Confused about supposed performance. Another 7950 vs. 7970 thread...

[JoeUser]

OK...I'll try to make this quick.

So, I have the chance to pick up a water cooled 7970 (full coverage Swifttech) for $375. I'm being told by people to save money and get a 7950 because it's only 5-6% faster.

However when I looked at the GPU charts on Tomshardware and Anandtech the gap between the two is much larger than just 5%. Like, considerably so. So I'm thinking to myself, "is this number just wrong or am I missing something?"

So, I read some more. I've learned that a OVERCLOCKED 7950 (like 1200mhz+) is equal to a STOCK 7970. OK, I get that...but what about a overclocked 7950 vs. a overclocked 7970? What's the performance difference then?

Also, and I could be wrong, but despite the price difference between the two cards, a water cooled 7970 for $375 seems like a steal. The block alone is $100 used! However, I don't want to spend more money than I should.

So do I go overclocked 7950 or overclocked 7970? Is the performance really THAT close as to not warrant the price difference?

Thanks guys!

 

[dopee123]

For your monitor resolution get the 7970 and be done with it!

 

[Lorien]

First. Tell me right now who is selling that water cooled 7970 because I want to throw my money at 'em right this second. At $375 with a waterblock, that card is more than a steal.

Second. The confussion stems probably from there being 2 models of 7950 and 2 models of 7970s and people confusing/recalling benchmarks of those cards and with old drivers.

As it stands today the gap between a 7950 overclocked to the max and a 7970 overclocked to the max is actually closer to 20%.

-------------[7950]---------------------------[7970]---------------

The only case I can see where performance is within that 5% claim is when both cards are overclocked to similar levels. Even so a 7950@1210Mhz is still slower than a 7970@1180Mhz and you also have to consider that the 7970 has more overclocking headroom.

 

[Scheibler1]

If i were you i'd buy the 7970. I wish i'd of bought one instead of a 7950 simply bc theres no new amd cards coming out thos year.

 

[WildMonkey]

Any recommendation from this list? The cheaper the better. And yes, it has to be from newegg, this is pretty much the only place left (with decent prices) that won't charge me tax.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

 

[QDemon19]

Any recommendation from this list? The cheaper the better. And yes, it has to be from newegg, this is pretty much the only place left (with decent prices) that won't charge me tax.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

If I were you, I would get the Sapphire one, its not voltage locked from what I know and does overclock well for the most part.

 

[JoeUser]

First. Tell me right now who is selling that water cooled 7970 because I want to throw my money at 'em right this second. At $375 with a waterblock, that card is more than a steal.

Second. The confussion stems probably from there being 2 models of 7950 and 2 models of 7970s and people confusing/recalling benchmarks of those cards and with old drivers.

As it stands today the gap between a 7950 overclocked to the max and a 7970 overclocked to the max is actually closer to 20%.

-------------[7950]---------------------------[7970]---------------

The only case I can see where performance is within that 5% claim is when both cards are overclocked to similar levels. Even so a 7950@1210Mhz is still slower than a 7970@1180Mhz and you also have to consider that the 7970 has more overclocking headroom.

WOW! Very good post! OK...so the 5-6% performance difference is a farce then. That is all I needed to know, water cooling 7970 here I come!!!

 

[jhatfie]

WOW! Very good post! OK...so the 5-6% performance difference is a farce then. That is all I needed to know, water cooling 7970 here I come!!!

Actually it is not a farce. Clock for clock (memory and core) it is still about 3-5% difference on average, although some games prefer the 7970 a touch more. Look at the examples used in the examples. The memory OC on the 7970 @ 1180 is likely much higher based on the memory speed represented in the GPU-Z screenshot of the 7970 at 1265 core. Plenty of 7950's will hit 1700+ on memory, mine included and it does increase performance, just not the to the same level as increasing the core.

7950: 1210/1500 - FPS: 82.9
7970: 1180/1735 (est) - FPS: 85.8
=2.9 fps difference.

That being said, if you want max performance for sure go with the 7970. If you want similar performance for less money, 7950.

 

[JoeUser]

True, but look at the examples of the overclocked 7970...

7950 @ 1210mhz = 82.9 fps
7970 @ 1265mhz = 98.3 fps
=~16 fps difference.

That's a pretty big difference in my opinion.

 

[QDemon19]

Well also bear in mind that a good 7970 has more OC headroom compared to a 7950, at the end of the day there is a reason why the 7970 costs more than a 7950 - it does perform better but does the performance scale relative to the extra 100 or so dollars is the question.

Well I've a 7950 that OCs well (on stock air btw) and prior to getting the 7950 I was into gaming laptops and did not know much about desktop graphics card. In hindsight, I would've got a 7970 and maybe a HIS or a Sapphire one at that, but all considered I cannot be happier with my 7950.
For $270 I've 7970 GHz (stock) performance.

 

[JoeUser]

Rigbt right...either way, a water cooled 7970 for $375 is a steal anyway you look at it!

 

[g-money]

Look at the examples used in the examples

How exemplary. LMAO.

Anyway....yeah, super deal in the 7970. Considering I paid $550 for mine when it came out, there are absolutely no questions on that price!!