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Crossfire 7870's?

I must admit playing Far Cry it performs a hell of a lot better than my old i7 920. Thanks for that info.

I've got it to 4ghz and it sits on around 50/60oC at load with a H50 attached.

The 8320 seems to get some bad press when compared against intel jobbies.
 
Andybtsn said:
I must admit playing Far Cry it performs a hell of a lot better than my old i7 920. Thanks for that info.

I've got it to 4ghz and it sits on around 50/60oC at load with a H50 attached.

The 8320 seems to get some bad press when compared against intel jobbies.
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Far Cry 3, Crysis 3, Tomb Raider, Hitman... In those games your CPU (clock per clock in ghz) will sit between the 3570k and 3770k. Note to any one out there that may feel like jumping down my throat I did say clock per clock

In 3dmark (13) my 8320 at 4.2ghz easily passes the 3570k at the same speed. I don't get the same sort of results in 11, but that only supports 6 cores (due to the 980x which at the time was the latest CPU).

Also, as much as it may pain you, (and if you are not already) then try Windows 8 as the performance in that is much higher than Win 7 with these newer games and benchmarks.
 
Are there any benchmark sources for the windows 8/7 differences. I use 7 purely as I just couldn't see a benefit of using 8. If games were going to perform better I'd have a reason to go back...
 
Andybtsn said:
Are there any benchmark sources for the windows 8/7 differences. I use 7 purely as I just couldn't see a benefit of using 8. If games were going to perform better I'd have a reason to go back...
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Not in games atm no. Here is my 3dmark 13 score from Win 7 though.



And Win 8

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/959497?

It's more that it fixes problems with FX CPUs. There are two hot fixes for Win 7 (not sure if you have installed them) that sort the issues somewhat. It's to do with core parking and the CPU dumping its cache mid operation.

I'm trying to find links but the site they're on is down ATM. They didn't really do much for me though.. 8 is fine if you download a start button app for it and spend a few hours making it look like 7 :D It's definitely much quicker than 7.

When I can get to the links I'll post them for you :)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2645594
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2646060

Edit. Gottem.. BTW are you running a 990FX? because if you are I would strongly consider spending £400 on two 760s.
 
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Thanks guys!

Regarding 8, if you have dual display can you have one side for Windows and the other for the tiles screen or do you guys just get rid of the tiles altogether?

ALXAndy said:
Edit. Gottem.. BTW are you running a 990FX? because if you are I would strongly consider spending £400 on two 760s.
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I just saw this, no I am not. Just got a Asus M5A99X EVO AM3+
 
Andybtsn said:
Thanks guys!

Regarding 8, if you have dual display can you have one side for Windows and the other for the tiles screen or do you guys just get rid of the tiles altogether?



I just saw this, no I am not. Just got a Asus M5A99X EVO AM3+
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When you install the 8 start button I linked you to it will automatically bypass metro and go straight into the desktop. I know I plugged in a second screen recently and it was not metro, just an extension to the desktop :) It literally turns it into 7.

From there you will need to set a few things to stop it loading up metro apps. For example if you open a MP3 it will go away from your desktop into a stand a lone 'one on the screen' app. So as an example I usually set up my stuff to open 'in desktop' so to speak. For example I always open my pics with Photo viewer or whatever it's called so right clicked a pic and then set it to always open with photo viewer.

Ideally I would avoid metro at all costs unless you think you might like it? from a desktop (esp gaming) POV it's best avoided :)
 
In an ideal world Metro could have been useful but only when it comes to aesthetics, I like it if it was my actual desktop background but other than that I didn't like it.

I have installed 8 now so let's hope my AMD appreciates it over 7 :)
 
Incidentally and back on topic, cost aside what's the best bang for buck 7970 to go for? I got linked one for £340 and £399, I don't mind the added premium as long as it was worth it?
 
Andybtsn said:
Incidentally and back on topic, cost aside what's the best bang for buck 7970 to go for? I got linked one for £340 and £399, I don't mind the added premium as long as it was worth it?
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arc@css said:
I think it's this one :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-007-VX&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938
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If you want the cheapest one possible then go for the one arc@css and i linked earlier in the thread. However if you're willing to spend an extra £40 you can get one with a better and quieter cooling solution that will enable you to run big overclocks at low temps. The HIS 7970 X cards also have a good reputation for large overclocks.
 
Avoid the VTX. The quality is quite frankly dire and their warranty leaves a lot to be desired.

I know it's £100 but that Matrix card you were looking at is in another class.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-273-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

£30 more than that VTX and they couldn't be farther apart if you tried.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-181-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

Would be my fave. Worth every penny if you want the best and like low noise. Edit. Wow and a lovely free mouse and mat too :D
 
Yes, I tend to agree with above comments. Although a fair price at £300, I can't say I'd choose the VTX when there are better ones there (cooler wise) for not that much more.

If I were to go for a 7970, I'd consider the following due to good cs / rma, unlocked for higher overclocking and quiet performance :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-181-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-063-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938
 
Can't argue with the msi 7970 lightning, but that does bump up the cost a fair bit. The Asus card is also three slot so that's worth considering. One bad thing about the asus card is that it uses different vrms to your typical 7970. The plus side of this is they are rated up to 120c, the bad side is the card has naff all vrm cooling so expect to see the vrms running 90-100c depending on your overclock. I still recommend the HIS 7970 card or the Sapphire 7970 personally. Good coolers, decent prices, above average overclock rates and good vrm cooling.
 
LtMatt said:
Can't argue with the msi 7970 lightning, but that does bump up the cost a fair bit. The Asus card is also three slot so that's worth considering. One bad thing about the asus card is that it uses different vrms to your typical 7970. The plus side of this is they are rated up to 120c, the bad side is the card has naff all vrm cooling so expect to see the vrms running 90-100c depending on your overclock. I still recommend the HIS 7970 card or the Sapphire 7970 personally. Good coolers, decent prices, above average overclock rates and good vrm cooling.
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Only problem with HIS and Sapphire is if anything goes wrong. Neither will even talk to you.

I brought the Lightning up because Andy was looking at the Matrix... The Lightning works out £20 cheaper and comes with some freebies :D
 
ALXAndy said:
Only problem with HIS and Sapphire is if anything goes wrong. Neither will even talk to you.

I brought the Lightning up because Andy was looking at the Matrix... The Lightning works out £20 cheaper and comes with some freebies :D
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Well the rma is through ocuk so he will be ok. I recently had to rma with msi who are supposed to be the best and i waited 28 days and nothing. In the end ocuk had to refund me. As long as the rma is through ocuk and is a minimum of two years you'll be fine.

The lightning is solid, id love one. It is expensive though.
 
I'm going to sell my 7970 intending to drop to IGP for a while (as I won't be gaming), but then saw the Lightning and am still tempted.
 
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teppic said:
I'm going to sell my 7970 intending to drop to IGP for a while (as I won't be gaming), but then saw the Lightning am still tempted.
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Hold up you have the card andy linked above right? The Asus 7970? Why don't you tell us and Andy what its like?

Are you talking about adding a 7970 lightning for crossfire or selling your current 7970 and replacing it with the lightning?
 
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