Jonathan's Webstream

I have the Witcher 2 on pre-order at GOG.com and it is the first game where the “minimu” video card exceeds my nVidia 8600gt (it wants at least an 8800). As I have somehow survived for 2 or 3 years with this card, I think I have gotten my monies worth.

I used to be a big ATI fan boi but for lo these many days, I have been using nVidia. The proprietary Linux drivers “just work”, especially with my dual monitor set up. I am a little hestitant to go with the ATI, especially due to the KMS business, which I have never had to bother with using the nVidia card.

But Newegg has the 6870 for only U$167 or the 6950 for US$199 with a sale and a rebate, which is hard to pass up. Both seem to get pretty good reviews for what I’ll be doing – mostly just Linux work, with the occasional boot into Windows to play some (usually trailing edge) games.

Anyone have any feedback on these cards? Is the 6950 worth the extra US$30 (about 20%)? As I keep a card for several years, it’s probalby a good idea to max it out while I can, right?

Newegg.com – XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Newegg.com – XFX HD-687A-ZNFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity.