• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

MSI 7970, your thoughts?

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

Associate
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
543
The question you should be asking yourself is how noisy do you want your system to be?

If you go for reference design cooler noise level will be higher than a dual fan cooler design when O/C.

Dual fan system will be cooler as well but will keep more heat within the case so you will need a case with good air flow.

I would say go with a card with a 3 year warranty that why I went for the MSI lightning but I had a 10% discount code.

The MSI Lightning card should overclock on air to the same level as the reference design coolers but was design for water system or extreme cooling.

I am running my card at 1155 core and 1875 memory with a Vcore of 1174mv, I can go higher but need to increase Vcore and fan speed.
 
Last edited:
Simon D said:
The question you should be asking yourself is how noisy do you want your system to be?

If you go for reference design cooler noise level will be higher than a dual fan cooler design when O/C.

Dual fan system will be cooler as well but will keep more heat within the case so you will need a case with good air flow.

I would say go with a card with a 3 year warranty that why I went for the MSI lightning but I had 10% discount code.

The MSI Lightning card should overclock on air to the same level as the reference design coolers but was design for water system or extreme cooling.

I am running my card at 1155 core and 1875 memory with a Vcore of 1174mv, I can go higher but need to increase Vcore and fan speed.
Click to expand...

my system runs very quiet for air cooled, and has very good air flow. I see what you mean regarding heat - Dual fans must make a big difference.

I'm not going to enter realm of water cooling yet. As for overclocking it - I'm not mega fussed about getting some super high benchmark. I would just like a little more power than stock and it to run fairly quiet
 
I have the oc'd reference version that comes stock @ 1010 / 1375 and it oc's well beyond that but simon hit the nail on the head : my only disappointment with the card is the noise of the fan, it performs really well but even at 50% the fan is noisy and at 100% it duet's with my hoover ! lol
 
Do you need Dual-Link DVI ouput on the card?

The MSI lightning does not have Dual-Link DVI ouput so will need to buy a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual-Link Active Adapter as well
 
currob said:
I have the oc'd reference version that comes stock @ 1010 / 1375 and it oc's well beyond that but simon hit the nail on the head : my only disappointment with the card is the noise of the fan, it performs really well but even at 50% the fan is noisy and at 100% it duet's with my hoover ! lol
Click to expand...

That why I went for the dual fan cooler card;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom