Should I get an Asus Matrix 7970?

khaine1711 · 23 Oct 2012 at 19:45

Hey guys,

I just joined OCuk a few days ago (bought a 7970 lightning from here, and returned 670FTW to another dealer).

Im just wondering if I should get an 7970 Matrix, since I still got around 7 days left on 14 days satisfaction guarantee and the two prices are similar.

My 7970 Lightning is stable @ 1200/1800 on air. I'll get BSOD if I increase GPU clock to 1300 or memclock to 1900; kinda lazy to do small increment to find out the limit

(also haven't tried the Ln2 switch yet).

Do you guys think the Matrix can get to 1300/1900 guaranteed, or it's just another silicon lottery?

TheRealDeal · 23 Oct 2012 at 19:52

The lightning is a good card and good overclocks are not a cert on any card. See what you get on the ln2 switch and what voltage were you using to get 1200 core.

C64 · 23 Oct 2012 at 19:54

No according to this they don't even clock well

TheRealDeal · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:00

All the other reviews i have seen contradict that video review.

http://rog.asus.com/170342012/graphics-cards-2/matrix-hd-7970-reviews-roundup/

RogerMesenseless · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:19

Isn't it just down to chance how well the GPU's will overclock?

iirc- Asus don't go through and binning process with the 7970 Matrix, so you could end up paying extra for the all-singing all-dancing overclocking features but end up with an absolute lemon of a GPU? :confused:

Tonester0011 · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:24

It's a good card providing you get lucky on the lottery.

whyscotty · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:48

Great card, decent price

Still a silicon lottery

Gregster · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:53

8 Pack said they are binned chips. I have no reason to think other wise and maybe somebody from here needs to buy one and report back

pgi947 · 23 Oct 2012 at 20:57

The LN2 switch on the 7970 Lightning is both pointless and useless for average end users. Its an out-right LIE that MSI state the bios is 'fully unlocked for extreme overclocking'. Its just as locked as the stock bios.

If you still have time on the DSR I'd return the Lightning and get the matrix, if for anything, then the Dual Link DVI.

khaine1711 · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:37

pgi947 said:
The LN2 switch on the 7970 Lightning is both pointless and useless for average end users. Its an out-right LIE that MSI state the bios is 'fully unlocked for extreme overclocking'. Its just as locked as the stock bios.

If you still have time on the DSR I'd return the Lightning and get the matrix, if for anything, then the Dual Link DVI.

I heard it just reset the lightning to stock 7970 clock.

I have no use for dual link though. Still using my trusty Plasma 42" for gaming

. I was quite happy with the Lightning till I see some ref 7970 hitting 1300+ on core; surely they must be really loud, but I can't see why a custom design can't hit that speed on air :<.

Maybe I should lurk around the heaven thread till people get their hands on a matrix and see how it goes. Also if I exchange the lightning under DSR and pay the extra for the Asus, do I get another 7 or 14 days dsr/satisfaction?

psychodil · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:40

Even 1200mhz is plenty powerful enough for 1080p with 4xAA. Wouldn't worry too much about paying the extra in the hope of reaching 1300mhz. I don't think you will drop below 60FPS very often with a 7970@1200mhz.

Gregster · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:42

A TV at 60 fps is ample for what you have.

arc@css · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:46

It doesn't seem to be at all uncommon that a reference card can clock to near or even beyond a enhanced model.

Personally, I'd keep the Lightning.

Gregster · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:47

arc@css said:
It doesn't seem to be at all uncommon that a reference card can clock to near or even beyond a enhanced model.

Personally, I'd keep the Lightning.

Absoloutely. Locky has had his 7970 since release and it is one of the best clockers I have seen.

pgi947 · 23 Oct 2012 at 21:58

^

Yep, for gaming on a TV what you have is easily enough, want a higher clock? watercool...

tommybhoy · 23 Oct 2012 at 23:15

gregster said:
A TV at 60 fps is ample for what you have.

Don't be silly, keep the Lightning and buy an SSD, if you already have one, get another and install some games on it.

Yaayuh! · 24 Oct 2012 at 06:52

Swapping a premium card for another premium card isn't worth it. At the end of the day the gpu itself has the same chance of reaching high overclocks (and low overclocks as well).

Though I am purchasing one, so will give you my 2 cents and overclock results ASAP.

lemon2 · 24 Oct 2012 at 11:42

I would love to know if it is 1300/1900 guaranteed, it's a great card if that is true, but it seems pretty unlikely to me.

Yaayuh! · 24 Oct 2012 at 11:48

lemon2 said:
I would love to know if it is 1300/1900 guaranteed, it's a great card if that is true, but it seems pretty unlikely to me.

It's 100% NOT guaranteed.
Hell, you can just Google reviews and find it ranges from 1200MHz -> 1300MHz+

At the end of the day, it's the silicon lottery. You might get a good clocker, you might not. All "binned" or "cherry picked" batches do is raise the chances/average of a good clocker.

Didn't stop me buying one this morning though

8 Pack · 24 Oct 2012 at 11:50

pgi947 said:
The LN2 switch on the 7970 Lightning is both pointless and useless for average end users. Its an out-right LIE that MSI state the bios is 'fully unlocked for extreme overclocking'. Its just as locked as the stock bios.

If you still have time on the DSR I'd return the Lightning and get the matrix, if for anything, then the Dual Link DVI.

They cant fully unlock it!!!

You get people putting 1.8v through a GPU on air and RMA it. That would be suicidal on there behalf.