7970 6GB Vs. GTX 580 3GB

[xxShinobixx]

Hi guys, I'm thinking about upgrading my current card GTX 580 3GB with ATI 7970 6GB version and I was wondering if you think this would be a wise choice or are there better choices, including getting two smaller cards and SLI/crossfire them.

All my gaming is done on 1600p and while in genetral the 580 has no problems keeping up with the games I feel it's time for me to upgrade.

Most importantly I'd like to keep the price about the price of the 6gb card and I do not mind adding SLI/Crossfire if this will either lower the cost and/or improve performance so long as the price does not go higher.

Another thing to mention is - the card will be watercooeld so if I have to add a second card I'll need a second waterblock to add to the total.

Let me know what card would you choose and why.

Thanks

 

[arc@css]

You don't need 6gb vram for 1600p.

I'd either go for a 7950, and hope it's a good clocker - 'cause it'll need to be pretty decent to make the upgrade seem worthwhile over your 580, or as you mentioned, two mid-range cards.


I'm not sure which 7950's are not voltage locked, but I 'think' some of the HIS ones are unlocked, so this might be an option :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-049-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673


As for the second choice, maybe something like two 7850's in crossfire?

*If you can find a cheap reference 7970, then that would also be worth considering.

 

[breadturbo]

Buy a pair of 7950's / 70's because one wont cut it (at least not a high settings)

 

[tommybhoy]

2 x HIS HD 7950 IceQ BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H795QC3G2M) £239.99 (£479.98)



Why?

New CrossFire implementation in the drivers supposedly inbound-due on 24th April(7990 release).

Reference 7950 PCB for WC'ing.

Simply phenomenal bang for buck!

They overclock very well on the core, most of them will do 1150MHz or more(mine do up to 1240MHz in CrossFire), memory isn't the best of clockers though topping out@~1650MHz due to cheaper grade vrams-you can't have everything though.

 

[xxShinobixx]

How is 3GB 7950 compared to 3GB 580?

Better, much better, about the same, worse?

 

[arc@css]

How is 3GB 7950 compared to 3GB 580?

Better, much better, about the same, worse?

A little faster at stock, but when overclocked they can deliver much more performance.

 

[TheRealDeal]

How is 3GB 7950 compared to 3GB 580?

Better, much better, about the same, worse?

When overclocked much better. At stock clocks its still better.

 

[imginy]

How is 3GB 7950 compared to 3GB 580?

Better, much better, about the same, worse?

A little bit better but you better probably wouldn't notice the difference.

If you look at toms hierarchy chart it's only one level higher.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

For a good improvement you want titan/7990/690/sli 580/sli670/sli680/cf7950/cf7970

 

[deFiniLoGy]

Don't really see the need for 6GB VRAM, although some highly modded games (Skyrim or potentially GTA V if it does release on PC?) uses more than 3GB I think..
But all the reviews said that go for the 3GB to save a few pounds

 

[xxShinobixx]

Might as well go for second 580 then as it is the cheapest of all options i think.

 

[Schizo]

I have just sold my 580 3gb classified and got a gigabyte 670 2gb and the difference is there for me,better resolution and a lot lot quieter to boot.

 

[xxShinobixx]

Better resolution? I'm not sure I understand you. Do you mean you get more fps maybe?
As far as noise, i'm not really concerned as it will be water cooled most likely.