graphics card/processor help!

[Zorlin]

A single 6950/560TI can max ff14 1080p at 60fps the fps in populated areas will depend greatly on CPU but having a 560 or a 580 will give the same FPS at 1080p. So id only recomend the 580 if you plan on going over 1080p/multi monitor. Also the 580 needs alot of power as the 6950/560TI both draw 140w the 580 draws 363w so you would need atleast a good brand 650-700w PSU Corsair/Antec/Seasonic/XFX where with a 6950/560TI you could keep yr 550w PSU not to mention case airflow the 580 can get really hot in small/bad airflow cases.

[Lucifer]

You totally didn't get the topic it seems. The op is looking for a way to make the game run smoother on his machine and a new CPU won't help at all. And I doubt you switched from Phenom II to i5 as the difference in games is almost none(I have both in my house with the same GPUs).
About SLI/Crossfire: causes too much trouble, never scales well, almost never works in windowed mode, requires a strong PSU and produces too much heat for normal gamers. Better go with a single card if you're not sure about it.

Stop doubting because it happened.
The phenom 2 is garbage. The difference is highly conceivable; and with a good reason too. Sandy Bridge is no joke.

[nasomi]

I had hte 6870 before the dual 580's. The difference is like night and day. The 6870 can play on medium-high, the 580 is everything maxed, 16x aa, no ao or dof. However I freaking LOVE eye candy. so it's a bit of a factor for me. I do all the stuff, but i love it to look freaking amazing while i'm doing it. A lot of people get eye candy at first, then it fades with content. Not me, I love both equally.

[Zorlin]

I dont consider replacing that phenom a good choice atm since its still a pretty decent processor although if you can sell it for a decent price you could get an i5 2500k + z68 motherboard + 6950 for about 500$. The 2500k easily oc's to 4.5ghz with a cheap cooler for example a Cooler Master H212+ for about 30$. That rig would likely max any of those games. And dont forget most 6950 can be mod into 6970 unlocking extra shaders.

[Davern]

I had hte 6870 before the dual 580's. The difference is like night and day. The 6870 can play on medium-high, the 580 is everything maxed, 16x aa, no ao or dof. However I freaking LOVE eye candy. so it's a bit of a factor for me. I do all the stuff, but i love it to look freaking amazing while i'm doing it. A lot of people get eye candy at first, then it fades with content. Not me, I love both equally.

I agree with the changes you see between dual 580's and a 6870 but I don't know how you were not able to max everything in ffxiv with the 6870 as I do so with my 6770. Granted it's not 60fps but it's still above 38.

[neorei]

another questions!!! what is the difference between GDDR3 and GDDR5?

[nasomi]

the same difference between ddr1, ddr2, ddr3 memory in your computer. one is faster than the other.

[neorei]

oh so DDR = the ram of a cpU?

[Zorlin]

DDR is RAM memory so is GDDR but GDDR was built for graphic cards and its alot faster. DDR is also used in graphic cards but thesedays only budget cards have DDR memory on the otherside CPU's can only use DDR not GDDR.

For current generation cards the best ram is GDDR5 so if yr looking for one get one that has this.

[neorei]

DDR is RAM memory so is GDDR but GDDR was built for graphic cards and its alot faster. DDR is also used in graphic cards but thesedays only budget cards have DDR memory on the otherside CPU's can only use DDR not GDDR.

For current generation cards the best ram is GDDR5 so if yr looking for one get one that has this.

I understand now, thank you very much for the information.