AMD 7950 now, or wait for 7970 GHz?

[iKhan]

Alright so I've been thinking about dumping my HD 5870 for a 7950 or 7970 GHz Edition. The 5870 is a beast, but it's still a 3 year old card.

A 7950 runs for about $300. My cousin owes me $100, I can get $100 or so for the 5870. I have HAF X collection dust which I can also sell.

I can have the 7950 now.

Or should I wait for the 8XXX cards and hope for a 7970 price drop?

Card will be used with a FX-6100 which will for sure hinder the performance of either card, BUT I will be upgrading once Haswell is out

Opinions?

 

[manofthem]

The waiting game sucks, you can always be waiting. If you need it now, go for it now. If it's not an emergency and you're a patient person, wait for the next gen cards and hopeful price drops on the 79xx.

You can find a reference 7970 used for under $350, which will overclock to the GHz clocks, if not well beyond. Both my reference cards hit 1100 core clock on stock voltage.

I'm now awaiting the 8970 to see what it brings

 

[cadaveca]

I suggest the Gigabyte Windforce HD 7950 3 GB. 900 MHz stock clocks, low 0.95 V stock voltage, and seemingly tougher VRM than other 7950s, which are missing a row of MOSFETs down the middle. Nice and quiet, too.


I have two of these cards, and the two are about equal to 3x6950. Shouldbe a nice upgrade. I had dual 5870's before the 6950's.

 

[Widjaja]

If you are noticing your card is struggling with the games you are playing at the res you are using, then go for a 7950.

 

[m1dg3t]

7950. MSi and Sapphire would be my reccomendations, Dave can you post a pik or link to the VRM section? From what I saw Gigabyte was running a standard setup

 

[cadaveca]

7950. MSi and Sapphire would be my reccomendations, Dave can you post a pik or link to the VRM section? From what I saw Gigabyte was running a standard setup

Nope, I cannot, I can only tel lyou Gigabyte gave me a card to do board reviews with, and I saw the extra MOSFETs, and then I bought a retail card, and it was the same.


however, what I can do is show you a pic:

View attachment 48028


Most 7950's are missing the middle row.

 

[m1dg3t]

Thanks Dave! I'm not sure the difference between the two but here is a pic of what mine looks like Some Sapphire cards have the same setup, Sonda5 card is same IIRC. MSi seems to have done away with the "standard" MOSFETS and used something else? I'm rusty on my componentry, perhaps you/someone else knows what they use? Gigabyte slapped an extra stage in the VRM! Add that one to the list

I believe this is the Giga windforce 7950 layout?

 

[nt300]

Wait for the 8900s to come out.

 

[m1dg3t]

Wait for the 8900s to come out.

Gonna be like 3/4 months I think

 

[cadaveca]

Thanks Dave! I'm not sure the difference between the two but here is a pic of what mine looks like Some Sapphire cards have the same setup, Sonda5 card is same IIRC. MSi seems to have done away with the "standard" MOSFETS and used something else? I'm rusty on my componentry, perhaps you/someone else knows what they use? Gigabyte slapped an extra stage in the VRM! Add that one to the list

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/FaRKle0079/Comp Stuff/MSI_7950_TwinFrozr3_PCB.jpg

I believe this is the Giga windforce 7950 layout?

http://cdn.overclock.net/0/0f/0fe7fabe_gigabyte-hd7950-windforce-vrm.jpeg

The top card you linked is using a 7970 PCB, with Digital VRM. A bit more expensive.

The gigabyte card you show with the arrows has a "hybrid" design, with digital contorller, and analogue VRM.

The top card is more expensive to produce, so typically will cost a bit more.

THe bottom card is much cheaper, but if you check nearly any 7950 review here, you will find that the VRM looks a bit different than that Gigabyte picture you posted...I prefer Gigabyte's design.

Also, you'll find pictures of 7950's with hte "reference" design, and they will have just 5 phases for the GPU main, while many "analogue" designs have six phases.

It's these sorts of differences that kinda set motherboard makers apart too, so I kinda look for htis stuff now, I guess. The gigabyte 7950 was laso the cheapest card, although offering the highest clocks and the aftermarket cooler, but I am not sure if the same is true today, since there's been a price drop since.

 

[m1dg3t]

The top card I linked is the MSi 7950 Twin Frozr 3, I picked it up for $320 AR. They usually go on sale for $290 or so now Sapphire has one almost identical, I think it is clocked @ 900 out the box, Sonda5 has one IIRC. Your Gigabyte cards seem to be better built as well, like they have the extra VRM stage, regardless if analogue/digital; It's there! Not all hd7900s have this and is something I would look for if buying. Like even some of the 7970s are lacking it!

I'm like you, I try to find the subtle differences that make all the difference! Thanks to the reviews/forum here my "job" is pretty easy!

Edit: The coolers on the WindForces are worth $40/$50 a pop too I would say