 5870 but still hashes faster. I'd expect the same from the 6990

[Grinder]

I see. What component makes it Hash faster?

Higher clock rate.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

I see. What component makes it Hash faster?

Higher clock rate.

That's the only thing at all that matters (reasonably)? Makes the search a hell of a lot more simple if that's so.

[xenon481]

You can estimate the relative integer performance of an ATI card by multiplying the number of stream processors by the clock of the GPU.

But, you need to also take into account the Wattage that will be used. Hash per Watt is better than just straight up more Hashes.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

You can estimate the relative integer performance of an ATI card by multiplying the number of stream processors by the clock of the GPU.

But, you need to also take into account the Wattage that will be used. Hash per Watt is better than just straight up more Hashes.

For the most part it's better, have to figure in the other parts of the computer taking up a little power and cost of buying them.
I'd prefer a slightly less efficient GPU than building a whole other computer to double my GPU's

But yeah you're right in general. Also didn't know that about multiplying steam processors by clock speed.
Thanks.

[[Tycho]]

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

False. The 6970 has fewer SPs than the 5870 but still hashes faster. I'd expect the same from the 6990

5970 is considerably cheaper per GH/s.

[Garrett Burgwardt]

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

False. The 6970 has fewer SPs than the 5870 but still hashes faster. I'd expect the same from the 6990

5970 is considerably cheaper per GH/s.

I never said it was cost effective, just that the 6990 hashes faster than the 5970.

[Garrett Burgwardt]

It seems that 5970 is still the king for mining, if you can get them.

That said, I'll be happy to sell mine after May 25th

[Steve]

It seems that 5970 is still the king for mining, if you can get them.

Is it really that hard to get them?  The local store near me has them for $599.  Although, I bought a second one the other day and they only had two left (not sure if they had more in the back).

[Syke]

The 6990 only has 3072 Stream processors compared to the 5970's 3200 stream processors. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5970 is still king.

False. The 6970 has fewer SPs than the 5870 but still hashes faster. I'd expect the same from the 6990

What makes you think that? My 5870s pull about 340 mhps, and my 6970 pulls about 320 mhps. The difference is likely attributed to the slower drivers needed to support the 6xxx series.

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

What about the nvidia side of the fence?
460's are priced really well.

In general does it matter if you go nvidia or ATI?

How's the 460 fare? Can get them pretty damn cheap and they're not bad cards at all.

[Garrett Burgwardt]

Nvidia cards suck at fixed point calculations for some reason. And they're usually slower in games too

Stay away from the Green team, Toronto is way better overall

[Jered Kenna (TradeHill)]

I've always leaned towards red, just seemed like you get more for your money too the last few generations.
Thanks for the advice.