5870 vs 6950

[Prze_koles]

Ok. I wanna buy a PC, but not only for mining. I wanna play some games etc.  I heard 6950 is much better for games and it's only slightly more expensive than 5870. But in case of mining, which one is better? At this site: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_Hardware_Comparison  there's no info about 6950 using Phoenix miner, so I couldn't compare these two cards. Anyone help?

[zoro]

5870 is better unless you can unlock 6950 to 6970 

[Prze_koles]

I see. By unlocking you mean BIOS flashing? I mean only software stuff? Are all 6950s unlockable or only specific models?

[bcpokey]

Not all 6950s are unlockable, only reference 6950 2GB VRAM models and like 2 non-reference (that I cant rmeember off the top of my head) can have their shaders unlocked. The card will then need to have its bios flashed either to 6970 (can be dangerous) or have their shaders unlocked (less dangers, requires overclocking manually to 6970 levels).

Depending on the price you can find either card for will depend on which is a better buy for the money (typically 6950s are more expensive and require overclocking to reach stock 5870 MHash/sec), but if you want to game the 6950 will offer a more efficient and future proof card (it has better tesselation features, superior crossfire scaling, more VRAM etc.)

[Prze_koles]

Ok, thank you very much.

[nster]

WRONG. 6950 1GB can be unlocked to. I come from the forum who really brought this unlocking (techpowerup)

if you are on a single monitor, 6950 1GB may be you best best, as it STOMPS ALL OVER THE 5870 IN GAMING, and is very close in mining. If unlocked to 6970, it even beats it, else it is VERY close to it anyways.

Go for the 6950. 2GB is good too though