ATI 7970 3GB vs ATI 6990 4GB

dg2903 · January 2012

Hi guys, right now im concern about which card should i go with. AMD said that ATI 7970 is the Strongest 1GPU card on the word. But the ATI 6990 4GB has higher memory and cost more $, Doesnt that make ATI 6990 stronger ? Or the performance of the card is base on other factors ? Tell me pls, im noob.

Ridelynn · January 2012

Originally posted by dg2903
Hi guys, right now im concern about which card should i go with. AMD said that ATI 7970 is the Strongest 1GPU card on the word. But the ATI 6990 4GB has higher memory and cost more $, Doesnt that make ATI 6990 stronger ? Or the performance of the card is base on other factors ? Tell me pls, im noob.

The 6990 is actually dual 6970's on a single card, each 6970 with access to 2G of RAM (for a total of 4G on the card).

It will rely very much on Crossfire profiles - if you have a game that has a good profile, it will be faster than a single 7970 (at stock speeds). If you have a game that has a poor or no Crossfire profile, it will be slower by a good margin (it will essentially run as a single 6970).

The 7970 also supposedly is an amazing overclocker. The 6990 does overclock decently, but with two GPU's on a single card, you get limited by heat really quickly.

So yes, the 7970 is the fastest single GPU card right now, but I think the 6990 still has the fastest single-slot card crown. I tend to recommend single GPU solutions, mainly because Crossfire (and SLI, to be fair) can be very finicky, and some games come with profiles very late after release (or not at all, for a lot of smaller developers). You would also have fewer issues with heat, noise, and power.

The 7970 also supports Crossfire, so if you want an extremely fast setup, dual 7970's would give you a similar 2-GPU setup as the 6990 - it just would take two PCI slots to accomplish, and it would be very much so faster than a single 6990.

Cleffy · January 2012

3GB is unusable right now with the obedience to 32-bit gaming. So the memory is not as mucha factor as the calculation. However, the 7970 also calculates faster.

Ridelynn · January 2012

Originally posted by Cleffy
3GB is unusable right now with the obedience to 32-bit gaming. So the memory is not as mucha factor as the calculation. However, the 7970 also calculates faster.

If I'm not mistaken, 32-bit Windows can use all the video RAM, up to 124G (128-4G system RAM limit), with PAE. From the Microsoft support page:

How graphics cards and other devices affect memory limits
Devices have to map their memory below 4 GB for compatibility with non-PAE-aware Windows releases. Therefore, if the system has 4GB of RAM, some of it is either disabled or is remapped above 4GB by the BIOS. If the memory is remapped, X64 Windows can use this memory. X86 client versions of Windows dont support physical memory above the 4GB mark, so they cant access these remapped regions. Any X64 Windows or X86 Server release can.
X86 client versions with PAE enabled do have a usable 37-bit (128 GB) physical address space. The limit that these versions impose is the highest permitted physical RAM address, not the size of the IO space. That means PAE-aware drivers can actually use physical space above 4 GB if they want. For example, drivers could map the "lost" memory regions located above 4 GB and expose this memory as a RAM disk.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_7

System Support for PAE
PAE is supported only on the following 32-bit versions of Windows running on x86-based systems:
Windows 7 (32 bit only)
Windows Server 2008 (32-bit only)
Windows Vista (32-bit only)
Windows Server 2003 (32-bit only)
Windows XP (32-bit only)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366796(v=VS.85).aspx

Now - I don't know if AMD's Windows driver is PAE aware or not - I think it is, but I can't confirm. I see Linux drivers that are PAE aware - so I could make an assumption, but there is a world of difference in AMD's Linux driver support and their Windows support, and a world of difference between the Linux kernel and Windows.

hugtime4ever · January 2012

That has nothing to do with the memory on your GPU.

dg2903 · January 2012

Originally posted by Ridelynn

Originally posted by dg2903

Hi guys, right now im concern about which card should i go with. AMD said that ATI 7970 is the Strongest 1GPU card on the word. But the ATI 6990 4GB has higher memory and cost more $, Doesnt that make ATI 6990 stronger ? Or the performance of the card is base on other factors ? Tell me pls, im noob.

The 6990 is actually dual 6970's on a single card, each 6970 with access to 2G of RAM (for a total of 4G on the card).

It will rely very much on Crossfire profiles - if you have a game that has a good profile, it will be faster than a single 7970 (at stock speeds). If you have a game that has a poor or no Crossfire profile, it will be slower by a good margin (it will essentially run as a single 6970).

The 7970 also supposedly is an amazing overclocker. The 6990 does overclock decently, but with two GPU's on a single card, you get limited by heat really quickly.

So yes, the 7970 is the fastest single GPU card right now, but I think the 6990 still has the fastest single-slot card crown. I tend to recommend single GPU solutions, mainly because Crossfire (and SLI, to be fair) can be very finicky, and some games come with profiles very late after release (or not at all, for a lot of smaller developers). You would also have fewer issues with heat, noise, and power.

The 7970 also supports Crossfire, so if you want an extremely fast setup, dual 7970's would give you a similar 2-GPU setup as the 6990 - it just would take two PCI slots to accomplish, and it would be very much so faster than a single 6990.

Thanks a lot for that. But i still have a question, what is a crossfire ? XD

Quizzical · January 2012

CrossFire means two AMD video cards working in parallel to render a game. The Nvidia equivalent is SLI.

If CrossFire works properly, then a Radeon HD 6990 will usually outperform a Radeon HD 7970. If CrossFire doesn't scale as well as it should, then the 7970 will win. Having a single GPU will get you much less heat and power consumption, fewer driver headaches, and better reliability. I'd rather have a 7970 than a 6990, even ignoring the price difference.

With CrossFire, it's memory per GPU that matters, not total memory. A 7970 has 3 GB, which is more than the 2 GB per GPU that a 6990 has. But even 2 GB is more than you could plausibly need on a single monitor.

What else do you have in your system? In particular, what case and power supply, as those can greatly limit your video card selection.

dg2903 · January 2012

Originally posted by Quizzical
CrossFire means two AMD video cards working in parallel to render a game. The Nvidia equivalent is SLI.

If CrossFire works properly, then a Radeon HD 6990 will usually outperform a Radeon HD 7970. If CrossFire doesn't scale as well as it should, then the 7970 will win. Having a single GPU will get you much less heat and power consumption, fewer driver headaches, and better reliability. I'd rather have a 7970 than a 6990, even ignoring the price difference.

With CrossFire, it's memory per GPU that matters, not total memory. A 7970 has 3 GB, which is more than the 2 GB per GPU that a 6990 has. But even 2 GB is more than you could plausibly need on a single monitor.

What else do you have in your system? In particular, what case and power supply, as those can greatly limit your video card selection.

no no, i dont want to talk about other stuff that i have, i just want to ask about 7970 and 6990. And about the crossfire thing, how do i know which game has crossfire or not ? And base on what u said, does that mean the game that need crossfire will perform better with 6990 and the game that dont have crossfire will perform better on 7970 right ?

Quizzical · January 2012

Originally posted by dg2903
no no, i dont want to talk about other stuff that i have, i just want to ask about 7970 and 6990. And about the crossfire thing, how do i know which game has crossfire or not ? And base on what u said, does that mean the game that need crossfire will perform better with 6990 and the game that dont have crossfire will perform better on 7970 right ?

Well then, how about if we talk about whether or not a 7970 or 6990 in your system would work flawlessly, or release sparks and/or smoke as a result of other components frying it. Or maybe not physically fit. A 6990 in particular is an enormous pain to cool properly, so unless you chose your case with a 6990 in mind, adding it now is probably a bad idea.

Classicstar · January 2012

Firstly you just can't popin a videocard in a system, card can be way over powered and dont take full advantage of its full potential.

And it realy dont matter at moment if you have 6990 or newer 7970 both will run most game on ultra settings. Main differents between both cards is heat and power consumption.

If you plan on newest MB AND CPU that are soon released i suggest buy the 7970 use less power better memory en less heat better tesstalation 28nano technique. ANd for future upgrade xfire with 2 gpu is in my opinion preferred over onecard with 2 gpus in xfire.

Most games btw are still DX9 so these cards are nice for good benchmarks but not realy needed for games right now.

You have to investigate if a game supports xfire or sli or not not all games support it.

But look up some benchmark test on different sites and you get fair knowledge of what cards realy can do and witch games they are best suited for.

Quizzical · January 2012

If you've got a GTX 580, then why are you looking to upgrade in the first place? That affects what is the most reasonable thing for you to do.

A Radeon HD 6990 really only makes sense for people who think two GPUs isn't enough. It's better to have two Radeon HD 6970s in CrossFire than a single 6990. That's easier to cool, lets you clock them higher, and costs about the same.

dg2903 · January 2012

Originally posted by Quizzical
If you've got a GTX 580, then why are you looking to upgrade in the first place? That affects what is the most reasonable thing for you to do.

A Radeon HD 6990 really only makes sense for people who think two GPUs isn't enough. It's better to have two Radeon HD 6970s in CrossFire than a single 6990. That's easier to cool, lets you clock them higher, and costs about the same.

[Mod Edit]

What is crossfire ? what does it do ? if the game that support crossfire, will it run better on ati 6990? if its not support crossfire, will it run better on ATI 7970? Does all the game support crossfire ? how do i know ? Are all the developer planning on making games that support crossfire ? Which card will be better for the future ? If i go for overclock, which 1 should i go ?

If ati 6990 is 100, then what is ati 7970? (rating)

jdnewell · January 2012

WoW.

glad i stopped in to read this o.O

i just shuddered when I thought about him trying to overclock.......... ugh

dg2903 · January 2012

Originally posted by jdnewell
WoW.

glad i stopped in to read this o.O

i just shuddered when I thought about him trying to overclock.......... ugh

i am not trying to overclock damn it. I AM ASKING QUESTIONS. these peoples are getting on my nerve.

Classicstar · January 2012

Originally posted by dg2903

Originally posted by Quizzical

Originally posted by dg2903

no no, i dont want to talk about other stuff that i have, i just want to ask about 7970 and 6990. And about the crossfire thing, how do i know which game has crossfire or not ? And base on what u said, does that mean the game that need crossfire will perform better with 6990 and the game that dont have crossfire will perform better on 7970 right ?

Well then, how about if we talk about whether or not a 7970 or 6990 in your system would work flawlessly, or release sparks and/or smoke as a result of other components frying it. Or maybe not physically fit. A 6990 in particular is an enormous pain to cool properly, so unless you chose your case with a 6990 in mind, adding it now is probably a bad idea.

[mod edit]

What games you play and what gaming rig you exactly use. And can you afford this rig, do have a a fast enough internet connection where do you live is it safe having a expensive pc?

Do you realy wanne change your rig it seems ok and why you wanne change it any reason for that?

If you answer all my questions ill answer yours ok:P

treysmooth · January 2012

Originally posted by dg2903

Originally posted by Quizzical

If you've got a GTX 580, then why are you looking to upgrade in the first place? That affects what is the most reasonable thing for you to do.

A Radeon HD 6990 really only makes sense for people who think two GPUs isn't enough. It's better to have two Radeon HD 6970s in CrossFire than a single 6990. That's easier to cool, lets you clock them higher, and costs about the same.

[mod edit]

You've been given answers you just got pissy with everyone. I'm a computer tech by trade and if you don't know what crossfire is, do yourself a favor and avoid any dual gpu solutions. You probably don't have the setup to cool it, power it and mess with the settings to get crossfire to work properly which it often doesn't in many games.

Short answer neither of those cards are enough of a upgrade at this time to even think of upgrading from what you have but if you just have to burn up money get the single gpu solution in most all cases, especially when you are a novice and not even sure what crossfire is.

jdnewell · January 2012

Yes I know they are. That much is apparent.

I will actually try to contribute a little. But listening to Quiz probably would have been wiser.

Assuming you have the other components to support it.

IMO i would go with a single 7970 - rating 100

instead of one or even 2 6990- rating 90

Crossfire is using 2 graphics cards to attempt to improve game performence. more of a pain in the ass than its worth IMO.

Hope that helps

Rusty715 · January 2012

Now this is entertainment.

treysmooth · January 2012

[mod edit]

Rusty715 · January 2012

OP. These guys know their shit and you would be wise to listen to them. They are doing their best to help you and knowing your set up would help them tell you which card would be best. Personally I htink your money would be better spent on anger management.

dg2903 · January 2012

Does all the game support crossfire ? how do i know ? Are all the developer planning on making games that support crossfire ?

jdnewell · January 2012

[mod edit]

jdnewell · January 2012

[mod edit]

No- all games do not support crossfire ( nor SLI)

-You wont know how well a game does with, or supports crossfire until its real close to, or already released.

-Alot- but not all developers make games for crossfire, some will some wont. usually the bigger titles will at least try and support it.

dg2903 · January 2012

Originally posted by jdnewell

Originally posted by dg2903

Does all the game support crossfire ? how do i know ? Are all the developer planning on making games that support crossfire ?

No- all games do not support crossfire ( nor SLI)

-You wont know how well a game does with, or supports crossfire until its real close to, or already released.

-Alot- but not all developers make games for crossfire, some will some wont. usually the bigger titles will at least try and support it.

GOOD [mod edit] RIGHT HERE.

jdnewell · January 2012

thank you for the compliment... I think..... o.O

Good luck. I have a feeling you may need a fair share if it in the days to come.

Siris23 · January 2012

Originally posted by dg2903

Originally posted by Quizzical

If you've got a GTX 580, then why are you looking to upgrade in the first place? That affects what is the most reasonable thing for you to do.

A Radeon HD 6990 really only makes sense for people who think two GPUs isn't enough. It's better to have two Radeon HD 6970s in CrossFire than a single 6990. That's easier to cool, lets you clock them higher, and costs about the same.

[Mod Edit]

What is crossfire ? AMDs flavor of GPU load balancing what does it do ? lets you use multiple GPUs to increase performance if the game that support crossfire, will it run better on ati 6990? Yes if its not support crossfire, will it run better on ATI 7970? Yes Does all the game support crossfire ? No how do i know ? Check the AMD/Game Devs websites Are all the developer planning on making games that support crossfire ? All - No, Most - Probably Which card will be better for the future ? 7970 If i go for overclock, which 1 should i go ? 7970

If ati 6990 is 100, then what is ati 7970? (rating) A better comparison would be 6990=100+100 then the 7970~150

A crossfire solution is much more complex to implement and maintain than a single GPU, and quite honestly you don't sound like you've got the patience or understanding for it.

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ATI 7970 3GB vs ATI 6990 4GB

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