7950 IceQ X2 or Vapor X OC Boost

[BH.NomaD]

Hi,
I am thinking about buying a HD 7950. After searching a while, I am confused between IceQ X2 and the Vapor X OC Boost. According to most of the review IceQ X2 has the upper hand (by around extra 5 fps), but I don't know much about HIS where Sapphire is very well known. So can anyone hell me choosing one?

 

[partyboy75]

HIS IceQ3 brand is around for years, the old X1950XT IceQ3 version was one of best, awesome looking, silent and cool. Sapphire Vapor-X also is around for years, the Vapor-X have small overclock but still have the same enhanced cooler that Sapphire Toxic have.

I would choose the card with lowest noise and faster factory overclock. Most likely it is Vapor-X but I'm not sure.

 

[Zubasa]

Both are decent cards.
The questions comes down to which card has the better warranty and price.
The whatever small factory OC they put on the cards can easily be done manually.

 

[BH.NomaD]

Thnx partyboy75,
But as far as i saw the reviews both cards have great overclocking potential. They came with 950 Mhz stock. Can be overclocked to around 1200+ for IceQ and ~1150 for Vapor-X. And as I mentioned earlier IceQ X2 has the upper-hand in fps, I would like to have it. Problem is I did not find that much review about it. So it would be helpful if I can get feedback anyone who experienced IceQ X2.

And another thing the version of Vapor-X I am mentioning is the card with 2x8 pin. There are lot of thread/post about this, but I could not find any with some real benchmark.

 

[TUngsten]

I've has good luck with HIS cards (also had an x1950xt, great card!) and I've had horrible luck with Sapphire cards. I think I've had 3 Sapphire cards and every one was either DOA or bricked in a week or 2 and their support is pathetic so I avoid Sapphire at all costs.

 

[partyboy75]

There is no such thing as guaranteed overclock. The card is guaranteed to work only at stock speeds. The potential really is dependent on each individual chip.

Factory overclocked versions are better in my opinion because they are tested in factory and the values are written into card BIOS and sometimes they have custom power circuits or voltages.

Quick search determines that IceQ3 x2 have larger factory overclock than Vapor-X so I will go with IceQ3.

 

[Widjaja]

As mentioned before, regardless of choice the overclocking potential is going to be a mixed bag.

While someone you see on here or on youtube gets a significant overclock out of the card you bought, you may not even get close.

Go for the one which is coolest.
Both brands are about as good as each other.

Personally I have always had good stable performance from Sapphire.
Not one card has failed me although that could have changed last year if I chose an HD7870 at the time I did.

 

[BH.NomaD]

Guys,
I know very well that the overclocking is not a certain thing, it depends. If my info about the overclocking misleads any of you, that was not my intention or question. And I also know(no offence) that both cards are good. The actual question was,

Which one is better IceQ X2 or the Vapor-X.
And what about changing the Vapor-X's connection 6+8 pin to 8+8 pin.

 

[partyboy75]

IceQ is better by small margin.

The power connection can be utilized using 6 to 8 pin adapter if the PSU does not come with all required connectors. It will work flawlessly as long as the PSU have necessary amperes on the rail.

 

[buildzoid]

the V-x is loud with the fan over 70% as it's a deep fan by GPU standards and the card's 2.3 slots tall. The IceQ2 is 2 slot and most likely quieter.

 

[Jack1n]

Its a really close one but i would have to say the HIS card.

 

[partyboy75]

the V-x is loud with the fan over 70% as it's a deep fan by GPU standards and the card's 2.3 slots tall. The IceQ2 is 2 slot and most likely quieter.

Smaller does not mean quieter. The only way to be sure is side by side comparison of both cards under idle and full load. Not an option IMHO when buying online.