Best 7950?

thefogo · 2 Sep 2012 at 21:57

I've had my MSI 7950 for just under a week now, and while it's nice and quiet at stock, the card becomes very loud and hot once I start clocking it.

Therefore I'm looking at returning it under DSR and trying out a different one - which would you guys recommend?

I'm interested in the HIS one as a few guys have said it's the best one - however I'm scared of that blower fan going crazy once the card is OC'd.

Twirlywoos · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:02

Gigabyte Windforce, but remember that it exhausts into the case, so you'll need decent extraction and I have no idea how it will handle in crossfire. Or the Sapphire vapor X will be another good option.

thefogo · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:04

I have a 932 Advanced so I should be fine for airflow

I don't plan on using crossfire either as I've had bad experiences with it in the past.
Are there any significant differences between the Sapphire 7950 OC and the Vapour-X?

Menty · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:08

I would have had this if I had a choice for my replacement.

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

Although I'm now happy with the MSI personally.

Had an unsavoury time with a HIS card years ago which turned me off the brand.

Cutshaw · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:19

Well the "blower" on the IceQ is a huge step up from the reference type fans. The radial fan is raised up and away from the PCB and both sides are open and look at the honking big heatpipes. Honk Honk. All the reviews I can find say it's quieter than a lot and cooler than most.

Menty said:
Had an unsavoury time with a HIS card years ago which turned me off the brand.

OcUK handle the whole HIS Warranty

thefogo · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:22

^ That sure does look nice.
Not sure how long I'd have to wait for them to be in stock though. Apparently they're overdue, hmmm.

Cutshaw · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:31

Here's the better view of the raised up fan and shroud. Simple but brilliant idea, really. Side on the card is lovely to look at too, it's just the top down/face I'm not thrilled about.

About the overdue, when I ordered it it said the 31st. I'm going to assume it's just a late delivery and it will be in on Monday.

thefogo · 2 Sep 2012 at 22:45

OK that's great, thanks for the info

I'll have a look into getting one when/if I sort my DSR out

Does anyone here have the HIS 7950? If so how does it sound under load when clocked?

shankly1985 · 2 Sep 2012 at 23:52

I have an XFX HD7950 Double D superb card.

** No Hotlinking - Rules on posting images ***

arc@css · 3 Sep 2012 at 00:10

shankly1985 said:
I have an XFX HD7950 Double D superb card.

***

Looks super. I was just eyeing these up on the OcUK store; I don't why, I have a perfectly decent video card...but it's still tempting.

Is it quiet?

qbazdz · 3 Sep 2012 at 09:23

No WC on these... XFX put stupid stickers at the back of the screws! Shame really as they are so good cards.

shankly1985 · 3 Sep 2012 at 10:14

arc@css said:
Looks super. I was just eyeing these up on the OcUK store; I don't why, I have a perfectly decent video card...but it's still tempting.

Is it quiet?

Its very quiet till it hits 70% fan witch that only happens when benching. Playing games is around 50%

shankly1985 · 3 Sep 2012 at 10:15

qbazdz said:
No WC on these... XFX put stupid stickers at the back of the screws! Shame really as they are so good cards.

Lol its a very tiny sticker.

AgedIdiot · 3 Sep 2012 at 11:28

I read and listened to the videos in the review below - comparing 6 7950's and went with the Asus . Nice ,big, card and to me quiet enough (I only hear it before windows starts and ,occasionally , when gaming & even then it's not too intrusive).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7950-review-benchmark,3207-12.html

I also have heard that the Asus PCB is of 'standard' design - assuming that this is true then it should be straight foward to watercool/add a non-standard cooler.

strocky · 3 Sep 2012 at 11:52

Menty said:
I would have had this if I had a choice for my replacement.

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

Although I'm now happy with the MSI personally.

Had an unsavoury time with a HIS card years ago which turned me off the brand.

Nice card, tempted to pull the trigger

qbazdz · 3 Sep 2012 at 11:52

shankly1985 said:
Lol its a very tiny sticker.

Still, if u need to send it back and the sticker will look suspicious then I guess that's your warranty not being honored...
I'd rather 'stick' to something that doesn't have stickers

arc@css · 3 Sep 2012 at 15:41

shankly1985 said:
Its very quiet till it hits 70% fan witch that only happens when benching. Playing games is around 50%

Thanks.

McNutter · 3 Sep 2012 at 15:51

thefogo said:
I've had my MSI 7950 for just under a week now, and while it's nice and quiet at stock, the card becomes very loud and hot once I start clocking it.

Therefore I'm looking at returning it under DSR and trying out a different one.

That's not a valid reason to RMA a graphics card. You've said it's absolutely fine at stock. I hope OcUK (or else where) tell you where to RAM it.

Cutshaw · 3 Sep 2012 at 16:11

McNutter said:
That's not a valid reason to RMA a graphics card. You've said it's absolutely fine at stock. I hope OcUK (or else where) tell you where to RAM it.

Thing is, they can't. He doesn't need any reason at all.

ubersonic · 3 Sep 2012 at 16:15

McNutter said:
That's not a valid reason to RMA a graphics card. You've said it's absolutely fine at stock. I hope OcUK (or else where) tell you where to RAM it.

Sadly however, it is a valid reason to DSR it