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HD 7970: Bulldozer vs. Sandy Bridge vs. Nehalem

W1zzard

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In our CPU scaling article we investigate gaming performance of AMD's latest Radeon HD 7970 flagship. The processors in our test group have been selected to match popular CPUs used by gamers and enthusiasts: AMD FX-8150 Bulldozer, Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge and Intel Core i7-920 Nehalem.

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qubit

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Excellent review. :toast:

Unfortunately, Bulldozer is what it is and it doesn't matter what system you put it in, you get about the same results.

I look forward to an updated version of this review once the Windows threading patch comes out.
 

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2500K, Chuck norris use this CPU.
thanks for the megabench w1zz, i know how long and frustrating are all those tests
 

Frick

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Nice review. but bulldozer is still a fail for gaming.

Naah. It's slower than SB but holds up good against .. that older Intel chip. But yeah, if you're a hardcore gamer intel is the way to go.

BTW, it would be awesome if Battlefield 3 was to be included there.
 
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nice comparison looks like AMD still has work to do !
 

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Very nice, thanks!

A request? How about the same with with crossfire comparing FX and Thuban?
 
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Very nice, thanks!

A request? How about the same with with crossfire comparing FX and Thuban?

The results would be a minimal difference. It sounds like a waste of time.
 

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While we are on the subject of requests, any chance of doctoring the results so bulldozer wins something...anything, put in a category like "comes in a nice looking box" bulldozer might win something....make me feel better about my choice, and I only have the 8120!
Cant believe the 920 beat it more times than not, only thing I want to play now is 3d mark 11 and that's not even a game...
Could have saved my self some cash and just picked up a 920 for £80-90.
This patch better be some kind of magic, Merlin himself better be writing it.
 

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I'd like to see this again, but this time with "modest" overclocks on the CPUs. Say the SandyBridge at 4.0GHz, the Nehalem at 3.6-3.8GHz, and the Bulldozer at 4.0GHz+.

None the less, a very nice review, and really goes to show that upgrading CPUs isn't really a priority right now.
 

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Good bit of info,thanx.
 

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I'd like to see this again, but this time with "modest" overclocks on the CPUs. Say the SandyBridge at 4.0GHz, the Nehalem at 3.6-3.8GHz, and the Bulldozer at 4.0GHz+.

None the less, a very nice review, and really goes to show that upgrading CPUs isn't really a priority right now.

I think there was a review of this not long before or after BDs release. It showed that clock for clock. SB still beat the hell out of BD.

you can overclock it but the performance gains wouldnt be anywhere near as big as Intels.
 

fullinfusion

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I'd like to see this again, but this time with "modest" overclocks on the CPUs. Say the SandyBridge at 4.0GHz, the Nehalem at 3.6-3.8GHz, and the Bulldozer at 4.0GHz+.

None the less, a very nice review, and really goes to show that upgrading CPUs isn't really a priority right now.
The BD wouldnt show anything different then the review shows... There junk till about 4.8GHz and by that time your looking for a way to cool the bitch.
And shows not to bother upgrading cpu's now.... only if you own a Bulldozer its time to upgrade :laugh:
Excellent review. :toast:

Unfortunately, Bulldozer is what it is and it doesn't matter what system you put it in, you get about the same results.

I look forward to an updated version of this review once the Windows threading patch comes out.
I wouldnt waste the man's time... It's more then a patch thats going to make this cpu shine. Toss it on the train tracks and after its rolled over and over is about the best it'll shine. :rolleyes:
The results would be a minimal difference. It sounds like a waste of time.
I 2nd that :)
 
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Nice review. but bulldozer is still a fail for gaming.

:shadedshu

I have a FX for gaming and its the best gaming machine I have ever owned. :) :rockout:
 

fullinfusion

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^ sorry to hear that JJ :p

I think there was a review of this not long before or after BDs release. It showed that clock for clock. SB still beat the hell out of BD.

you can overclock it but the performance gains wouldnt be anywhere near as big as Intels.
you got that right...
Look at the same clocks vs clocks...
Bulldozer 8150 @ 5ghz


Same clocks but on a SB 2700K
Both systems had the memory speeds and timings as well as the gpu was 1000/1500MHz for both runs... SB Is a huge winner

 

qubit

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Beats me. I don't really know what I was thinking there. :eek:

You muppet! :toast:

Don't worry, you're not alone in this...

I wouldnt waste the man's time... It's more then a patch thats going to make this cpu shine. Toss it on the train tracks and after its rolled over and over is about the best it'll shine. :rolleyes:

Sure, it won't change dramatically, but I think it would be nice to perhaps have a quick version of it with just a couple of games out of interest, though.

Toss it on the tracks, oh so cruel... lol
 

fullinfusion

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Sure, it won't change dramatically, but I think it would be nice to perhaps have a quick version of it with just a couple of games out of interest, though.

Toss it on the tracks, oh so cruel... lol
lol but its true hahahahahaha :roll:
 

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Great article, but I would like to see a redux with eyefinity on all games. That would be interesting.
 
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It's interesting that in some games Bulldozer only seems to do good at 2560*1600 while being slowest on the rest of the resolutions. My only guess is that the card is taxed at that resolution, negating any CPU differences.

Glad I went 2600K + Z68, as it looks like I shouldn't need an upgrade for a while. AMD and I had some good years, but the performance has been "meh" for quite some time. I know my 4GHz 955BE wouldn't be able to hold 120FPS in Team Fortress 2 on my ASUS VG236H, but my Intel does 98% of the time (if a poorly optimized map comes up or my system has been on for too long it does drop). I'd be interested to see how BD does in that game, as it is still very CPU intensive and doesn't like AMD CPUs too much it seems.

Thanks for the review, W1zzard! Good to know I made a good investment. :)
 
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So if if you still have a first-generation Core i7, there's no need for you to upgrade

Remove an if please :)
Nice idea of making a review like this one
I don't understand why sandy bridge with the core i5 is so powerful
when it has less parameters showed in the table?
 

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Excellent review. :toast:

Unfortunately, Bulldozer is what it is and it doesn't matter what system you put it in, you get about the same results.

I look forward to an updated version of this review once the Windows threading patch comes out.

That and the Revised CPU arch (Stepping) or Piledriver Arch)

Bulldozer is far from a fail or horrible just many people blow it out of proportion (all fanboys which are blind anyway). (I do build AMD or Intel machines for clients, all depends on their budget)

Tell you truth I really want to see Skulltrail 2 or FX dual Machines again
 

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Nice review, though would have been interesting to see a 100t in there just for comparison sake to the 8150, as I hear everyone saying that the PII's are faster.
 
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