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RIP Gigabyte 7950! Seeking advice for a replacement

Associate
Joined
7 Nov 2012
Posts
24
Hi all,

So my Gigabyte 7950 3GB died today after many years of faithful overclocked service! I need to order a new GPU and I'd like some advice on the brand or even a particular GPU. Here is what I'm after:

  • £500 budget
  • Nvidia preferably (Simply because I've never had an Nvidia GPU)
  • Decent length warranty
  • Good RMA customer service
  • Gaming #1 Casual video editing #2
  • Suitable for 1080/1440 144hz AAA gaming
I'm currently using an i7 920 but I'll be looking to upgrade my CPU/Mobo/RAM either in April or once the AMD Ryzen 3rd gen CPUs have been released.

Thanks
Dan
 
Soldato
Joined
13 Jan 2004
Posts
20,929
With a budget of £500 nVidia won't be able to offer you anything for 1440p 144hz gaming imo.

For 1080p you could consider a 1660ti or a 2060.

AMD will offer better options I feel, especially if you are not locked into GSYNC.
 
Caporegime
Joined
8 Nov 2008
Posts
28,997
RTX2060.

Maybe this one (EVGA): https://www.overclockers.co.uk/evga...ddr6-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-31g-ea.html

That's probably what I'd start with as a baseline if looking at the RTX2060.

As mentioned, another option which will still be a big upgrade from the 7950 would be to consider the 1660Ti. Bottom line, if buying Nvidia/new, I think you're looking at the 1600 cards or RTX2060.

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-HD-7950-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1660/2160vs4038

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-HD-7950-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1660-Ti/2160vs4037

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-HD-7950-vs-Nvidia-RTX-2060-6GB/2160vs4034
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
30 Jul 2004
Posts
2,836
Location
Auckland
At 500 you are bang on 2070 money which would be a massive uplift on your current gpu. Certainly more than you need to utterly max 1080 and 1440.

Just for balance... There is nothing AT your budget from AMD really, but you can get a good Vega64 for 390 which will also blow away 1440p for gaming.
If you get the Nvidia you get BF5 or Anthem free. For AMD it is their 3 game pack.

The 2070 is about 15ish percent fastet than the Vega64 for 110 more.

After that it is jump to 650 and either a 2080 or Vega VII.

For comparison, a Vega 64 is over twice as fast as your current card and the 2070 about 2.5? Plus both have heaps more Vram and features.

Edit - as above the 2070 is overkill, but long term it would last well.

At your budget you are looking at ultrawide and 4k capable GPUs... A 1660ti, 2060 or Vega56 would be great and cheaper alternatives
 
Associate
OP
Joined
7 Nov 2012
Posts
24
Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

It seems like AMD is the better option with the 2 additional free games and the value for money.

I assume going AMD Sapphire are the best choice?
 
Soldato
Joined
6 Feb 2010
Posts
14,591
Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

It seems like AMD is the better option with the 2 additional free games and the value for money.

I assume going AMD Sapphire are the best choice?
It is 3 free games with the Vega64 (RE2, DMC5, The Division 2).

I have the Sapphire Vega64 Nitro+, and the thing is like a tank with probably one of the best air VGA cooler with a huge heatsink and triple fans.

Also AMD can do Freesync over HDMI with 4K TV that support it. Although it is a niche feature, but I cannot imagine myself gaming on my Samsung NU8000 75" 4K TV without it.
 
Associate
OP
Joined
7 Nov 2012
Posts
24
After hours and hours of research, I think I've found a good value for money combination (see my basket below). After reviewing benchmarks at 1440 for the vega 56/64 I thought it would be best to stay at 1080 to get every frame out of a 144hz monitor. I was very drawn to Nvidia after reviewing benchmarks but G-Sync monitors are out of my price range. Thoughts, please?

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £561.08 (includes shipping: £11.10)​
 
Associate
Joined
9 Jul 2012
Posts
694
Location
Nottingham
After hours and hours of research, I think I've found a good value for money combination (see my basket below). After reviewing benchmarks at 1440 for the vega 56/64 I thought it would be best to stay at 1080 to get every frame out of a 144hz monitor. I was very drawn to Nvidia after reviewing benchmarks but G-Sync monitors are out of my price range. Thoughts, please?

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £561.08 (includes shipping: £11.10)
Just so you know you can also undervolt and overclock the v56 to the same performance of a v64 there is a post about how to do it on the forum somewhere you may want to check it out for even more bang for buck:)
 
Soldato
Joined
12 Feb 2009
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4,320
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