Hardware Discussion Thread

marco_polo · 20-10-2010 10:22am

Lu Tze wrote: »

Only a couple of days before the HD6870 and HD6850 are released.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/amd-radeon-hd-6870-and-hd-6850-officially-pictured-coming-this/

Presumably most of the reviews are written at this stage and will become available after release. Hopefully it delivers what it is promising. Just worried though as to power draw etc. If the 6870 is replacing the 5770, it has 2 power connectors vs 1 on the 5770, just wondering if this will run much hotter etc?

I guess as this is more of an moderate refresh generation than anything and with the 6870 now looking like it will be pitched at or slightly above the 5850 in performance terms the the power draw was always going to be similar I suppose.

The rumoured max TDP of the 6870 is about 150W (Same as a 5850, the 5770 was 108W or so), According to Fudzilla the 6850 on the other hand will manage to have have just a single PCIe connector and 127W max TDP.

We were somewhat spoiled in the current generation as such great strides were made in efficency by AMD, to put it back into in perspective 150W TDP is still about 30W shy of the HD4870 :pac:.

cherryghost · 20-10-2010 10:28am

They're almost pulling an Nvidia tbh

Unregistered. · 20-10-2010 4:01pm

Lu Tze wrote: »

I think they are changing the naming convention - this card will be slower than the current 5870. Dont know what the 5870 equivalent will be, 6890?

57** -> 68**
58** -> 69**
59** -> 699*

VenomIreland · 21-10-2010 3:44pm

So, AMD have shown a lot of info about the new Graphics cards, yet I still want to hear whether or not Bulldozer will run on AM3 as I've read conflicting reports from representatives.

Solitaire · 21-10-2010 7:52pm

Fairly sure neither Fusion nor BD will as they're migrating more of the chipset features onto the CPUs so different mobo topology is needed. Treasure those BDs, I suspect they might be the last OCable CPU

:(

VenomIreland · 21-10-2010 7:57pm

I'm wondering, should I become an early adopter of BD?

Solitaire · 21-10-2010 8:13pm

I'd like to but I doubt there'll be any mITX mobos available before 2012

RobertM · 21-10-2010 9:42pm

Hey guys,

Being bored, I was just browsing through elara. I've heard that these mobo's are very good. Is this overpriced ?

http://elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1971218

Solitaire · 21-10-2010 9:47pm

Not too shabby, even HWVS are charging €170 for that model

RobertM · 21-10-2010 9:59pm

Solitaire wrote: »

Not too shabby, even HWVS are charging €170 for that model

That's what I was looking at

... + the 3.99 + 30 euro delivery, makes more sense getting it from here

Lu Tze · 22-10-2010 2:09am

Guru3d review of the 6850 and 6870 got leaked. Both are consistently bettering the reference GTX460 1 GIG, the 6850 settling generally between that and the 5850 (bettering it in some benchmarks) and the 6870 between the 5850 and the 5870 (bettering the 5870 in some benchmarks).

If this pricing from ebuyer is correct ye may want to jump on these before they start increasing in price like last time!

Solitaire · 22-10-2010 2:22am

Who leaked the review? AMD?

It seems a little hinky - the HD6850 was supposed to replace the HD5830, and the HD6870 supplanting the beloved old HD5850. The drastically altered balance and rearranged texture/shader topology might have given it a leg up though...

Lu Tze · 22-10-2010 2:26am

Who knows!? It was up on guru3d and taken down quickly - but too many had saved/screengrabbed the lot of it.

Could just be all about the hype machine. Also wonder if these things go the way of games reviews i.e. to get the game pre release they have to give favourable reviews etc.

That said the 6850 seems like a bargain - seemed to have a decent overclocking overhead built in as well - but again this is just one review, will have to wait and see

marco_polo · 22-10-2010 9:51am

If prices stay around those levels, that could do some damage to the GT 460 profit margins, NVidias only really outstanding DX11 card. Those ebuyer cards are priced well under even the 768Mb models. :eek:

Appear the 3dGuru leak was correct anyway

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/10/21/amd_radeon_hd_6870_6850_video_card_review/

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6850-6870-review/

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=1022

Monotype · 22-10-2010 10:02am

The reviews are up and they're for sale around the place. You wouldn't be running away with any bargain with them anyway. The recent drop of the GTX 460 1GB still makes it worthy although we see the 6850 beating it on some occasions. We might see some bargains in people throwing away their 5850s to 'upgrade' though!

I hope they throw in a mini-displayport -> display port adapter with the cards.

marco_polo · 22-10-2010 10:41am

Prices are a bit higher that those Saphires on Ebuyer last night (which seem to have have dissappered BTW

) makes it a slightly different ballgame. These guys aint happy either.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/ironlaw/radeon-hd-6800-pricing-shambles/

Just noticed the overclocking results on 3dGuru review very poor for the 6870, almost 4870-like in the underwheming stakes.

Lu Tze · 22-10-2010 11:11am

marco_polo wrote: »

Prices are a bit higher that those Saphires on Ebuyer last night (which seem to have have dissappered BTW ) makes it a slightly different ballgame. These guys aint happy either.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/ironlaw/radeon-hd-6800-pricing-shambles/

Just noticed the overclocking results on 3dGuru review very poor for the 6870, almost 4870-like in the underwheming stakes.

That sapphire is still there

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/244430

but the 6850 has jumped by almost 20 sterling!

Solitaire · 22-10-2010 5:49pm

Pricing shambles my arse

AMDs board partners and even the retailers are hiking prices to make a killing on the initial rush :rolleyes: The prices are now artificially high, and I suspect nVidia will be going "What price drop? We're not dropping prices! Who told you that?

" for a good few weeks until the initial rush peters out and/or AMD *****-slaps their board partners and also get more units into the retail channel :rolleyes:

Still... regret missing that HD6850. A true HD4890 successor that can *****-slap the GTX460 1GB as well as the HD5830 on the cheap?

:D:D

IrishGrimReaper · 28-10-2010 3:19am

So guys, since I've got my KFA2 480, I'm gonna sell my 275 on adverts. It's a PNY one. The warranty is gone, but it's lifetime registered to me as original purchaser I think.

How much do you think I could get for it? Would 100 be about right? It works fine.

cherryghost · 28-10-2010 11:22am

120 would be about right

IrishGrimReaper · 28-10-2010 3:05pm

cherryghost wrote: »

120 would be about right

Cheers buddy! I'll take a few pics of it later on and stick it up.

VenomIreland · 28-10-2010 5:10pm

http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?agid=1232&aid=26970&lid=2

how's this for a budget Mobo for a 500 yoyos build? (600 including OS)

Solitaire · 28-10-2010 6:57pm

Excellent. No fancy bells or whistles, just a reliable, stable mobo with a solid chipset, good OCing and core unlocking, and good integrated sound. Just don't try to OC a 140W CPU too far on one...

VenomIreland · 28-10-2010 7:51pm

Solitaire wrote: »

Excellent. No fancy bells or whistles, just a reliable, stable mobo with a solid chipset, good OCing and core unlocking, and good integrated sound. Just don't try to OC a 140W CPU too far on one...

Great, it's going in a friend's build so no OC'ing whatsoever

Tea_Bag · 29-10-2010 11:52am

VenomIreland wrote: »

http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?agid=1232&aid=26970&lid=2

how's this for a budget Mobo for a 500 yoyos build? (600 including OS)

i have one, but it boots to be called a 770 G45, not sure if there's a difference.

no complaints on the thing, unlocked my tri core no without a hickup.
sound seems fine, but i suspect its my speakers that are ****.

only thing that could be a problem is no onboard graphics, making it harder to diagnose a problem down the line with a graphics card.

Solitaire · 29-10-2010 2:52pm

That's the updated version, was good until it got pricier and harder to find

It has a second PCIe slot (x4 sadly) but in return sacrifices sound quality (Via strikes again!!

)

VenomIreland · 30-10-2010 3:13pm

Anyone know a good quiet 200mm fan for my HAF 922?

Putting in some Noctua ones next year, yet they don't do 200mm fans, any suggestions?

game4it70 · 30-10-2010 6:39pm

VenomIreland wrote: »

Anyone know a good quiet 200mm fan for my HAF 922?

Putting in some Noctua ones next year, yet they don't do 200mm fans, any suggestions?

There are very few 200mm fans on the market but these are meant to be good bar they have leds.
http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=88&type=specification

Only other i would suggest is maybe an Antec tri cool/bigboy as it come with switch with 3 settings.

If you had a fan controller it would give you a few more options.

VenomIreland · 30-10-2010 6:54pm

game4it70 wrote: »

There are very few 200mm fans on the market but these are meant to be good bar they have leds.
http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=88&type=specification

are they any better than the Coolermaster R4 that comes stock?

game4it70 · 30-10-2010 7:49pm

VenomIreland wrote: »

are they any better than the Coolermaster R4 that comes stock?

I believe so BUT i haven't read much about them so dont take my word for it. :rolleyes:

Why not go with 2 x 120mm fans instead as that will give you alot more options?

VenomIreland · 30-10-2010 8:15pm

game4it70 wrote: »

I believe so BUT i haven't read much about them so dont take my word for it. :rolleyes:

Why not go with 2 x 120mm fans instead as that will give you alot more options?

Ah yeah, good idea, I'll have 3 Noctua Fans in then.

The front one looks like I'd have to dismantle the case to remove, but I don't want to remove it anyway.

Lu Tze · 09-11-2010 7:24am

GTX580 review got leaked and pulled earlier

some benchmarks

Tea_Bag · 09-11-2010 12:28pm

HD 5970 2gb and world of warcraft really dont get along do they?

apparently nvidia wants the gtx 580 to be "affordable" and will be hammering down the price.

Unregistered. · 09-11-2010 2:37pm

Tea_Bag wrote: »

HD 5970 2gb and world of warcraft really dont get along do they?

apparently nvidia wants the gtx 580 to be "affordable" and will be hammering down the price.

Listed on Newegg from $560!
Link.

Edit: Review up on Bit-Tech.

Tea_Bag · 15-11-2010 1:25pm

AMD promises Radeon HD 6900 series launch for the week beginning December 13th

linky to engadget

Solitaire · 16-11-2010 3:17am

I wanted to install my HD6850 drivers before playing a game of Hunt The Missing WiFi Stick... only those muppets in PowerColor don't even bundle a Win7 driver on the CD!!

Its been out for a while now lads... :rolleyes:

Solitaire · 16-11-2010 3:48am

Fixed things by manually installing the Vista driver but why oh why does the Detector program class OSes as "Vista" and "Not-Vista" with the latter considered as "always XP"? :pac:

You're a bit behind lads...

Ryan451 · 27-11-2010 1:20pm

I just got a Xigmatek Midgard case and inside was a PCI Fan Controller although they give no instructions on how to install.

Could someone help please?

Solitaire · 27-11-2010 1:41pm

IIRC it goes on an unused PCI Slot cover

After that just attach the desired fans' 3pin MolexJr plugs to it

Also bear in mind that you can also control the speed of PWM-capable fans (ones with a yellow wire) by plugging them into PWM-compatible case fan headers on the motherboard (not the 4pin fan header, that one is CPU Cooler only!)

Ryan451 · 27-11-2010 2:50pm

How are you finding the 6850 anyway Solitaire?

Solitaire · 27-11-2010 8:26pm

I'm not

Need to get a case together for it before I start gaming on the rig (at the moment its nothing more than a crude testbed) and RL has not been kind

The fickle mistress that is RL would not have left much time for gaming anyway, any spare time I have is going into Boards and/or making the case

While the testbed is caseless I've left it protein folding 24/7 instead

Ryan451 · 28-11-2010 1:42am

Well my build is fully up and running now. I'm using it as we speak.

Although one minor problem i have is that the USB 2.0 ports at the back of the Mobo aren't picking anyhing up but the USB 3.0 are. Any ideas? Im using a Gigabyte 870A-UD3 by the way.

Solitaire · 28-11-2010 2:41am

Try updating the mainboard drivers?

Ryan451 · 28-11-2010 3:06am

I installed the drives that came with th Mobo itself but i will check online for some more.

Ryan451 · 04-12-2010 3:48pm

If i plug my hard drive to the 6Gbps SATA will it make any difference to the 3Gbps. As currently i have it in the 3Gbps.

Tea_Bag · 04-12-2010 4:02pm

Ryan451 wrote: »

If i plug my hard drive to the 6Gbps SATA will it make any difference to the 3Gbps. As currently i have it in the 3Gbps.

what HDD do you have?

short answer: no, it wont make any difference.

very few HDD's can fully utilise sata300, let alone 6gbps. IIRC only a select few SSD's gain any speed at all. i think the C300 SSD (128gb+ models) gains 50Mbps read speed, and no gain in write speed over SATA6.

Ryan451 · 04-12-2010 6:18pm

WD Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 3 6Gb/s is my current hard drive.

Trevor451 · 04-12-2010 10:17pm

Hey Ryan just wanted to know did you sort out the issue with only the 2 USB 3.0 slots working on the motherboard?

I arranged for UPS to collect my CPU from my house on Monday and they said that it will arrive in Germany on Thursday so Fingers crossed I get it before Christmas :P

Ryan451 · 05-12-2010 2:14am

Yeah Trev it's all fixed. Just magically began to work all of a sudden.

MMiskella · 09-12-2010 3:43pm

Hey guys and gals,

I've just built up a new system recently by purchasing parts from a UK based website/supplier and i'm planning to go the route of watercooling and looking to get a HD 6970 when it is released (next week) or early next year.

I've always been purchasing from the UK for building systems but i'm wondering if any progress has been made in Ireland or around the Dublin area for the latest high end computer parts. Taking into consideration total prices including delivery.

Looking around here I have seen the following mentioned who seem to stock the 6870 which is a good sign.

eBuyer.com
hardwareversand.de
komplett.ie
pixmania.ie

My question is, whats the best way to get our hands on new tech?
If the total price is right I will take the plunge and get a 6970 when its released but a list of places I could get it from would really help with shopping around on the day. Has anyone tried purchasing from America? I recently purchased genuine car parts for half the price incl delivery from America compared to dealers here...:eek:

For the record i've been using overclockers.co.uk but some other UK sites have been giving better deals recently.

Also I saw in a sticky theres a sub section for selling hardware but I cannot access it, is there a minimum amount of posts or time until I get access to it?

Hardware Discussion Thread

Comments