Quote Originally Posted by Sam_oslo View Post
As a rule of thumb, the top single-GPU of a new generation beats the double-GPU of last generation in performance/power. But usually it needs a shrink to do so. So when you hear 6870, it creates expectations, and you expect it to beat 5970. It doesn't even beat 5870, so how can it be a new generation?

I'm sure 6870 is some kind of improvements, evolution, etc.., and has a better PPP(performance, Price, and power usage) than 5870, but it's a "fake" new generation. It should keep the first digit, just like GTX 460 did.

Wee need to have some rules and definitions what a new generation means. Otherwise these guys are going to marked ane re-fresh, re-brand, as new generation number.
9800 to x850? too long ago to remember
x850 to x1800? too long ago to remember
x1950 to 2900, not double
2900 to 3870, not double
3870 to 4870, not double
4870 to 5870, literally was double the gpu, yet only 80ish% faster
5870 to 6870 was less perf, but still a new arch

maybe the issue is that they should have called the 5870 a 5970, and the x2 should have been 5990, then we wouldnt have had all these issues. theres really only 2 things that increase performance, a shrink which lets them pack more into smaller sizes, or an architecture change. i really didnt want to get into an argument about the name given to a 6870, i only made that reply to point out it could not have been called a 58xx



and for xfire compatibility, they need to have the SAME EXACT DRIVERS when you download them. so if your searching for the next Cats, it will say 5800s which means all cards which qualify for those can work with each other. my 4850 cannot work with a 4770, even though they are near the same in perf. but it can work with a 4830, 4870, and even a 4890.