HD R7950, GTX 670, GTX 680? Which?

[Da_epic_ninja]

Hello all,
Sometime late this year I plan on upgrading most of my PC parts.
However, I've have come to a dilema on the GPU front of things.
The plan origionally was to buy another 2 gtx 660 SCs and run them in tri sli. I then found out that this was impossible so decided on twin XFX 7950s in Xfire. Anyhow after some research I stumbled across varios forum threads and found that the AMD and/or Xfire drivers aren't too teriffic. In some of those threads poeple were recommending the GTX 670 as apparently it is only 5% less powerful than the 680 and I plan on doing some moderate overclocking. Nevertheless I know that the 7950 is one of the best cards to overclock so should I do a Xfire 7950 setup or a 670 SLI setup?

 

[Gregster]

Plenty of AMD users here will disagree about drivers and have only good things to say since the release of 12.11 drivers.

The 7950 is the better way to go Ninja Especially if you are happy overclocking (very easy).

 

[arc@css]

^^ +1

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

Cheers, I was gonna go with them anyway if I'm honest as I've heard so many good things about them. I'll probably go for the XFX model as that's probably the nicest looking and best for overclocking.
Thank you

 

[Gregster]

Cheers, I was gonna go with them anyway if I'm honest as I've heard so many good things about them. I'll probably go for the XFX model as that's probably the nicest looking and best for overclocking.
Thank you

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

XFX have a shocking RMA system. If your card has problems, they will do everything in their power to squirm out of replacing it.

Look for Gigabyte/MSI is my choice. MSI did have a few heat issues but I am sure that is sorted now. (was in Novemeber if I remember correctly).

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

Right, well which one would you recommend? Bear in mind I'm also going for aesthetics and overclocking as I shall be running Xfire

 

[cobbly123]

The 7950's overclock very easy, as for xfire problems i just went from 2 6950's to 2 7950's havent had a problem

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

Great Nice to hear from someone who's got the planned setup
Thanks

 

[Gregster]

Gigabyte WF X3 gets great reviews I would put the reference 7950's under water, as I am a big fan of water blocks but this could be pricey.

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

It all depend, as I say I am going for an Xfire solution but haven't seen any water cooled editions of the 7950s, and my experience with water cooling is non-existent, but I do know a little and prepared to put research in if that's what's best and if it isn't too pricey

 

[Gregster]

£400+ for a semi decent water cool solution. I am happy to advise and plenty of guys in the water cooling section can advise far better than me. I am also fairly new to water cooling but with the right advice, it was very simple.

 

[VIPER258]

If you do go with the Gigabyte make sure your case can handle the extra heat unless you are watercooling them.

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

If you do go with the Gigabyte make sure your case can handle the extra heat unless you are watercooling them.

Yes as I say I'm doing an upgrade on pretty much all of my current system's components, and the case I shall be getting is the NZXT Phantom Enthusiast

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

So there are dedicated water cooled gpus like with the 680? Or is this a complete loop?

 

[PapaLazaru]

Sometime late this year I plan on upgrading most of my PC parts.
However, I've have come to a dilema on the GPU front of things.

Wait until you are ready to buy, then ask again.

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

Ok

 

[Gregster]

Custom loops are better. I would take PapaLazaru's advice and wait though, a few months time may be different options.

 

[Da_epic_ninja]

Yeah, I was only trying to get a rough outline of a plan