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Struggling to decide on which 7970

Addicted

Addicted

Addicted

Soldato
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23 Jul 2007
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So,

I currently run with 2 5850's in crossfire, one is watercooled and one isn't (I could never find another block cheap enough to cool the second one).
I'll have ~£450 to play with (can go higher/lower depending on needs), and it looks like the 7970 is the best bang for buck at the moment, the problem is which one do I go for?

I'd ideally like to submerge this one as well, and am aware that Asus allow you to remove the cooler and not void the warranty so it kinda makes sense to go for an Asus, but then again which version do I go for?

The Matrix Platinum looks lovely -but can these speeds be achieved with a normal or "Ghz" edition of a 7970? I also don't see any sign of a waterblock coming out for this card.

So to sum up the paragraphs - which 7970 would you go for if you were going for performance and wanted to watercool it. To make the decision harder there is then a choice of which block to go for and if I just go for the OcUK watercooled one or one by a brand that has a card already watercooled..
 
For water cooling I'd just get a reference design with a full water block. Should easily hit 1200mhz, probably closer to 1300mhz if you are lucky. Or if you are feeling flush go for the MSI lightning, but that will be over budget if you include a full water block.
 
Lightning 7970 and waterblock is the best option overall but as above it'll be over budget.

The GHz edition cards are just normal 7970's with a BIOS overclock over the stock 7970's so I wouldn't bother with them.
 
Rusty0611 said:
Lightning 7970 and waterblock is the best option overall but as above it'll be over budget.

The GHz edition cards are just normal 7970's with a BIOS overclock over the stock 7970's so I wouldn't bother with them.
Click to expand...

psychodil said:
For water cooling I'd just get a reference design with a full water block. Should easily hit 1200mhz, probably closer to 1300mhz if you are lucky. Or if you are feeling flush go for the MSI lightning, but that will be over budget if you include a full water block.
Click to expand...


Ok cheers, so why the Lighting? Looking at it now and I assume it's because of this:

Unlocked Digital Power
- Unlocked BIOS: One click to unlock all protections for extreme overclocking
- Digital PWM Controller: More stable and precise voltage by digital signal
- Enhanced Power Design: 2X Power output for maximum OC potential

GPU Reactor
- An add-on device on the back of R7970 Lightning (Behind GPU) for the overclocking stability
- Provide 88% higher power capacity and eliminate power noise (ripple)

Military Class III Components
- Meet MIL-STD-810G standard to ensure the best stability and quality.
- Adopt CopperMOS, Hi-c CAP, Golden SSC, and Dark Solid CAP

Right?
 
psychodil said:
For water cooling I'd just get a reference design with a full water block. Should easily hit 1200mhz, probably closer to 1300mhz if you are lucky. Or if you are feeling flush go for the MSI lightning, but that will be over budget if you include a full water block.
Click to expand...

I go with this :)
 
Hmm I've just noticed one thing - something I should add is that I have 3 monitors, 2 of the Samsung 120hz 3d monitors and another 1080p monitor.

From what I can see on the card, it only has one DVI-D and the other one is only single? I guess this means the Lightning is not suitable, and I need one with two DVI-D and a DP or miniDP or even 3 DVI.
 
The 7970 Lightning is a joke of connectors. Why they didn't add a D-DVI, I will never know. I am not great on different connects but believe you can get adaptors cheap.
 
I guess I could also use the displayports?

With my 5850's I have the following: 2x DVI-D, 1x HDMI, 1x miniDP

What I found was the HDMI and a DVI-D shared the same memory or lanes or something, so I could only use one of the DVI-D or the HDMI. (My setup as follows is: 1x DP, 2x DVI-D).

If I got the lightning, does anyone know if the DP's are all independent of each other and support 120hz? I couldn't care for 3D, but it's the same principle as 120hz so require that!
 
Just get one of the 7970's with pre-installed waterblock, will come in less than budget

WC-059-OE_54087_350.jpg


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-059-OE&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938
 
They will be reference cards and they use the same chip as all the other cards. A sensible buy and saves fittting time :)
 
Addicted said:
I did think about that, but then what cards do they use?

I guess the warranty is with OcUK so it makes it a bit easier, but I don't know - something tells me I'd be better off doing it the other way.
Click to expand...

If you do it yourself, there is a risk if something goes wrong that you will not get your warranty honoured due to replacing the stock cooler. On a new card i'd do pre-installed, but on a card 6 months down the line then do it yourself.

gregster said:
They will be reference cards and they use the same chip as all the other cards. A sensible buy and saves fittting time :)
Click to expand...

+1
 
Yep just asked in CS and its the Sapphire cards, seems fine to me!

Guess that's decided then, just have to check if

Display Outputs: 1xDVI + 2x mDP + 1x HDMI
Click to expand...

Will support my monitor requirements!
 
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