Which 7870?

dmx07 · 3 Jun 2013 at 10:23

I've had Sapphire GPU's in the past and always found to be reliable. As I've never heard of VTX is the Sapphire worth the extra? The VTX does look great value.

VTX3D HD 7870
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-013-VX

Sapphire HD 7870
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-314-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411

Jony27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 10:55

The VTX is based on the Tahiti LE chipset that are used on the HD7950/7970 cards basically making the VTX a HD7930.
When overclocked, they are on par with stock HD7950s

So if you value raw performance I would get the VTX, note that the Saphire should run quieter/cooler than the VTX.

dmx07 · 3 Jun 2013 at 10:57

Thanks. I think the VTX does offer decent bang for buck (from reading some more threads here) and there seems to be quite a few happy VTX users around.

thanks again.

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 11:04

VTX + After market cooler is what I've gone for. Faster than the Sapphire and cooler/quieter. Stock heatsink is too loud though imo.

Jony27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 11:05

Any update/pics of that aftermarket cooler raikiri?

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 11:07

Not arrived yet, but I'm 99% certain it'll be quite a bit quieter

humbug · 3 Jun 2013 at 13:33

The Sapphire HD 7870 is cooler, quieter....

VTX3D HD 7870 is about 10% faster clock for clock.

woody79 · 3 Jun 2013 at 15:13

i have 2 VTX3D HD 7870, they get very loud at 80c lol

humbug · 3 Jun 2013 at 15:17

woody79 said:
i have 2 VTX3D HD 7870, they get very loud at 80c lol

For Tahiti LE the Sapphire XT is better, OCUK used to stock them, can't see them now....

superleeds27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 18:52

What cooler you bought for the VTX3D 7870?

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:59

Accelero S1 Plus with a 120mm fan.

Before - Idle - 35c, Furmark - 92c, Normal Load (BF3) - 81c, Noise - Very quiet idle, Very loud in game.

After - Idle - 28c, Furmark - 76c, Normal Load (BF3) - 66c, Noise - Silent or near enough not to matter.

Will post pics later.

superleeds27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:02

Yeah if you could that would be great.

Just bought the VTX3D 7870 myself.

Its tempting to add a custom Cooler

Jony27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:27

What did you use to attach the fan into the heatsink Raikiri?

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:33

Jony27 said:
What did you use to attach the fan into the heatsink Raikiri?

Comes with rubber grommets, you can buy a 120mm designed for this cooler though which has better ones.

Jony27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:35

Thanks for the pics, thinking of cable-tying a 140mm on to the stock heatsink

superleeds27 · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:59

does like rather big! no wonder its so cool!

Will wait till mine arrives and then decide on what im gunna do!

Might just replace the fan, somehow!

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:01

Yeah it's a bit silly, have the old version in my HTPC on an 8800GT. Effective at least.

LtMatt · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:01

Raikiri said:
Comes with rubber grommets, you can buy a 120mm designed for this cooler though which has better ones.

Awesome pics!!

How noisy is the fan?

Raikiri · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:20

At 12v it is audible, mostly from the air flow with a very slight buzz. At 7v it's very, very quiet; my 5400RPM storage drive is louder.

LtMatt · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:22

Raikiri said:
At 12v it is audible, mostly from the air flow with a very slight buzz. At 7v it's very, very quiet; my 5400RPM storage drive is louder.

Very nice. Fitted a few accelero coolers myself but that is the first one ive seen like that.