Confused, new graphics card advise please

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:34

Hello,

Ok, so i'm going to be buying a new graphics card. Problem is i'm torn between the Radeon HD7950 and the GTX 670 :confused:

Now I don't want to start a flame wars/fanboy fisty cuffs, so lets all be adults about it

So I know that straight out the box the GTX 670 is the faster of the two. But when both are overclocked the gap is smaller, as the HD7950 tends to have slightly more overclocking potential??

Say for instance, if I overclocked the 7950 to a more than likely achievable 1000/1325, and the GTX 670 to around a 1100-1120 boost (using low examples which seem achievable by both but understand its a lottery), which do you think would be the quicker card? or would the difference be negligible, like less than 5% :confused:

More so the question maybe is, is the GTX 670 worth the extra money, which in my case is £96 or £76 as i'm looking at these three cards.....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-275-AS

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-098-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-299-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=2294

Am I right in thinking the ASUS 7950 DC2 is voltage unlocked? I have a friend who has just brought a version 2 from OcUK and it was unlocked.

So, with money not being a issue, is the GTX worth that extra £96 or £76? Will I see the value of that extra money? Or is the HD7950 the "wise mans" choice?

I am pretty clued up on the HD7950 i'm aware of voltage hardware locks, occasional desktop flicker ect. But is they any issues I should be aware of regarding the GTX 670, voltage locks? Common faults? Brands to beware of?

Games I will be playing are, Crysis 3, Farcry 3, CS:S, maybe some Battlefield 3. I game at 1920x1080p @ 120hz.

My current setup is.......

i5 2500k @4.5ghz
Asus P8P67 Pro Motherboard
8GB Samsung Green RAM @ 2133mhz CAS 9
Corsair HX1050 PSU
BenQ XL2420T

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make the right decision.

Thanks is advance,

Andy

Rilot · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:37

7950 is definitely the wise man's choice as you put it.

Gregster · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:41

That Gigabyte card is a steal at that price. The 7950 is the sensible card this time and AMD have it priced very competitively.

The 670 is also a great card and suits people who want Nvidia specifics (PhysX). I personaly like the effects of PhysX but there isn't many games that use it.

People have problems with both AMD and Nvidia and this forum is no exception to the rule. I would look back through the last 10 pages and see what problems people have and then weigh it all up.

nick.lidgett · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:46

my 7950 is at 1100/1500 at the moment mate so i think AMD for you

Tazzfalcon · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:46

I was in exactly the OP's boat this time last week and I ended up with the WF 3X 7950 and so far I'm very happy with it.

kamz · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:53

I have pretty much the same set up as the OP and having had both cards in the past I would recommend the 7950 over the 670 purely on voltage unlock and price, I found the drivers for both to be equally as good.

However do keep in mind that I run 1200p at 85hz and although BF3 runs perfect for me in your case 120hz might not be achievable without turning settings down.

Since you do have a high caliber PSU crossfire 7950 @ 120hz would run real sweet even with a light 1100 gpu overclock.

Kamz

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:55

Thanks for all the quick responses.

So far its looking pretty decisive that the HD7950 is the more "wise" choice.

So is the difference between the two going to most likely less than 5 - 10% with a very slight overclocks I mentioned, in the games I play?

Gregster · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:57

Andy321 said:
Thanks for all the quick responses.

So far its looking pretty decisive that the HD7950 is the more "wise" choice.

So is the difference between the two going to most likely less than 5 - 10% with a very slight overclocks I mentioned, in the games I play?

In most games, it will be less than 5%.

OLDPHART · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:06

Andy321 said:
Hello,

Now I don't want to start a flame wars/fanboy fisty cuffs, so lets all be adults about it

Andy

Nvidia Fanboys Vs AMD Fanboys: Lets have a clean fight hand bags at the ready ---> Round 2031 Ding Ding.

Hold it no ones fighting that's a 1st.

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:08

Gregster said:
In most games, it will be less than 5%.

Thanks, looks like i'm going to be having a shiny new 7950 in my system very soon

Was just a bit unsure because I've usually always used Nvidia. But it really does seem that Radeon HD7950 in this instance is the "smart" choice to make.

NightSt@lk3r · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:10

Andy321 said:
But it really does seem that Radeon HD7950 in this instance is the "smart" choice to make.

Are you implying GTX670 owners are stupid?

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:13

OLDPHART said:
Hold it no ones fighting that's a 1st.

HaHa, yes i'm also very shocked

Obviously all grown up here

Nice to have a discussion without people throwing their toys all over the place.

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:16

NightSt@lk3r said:
Are you implying GTX670 owners are stupid?

Looks like I've stuffed it now

/runs and hides

I'm new here, I deserve a grace period don't I? Or 3 strikes then i'm out? HaHa

Rusty0611 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:17

If Admiral Huddy gets hold of you it's one strike and out!

Davanius · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:19

You have a BenQ XL2420T.

Match that with a gtx 670 and 3d vision glasses.

Go get Tomb Raider.

Sit back and play with a big grin on your face.

Seriously though, everyone knows that a 7950 is the best value card to get.

I would still have mine if Asus didn't upgrade my monitor from a 23" to a 27" for free.

Twirlywoos · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:21

NightSt@lk3r said:
Are you implying GTX670 owners are stupid?

Many of the gtx670 owners including myself bought the cards when the 7950 and 670 were around the same price, but if I was to buy again today then the 7950/70 is a no brainer.

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:24

Davanius said:
You have a BenQ XL2420T.

Match that with a gtx 670 and 3d vision glasses.

Go get Tomb Raider.

Sit back and play with a big grin on your face.

Seriously though, everyone knows that a 7950 is the best value card to get.

I would still have mine if Asus didn't upgrade my monitor from a 23" to a 27" for free.

3D was a thought but when I bought my BenQ it came with the Vision 2 kit. I tried 3D but couldn't get used to it. Kept feeling like I needed to scratch my eyeballs haha

I've got 3D on my TV aswell and can't get used to that either. Think my eyes are broken

Davanius · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:30

Lol, I kept scratching my nose for two weeks as it felt like the dentist's injection wearing off.

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:36

Davanius said:
Lol, I kept scratching my nose for two weeks as it felt like the dentist's injection wearing off.

Lol. Yeah I understand, feels like you've got a itch somewhere that you just can't get haha

Andy321 · 12 Mar 2013 at 18:18

Have gone for the HD7950 after having some good advice from here.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-275-AS

Was a tossup between this and the GB WF3, but with the recent ones from OcUK more than likely coming with a hardware voltage lock (FX0 Bios, 6+8 pin, 7970 pcb, hardware locked). Decided to get with the ASUS in the end as my friend has just bought one and it was voltage unlocked. Plus I personally like the big bulky cooler look and also not planning on going Xfire.

Haven't fitted yet, will do it shortly. Just hope I got a good one (fingers crossed)

Would you guys say that 1.25v is safe 24/7 as long as keeping temps at 70c or lower if possible. I was thinking about 1.2v for safety? Also whats max safe VRM temps 70/75c?