Help me buy a SSD + GPU

[Irish_PXzyan]

Hello lads!

I'm looking into buying a new GPU+SSD as my current HDD appears to be dying...
I need a nw GPU for Total War Rome 2 that will be here within 2-3 weeks! I need a decent one with plenty of VRAM for 3D gaming too.

I'm considering buying a 7950 for 300 euro or else buy a second hand 7970 off of ebay for 300 also.
What should I do? would the GTX 760 be the better choice?? I want the 4gb version if that's the case but I don't like the 256-bit memory :shadedshu

Any suggestions? also please tell me if there is even much difference between these cards? would 256-bit be noticable compared to the 7950s 386-bit or what ever the actual number is!

As for the SSD. I want a 250gb at the very least! I`m currently looking at Sandisks offerings but I'm not sure about them?

Here are a few I'm considering.

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-256gb-...-drive-8F28.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/samsung-250gb-...-drive-8BNX.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-256gb-...-drive-8HBQ.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-240gb-...-drive-80C1.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/crucial-256gb-...-drive-834L.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

Are these any good? Which is better?

Any advice would be great! cheers

 

[radrok]

I'd recommend this SSD:

http://www.dabs.ie/products/samsung...id-state-drive-8WCK.html?q=samsung 840&src=16

It's fast and cheap and it's Samsung so you can't go wrong.

The 7950 is a good choice but before anything else is said answer this question : do you plan on overclocking your GPU? That's important in deciding which one to buy.

 

[fullinfusion]

Yup the sammy for sure and stay away from the other choices, you won't go wrong. The 7950 is a great card and won't let you down as well.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Go with a Samsung Pro SSD, their Great. Likely, any Samsung will be good. Also, either of those GPU's will do Nicely. I'd go with the Nvidia, ONLY Because it's Newer, and the New AMD's will be coming Shortly. But the 7950 is Very nice as well(384Bit vs 256Bit is NOT going to Ruin ANYTHING for You, Both are FINE). DO NOT Buy from E-Bay, EVER!!!. Unless You PERSONALLY know the seller, which is VERY unlikely, and I STILL wouldn't do it. Coming from someone who has done EASILY 30+ PC component purchases from E-Bay(For Customers) and I advised against EVERY TIME,,It RARELY turns out good for the buyer.

Nvidia/ Samsung/Newegg,or some other reputable retailer, or Actual store. Good luck, and take Your time with the details so You get the best deal.

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

That Samsung one seems very nice and a decent enough price too.
They don't have any in stock atm which is a pity! But I'll look at other websites that offer them in stock so fingers crossed!
Is there any reason as to why I should avoid Sandisk???


I sure do plan on OC the GPu as far as I can get it!
Should I really consider the GTX 760 4gb edition over the 7950/7970? Any real reason as to why other than it being newer?

Cheers lads

 

[radrok]

I sure do plan on OC the GPu as far as I can get it!
Should I really consider the GTX 760 4gb edition over the 7950/7970? Any real reason as to why other than it being newer?

If you plan to OC well then the 7950 is the best value for your money, it's gonna be blazing fast when overclocked.

If you were planning to keep the GPU stock the 760 would have been the better choice

Is there any reason as to why I should avoid Sandisk???

It's not about Sandisk, it's about Samsung, they basically entered the SSD market with a hammer and won over it in performance while bringing an awesome software backed up by Samsung's reliability.

The new crucial m500 is good too but only if you are going to purchase 480GB or 960GB density because it loses performance due to having bigger NAND chips so there are fewer physical chips inside lower capacity models which tend to give slower performance (think as an SSD as a raid array between NAND flash).

 

[MxPhenom 216]

That Samsung one seems very nice and a decent enough price too.
They don't have any in stock atm which is a pity! But I'll look at other websites that offer them in stock so fingers crossed!
Is there any reason as to why I should avoid Sandisk???


I sure do plan on OC the GPu as far as I can get it!
Should I really consider the GTX 760 4gb edition over the 7950/7970? Any real reason as to why other than it being newer?

Cheers lads

No, get the 7950. They still have more memory bandwidth than the 760/770, which is what makes the bigger difference.

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Good stuff then! The 7950 is the winner ^^
Now since we have that much sorted, lets talk about Brands!

CUrrently my GTX 560Ti is from ASUS Direct CU II TOP card and really have enjoyed it! Very nice cooling and looks like a beast!

Which should I be looking as for the 7950? The Gigabyte version with 3 fans appears to be very good? and it's pretty cheaper than the other offerings too!
Suggestions please!

I understand! I will go for a Samsung SSD drive in that case! As for the good software from them, what exactly is the software? I didn't think HDD needs much in the way of software to make them special! Perhaps SSD drives are difference?

CHeers again lads

 

[radrok]

You should find which 7950 model has unlocked voltage, I'm pretty sure ASUS custom model doesn't have voltage tweaking.

 

[pigulici]

+1 for Samsung ssd, they are reliable; on 7950, I had same dilemma some days ago, finally I get Gigabyte GV-R795WF3-3GD (have a little OC from manufacturer, it is rev 2, it is a cold vga, in idle it is almost quiet, and have a good price + some good games with the bundle)...

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Ahh I see! I really have no idea what that then!

Would any of these be good options? This one here is only 230 euro!

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/13354070/art/vtx3d/radeon-hd-7950-x-edition.html

I've no idea who these guys are but it's cheap?

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/12781961/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-7950-vapor-x-3.html

This is SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7950 Vapor-X- 3 for 250? I'm sure this is the better option?

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/12942026/art/his/radeon-hd-7950-iceq-x2-bo.html

This is the HIS Radeon HD 7950 IceQ X2 Boost Clock for 270.
This appears to be elite! But this is a lil higher in price!

What are your thoughts lads?


Edit: The Gigabyte version is 255? Perhaps this is the best choice then?

 

[radrok]

If it may help I've always owned Sapphire cards when dealing with ATI, never really had an issue and they always were voltage unlocked.

Those were always ATI reference boards, no custom models though.

 

[pigulici]

Sapphire it is a good vga amd card manufacturer, I usually look at them first, when I want to buy a new amd vga card, but I am not in OC field, I prefer to buy with OC already done from manufacturer...

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Cheers lads!
I will have to consider the Sapphire Edition so ^^
Good price and nice cooling design too. Must check out reviews and see how it performs!

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Imho look for a ASUS or MSI twin frozr, I personally think these are the two best oems for their coolers. I also have a 560ti MSI with a twin frozr II cooler which is fantastic, idles at 32c and loads at no more than 60c, oc'd to 950/2200.

 

[buildzoid]

Get the sapphire Vapor-x it will have voltage unlocked but you have to use the 4.6.0 version of trixx it will allow you to get to 1.3v which in reality is ~1.29v under load so the VRMs are amazing on that card. Also set the fans to 55% at 50-65c to get the quietest and coolest cooling profile.
I speak from experience with my 7970 Vapor-x.

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

I certainly thing the Sapphire will do the job as it offers the best price at the moment and unlocking! Can't go wrong with this it seems.

The next bit is figuring out which SSD drive to go for.
The SSD drives appear to be a bit more pricey on pixmania so I think I will use Dabs to get an SSD.
Problem is.. the Samsung 840 EVO is on order but no delivery time has been set :?

There is a Samsung 840 for 155 and it's in stock. but I don't have a clue if it's any good?
http://www.dabs.ie/products/samsung...id-state-drive-8BNX.html?q=samsung 840&src=16

Any idea if this is good enough?

Also.. should I be buying the kit bundles?? I really don't know if I need one or not? My case does have a bracket + screws so I'm certain that'll do the job?

If this isn't going to cut it then I will just use pixmania and buy the Sandisk Ultra Plus for 149 as it's a decent offer for a decent SSD. But please tell me that the Samsung listed above will be the better choice!

 

[MxPhenom 216]

MSI Twinfrozr and Gigabyte Wind force cards are what I would get.

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Why is that? Why the Gigabyte over the Sapphire?

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

Howdy lads!

I saw this HD 7950 for 220 euro: VTX3D Radeon HD 7950 X-Edition
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/13354070/art/vtx3d/radeon-hd-7950-x-edition.html
This is from PowerColour I believe... is this any good? Would be nice to save 30 Euro by getting this compared to the Sapphire version?


Also on the SSD side of things I decided on a Samsung SSD 840 Basic 250gb. I'm confident that this is a good choice?

 

[maksic87]

Samsung SSD and 7950 gpu

 

[radrok]

It's no 7950 but it's close, look at this review

Seems a fine card.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/VTX3D/Radeon_HD_7970_X-Edition/1.html


The 840 250GB is fine. Go for it imho

 

[specilized41]

Hello lads!

I'm looking into buying a new GPU+SSD as my current HDD appears to be dying...
I need a nw GPU for Total War Rome 2 that will be here within 2-3 weeks! I need a decent one with plenty of VRAM for 3D gaming too.

I'm considering buying a 7950 for 300 euro or else buy a second hand 7970 off of ebay for 300 also.
What should I do? would the GTX 760 be the better choice?? I want the 4gb version if that's the case but I don't like the 256-bit memory :shadedshu

Any suggestions? also please tell me if there is even much difference between these cards? would 256-bit be noticable compared to the 7950s 386-bit or what ever the actual number is!

As for the SSD. I want a 250gb at the very least! I`m currently looking at Sandisks offerings but I'm not sure about them?

Here are a few I'm considering.

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-256gb-...-drive-8F28.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/samsung-250gb-...-drive-8BNX.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-256gb-...-drive-8HBQ.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/sandisk-240gb-...-drive-80C1.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

www.dabs.ie/products/crucial-256gb-...-drive-834L.html?refs=56350000-52080000&src=3

Are these any good? Which is better?

Any advice would be great! cheers

.
.
My recomendatio. . Samsung 840 Pro is fast and reliable as Intel but more cheaper. For GPU GTX770.

I have a Samsung 840 Pro 128gb boot drive, velociraptor 500gb (games, misc. Programs) and EVGA SC GTX 780.

EVGA & Gigabyte have GTX 770 card with 4gb.

Good Luck!!

 

[Shou Miko]

if u got money for it buy a GTX 770 4gb and like a Intel 335 or 520/530 240gb SSD and call it a day.

 

[buildzoid]

The vtx3d card is reference desing on the board but the cooler isn't anything amazing. The sapphire has less v droop higher ccc overdrive limits and will play dirt3 bellow 60c in a 32c (summer in the Czech republic) ambient temperature. I use a test bench instead of a case.