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The packaging for the Sapphire HD6950 isn't quite as elaborate as the Special Edition HD6970, but we like the rendered female warrior on the front.
The bundle is, like the HD6970 version, very impressive. There is no free game with the HD6950 but you get a miniDP converter and full sized DP cable. Power converters, video adapter, crossfire cable, literature and software disc are also supplied.
This card also follows the reference AMD design with the red fan placed to the right, forcing the airflow over the PCB and out the rear of the chassis. On the rear there is a backplate, identical in design to the HD6970.
The HD6950 is Crossfire capable, for 2/3/4 way configurations. Unlike the HD6970, this card doesn't require an 8 pin power feed, just two 6 pin power connectors.
Both HD6950 and HD6970 have a new switch next to the Crossfire Connectors which enables two modes. Setting 1 is an unprotected mode for user updates and setting 2 is protected as factory default.
Connectivity is strong with 2 miniDisplayport connectors being complimented by an HDMI 1.4A output and 2 DVI ports (one DL and one SL).
The cooler is a 5th generation Vapor Chamber system which AMD claim has great cooling efficiency and acoustic performance but more on this later. The 2GB memory installed on the card is Hynix H5GQ2H24MF.
I gotta say man, I dont know how you continually produce reviews of this quality on an almost daily basis. fantastic article.
Sapphire are the boards to get, either them or XFX, but I like that aluminum case, might be handy for my camera odds and ends 🙂
Absolutely brilliant. I like this new range from AMd anyway, not sure why the negative vibes are being seen by some people. its all about the price.
I think its a nice idea when you can’t release a card with a custom cooler due to AMD launch restrictions. Ship it in a cool aluminum box. Nice job Sapphire, well worth the extra. id use that for my collection of playing cards :p
mega review. and more mega products from the best company on the planet 🙂 I still want a 1100T though, what first !?
my plan for 2011 is this.
Get my credit card cleared. Get another 24 inch screen, then get a 6950 for 3 screen heaven. Might be May by the time it happens, but thats the plan.
Ok, I have a question for all you AMD fanboys. Have the catalyst drivers improved any? last time I used these cards (few years ago) they were terrible.
tempting, but im willing to spend £320 on a sapphire special cooler version without the aluminum box 🙂 fingers crossed the 6970 appears after christmas. I can wait until then, ill be drunk for two weeks anyways.
Its pretty good value, one of those cases is around £50 to buy in a photography store. not sure about cutting holes into the padding however, that might be tricky
We need a poll to find out the percentage of readers here who use a 3 screen setup. id be surprised if its more than 5%. even a poll asking how many people might be thinking of it next year. seems a lot of money to me still.
The pricing on scan is very high http://www.scan.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=sapphire+HD6970
The pricing went up earlier. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-255-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752
I am all for the HD6970 at 280-300, but once it hits 340, its only 50 less than the GTX580 which is much more powerful.
Mark it may be 340, but its extra for the case with this edition. The GTX580 is still around 420 inc vat in UK.
Actually ive seen it for £400. same one they reviewed on Kitguru http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/item-detail.php?products_id=4370825
The 6950 impresses me more as I have a 5850 and ive never seen the performance improvements broken down like that so clearly. It is a hell of a price. 220 is affordable, but 340 is a significant payment for a GFX. Might look into one once I sort out the missus and kids at xmas.
This is the best deal ive seen right now for a 6970 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-148-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752
I dig this concept from Sapphire, but for reference cooling? ill pass. surely their vapor or toxic cards are due in jan. before the 6990.
When is the game out? (vietnam), due in a day or two isnt it ?
3 in CFx looks awesome lol. bit expensive though. bit hot too !
50 quids worth of game is very good. Means the metal box is free.
I just orrdered this. Was going to buy the game at Christmas and the add-on. And I need a new card, I’ll pay it off in installments!
Nice to see the improvements from the last gen. Quite big too
6970 is Better value than 570, I only need one more screen then I will upgrade
I’m already on 6970 cfx and it’s brilliant.
Cant wait to get this game, my christmas is sorted
Only thing that puts me off is the noise. I’m waiting on the heatpioe versions, like powercolors modded ones
Very good review, found it educational too. Never knew just how much they have been improved. One site i read said the 6970 was slower than 580 so it basically sucked
It’s almost April 2011, the 6990 series is out and still no 6970 TOXIC or VAPOR cards.
Close to losing all faith in Sapphire.