6950 2GB or GTX 560 Ti?

I'm planning on buying a new rig once the better P67 mobos start showing up on newegg, and have everything settled on except the GPU. I'm currently stuck between these two:

Sapphire 6950 2GB- $259.99 after MIR

MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II/OC- $249.99

Obviously the 6950 is the better deal (especially since I'd have the option to unlock it), but I'm a little concerned about temps and noise (it gets pretty hot here in the summer so the last thing I need is the GPU-equivalent of a space-heater, and reviews seem to be split between "the fan is perfectly fine" and "it sounds like a fighter jet taking off"), and since I'll "only" be playing at 1920x1080 I don't want to deal with those issues if all it'll net me is a few extra FPS.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I'm going with a Fractal Design Define R3 case and supposedly its better suited for rear-exhausting GPUs like the 6950 than open-air coolers like the 560.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Bueller?

my sapphire 6950 2GB is so quiet I can't hear it over any other components.

If you OC, then you have two options:

If you can get a 6950 that can unlock to a 6970 succesfully, then get that one. Otherwise, the 560Ti is your best bet.

If you don't plan on OC'ing, then get the 6950 regardless of the unlockability.

I can tell you this- My 560 Ti gets pretty hot, and it required me to change the fan profile so that it comes on pretty loud under load in most games. I have a Vanilla EVGA version. Not impressed with the cooler.

I would get the 6950 due to the ability to unlock the shaders. It isn't worth much to be honest but there isn't much difference between the two cards.

Hey TC, have you considered getting a 560 ti factory OC'd when they come back in stock on newegg? They're about the same price as the 6950 2GB.

If you OC, then you have two options:

If you can get a 6950 that can unlock to a 6970 succesfully, then get that one. Otherwise, the 560Ti is your best bet.

If you don't plan on OC'ing, then get the 6950 regardless of the unlockability.ravenguard90

I don't plan on OC'ing/unlocking right away, but I'd like to have the option available down the road.

I can tell you this- My 560 Ti gets pretty hot, and it required me to change the fan profile so that it comes on pretty loud under load in most games. I have a Vanilla EVGA version. Not impressed with the cooler.hartsickdiscipl

The MSI I'm looking at should have a better cooler than the EVGA one -- dual fans and some meaty heatpipes.

Hey TC, have you considered getting a 560 ti factory OC'd when they come back in stock on newegg? They're about the same price as the 6950 2GB.patsfan217

The one I'm looking at has a decent factory overclock (880Mhz); I assume you're referring to that obscene Gigabyte one at 1Ghz? I'd be worried about heat and noise (I know Tom's just did a round-up, so I can check that out), but if it's in stock when I order I'll definitely give it a look.

Anyone else?

I would personally go with the 6950 because i get 30% discount on all amd stuff LOL.

6950 does MLAA if that matters to you

but given those prices i'd prob get the 6950 myself if i was looking

The 6950 is the better deal if it unlocks. but im really happy with my MSI 560 TwinFrozr II temps are 28c idle 56c max load.

I'm planning on buying a new rig once the better P67 mobos start showing up on newegg, and have everything settled on except the GPU. I'm currently stuck between these two:

Sapphire 6950 2GB- $259.99 after MIR

MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II/OC- $249.99

Obviously the 6950 is the better deal (especially since I'd have the option to unlock it), but I'm a little concerned about temps and noise (it gets pretty hot here in the summer so the last thing I need is the GPU-equivalent of a space-heater, and reviews seem to be split between "the fan is perfectly fine" and "it sounds like a fighter jet taking off"), and since I'll "only" be playing at 1920x1080 I don't want to deal with those issues if all it'll net me is a few extra FPS.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I'm going with a Fractal Design Define R3 case and supposedly its better suited for rear-exhausting GPUs like the 6950 than open-air coolers like the 560.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Bueller?

PBSnipes

I prefer rear-exhausting GPUs. For LAN mobility,I plan to assemble Sliverstone SG07 gaming PC. My current SOHO PC toweris to heavy to be carried to a LAN party and it's a home server i.e. a media/document server the family.

I'm planning on buying a new rig once the better P67 mobos start showing up on newegg, and have everything settled on except the GPU. I'm currently stuck between these two:

Sapphire 6950 2GB- $259.99 after MIR

MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II/OC- $249.99

Obviously the 6950 is the better deal (especially since I'd have the option to unlock it), but I'm a little concerned about temps and noise (it gets pretty hot here in the summer so the last thing I need is the GPU-equivalent of a space-heater, and reviews seem to be split between "the fan is perfectly fine" and "it sounds like a fighter jet taking off"), and since I'll "only" be playing at 1920x1080 I don't want to deal with those issues if all it'll net me is a few extra FPS.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I'm going with a Fractal Design Define R3 case and supposedly its better suited for rear-exhausting GPUs like the 6950 than open-air coolers like the 560.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Bueller?

PBSnipes

I prefer rear-exhausting GPUs. For LAN mobility,I plan to assemble Sliverstone SG07 gaming PC. My current SOHO PC toweris to heavy to be carried to a LAN party and it's a home server i.e. a media/document server for the family.

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"]

I'm planning on buying a new rig once the better P67 mobos start showing up on newegg, and have everything settled on except the GPU. I'm currently stuck between these two:

Sapphire 6950 2GB- $259.99 after MIR

MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II/OC- $249.99

Obviously the 6950 is the better deal (especially since I'd have the option to unlock it), but I'm a little concerned about temps and noise (it gets pretty hot here in the summer so the last thing I need is the GPU-equivalent of a space-heater, and reviews seem to be split between "the fan is perfectly fine" and "it sounds like a fighter jet taking off"), and since I'll "only" be playing at 1920x1080 I don't want to deal with those issues if all it'll net me is a few extra FPS.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I'm going with a Fractal Design Define R3 case and supposedly its better suited for rear-exhausting GPUs like the 6950 than open-air coolers like the 560.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Bueller?

ronvalencia

I prefer rear-exhausting GPUs. For LAN mobility,I plan to assemble Sliverstone SG07 gaming PC. My current SOHO PC toweris to heavy to be carried to a LAN party and it's a home server i.e. a media/document server for the family.

[QUOTE="ronvalencia"]

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"]

I'm planning on buying a new rig once the better P67 mobos start showing up on newegg, and have everything settled on except the GPU. I'm currently stuck between these two:

Sapphire 6950 2GB- $259.99 after MIR

MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II/OC- $249.99

Obviously the 6950 is the better deal (especially since I'd have the option to unlock it), but I'm a little concerned about temps and noise (it gets pretty hot here in the summer so the last thing I need is the GPU-equivalent of a space-heater, and reviews seem to be split between "the fan is perfectly fine" and "it sounds like a fighter jet taking off"), and since I'll "only" be playing at 1920x1080 I don't want to deal with those issues if all it'll net me is a few extra FPS.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I'm going with a Fractal Design Define R3 case and supposedly its better suited for rear-exhausting GPUs like the 6950 than open-air coolers like the 560.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Bueller?

Elann2008

I prefer rear-exhausting GPUs. For LAN mobility,I plan to assemble Sliverstone SG07 gaming PC. My current SOHO PC toweris to heavy to be carried to a LAN party and it's a home server i.e. a media/document server for the family.

The trade off is case heat, one that ports it out the back generally keeps your case cooler, of course if your running a gaming graphics card you should have a good cooling case.

I can tell you this- My 560 Ti gets pretty hot, and it required me to change the fan profile so that it comes on pretty loud under load in most games. I have a Vanilla EVGA version. Not impressed with the cooler.

hartsickdiscipl

For those of you who care (hint: none of you) I'm probably going to go with the 560. It's a bit cheaper (plus comes with a couple of free games), it's supposedly (according to bit-tech) pretty comparable to the 6950 performance-wise at 1920x1080, it should be cooler and quieter, and after not being thrilled with AMD/ATI on my last build (an Asus 4850) I'd rather give Nvidia a shot.

I'm also going with a different case (Antec P183), so rear-porting vs. open-air is a non-issue.

All that said, more recommendations are always welcome.