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MSI Radeon HD 6950 2 GB GDDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC

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#1 ·
MSI Radeon HD 6950 2 GB GDDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC

Description:
MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2 x Mini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandMSI
EAN0816909082739
FeatureRAMDAC: 400 MHz Max Resolution: 2560 x 1600 CrossFireX Support; Yes Cooler: With Fan Dual-Link DVI Supported: Yes HDCP Ready: Yes
Height3.4 inches
Length0.8 inches
Weight3 pounds
Width2.6 inches
LabelMSI Computer Corp.
List Price$387.01
ManufacturerMSI Computer Corp.
ModelR6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC
MPNR6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC
Package Quantity1
Product GroupCE
Product Type NameVIDEO_CARD
PublisherMSI Computer Corp.
SKUARASI111428B22112V
StudioMSI Computer Corp.
TitleMSI Radeon HD 6950 2 GB GDDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R6950 TWIN FROZR III PE OC
UPC816909082739
 

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#2 ·
Amazing card...if you're willing to pay the premium

review by naizarak

Quick review:

My last card was a Gtx 280, and I must admit I have an nvidia bias...but bias or not you can't argue against value. When I read that 6950's could be unlocked to 6970 specs, I jumped at the idea of saving a good $100. Well that was back when the cards were first released, now AMD has started laser-cutting their GPU's to prevent unlocking. Most 6950's you buy today won't unlock, but this one will. And it will overclock. Extremely well.

So I checked the usual places for this bad-boy, but they were all sold-out. Luckily I found someone selling their new-in-box on ebay for $275 and I snatched it up. First impression was great, card has a good weight and feel to it. The heatsink cover is made from metal, and has a high-quality feel, unlike the cheap plastic we get with most other cards.

So first thing I did was unlock this card, which was pretty simple. I chose the "hard" route and dumped(GPUz), modified(RBE tool), and reflashed the BIOS(also RBE tool). I heard that MSI flashes the 2nd BIOS with the unlocked version, and it can be activated by simply flipping the BIOS switch, too.

So now I had a 6950 with 6970 shaders, but not clock rates. Modifying those would be a little tricky for me until I downloaded the latest version of Afterburner, which finally adds support for unlocked cards. Overclocked to 900mhz core 1375 memory with a +0.015 v bump. Not bad at all.

Now here's the best part: temps stay under 65C at full load with the fan at auto. Simply amazing cooling and virtually silent.

So what's wrong with it? Nothing, but the price. You can get any other 6950 2gb for around 230 to 250 dollars, even ones with non-reference cooling designs. I'd say the premium I paid was well-worth it....but then you can just add another premium and buy a gtx 570. At the end of the day technology is always moving forwards and you'll never have the best of something, but you can say you had the best value for your money. I think I won in that regard.
thumb.gif
*looks at 6990 crossfire users*

ProsCons
High Unlock-Rate, Excellent Cooling, High-Quality Components, Good OverclockingPrice, especially if it can't be unlocked

Ratings
Overall4
 
#3 ·
The Best-Yes the Best 6950 overall and I am not a MSI fan

review by ryan w

Replaced my XFX Radeon 5750 which went into another rig for a few more years of abuse! Took 3dMark11 score from 2200 to 5600!. Plays Dirt how I would like Max out in CCC and in gameplay Ultra settings. I played with this card a bit... drivers, settings etc and have got it to work well on my both my 22'monitor and 42" TV. Ran stock at first then put the grind to it and unlocked with a Mod 6950 BIOS for full shaders and can push clocks way up. Stock at 850/1300 and overclock settings well gaming although not really needed (less shutter) is 975/1400 with 1.25v on core. Not the best chip but it works many others have OC w/ stock voltage. Regardless this card never gets above 65 degrees unless the ambient is way up. Price was high but got a free game and really payed for the voltage adjustment and cooling of the Twin Frozr III. Both Fans on 100% make less noise than my single fan on the 5750, but no need to run them that high because temps are stay low at 50% fan speed.

ProsCons
Twin Forzr III, Triple Volatage Control, High Quality VRM 8+2 phase power design, More OC possible, Unlocks on someDoes not have the reference digital VRM control, MSI install CD does not work on x64 Windows 7

Ratings
Overall5
 
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