Good time for upgrade?

[WildMonkey]

I'm thinking of getting a 7970. Any suggestions on which particular one?

I currently have a 6970, single monitor at 1920x1200, 2500K, play a variety of games.

I returned a 670GTX when they came out, wasn't happy with it, mostly due to the fact that my machine would slow down (kinda like when you get a memory leak) every time I minimized a game, but that's another story, so I'm sticking with AMD.

 

[bigsnyder]

I asked something similar. Most people just recommend the 7950.

 

[QDemon19]

Well a 7950 is a better value for money compared to a 7970, but with a higher priced 7970 you obviously get a faster card.

For that res (1200p) a 7950 would max out most games unless you're looking at 120Hz or some stuff like that.

Also most 7950s and 7970s overclock very well so there is some extra performance to be unlocked, on my 7950 (Sapphire Dual X selling at $279 after MIR on the Egg ) at 925/1250 I can go upto 1137/1600 (Unigine stable) and 1170/1700 on 3DMark11 at stock voltage (It's a different matter that extra voltage on my card does not let me push my clocks any further) with temps never going beyond 69C, so there is quite a boost performance wise (avg. frame rate improvement in the 23%-33% range across games I play), but like most say overclocking is never guaranteed but I would be rather surprised if your 79xx card does not overclock at all.

A good 7970 can be a acquired for ~$400 and a good 7950 ~$300 range.

With that said, given rumors on next series of AMD cards, I'm not a 100% sure that I would recommend getting a card right at this moment. Once the new line is unvelied prices may drop on the 79 series.

 

[spaceman]

Any idea when the new cards are coming? Next two months sometime?

 

[me0w0w]

Any idea when the new cards are coming? Next two months sometime?

Not anytime soon...

I'm thinking of getting a 7970. Any suggestions on which particular one?

I currently have a 6970, single monitor at 1920x1200, 2500K, play a variety of games.

I returned a 670GTX when they came out, wasn't happy with it, mostly due to the fact that my machine would slow down (kinda like when you get a memory leak) every time I minimized a game, but that's another story, so I'm sticking with AMD.

I asked something similar. Most people just recommend the 7950.

I just went from a GTX 670 to 7950. Theyre about the same.
My 7950 OCed is just a little tad faster than the GTX670 Oced, like 300 points jump in 3dmark.

Do watchout for the current 7970's thats being sold right now are voltage locked if you're worried about that.

 

[WildMonkey]

Is there a list of 7950, 7970s that are not voltage locked? or is the voltage locked list shorter?

 

[raghu78]

Is there a list of 7950, 7970s that are not voltage locked? or is the voltage locked list shorter?

the locked list is shorter. Gigabyte HD 7970 and HD 7970 Ghz is voltage locked. newer versions of Gigabyte HD 7950 with FZ1 bios and 1 ghz boost clocks are voltage locked. asus seems to have locked voltage except on the asus hd 7970 matrix platinum. sapphire, msi, xfx and his cards have unlocked voltage. all reference HD 7970 and HD 7950 cards are voltage unlocked.

for the best value for your money go with HD 7950 boost. 925 mhz clocks. stock voltage of 1.25v. easily overclocks to 1100 - 1150 mhz. at the same clocks HD 7950 is 3 - 6% slower than HD 7970. sapphire hd 7950 boost is a good option. 29cm long.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0098HW1HG/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

the HIS HD 7950 iceq boost is also a good option. 29.5 cm long. so check if it fits your case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161420

if you want HD 7970 go for the Sapphire HD 7970 Ghz . USD 432.14 after code HEARTBEAT $10 off , ends 2/18.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-7970GHZ

all these cards have unlocked voltage.

 

[QDemon19]

the locked list is shorter. Gigabyte HD 7970 and HD 7970 Ghz is voltage locked. newer versions of Gigabyte HD 7950 with FZ1 bios and 1 ghz boost clocks are voltage locked. asus seems to have locked voltage except on the asus hd 7970 matrix platinum. sapphire, msi, xfx and his cards have unlocked voltage. all reference HD 7970 and HD 7950 cards are voltage unlocked.

for the best value for your money go with HD 7950 boost. 925 mhz clocks. stock voltage of 1.25v. easily overclocks to 1100 - 1150 mhz. at the same clocks HD 7950 is 3 - 6% slower than HD 7970. sapphire hd 7950 boost is a good option. 29cm long.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0098HW1HG/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

the HIS HD 7950 iceq boost is also a good option. 29.5 cm long. so check if it fits your case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161420

if you want HD 7970 go for the Sapphire HD 7970 Ghz . USD 432.14 after code HEARTBEAT $10 off , ends 2/18.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-7970GHZ

all these cards have unlocked voltage.

Raghu - this is off topic, but I've a question for you.
You always seem to have the latest scoop on all these AMD cards, how do you manage to stay abreast of all these new developments, advancements and offers?

I'm amazed.

 

[raghu78]

Raghu - this is off topic, but I've a question for you.
You always seem to have the latest scoop on all these AMD cards, how do you manage to stay abreast of all these new developments, advancements and offers?

I'm amazed.

doing my bit to help the OP. these deals are easy to scout for. amazon, newegg and superbiiz are the sites to watch for good pricing / deals. about the new cards revisions you hear from user community at ocn and other sites.

 

[WildMonkey]

Thanks for the awesome reply raghu78!

How about the powercolor, I only ask because they seem to be one of the least expensive ones.