techPowerUp! Forums

Go Back   techPowerUp! Forums > Hardware > Graphics Cards

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old Apr 6, 2012, 05:45 PM   #1
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

New GPU? 7970 or gtx680

Well im bored and looking to get a new gpu, either 7970 or a 680.

HIS H797F3G2M Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI... 7970 529.00+30 to get bud to deliver to my place from states
Or an evga gtx680, my computer store can get them pretty easy and go for 549+13%tax

I plan to sli/CF them later. One i can get as soon as i want (680) the other i would have to wait at least a wk if not more.


Thanks Boneface

They did have 2 680s at microcenter in detroit for 509.00 gone today though lol
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 05:49 PM   #2
Vulpesveritas
200 Posts
 
Vulpesveritas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 379 (0.82/day)
Thanks: 18
Thanked 86 Times in 74 Posts

Quite honestly, if you're just using a 1080p monitor, whichever is cheaper is the better buy, if you're using a higher resolution, and not overclocking, I would say it's pretty much the same boat. If you are going to OC, get the 680 unless you prefer AMD/ATI.
Vulpesveritas is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Vulpesveritas For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 05:49 PM   #3
m1dg3t
1000 Posts
 
m1dg3t's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,994 (1.78/day)
Thanks: 676
Thanked 451 Times in 373 Posts

System Specs

This prolly not the answer you want to hear but i'd hold off a bit, price's should come down and possibly a couple new card's are on the way

Is your 6950 not up to task any longer?
__________________

Why dazzle 'em with brilliance when you can baffle 'em with bullshit.
Alterius non sit, qui potest esse sui!
Und setzet ihr nicht das leben ein, Nie wird euch das leben gewonnen sein!

If knowledge is power, then ignorance is bliss!
If god didn't want them sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep!
m1dg3t is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to m1dg3t For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 05:52 PM   #4
EarthDog
2000 Posts
 
EarthDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,057 (1.63/day)
Thanks: 247
Thanked 353 Times in 307 Posts

System Specs

680. No brainer. Faster, cheaper, quieter, less power consumption...

Last edited by EarthDog; Apr 6, 2012 at 07:25 PM. Reason: spelling
EarthDog is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to EarthDog For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 05:58 PM   #5
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulpesveritas View Post
Quite honestly, if you're just using a 1080p monitor, whichever is cheaper is the better buy, if you're using a higher resolution, and not overclocking, I would say it's pretty much the same boat. If you are going to OC, get the 680 unless you prefer AMD/ATI.
I am thinking of getting 2 more 27in monitors in the future for eyefinity/nvsurround and i will be OCing lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by m1dg3t View Post
This prolly not the answer you want to hear but i'd hold off a bit, price's should come down and possibly a couple new card's are on the way

Is your 6950 not up to task any longer?
I would wait but the longer i do the less value my cards will be worth, and they work great in bf3 but i do miss having eyefinity/surround

Quote:
Originally Posted by EarthDog View Post
680. No brainer. Faster, cheaper, quiter, less power consumption...
Its faster,quieter and use less power but its more expensive 560.00 7970, 620 for the 680, if the 680 was in at newegg i would get it there for 499
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:00 PM   #6
erocker
Senior Moderator
 
erocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Posts: 32,274 (12.78/day)
Thanks: 2,814
Thanked 12,445 Times in 7,912 Posts

System Specs

Have you looked at reviews? I don't quite understand why a 7970 vs. 680 thread needs to be made to make a decision. It's just going to go back and forth like the countless other threads just like this one on the internet.
erocker is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to erocker For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:03 PM   #7
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

I have read the reviews and such, i know the 680 is better, but for me itll be more expensive then the 7970 as the 7970 will be from the states and the 680 from canada. I guess im just wondering if i should pay the extra 60$ for the 680 or just go with the 7970.
Sorry bout the thread!
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:06 PM   #8
Vulpesveritas
200 Posts
 
Vulpesveritas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 379 (0.82/day)
Thanks: 18
Thanked 86 Times in 74 Posts

For the cost, the 680 is 10% more, but at max OC you will end up 15-20% faster up to 3 monitors, if you plan on a 5/6 monitor setup I suggest AMD for the vram.
Vulpesveritas is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Vulpesveritas For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:06 PM   #9
erocker
Senior Moderator
 
erocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Posts: 32,274 (12.78/day)
Thanks: 2,814
Thanked 12,445 Times in 7,912 Posts

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boneface View Post
I have read the reviews and such, i know the 680 is better, but for me itll be more expensive then the 7970 as the 7970 will be from the states and the 680 from canada. I guess im just wondering if i should pay the extra 60$ for the 680 or just go with the 7970.
Sorry bout the thread!
Heh, tough choice. Performance is a little better on the Nvidia side, but since it's more expensive and they are hard to find, I'd just go with the 7970. I love mine and it overclocks nicely. I'm using a 27" 2560x1440 monitor as well.
erocker is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to erocker For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:09 PM   #10
MxPhenom 216
Knowledgeable Posting Whore
 
MxPhenom 216's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 6,031 (5.90/day)
Thanks: 1,340
Thanked 1,187 Times in 904 Posts

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
Have you looked at reviews? I don't quite understand why a 7970 vs. 680 thread needs to be made to make a decision. It's just going to go back and forth like the countless other threads just like this one on the internet.
its for people that can't make up their minds haha! and what other peoples opinions.
__________________
Motocross is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle.

File Server: Intel Pentium G630, 8GB PNY 1600, AsRock H77M Micro, Corsair CX430M, Vertex 2 90GB (OS), 2x WD Red 2TB in RAID1
“We will never know our full potential, unless we push ourselves to find it. -Travis Rice”
MxPhenom 216 is online now  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:13 PM   #11
erocker
Senior Moderator
 
erocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Posts: 32,274 (12.78/day)
Thanks: 2,814
Thanked 12,445 Times in 7,912 Posts

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by nvidiaintelftw View Post
its for people that can't make up their minds haha! and what other peoples opinions.
Too late to the party to warrant a response. Are you here to contribute to this thread or be the peanut gallery to my posts?
erocker is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:16 PM   #12
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
Heh, tough choice. Performance is a little better on the Nvidia side, but since it's more expensive and they are hard to find, I'd just go with the 7970. I love mine and it overclocks nicely. I'm using a 27" 2560x1440 monitor as well.

LOL hell i was surprised my computer store could get the 680 in at all, buddy of mine traded in a 580, and a i7 920 plsu 50bucks to get his from them BASTARD lol.
My monitor is only 1920x1080, samsung s27a950d 120hz 3d monitor.
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:19 PM   #13
erocker
Senior Moderator
 
erocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Posts: 32,274 (12.78/day)
Thanks: 2,814
Thanked 12,445 Times in 7,912 Posts

System Specs

From what I've heard, Nvidia handles 120hz and 3d better (due to its RAMDAC), so keep that in mind if you are keeping with the same monitor. I'd almost wait (if you can) for the 670 or whatever they'll call it to come out.

Last edited by erocker; Apr 6, 2012 at 06:25 PM.
erocker is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:27 PM   #14
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
From what I've heard, Nvidia handles 120hz and 3d better, so keep that in mind if you are keeping with the same monitor. I'd almost wait (if you can) for the 670 or whatever they'll call it to come out.
Well 120hz and 3d on this with ati works great, love it, but bf3 beats the crap out of my rig in 3d, ME3,dirt2,3 play like a dream in 3d,

LMAO! just realized i would need 2 more 120monitors, CRAP, that would cost a fortune. So i guess i want to be able to play bf3 in 3d with no problems!
Patience was never one of my strong points lol

Guess 60$ is only 60$, now do i want to wait over a wk or get tuesday.

Sorry kind of thinking outloud, but the help is helping lol thanks, pretty sure itll be the 7970 though
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:31 PM   #15
m1dg3t
1000 Posts
 
m1dg3t's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,994 (1.78/day)
Thanks: 676
Thanked 451 Times in 373 Posts

System Specs

If you could get the 680 for less than the 7970 and only intend to keep the card for a year or two i'd say go for it (GTX 680) otherwise i'd go 7970. Is there still a need to do a reformat when switching between Nvidia/ATi like the old day's?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boneface View Post
I am thinking of getting 2 more 27in monitors in the future for eyefinity/nvsurround and i will be OCing lol

I would wait but the longer i do the less value my cards will be worth, and they work great in bf3 but i do miss having eyefinity/surround

Its faster,quieter and use less power but its more expensive 560.00 7970, 620 for the 680, if the 680 was in at newegg i would get it there for 499
I understand you want to recoup as much as possible from your current card's, i would to if i was going from CF/SLI on such close gen's. It is pricey i can imagine!

Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
Have you looked at reviews? I don't quite understand why a 7970 vs. 680 thread needs to be made to make a decision. It's just going to go back and forth like the countless other threads just like this one on the internet.
True but a lot of thread's have fanboy's spewing hurr durr so it can be confusing seeing as the two card's are nearly identical in every aspect, although the Nvidia is better on average by 6% in ALL areas. Plus sometime's people just like to get advice from fellow user's and use that info along with review's to make their choice/s

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulpesveritas View Post
For the cost, the 680 is 10% more, but at max OC you will end up 15-20% faster up to 3 monitors, if you plan on a 5/6 monitor setup I suggest AMD for the vram.
Not only for the sake of Vram difference but compute is much better on the 7970 as well, which i think will make the card more viable down the road as the software mature's to better use the hardware. I think the 680 will become "obsolete" before the 7970

Once OCd i think both are dead even

This gen of GFX card's is too damn close to call with any certainty and both camp's have their good point's. Almost forgot! Is ATi still having trouble with 120Hz or did they sort that out?
__________________

Why dazzle 'em with brilliance when you can baffle 'em with bullshit.
Alterius non sit, qui potest esse sui!
Und setzet ihr nicht das leben ein, Nie wird euch das leben gewonnen sein!

If knowledge is power, then ignorance is bliss!
If god didn't want them sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep!
m1dg3t is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:33 PM   #16
Crap Daddy
2000 Posts
 
Crap Daddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314 (2.40/day)
Thanks: 966
Thanked 974 Times in 678 Posts

System Specs

The detail with 120Hz changes somehow the situation. It seems that the 680 handles better that (hassle free).I was about to say get the cheaper one since the difference is not so big. But waiting sometimes is not worth it. On the other hand it also dependends on what games you play.In some the 680 is noticeably better. If you are already set to spend some important money I'd say get the 680. On the other hand no matter what card if you want to get surround or eyefinity you need two so maybe 2xGTX670 at 350$ would be interesting but that means waiting at least a month.
Crap Daddy is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:47 PM   #17
NHKS
500 Posts
 
NHKS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 572 (0.91/day)
Thanks: 1,853
Thanked 375 Times in 199 Posts

Since u missed the 509 deal @ Microcenter, check this deal @ NCIX.ca:
EVGA GeForce GTX 680
$509.99 CAD
Savings Code 69799-1067. SAVE $34.41 off our regular price of $544.40 if you buy today! Special price ends 4/30/2012.

LINK
MSI, Galaxy, PNY also available @ this price
NHKS is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to NHKS For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:49 PM   #18
m1dg3t
1000 Posts
 
m1dg3t's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,994 (1.78/day)
Thanks: 676
Thanked 451 Times in 373 Posts

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by NHKS View Post
Since u missed the 509 deal @ Microcenter, check this deal @ NCIX.ca:
EVGA GeForce GTX 680
$509.99 CAD
Savings Code 69799-1067. SAVE $34.41 off our regular price of $544.40 if you buy today! Special price ends 4/30/2012.

LINK
MSI, Galaxy, PNY also available @ this price
just checked NCiX and everything is OOS or pre-order for the 680
__________________

Why dazzle 'em with brilliance when you can baffle 'em with bullshit.
Alterius non sit, qui potest esse sui!
Und setzet ihr nicht das leben ein, Nie wird euch das leben gewonnen sein!

If knowledge is power, then ignorance is bliss!
If god didn't want them sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep!
m1dg3t is offline  
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to m1dg3t For This Useful Post:
Old Apr 6, 2012, 06:54 PM   #19
user21
200 Posts
 
user21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Peshawar
Posts: 281 (0.38/day)
Thanks: 2
Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts
Send a message via Skype™ to user21

Gtx680
user21 is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 07:00 PM   #20
Vulpesveritas
200 Posts
 
Vulpesveritas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 379 (0.82/day)
Thanks: 18
Thanked 86 Times in 74 Posts

Given availability and the prices available to you, I would suggest the 7970.
Vulpesveritas is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 07:00 PM   #21
LifeOnMars
2000 Posts
 
LifeOnMars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Kettering,Northants. UK
Posts: 2,242 (1.23/day)
Thanks: 1,718
Thanked 401 Times in 337 Posts

System Specs

Your'e also getting integrated physx with the GTX 680 don't forget. Mafia 2,Batman Games,Mirror's Edge,Alice:Madness Returns,Metro 2033,Borderlands 2(Not Released yet) all use it not to mention the additional effects in Just Cause 2 that are Nvidia only.

GTX680 is a no brainer I think
LifeOnMars is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 07:23 PM   #22
Boneface
1000 Posts
 
Boneface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,339 (0.49/day)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 79 Times in 45 Posts
Send a message via MSN to Boneface Send a message via Skype™ to Boneface

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeOnMars View Post
Your'e also getting integrated physx with the GTX 680 don't forget. Mafia 2,Batman Games,Mirror's Edge,Alice:Madness Returns,Metro 2033,Borderlands 2(Not Released yet) all use it not to mention the additional effects in Just Cause 2 that are Nvidia only.

GTX680 is a no brainer I think
lol Those are all games i dont play! But thanks! Im pretty much stuck on BF3
Boneface is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 07:41 PM   #23
johnnyfiive
2000 Posts
 
johnnyfiive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,979 (1.58/day)
Thanks: 740
Thanked 856 Times in 537 Posts

System Specs

Gtx 680.
__________________
[o_0] - GO BUCKEYES!
------------------------------------------------------
HEATWARE /MY KEYBOARD / VIDEO OF MY LGA 2011 RIG

------------------------------------------------------
Steam: johnnyfiive
ORIGIN: johnny5iive
League of Legends: 5iive
johnnyfiive is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 07:49 PM   #24
erocker
Senior Moderator
 
erocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Posts: 32,274 (12.78/day)
Thanks: 2,814
Thanked 12,445 Times in 7,912 Posts

System Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boneface View Post
lol Those are all games i dont play! But thanks! Im pretty much stuck on BF3
One thing to think about is that BF3 uses more than 2gb of Vram on Ultra settings. The game will automatically lower IQ for the Nvidia card (most likely barely noticable), but performace will be a bit higher.
erocker is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old Apr 6, 2012, 08:25 PM   #25
EarthDog
2000 Posts
 
EarthDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,057 (1.63/day)
Thanks: 247
Thanked 353 Times in 307 Posts

System Specs

Actually, the game appears to scale with available Vram.. its odd.

Same settings (1080p, Ultra, 4xAA, HBAO) on GTX580 1.5GB, GTX580 3GB

580 = ~1.2GB used
580 3GB = ~1.9-2GB used

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...d.php?t=702655

With 1GB the game seems to stutter a bit. But anything 1.5GB + at ultra is seemingly OK.

GTX680 doesnt stutter at 2560x1440 either.. uses around the same 1.9GB.

Do you have any links where it shows the IQ goes down on Nvidia cards? I havent heard that one before.
EarthDog is offline  
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nvidia's GTX680 gets thrashed by AMD's mid-range Radeon HD 7870 in GPU compute Sourc Protagonist NVIDIA 101 Mar 23, 2012 07:16 PM
MSI HD 7970 Lightning "GPU Reactor" Detailed btarunr News 53 Mar 19, 2012 02:43 PM
GPU-Z shows HD 7970 @ x8 1.1 only ? bmwmaster AMD / ATI 26 Feb 18, 2012 09:56 AM
Aeolus Gamer Storm Designs Dracula GPU Heatsink for Radeon HD 7970 btarunr News 9 Jan 19, 2012 04:14 PM
Club 3D Releases the New Radeon HD 7970 btarunr News 2 Jan 9, 2012 03:23 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 06:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
no new posts