Advice on a HD 7970

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ndunnett

n00b
Joined
Jul 20, 2012
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19
Last week I ordered an ASUS HD 7970 DCII ($460) but it was taking a long time for them to confirm the order so I emailed them and they tell me now they won't have any in until the 21st. Now, I have the decision to wait on the shop, pick an alternative or remove the card from the order and source one from elsewhere. I don't feel like waiting, so I would probably go elsewhere instead of waiting, but the CS guy suggested I order an MSI Lightning card ($540) instead. I should mention why I'm not sure: I want to eventually run 3 x 120hz monitors with minimum fuss, hence why I went for the ASUS as it has 4 x full size DisplayPorts. The Lightning has 4 x mini DisplayPorts, so I was wondering if it's as simple as getting mini DP to DP cables like this one, or if I have to make sure it's some special voodoo cable so I can get 120hz. If those dell cables would work for me, I think I will order the Lightning card as it's better than the ASUS card anyway from what I understand.

(sorry for the wall of text)
 
I believe the one big problem that plagues the DCUII cards is the lack of voltage control. If you are planning on overclocking (which you may want to consider if you game with 3 monitors, especially at 120hz) then this is something to seriously consider.

Now, do you need to go through this shop? do you have access to NCIX or newegg? Even the Lightning is under $500 @ newegg.
 
I am situated in Australia, so my main choices are Umart (who I ordered through) or PCCG. Umart do better prices on shipping so I usually use them. I do plan on over clocking and maybe even water cooling, but more importantly I want at least three DP's, so I was wondering if a simple mini DP to DP cable like the one I linked would work with 120hz or not. If it will work I think it would be worth going for the Lightning for more OC potential, I just don't want to be creating a problem later on down the road when I get my monitors.
 
AFAIK Mini DP functions exactly the same as a normal DP slot. There may be some differences between the 'active' and I guess non-active DP slots, but I'm unsure as to the real difference between the two. At 1080p/120hz you *should* be completely fine using mini DP and then just picking up some miniDP to DP male-male cables to hook up your monitors with.
 
OK, I did further research and that seems to be the general consensus. Yet to find someone saying it won't work. I'll go ahead and ask them to change the order, thanks. :)
 
ndunnett said:
OK, I did further research and that seems to be the general consensus. Yet to find someone saying it won't work. I'll go ahead and ask them to change the order, thanks. :)
Click to expand...

No problem! Hope this all works out well for you!
 
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