Hi there
Right due to having such a busy day I've only just finished testing both single card setups at their maximum possible overclocks.
System Specification
Intel 8 Core Xeon (16 threads)
Asus P9X79 Pro X79 Mainboard
16GB Corsair Dominator GT 2133MHz
NVIDIA Palit GTX 580 3GB Twin Fan (Latest Official Drivers) (OC: 902MHz Core / 4355MHz RAM / 1.1v - Very minor and rare corruptions due to memory, fans at 100% and getting hot)
ATI MSI 7970 3GB (Supplied Drivers) (OC: 1125MHz / 6300MHz / Stock voltage - Zero corruptions and at OverDrive limitation, I reckon these cards are good for 1200-1250MHz core and 6500MHz RAM, which will give a further good boost)
NVIDIA Fans set too 100% during testing - Quite Audible
ATI Fan set to 66% during testing - Same loudness as NVIDIA at 100%
Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
To start the ball rolling, here is the Heaven 2.5 Benchmarks:-
Heaven 2.5 @ 1920x1080 & 2560x1600 with 4x and 4x enabled for testing
ATI 7970 OC is 25% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at 1920x1080 resolution on average FPS.
ATI 7970 OC is 30% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at 2560x1600 resolution on average FPS.
3D Mark 11
ATI 7970 OC is 20% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at Graphics Score on Default Extreme 3D Mark 11 settings.
3M Mark Vantage
ATI 7970 OC is 17% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at overall score on 3D Mark Vantage default test.
Quake 3 Timedemo 001 FPS Test - 2560x1600 resolution, High Res texture pack
GTX 580 3GB OC = 784fps
ATI 7970 3GB OC = 885fps
ATI is 13% faster than NVIDIA is this old yet classic game.
Maximum Temperatures underload/gaming
ATI = 57c (66% Fan ATI)
NVIDIA = 82c (100% Fans NVIDIA)
I was unable to do any further BF3 testing as RJK owns the game he is off ill, I've tried creating an Origin account but can't get anywhere with it. I shall re-attempt again in the new year.
What this test shows is ATI is a clear winner, they shall be very similar price to each other and ATI may become a little cheaper a few weeks after launch.
What I did notice is the colours in games seemed more vivid on the ATI cards which to my eyes was more pleasing, I felt the ATI card gave a visually better gaming experience.
I also believe the ATI card has a further good 5-10% more to give yet due to extra headroom in overclocking, as the card hits Overdrive maximums easily on stock voltage. Wheras the NVIDIA card was on the edge of stability, If ATI can reach 1250MHz core and 6500MHz you can add close to an additional 5-10% to these scores further extending ATI's lead.
I've not had time to do stock benchmarks, but both cards were overclocked, with NVIDIA as far as it could go and ATI as high as the Overdrive would allow me.
The ATI cards also have superb scaling in Crossfire and in the few games we tested the Crossfire stutters, flickers of the past seemed to be completely gone, even in Tri-Fire.
Overall its a great card, however if your already on a GTX 580 its not a worthwhile upgrade unless your sole intentions are gaming at 2560x1600 then going forward a 2GB or greater card is a must.
Right now a GTX 580 3GB is a great card and NVIDIA are known for better drivers plus you have the additions of PhysX and 3D Vision.
Yes ATI's new card is faster than NVIDIA's current fastest and will likely get faster with driver updates and as the cards can be clocked higher.
Over a 6950 or lower this is a very good upgrade as one 7970 overclocked performs within reaching distance of a pair of 6950's or a single 6990.
Nice one ATI, though I fear this victory will be short lived as Keplar when it comes in April/May will be very quick, though ATI will have their 7990 by then as well.
Right due to having such a busy day I've only just finished testing both single card setups at their maximum possible overclocks.
System Specification
Intel 8 Core Xeon (16 threads)
Asus P9X79 Pro X79 Mainboard
16GB Corsair Dominator GT 2133MHz
NVIDIA Palit GTX 580 3GB Twin Fan (Latest Official Drivers) (OC: 902MHz Core / 4355MHz RAM / 1.1v - Very minor and rare corruptions due to memory, fans at 100% and getting hot)
ATI MSI 7970 3GB (Supplied Drivers) (OC: 1125MHz / 6300MHz / Stock voltage - Zero corruptions and at OverDrive limitation, I reckon these cards are good for 1200-1250MHz core and 6500MHz RAM, which will give a further good boost)
NVIDIA Fans set too 100% during testing - Quite Audible
ATI Fan set to 66% during testing - Same loudness as NVIDIA at 100%
Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
To start the ball rolling, here is the Heaven 2.5 Benchmarks:-
Heaven 2.5 @ 1920x1080 & 2560x1600 with 4x and 4x enabled for testing
ATI 7970 OC is 25% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at 1920x1080 resolution on average FPS.
ATI 7970 OC is 30% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at 2560x1600 resolution on average FPS.
3D Mark 11
ATI 7970 OC is 20% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at Graphics Score on Default Extreme 3D Mark 11 settings.
3M Mark Vantage
ATI 7970 OC is 17% faster than GTX 580 3GB OC at overall score on 3D Mark Vantage default test.
Quake 3 Timedemo 001 FPS Test - 2560x1600 resolution, High Res texture pack
GTX 580 3GB OC = 784fps
ATI 7970 3GB OC = 885fps
ATI is 13% faster than NVIDIA is this old yet classic game.
Maximum Temperatures underload/gaming
ATI = 57c (66% Fan ATI)
NVIDIA = 82c (100% Fans NVIDIA)
I was unable to do any further BF3 testing as RJK owns the game he is off ill, I've tried creating an Origin account but can't get anywhere with it. I shall re-attempt again in the new year.
What this test shows is ATI is a clear winner, they shall be very similar price to each other and ATI may become a little cheaper a few weeks after launch.
What I did notice is the colours in games seemed more vivid on the ATI cards which to my eyes was more pleasing, I felt the ATI card gave a visually better gaming experience.
I also believe the ATI card has a further good 5-10% more to give yet due to extra headroom in overclocking, as the card hits Overdrive maximums easily on stock voltage. Wheras the NVIDIA card was on the edge of stability, If ATI can reach 1250MHz core and 6500MHz you can add close to an additional 5-10% to these scores further extending ATI's lead.
I've not had time to do stock benchmarks, but both cards were overclocked, with NVIDIA as far as it could go and ATI as high as the Overdrive would allow me.
The ATI cards also have superb scaling in Crossfire and in the few games we tested the Crossfire stutters, flickers of the past seemed to be completely gone, even in Tri-Fire.
Overall its a great card, however if your already on a GTX 580 its not a worthwhile upgrade unless your sole intentions are gaming at 2560x1600 then going forward a 2GB or greater card is a must.
Right now a GTX 580 3GB is a great card and NVIDIA are known for better drivers plus you have the additions of PhysX and 3D Vision.
Yes ATI's new card is faster than NVIDIA's current fastest and will likely get faster with driver updates and as the cards can be clocked higher.
Over a 6950 or lower this is a very good upgrade as one 7970 overclocked performs within reaching distance of a pair of 6950's or a single 6990.
Nice one ATI, though I fear this victory will be short lived as Keplar when it comes in April/May will be very quick, though ATI will have their 7990 by then as well.
