decisions decisions. 7970 or wait for nvidia.

petedread · Mar 22, 2012, 10:02 PM

So the 680 is a mid range card? And later this year we will see nvidia's top end card? If so, MSI's R7970 lightning will be well and truely out performed even when overclocked to the max by Nvidia's top card when it comes out. This is how i have understood everything I've read today. But I'm new to all this so maybe I've Misunderstood.

erocker · Mar 22, 2012, 10:06 PM

Look at the review for the GTX 680.. Look at the review for the 7970. Look at price. Make your decision. GTX 680 is Nvidia's top end for this series of cards. If you want to wait, I'm sure Nvidia and AMD will have new cards by around the end of the year/beggining of next year.

RevengE · Mar 22, 2012, 10:09 PM

Drivers may have a role as well. I want to see what this new GTX 680 will do with drivers. I want to give Nvidia a shot this time. I have not had one of their cards since 2005.

Kreij · Mar 22, 2012, 10:10 PM

Get the 7970.
The number 7970 has one more digit than 680 and that HAS to count for something, no?

Seriously, if you don't want to wait for the next cards, at least wait a little while to see what happens to current card pricing.

RevengE · Mar 22, 2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreij

Get the 7970.
The number 7970 has one more digit than 680 and that HAS to count for something, no?

Seriously, if you don't want to wait for the next cards, at least wait a little while to see what happens to current card pricing.

I have to buy a card sometime next month. My computer is down right now due to not having a video card. I may just pick up a used GTX 580, lol.

Kreij · Mar 22, 2012, 10:15 PM

When I'm ready to upgrade my 6970 I'm going to ... uh ... take the other 6970 out of the box.
Actually it's still in the unopened NewEgg box.

RevengE · Mar 22, 2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreij

When I'm ready to upgrade my 6970 I'm going to ... uh ... take the other 6970 out of the box.
Actually it's still in the unopened NewEgg box.

No Crossfire? I should't have sold my CF setup before getting a new card.. Lol. I didn't even really think it would take me this long to decide what card I want next.

qubit · Mar 22, 2012, 10:35 PM

I'd say go for nvidia, personally, to our OP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

Look at the review for the GTX 680.. Look at the review for the 7970. Look at price. Make your decision. GTX 680 is Nvidia's top end for this series of cards. If you want to wait, I'm sure Nvidia and AMD will have new cards by around the end of the year/beggining of next year.

Regardless of what I discussed with you in the other thread, the GTX 680 is still a fantastic card and deserves its 9.5 rating from W1zz. Therefore, I'll watch to see what happens with the GK110 along with GTX 680 pricing. Basically, if the GTX 680 goes down some in price (wishing...) and the GK110 is much further away than August, then I might just get it. Money is for getting into debt for, right?

Note that this here enthusiast hardly ever gets to actually play his games nowadays, so my high end PC is the equivalent of having a Ferrari and only ever driving it sedately down city streets.

Won't stop me spending lots of money on it though.

petedread · Mar 22, 2012, 10:47 PM

@revengE I was thinking about giving Nvidia a go this time too, thats why i was asking. But I am glad I did ask because it seems I had misunderstood a little bit. So the 680 is the high end card, seems I had been missinformed by a friend. Price isnt going to influence my dicision, my mind is made up. I'm going to get the MSI R7970 lightning on the 30th when it goes on sale at OCUK.com I'm very excited about this card. The next 8 days are gonna drag.

james888 · Mar 24, 2012, 02:58 PM

I half want to go to nvidea just for the control panel. Amd's is annoying. I know, it is petty. I have a 6950 now. I do want to upgrade although there is little need. Kinda the Ferrari statement.

JrRacinFan · Mar 24, 2012, 03:05 PM

@Revenge

Hey bud, give it one more driver release on the 680 then decide.

petedread · Mar 24, 2012, 07:06 PM

I'm definitely gonna get the MSI R7970 lightning because I like what I've read about this card. Even if the Nvidia 680 beats the MSI after I've overclocked it's knackers off, I'll still be happy with my choice.

DOM · Mar 24, 2012, 07:30 PM

wait for the 680 lighting

petedread · Mar 24, 2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOM

wait for the 680 lighting

I'm gonna get the 7970, I'm excited about having a new card ASAP, even though I've only just flashed my 6950 2 days ago. I'll put off trying Nvidia untill their next series for two reasons. 1, I'm excited about getting a new card asap. 2, It seems people are expecting nvidia's next series to make a bigger splash on the sceen.

MxPhenom 216 · Mar 24, 2012, 08:19 PM

Get the GTX680. It performs better and its cheaper and consumes a bit less power.

erocker · Mar 24, 2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petedread

I'm gonna get the 7970, I'm excited about having a new card ASAP, even though I've only just flashed my 6950 2 days ago. I'll put off trying Nvidia untill their next series for two reasons. 1, I'm excited about getting a new card asap. 2, It seems people are expecting nvidia's next series to make a bigger splash on the sceen.

Good choice!

DOM · Mar 24, 2012, 08:28 PM

i have a 7970 ref and the lighting isnt going to be alot better your still going to hit around the same max clocks on the stock cooler

INSTG8R · Mar 24, 2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOM

i have a 7970 ref and the lighting isnt going to be alot better your still going to hit around the same max clocks on the stock cooler

I would think the Lightning may be able to do it a little quieter. The Sapphire from what I have read is the quietest of the bunch for non-reference coolers.

erocker · Mar 24, 2012, 08:47 PM

Not if he's on water

.

DOM · Mar 24, 2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSTG8R

I would think the Lightning may be able to do it a little quieter. The Sapphire from what I have read is the quietest of the bunch for non-reference coolers.

im not on the stock cooler but they all seem to hit around the same max you need zub zero to get higher out of 7970's but they avg around 1100-1250

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

Not if he's on water

.

the stock cooler made my kids cry, its to loud

op if you like AMD get the 7970 but if you want the top card out right now get the 680

petedread · Mar 25, 2012, 03:04 PM

This is such a tough call but you may have sold it to me Dom (the 680). I wont be able to get water cooling for the lightning for anouther 6 weeks, but by then MSI mite have a 680 lightning out. That is if MSI can do similer things with the 680, what with the power limiter.

DOM · Mar 25, 2012, 07:58 PM

they posted this on another thread ASUS GeForce GTX 680 OC vs R7970 OC vs GTX 580 OC Performance Review

RevengE · Apr 17, 2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

@Revenge

Hey bud, give it one more driver release on the 680 then decide.

I actually went with a GTX 480. It was cheap and its still a beast of a card. So Far it takes everything I throw at it. I will wait for the next series of cards. I would like maybe a GTX 680 Classified. Will wait and see what comes out.

JrRacinFan · Apr 17, 2012, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevengE

I actually went with a GTX 480. It was cheap and its still a beast of a card. So Far it takes everything I throw at it. I will wait for the next series of cards. I would like maybe a GTX 680 Classified. Will wait and see what comes out.

Performance wise good card. In today's bracket, quite power consuming. What was your going price?

RevengE · Apr 17, 2012, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Performance wise good card. In today's bracket, quite power consuming. What was your going price?

Got it brand new at mircocenter for $239.00. I don't care about power.. I have a 1000W PSU, lol. EVGA GTX 480.

Mar 22, 2012, 10:02 PM	#1
petedread Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 121 (0.17/day) Thanks: 17 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts System Specs	decisions decisions. 7970 or wait for nvidia. So the 680 is a mid range card? And later this year we will see nvidia's top end card? If so, MSI's R7970 lightning will be well and truely out performed even when overclocked to the max by Nvidia's top card when it comes out. This is how i have understood everything I've read today. But I'm new to all this so maybe I've Misunderstood.

Processor:	2700k@4.8
Motherboard:	P8P67 PRO
Cooling:	Corsiar Hydro H70
Memory:	8gb Samsung Green @2133,
Video Card:	HD 6950, shaders unlocked. HD6970 crossfire
Hard Disk:	OCZ 60GB ssd 6GB/s Seagate barracooder 1t 6BG/s Intel 520 120gb
Case:	Haf Cooler master
PSU:	OCZ 700w
Software:	Cubase, Adobe

Processor:	Intel i7 3770K @ 4.6ghz 1.256v
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus V Formula
Cooling:	Water
Memory:	2x4gb Patriot Viper 2133mhz 10-11-10-25 2T 1.55v
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 7970 1125/1575 1.14v
Hard Disk:	Crucial M4 128Gb / Corsair Force 3 120Gb / Samsung 240Gb / 2Tb Seagate
Optical Drive:	None
CRT/LCD Model:	Acheiva Shimian 27" IPS 2560x1440
Case:	Corsair 500R White
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	NZXT Hale90 1Kw
Software:	Windows 8 x64

Mar 22, 2012, 10:09 PM	#3
RevengE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,027 (1.26/day) Thanks: 210 Thanked 210 Times in 192 Posts System Specs	Drivers may have a role as well. I want to see what this new GTX 680 will do with drivers. I want to give Nvidia a shot this time. I have not had one of their cards since 2005. __________________

Processor:	Phenom II X6 1100T Black
Motherboard:	Gigabyte 990FXA-UD7
Cooling:	Zalman
Memory:	Kingston Hyper X 8GB
Video Card:	EVGA GTX 480
Hard Disk:	Western Digital Raptor 150g
Optical Drive:	Pioneer DVD/CD burner drive
CRT/LCD Model:	2x ViewSonic 22 Inch LED/LCD
Case:	Silverstone Raven RV02
Sound Card:	N/A
PSU:	Kingwin Lazer 1000W
Software:	Windows 7 64 Bit

Mar 22, 2012, 10:06 PM	#2
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,958 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,793 Thanked 12,321 Times in 7,832 Posts System Specs	Look at the review for the GTX 680.. Look at the review for the 7970. Look at price. Make your decision. GTX 680 is Nvidia's top end for this series of cards. If you want to wait, I'm sure Nvidia and AMD will have new cards by around the end of the year/beggining of next year.

Mar 22, 2012, 10:10 PM	#4
Kreij Hardcore Monkey Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheeseland (Wisconsin, USA) Posts: 12,128 (5.27/day) Thanks: 591 Thanked 5,494 Times in 2,938 Posts System Specs	Get the 7970. The number 7970 has one more digit than 680 and that HAS to count for something, no? Seriously, if you don't want to wait for the next cards, at least wait a little while to see what happens to current card pricing. __________________ Cloud (noun, singular): A dynamic arrangement of multiple potential single points of failure, with a user at one end and their data at the other. Get more tech news on a wide variety of topics at NextPowerUp

Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650 Extreme @ 3.0 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage Formula
Cooling:	ZeroTherm Nirvana NV120 Premium
Memory:	8GB (4 x 2GB) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500
Video Card:	2 x Sapphire Radeon HD6970
Hard Disk:	2 x Seagate Barracuda 320GB in RAID 0
Optical Drive:	Sony DRU-120C DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 3007WFP 30" LCD (2560 x 1600)
Case:	Thermaltake Armor w/ 250mm Side Fan
Sound Card:	SupremeFX 8ch Audio
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Modular
Software:	Win8 Pro x64 / Cat 12.10

Mar 22, 2012, 10:15 PM	#6
Kreij Hardcore Monkey Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheeseland (Wisconsin, USA) Posts: 12,128 (5.27/day) Thanks: 591 Thanked 5,494 Times in 2,938 Posts System Specs	When I'm ready to upgrade my 6970 I'm going to ... uh ... take the other 6970 out of the box. Actually it's still in the unopened NewEgg box. __________________ Cloud (noun, singular): A dynamic arrangement of multiple potential single points of failure, with a user at one end and their data at the other. Get more tech news on a wide variety of topics at NextPowerUp

System Name:	Quantumville™
Processor:	Intel Core i7-2700K at 4.7GHz (hits 5 gees+ easily)
Motherboard:	Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Cooling:	Noctua NH-D14
Memory:	16GB (4 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 PC3-12800 C9 1600MHz)
Video Card:	EVGA GTX 590 Classified
Hard Disk:	WD Caviar Black 640GB / WD Caviar Green 2TB x2 in mobo RAID 1
Optical Drive:	Whatever DVD drive I've chucked in there right now
CRT/LCD Model:	Asus VG278HE (144Hz, 3D Vision 2, 1080p, 27") & LG W2363D (120Hz 1080p 23")
Case:	Coolermaster HAF 922
Sound Card:	SoundBlaster X-Fi ExtremeMusic (You ever heard one of these? Wow!)
PSU:	Corsair HX850W
Software:	Window 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Benchmarks:	Yes

Mar 22, 2012, 10:47 PM	#9
petedread Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 121 (0.17/day) Thanks: 17 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts System Specs	@revengE I was thinking about giving Nvidia a go this time too, thats why i was asking. But I am glad I did ask because it seems I had misunderstood a little bit. So the 680 is the high end card, seems I had been missinformed by a friend. Price isnt going to influence my dicision, my mind is made up. I'm going to get the MSI R7970 lightning on the 30th when it goes on sale at OCUK.com I'm very excited about this card. The next 8 days are gonna drag.

Mar 24, 2012, 02:58 PM	#10
james888 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,288 (3.28/day) Thanks: 457 Thanked 431 Times in 321 Posts System Specs	I half want to go to nvidea just for the control panel. Amd's is annoying. I know, it is petty. I have a 6950 now. I do want to upgrade although there is little need. Kinda the Ferrari statement.

Processor:	Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard:	MSI P67A-GD53
Cooling:	Alphacool Monta 240mm
Memory:	G.SKILL 2GBx4 1600mhz 7-8-7-24-2N
Video Card:	Saphire 7970 OC 1250Mhz/1600Mhz
Hard Disk:	Adata sp900, WD Black 500Gb
CRT/LCD Model:	Vizio VM230XVT 1920x1080
Case:	Corsair 550d
Sound Card:	Auzentech Prelude + jvc rx700
PSU:	COUGAR SX850 850W
Software:	Windows 7 64 Bit
Benchmarks:	8224 firestrike

Mar 24, 2012, 03:05 PM	#11
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.13/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	@Revenge Hey bud, give it one more driver release on the 680 then decide. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

System Name:	Mine; Hers; Our HTPC; NAS Box
Processor:	i7 2600k : i3 2120 : Celeron G440 : P4 2.6Ghz Nwood
Motherboard:	Asrock Z68 Extreme4 : Asus P8P67 Pro : Asrock H61M/U3S3 : Dell
Cooling:	CM 212+ w/ scythe jyuni : Stock : Stock :Stock
Memory:	2x4GB Ripjawx 1866 cl9 : 2x2GB Corsair 1600 cl9 : 2x2GB Ridgebacks 1066 cl5 : 768MB PC3200
Video Card:	Palit GTX560Ti 2Gb : XFX HD5770 : Integrated : Integrated
Hard Disk:	2x 750GB Raid 0 + Maxtor 500GB : WD Black 1TB+Corsair Nova 2 64GB : Toshiba 750GB : Leftover ATA133
Optical Drive:	Lite-On DVD-RW : Samsung DVD-RW : None : None
CRT/LCD Model:	AOC 21" : AOC 20" : Philips 42" HDTV : Headless
Case:	Rocketfish : CM HAF 912 : Bgears Cube Style case : Dell
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtremegamer : Onboard : Onboard : Onboard
PSU:	Tt 750W Modular : Antec 500W Earthwatts : Corsair CX430 : Dell's OEM

Mar 24, 2012, 07:06 PM	#12
petedread Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 121 (0.17/day) Thanks: 17 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts System Specs	I'm definitely gonna get the MSI R7970 lightning because I like what I've read about this card. Even if the Nvidia 680 beats the MSI after I've overclocked it's knackers off, I'll still be happy with my choice.

Mar 24, 2012, 07:30 PM	#13
DOM Eligible for custom title Join Date: May 2006 Location: TX, USA Posts: 6,476 (2.54/day) Thanks: 292 Thanked 792 Times in 708 Posts System Specs	wait for the 680 lighting __________________

System Name:	Daily Rig/Bench Rig
Processor:	Intel i7 3770K/Intel i7 3770K
Motherboard:	ASUS Maximus V GENE/Asrock OC Formula
Cooling:	Water/SS-LN2
Memory:	G.SKILL RipjawsX/Team Xtreem LV-2400
Video Card:	EK Full WB HD7970/To Many XD
CRT/LCD Model:	Asus VE248H 24"/LG 22"
Case:	Danger Den Torture Rack/Table XD
Sound Card:	Onboard/None
PSU:	ENERMAX REVOLUTION85+ 1050W /CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200
Software:	W7 64Bit/XP/W7 64Bit

Mar 24, 2012, 08:19 PM	#15
MxPhenom 216 Knowledgeable Posting Whore Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,811 (5.82/day) Thanks: 1,289 Thanked 1,091 Times in 843 Posts System Specs	Get the GTX680. It performs better and its cheaper and consumes a bit less power. __________________ 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”

System Name:	My System
Processor:	Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.5GHZ 1.36v
Motherboard:	AsRock Extreme4 Gen3 P67
Cooling:	EK Supremacy w/ Black Ice X-Flow 240
Memory:	Corsair Dominator Platinums 8GB 4GBx2 2133mhz 1.5v
Video Card:	EVGA Geforce GTX780 3GB
Hard Disk:	Samsung 830 128GB SSD, Corsair Neutron 240GB, Samsung F3 500GB
Optical Drive:	Asus 24x SATA DVD
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell U2412M IPS 24" 1920 x 1200
Case:	Corsair Carbide Series 500r w/ 2x Corsair AF120 fans
Sound Card:	HT Omega Striker 7.1
PSU:	Corsair HX850 Gen1 Silver
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1

Mar 24, 2012, 08:28 PM	#17
DOM Eligible for custom title Join Date: May 2006 Location: TX, USA Posts: 6,476 (2.54/day) Thanks: 292 Thanked 792 Times in 708 Posts System Specs	i have a 7970 ref and the lighting isnt going to be alot better your still going to hit around the same max clocks on the stock cooler __________________

System Name:	Hellbox 2.1(same case new guts)
Processor:	i7 2600k@4.6(1.36V max)
Motherboard:	Asus P67 Sabertooth
Cooling:	TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)AC Cuplex Kryos CPU Block
Memory:	2x4096 Corsair Vengance 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire HD7970 OC Edition(1000/1450)
Hard Disk:	WD Caviar Black SATA 3 1TB x2 RAID 0
Optical Drive:	LG GSA-4166B DVD+RW DL/DVD-RAM
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer V243H 24" 1920x1080
Case:	TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Sound Card:	X-Fi Fatality Pro Champion on Creative/SBS 650s
PSU:	TT Toughpower 1200W
Software:	Win7 Pro x64

Mar 24, 2012, 08:47 PM	#19
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,958 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,793 Thanked 12,321 Times in 7,832 Posts System Specs	Not if he's on water .

Mar 25, 2012, 03:04 PM	#21
petedread Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 121 (0.17/day) Thanks: 17 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts System Specs	This is such a tough call but you may have sold it to me Dom (the 680). I wont be able to get water cooling for the lightning for anouther 6 weeks, but by then MSI mite have a 680 lightning out. That is if MSI can do similer things with the 680, what with the power limiter.

Mar 25, 2012, 07:58 PM	#22
DOM Eligible for custom title Join Date: May 2006 Location: TX, USA Posts: 6,476 (2.54/day) Thanks: 292 Thanked 792 Times in 708 Posts System Specs	they posted this on another thread ASUS GeForce GTX 680 OC vs R7970 OC vs GTX 580 OC Performance Review __________________

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

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Decisions, Decisions: Upgrading my i7 920 for cheap ?	Yukikaze	General Hardware	4	Aug 5, 2009 12:32 PM
4870? 3870x3? 4850x3? decisions decisions	Lazzer408	AMD / ATI	76	Feb 20, 2009 02:17 AM
I Need help fast- decisions decisions	madmanjohn	Motherboards & Memory	21	Feb 14, 2009 06:51 AM
OCZ or Corsair? Decisions, decisions...	MRCL	Motherboards & Memory	24	Jan 4, 2009 01:08 PM
Decisions decisions...... which CPU? Hmm..	Ketxxx	General Hardware	96	Jul 22, 2008 01:44 PM