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Best GPU Under £350? Can My PSU Handle A 7970 Ghz ?

lukebussey

lukebussey

lukebussey

Associate
Joined
25 Jun 2012
Posts
13
Hi all,
I have a few questions I'm asking here - please answer any you can! Thanks! :D

I currently have a Sapphire 6950 2GB Dual Fan OC Edition @ stock (CBA to OC because the card prioritizes temps under 70C over noise so it gets a bit loud when I OC it), a 3570K @ stock (may OC if it becomes a bottleneck, I have a 212 Evo and very good temps), and 8GB of 1600Mhz DDR3.

I want a GPU upgrade for games like BF3, Crysis 3, BF4, Skyrim, Minecraft, etc. I want to be able to play BF3 at max settings (except AA/AF, don't mind too much about that) mainly. I have OSX as a Hackintosh and want a GPU that works with OSX too.

I've been looking around and have become tied between a 7970 Ghz or a 680. I know the 680 works perfectly with OSX, but the 7970 Ghz performs better, and has the free games included with it.

Also, my PSU is a CoolerMaster GX650 650W Bronze rated PSU.

Questions -
  1. Which card is a better buy of the 7970 Ghz and 680 (or other) ?
  2. Is the Sapphire Vapor X 7970 Ghz a decent 7970?
  3. MAIN QUESTION - Can my PSU handle a 7970 Ghz? What about if I overclock?
  4. Does the 7970 Ghz work with OSX very well? Forum posts on other sites aren't too definitive.

Thanks in advance,
Luke
 
TheRealDeal said:
It's a decent card for the money but it's pretty much an overclocked gtx680. The 7970 with a decent overclock will still best it.
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But you can overclock a 770 as well?

From the reviews i read, the 770 was on average 10% or so faster than 7970GE. Obviously there were some games that favored each card.

Don't think OP could go wrong with either to be honest. I wouldn't be looking at a 680 though. Same prices as 770's at the moment. They are in no mans land price wise for people wanting a new single GPU solution.
 
Last edited:
Pretty much, the 7970 is a great card but the 770 is marginally better (as it should be, being released so much later). Specifically I'd be looking at the Palit Jetstream or MSI Frozr models.
 
I have just got a 770 and I've had 7970's.

So depending on your preference and what monitor res your using,

I'd say you won't go wrong with either. :)

If you chose AMD I'd go for a 7950 and save a few sheckles.

No idea about OSX.
 
whyscotty said:
I have just got a 770 and I've had 7970's.

So depending on your preference and what monitor res your using,

I'd say you won't go wrong with either. :)

If you chose AMD I'd go for a 7950 and save a few sheckles.

No idea about OSX.
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I was hoping you'd come back to the red team. :(
 
in my opinin i would go for the 7970GE it is a fantastic card and it can handle anything thrown at it also yo have the free games and if you dont want the you are able to sell them on to make a bit of your money back from the price of the card
 
trickynickyuk said:
in my opinin i would go for the 7970GE it is a fantastic card and it can handle anything thrown at it also yo have the free games and if you dont want the you are able to sell them on to make a bit of your money back from the price of the card
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+1

I've tried a 7970 and 2x7950's and my 7970 is much faster than both of those 7950's. Granted my 7970 is a beast clocker, but it feels noticeably faster to me. If you're only planning to buy one card, id definitely go for a 7970.If you're planning to go xfire or you're buying on a budget get a 7950.
 
LtMatt said:
+1

I've tried a 7970 and 2x7950's and my 7970 is much faster than both of those 7950's. Granted my 7970 is a beast clocker, but it feels noticeably faster to me. If you're only planning to buy one card, id definitely go for a 7970.If you're planning to go xfire or you're buying on a budget get a 7950.
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Not get good clockers? If you get good clockers the difference ain't anything even for one card. As mine both reach around 1275 the difference even to a good clocking 7970 is tiny.

It's worth mentioning that the 7970 isn't much faster per se more that a good clocking 7970 will outshine a poor clocking 7950 in the same way a good clocking 7950 will even out a poor clocking 7970. Average clocker for both = extremely similar performance.
 
Rusty0611 said:
Not get good clockers? If you get good clockers the difference ain't anything even for one card. As mine both reach around 1275 the difference even to a good clocking 7970 is tiny.

It's worth mentioning that the 7970 isn't much faster per se more that a good clocking 7970 will outshine a poor clocking 7950 in the same way a good clocking 7950 will even out a poor clocking 7970. Average clocker for both = extremely similar performance.
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Not the best clockers but not bad either. With only one card connected though at 1440p id rather have the extra speed my 7970 gives me as those extra frames really help. With both of the 7950's connected though thats no problem. But if i was only using one card at this res it would be a 7970 all day long.
 
Well that's the difference of a very good clocking 7970 over an average 7950 so the difference will be exaggerated in that scenario as opposed to like for like.

An extra 100-150 MHz on the core along with the 5% clock for clock difference can make quite the difference... if that extra clock speed is obtainable ;). When Tone and I tested we were limited by his 7970s as opposed to my 7950s so it's all swings and roundabouts really.
 
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