6950 -> 6970 +OC, or GTX480 +OC?

[Marvin]

So, quick question, I'll be putting either card on water (core-only), they both cost the same (Asus GTX480 vs MSI 6950), and attempting to overclock the nuts off them. So, GTX480 or 6950 (basically 6970)?

I'll be playing at 2560x1600. TPU puts the stock 6970 above the stock GTX480, however, a 900MHz clock on the GTX480 is possible on water, while only 1000MHz is really achievable on a 6970. That's a 29% clock increase on the GTX480 (700-900 = 200MHz difference) and only 14% for the 6970.

 

[Marvin]

Sod it, ordered a GTX480. Backplate will come in handy for the core-only block too.

 

[TheRealDeal]

I don't think you will find much difference in these cards even when they are at max clocks. It will likely come down to the game you are playing. I would just pick the brand you prefer and be done with it as from a gaming point of view there won't really be a noticable difference.

 

[.Max.]

480 I'd say And congrats on your order!

 

[Mojo]

for a single card underwater, definitely a gtx480. With decent cooling it is a monster of a card, and responds really well to clock speed increases.

Dammit I'm jealous, could you give us a heads up on how high you can overclock it? I'm planning on getting a gpu block at some point for my loop, and am interested in the sort of results I could get

 

[Marvin]

Hopefully I'll be posting the whole thing in the project logs, so keep a lookout in there.

In the end, what swung it towards the GTX480 was simply the RAM plate that meant it ended up a little cheaper overall than the 6950. Difficult decision though, that I've been contemplating for 2 weeks...

 

[Ezyryder]

There are advantages for both setups to be honest

6950..

Better at high resolutions – less likely to run off VRAM
You can crossfire it on a good 650W PSU
Can be unlocked

480

Usually good overclockers
Excellent UK Gigabyte warranty

By the way, are you sure you can use a waterblock on a non-reference Gigabyte card?

Also, the 6950 comes with a backplate too!

 

[Mojo]

By the way, are you sure you can use a waterblock on a non-reference Gigabyte card?

He was looking at the Asus reference card. You are right though, the Gigabyte cards won't fit the full coverage block, and only some of the gpu only blocks.

*edit* it does suck that the Gigabyte cards can't be used though, I can well imagine that the SoC model has better binned chips on them, meaning you can overclock higher

 

[TheRealDeal]

The asus gtx480 has a picture of a stock design. Its the cheapest one there to.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-222-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1750

 

[Marvin]

I'm only going for a core-only block (change GPUs too often), but what I meant by backplate is the VRAM/VRM cooling plate under the cooler. On the GTX480 it separates from the cooler, and has the fan attached to it, while on the 6950 it is permanently attached to the cooler. The Gigabyte GTX480's cooler is an all-in-one, so also unsuitable.