M17x-R2 + 6970M

[iloveb00bs]

didn't have much time to test, but fans worked and i manage to do a vantage run. for some reason it won't let me add more attachments, how do i delete my old stuff.

[Brian]

Inap, try adding an attachment now. Stupid vbulletin has preset limits.

[iloveb00bs]

i didn't have alot of time to test it, since i don't have an M15x. but i check ed the fans and they were running, i manage to do a vantage runand max temps were 83. still could be power issues with the xm chips. just wished i had more time to test.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Brian
Removed attachment limit. Added in M15x + 6970M Photos

[ichime]

The most serious problem i see with 6970M is the fact that it doesn't allow any increase in the voltage, so the overclockability of the card is limited to whatever clocks the stock voltage can support. Brian didn't have any luck with that so far.

Depends on how you look at it. The fact that it can go from 680/900 to 850/1100 and possibly even 875/1150 (basing this on max reference desktop 6850 clocks) on stock voltage is pretty impressive. 1.15v would allow for 900mhz on the core and not much more on the memory.

[ichime]

still can't do it.

i didn't have alot of time to test it, since i don't have an M15x. but i check ed the fans and they were running, i manage to do a vantage runand max temps were 83. still could be power issues with the xm chips. just wished i had more time to test.

Great day to be an M15x owner...

The M15x never had compatibility problems with foreign GPUs with the exception of the 4870. The M17x on the other hand...sheesh

[Brian]

I removed the links and added in the pics. The attachment limit should be gone now.

[Brian]

Great day to be an M15x owner...

The M15x never had compatibility problems with foreign GPUs with the exception of the 4870. The M17x on the other hand...sheesh

It's funny how Dell gave more robust bios support to the M15x than their flagship system.

[Brian]

Benchmark with the 720qm + 6970M.

[StamatisX]

The memory bandwidth of this card is amazing...

[Brian]

Yeah sure is, blackcomb xt is exactly what the 5870s should have been when they were released. AMD half assed it with 128 bit memory interface, especially when they went from 256 bit memory in the 4870s. I always felt like the 5870s were not a real upgrade.

[mw86]

I agree I never understood the lack of 256bit bandwidth in the 5800m series.

[ichime]

If anyone is interested, I'm selling my 6970M (yes, the one with 1120 shaders). PM me if interested.

[Michael]

If anyone is interested, I'm selling my 6970M (yes, the one with 1120 shaders). PM me if interested.

how come you're selling?

[StamatisX]

If anyone is interested, I'm selling my 6970M (yes, the one with 1120 shaders). PM me if interested.

You can place it on the Classifieds section of the forum as well

http://forum.techinferno.com/classifieds.php

[mw86]

That thing sounds amazing, i'm wondering what Brian's overall final opinion of the 6970M in a R2 is... and why would you sell it its got nice scores?

[Brian]

That thing sounds amazing, i'm wondering what Brian's overall final opinion of the 6970M in a R2 is... and why would you sell it its got nice scores?

The 6970M still has issues in the r2. For one thing there's no real bios fan control, the 5870M heatsink isn't designed for the 6970M, there are some throttling issues I experienced and other problems. Basically if you want the 6970M, get an R3 or M18x.

[mw86]

Thanks Brian, now we are just left wondering why sell the 1200Shader 6970M.

[ichime]

To help pay off bills

[mw86]

I understand ICHIME, I'm trying to pay my Spaceship off myself. Still got $2663.86 to go. I got riped when I bought mine, no discounts and didn't know anyone to ask for advice. Yup everyone's gonna double take on this one... $5,813.86 total.

Edited April 10, 2011 by mw86

[Michael]

I understand ICHIME, I'm trying to pay my Spaceship off myself. Still got $2663.86 to go. I got riped when I bought mine, no discounts and didn't know anyone to ask for advice. Yup everyone's gonna double take on this one... $5,813.86 total.

wow man. that's quite a price! Michael Dell himself should have delivered it to you

[daveh98]

So I guess my question is now that it seems improbable to have GPU upgrades in the R2; how long will this still be a viable gaming system? I just got mine 3 months ago. Granted I only paid 2k after taxes (Dell outlet and loaded with CF 5870s and 920xm)...but for 2k you can get an R3 with 6970 which has no compatibility issues. M18x is out of my league because I am not going to pay 3k (2k was my max). Again, can this thing play games until the next consoles arrive?

[Brian]

So I guess my question is now that it seems improbable to have GPU upgrades in the R2; how long will this still be a viable gaming system? I just got mine 3 months ago. Granted I only paid 2k after taxes (Dell outlet and loaded with CF 5870s and 920xm)...but for 2k you can get an R3 with 6970 which has no compatibility issues. M18x is out of my league because I am not going to pay 3k (2k was my max). Again, can this thing play games until the next consoles arrive?

It can play games for the next few years quite easily. It's still more powerful than the R3 overall.

[mw86]

I hurts to hear 3K associated with the M18X when I have 5.8K associated with my M17XR2

[ichime]

I understand ICHIME, I'm trying to pay my Spaceship off myself. Still got $2663.86 to go. I got riped when I bought mine, no discounts and didn't know anyone to ask for advice. Yup everyone's gonna double take on this one... $5,813.86 total.

6 Grand eh? That's going to leave a mark

The total for my setup (2 SSDs + i7 920XM ES) was about $3000 since I bout the system used. Now it's probably worth a little bit less than what Brian is selling his for since I got rid of the SSDs.

Also, I'm thinking about keeping the card a little while longer to test something (or maybe Brian can test it if he keeps his R2, sells the R3 and gets an M18x. I have a feeling that the 6970M in the M18x uses a slightly different VBIOS than in the R3, which would allow it to work on the R2s without the fan and shutdown issue. They probably used the same mods they had to do to the 5870Ms in the R2 after the new Catalyst driver design wouldn't work properly with the older VBIOS.

[StamatisX]

If i can throw on my R2, 2x 6970M and a 320/330W PSU from the M18x and have them play without issues then I will stick with it for a long long time.... LOL