6990 vs 2x 6950's unlocked - Want to build to 4 cores eventually.

[JorgePasada]

Thoughts?

So many variables to think about . . . .

I'm going to be doing this all in a 4U rackmount case /w a 1200 Watt PSU.

Wondering if the 6950's will preform on par with a 6990 once they're unlocked and similarly clocked. Also, if I expand to 4 cards, I'm concerned about cooling issues.

I'll edit this post with details as I expand on it.

These are the two cards I'm looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161359

[Panther Modern]

6950 x2 is better. IIRC, the 6990 is somewhat less powerful than 6950 x2, and I think the noise and heat would be worse from the 6990. The HIS 6950 you listed is a "turbo" edition slightly different than the standard ref card in the sense that it is clocked at 840 mhz instead of 800, though I don't know if that would change its unlocking potential. I'm trying to answer that question myself too so if anyone can confirm that it is unlockable, I would greatly appreciated it. The XFXs are 1GB and therefore can't unlock.

[JorgePasada]

Good to know that I can't unlock the 1GB XFX's.

I'll let you know about the HIS 6950's.

I think I might end up with a 'cheap' 6990 and 2 unlocked 6950's.

[chungenhung]

Good to know that I can't unlock the 1GB XFX's.

I'll let you know about the HIS 6950's.

I think I might end up with a 'cheap' 6990 and 2 unlocked 6950's.

Don't get the HIS 6950 2GB, they have high number of defective cards. Having issues with Fan speed control.
Basically the fan will blow at 100% all the time, no matter what you set it to, as it doesn't take any commands from the driver at all.

[JorgePasada]

Good to know that I can't unlock the 1GB XFX's.

I'll let you know about the HIS 6950's.

I think I might end up with a 'cheap' 6990 and 2 unlocked 6950's.

Don't get the HIS 6950 2GB, they have high number of defective cards. Having issues with Fan speed control.
Basically the fan will blow at 100% all the time, no matter what you set it to, as it doesn't take any commands from the driver at all.

Thanks for the heads up on the HIS card.

Anyone have any luck with this card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102932

Or anything bad to say about it. Seems like the cheapest per shader unit I can get.

[Kick]

1 6990 under water will be better than two 6950s under water as the gpu's used for the 6990 were binned better.

as for the 5850s, a lot of the non ref ones are the cheaper ones. google around to make sure everythings working fine

[JorgePasada]

I'm planning on doing everything under stock air cooling.