7970 - Twin Frozr or Directcu for Crossfire

[Confused Stu]

I'm currently running two 7970s - a launch week VTX3D card with an Accelero fitted, and a Rev2.1 Windforce one. The VTX3D I always ran at 1125/1575 on standard volts when it was on its own, but the Windforce crashes if I run the core higher than 1080.

My friend's 6950 has died, so he's getting my 7970 Windforce (he never over clocks but I've told him about the card's limits anyway) and I'm going to buy another 7970 in the hope it'll clock a little better. I would just love to run both at 1125/1575. As he's getting mates rates for my card, I'm budget limited to the cheaper 7970s this weekend:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-204-MS
or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-273-AS

Which one is better for crossfiring with my current card? The Accelero is triple slot and can overheat the VRMs in Sleeping Dogs if run as primary card as the fans can't breathe, so the new one has to be primary card. Am I right in assuming the Asus will also stuffer as it's triple slot?

I need to order today, but any last minute advice gratefully received.

 

[LtMatt]

Go for the MSI 7970. If the quality of the cheaper version of that card (the legendary MSI 7970 OC) is anything to go by then this MSI Twin Frozr 7970 should clock very well.

 

[Confused Stu]

Good to see the Lieutenant on station in the GPU section, even early on a Sunday. I'm leaning towards the MSI as it's dual slot even though the Asus is so pretty and such a good deal.

Cheers Matt.

 

[LtMatt]

Good to see the Lieutenant on station in the GPU section, even early on a Sunday. I'm leaning towards the MSI as it's dual slot even though the Asus is so pretty and such a good deal.

Cheers Matt.

An LT's work is never done.

I would have picked up 2x7970's if they were that price. Spent that much on my 7950's before i recouped £100 through game sales.

Asus is triple slot so will probably interfere with your Accelero.

 

[Confused Stu]

OK, left very happy mate's house who's now rocking a 7970, and my little Accelero looks so lonely through the side panel! Ordered one of the MSI cards, now just need to cross my fingers for a half decent clocker and a quiet one.

Will post a pic when it's in place, in case anyone's interested.

 

[ahenners]

I got one of the MSI cards last weekend. Obviously YMMV but I hit 1200 core and 1650 memory gaming stable. Could bench slightly higher. Pretty happy with the OC.

 

[Rangerjr1]

I would never buy anything else than a reference card.

But NEVER get an ASUS 7970 DC2. HORRIBLE custom PCBs.

 

[Puppetmaster]

I would never buy anything else than a reference card.

But NEVER get an ASUS 7970 DC2. HORRIBLE custom PCBs.

Custom PCB isn't great for watercooling but why do you think it is so bad?

Also your sig is way too big, 4 lines max.

 

[Confused Stu]

I got one of the MSI cards last weekend. Obviously YMMV but I hit 1200 core and 1650 memory gaming stable. Could bench slightly higher. Pretty happy with the OC.

Thanks - it's good to know they're not gimped and can't be overclocked. Fingers crossed mine was made the same day as yours from those clocks.

I would never buy anything else than a reference card.

But NEVER get an ASUS 7970 DC2. HORRIBLE custom PCBs.

I bought a reference card on launch week (and paid through the nose for it), but as I'm not watercooling, wouldn't the custom coolers be better than the stock fan? I know my Accelero is in a different league to the stock fan - both on temperatures and noise.

Also your sig is way too big, 4 lines max.

Agreed - I never realised it was even possible to put so many lines in that it would disappear at the end!

 

[Rangerjr1]

Custom PCB isn't great for watercooling but why do you think it is so bad?

Also your sig is way too big, 4 lines max.

Thanks - it's good to know they're not gimped and can't be overclocked. Fingers crossed mine was made the same day as yours from those clocks.



I bought a reference card on launch week (and paid through the nose for it), but as I'm not watercooling, wouldn't the custom coolers be better than the stock fan? I know my Accelero is in a different league to the stock fan - both on temperatures and noise.



Agreed - I never realised it was even possible to put so many lines in that it would disappear at the end!

Is my sig ok now?

Back to topic; Well yes, custom PCB cards usually have "better" cooling. 90% of the difference is how loud it is. Ref coolers are perfectly fine for ocing, i had mine at 1220/1750 for 24/7 on a ref cooler.

Custom PCB cards are much harder to find blocks for (and more expensive if you decide to go water), most are volt locked. ASUS cards arent 'locked' but you are forced to use GPU tweak from ASUS to change volts and its RIDDLED with annoying issues.

If i where to buy a custom PCB 7970 card today i would get nothing else but an MSI 7970 TF3. IIRC they are binned for good OC on air (high ASIC so it scales better with voltage, will never guarantee you a good chip though).

 

[JediFragger]

Asus RMA = Terrible. MSI RMA = Great!!

That's enough reason for me tbh!

 

[Confused Stu]

Is my sig ok now?

Back to topic; Well yes, custom PCB cards usually have "better" cooling. 90% of the difference is how loud it is. Ref coolers are perfectly fine for ocing, i had mine at 1220/1750 for 24/7 on a ref cooler.

Custom PCB cards are much harder to find blocks for (and more expensive if you decide to go water), most are volt locked. ASUS cards arent 'locked' but you are forced to use GPU tweak from ASUS to change volts and its RIDDLED with annoying issues.

If i where to buy a custom PCB 7970 card today i would get nothing else but an MSI 7970 TF3. IIRC they are binned for good OC on air (high ASIC so it scales better with voltage, will never guarantee you a good chip though).

A very well put, reasoned and backed up argument. You'll fit in very well around these parts with that kind of thinking and attitude, my friend. Agreed about reference coolers being very good these days, but after having a 7970's with reference cooler, an Accelero and a Windforce, I did find the reference produced the most noise and the highest temperatures. Don't get me wrong, the reference cooler wasn't bad, just simply outclassed by the 3rd party options. Glad the MSI is the one you'd go for, I put my order in lunchtime for it.

Your sig's much better, but still 1 line too long (you've got a blank line in there that needs to go). Here's the full rules on signatures, just don't want you to get rapped knuckles from the mods mate: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/faq.php?faq=vb_board_usage#faq_vb_memberlist_how

Asus RMA = Terrible. MSI RMA = Great!!

That's enough reason for me tbh!

Good point, I hadn't considered the RMA position on either card. Thanks for the reminder, although I hopefully will never need to return the card!

 

[Rangerjr1]

A very well put, reasoned and backed up argument. You'll fit in very well around these parts with that kind of thinking and attitude, my friend. Agreed about reference coolers being very good these days, but after having a 7970's with reference cooler, an Accelero and a Windforce, I did find the reference produced the most noise and the highest temperatures. Don't get me wrong, the reference cooler wasn't bad, just simply outclassed by the 3rd party options. Glad the MSI is the one you'd go for, I put my order in lunchtime for it.

Your sig's much better, but still 1 line too long (you've got a blank line in there that needs to go). Here's the full rules on signatures, just don't want you to get rapped knuckles from the mods mate: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/faq.php?faq=vb_board_usage#faq_vb_memberlist_how




Good point, I hadn't considered the RMA position on either card. Thanks for the reminder, although I hopefully will never need to return the card!

Under normal circumstances a ref cooler will be louder AND warmer. But you're not using it to its full potential. You see, under normal gaming load 80-100% usage or so the fan speed will hover 30-40% and let the card hit 80C pretty easily. You can keep a card under 60c if you ramp up the speed. But ofcourse, it'll be louder.

 

[Drangueos]

I would go for the MSI, because it is 2 slots only and for crossfire it will make all the difference on the top card's temperature.