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Time for an upgrade...?

SilverSliver

SilverSliver

[H]F Junkie
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Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Messages
13,149
Currently have an overclocked 6950, flashed to 6970 shaders. Primarily play BF3 and Guild Wars 2. Single monitor, 1980x1200. Is an upgrade even worth it for these games? I'd like to run GW2, especially, at max settings and large scale fights.

Trying to decide between a GTX670 or a 7970. I'm sorta leaning towards a MSI 670.
 
GTX 670 card is a great card, but if you want full eye candy in BF3 go with a GTX 680, you'll be glad you did :)
 
Large scale GW2 fights are going to be reasonably processor bound, even with a 2600K @ 5.0Ghz (nice OC btw). BF3 can *always* use more GPU, up to like 4xGTX680 so... it depends what you want to spend :p. For what it's worth, I'd wait a generation, since 6950/70 will definitely still give you good performance in those games.

But yes, you WOULD see noticeable improvement if you upgraded. At 1920x1200, the 670 kinda makes more sense, although given your CPU overclock, I'd guess you are willing to push your GPU pretty hard. 7970's have a history of OC'ing like champs (past 670's).
 
BF3 will get a decent boost from 6970 to 670, but that's about it. I'm not entirely confident that's worth a $200+ upgrade, but that's up to you.
 
Sn0_Man said:
Large scale GW2 fights are going to be reasonably processor bound, even with a 2600K @ 5.0Ghz (nice OC btw). BF3 can *always* use more GPU, up to like 4xGTX680 so... it depends what you want to spend :p. For what it's worth, I'd wait a generation, since 6950/70 will definitely still give you good performance in those games.

But yes, you WOULD see noticeable improvement if you upgraded. At 1920x1200, the 670 kinda makes more sense, although if you are willing to push your CPU that far then 7970's have a history of OC'ing like champs (past 670's).
Click to expand...


I had beastly low FPS in big keep lord fights. Dropped down to 15-20fps with max settings.
 
SilverSliver said:
I had beastly low FPS in big keep lord fights. Dropped down to 15-20fps with max settings.
Click to expand...

I'd be curious to see what the FPS would be like in a similar situation if you, say, dropped the OC on your processor to ~4.5 or even ~4.0 for comparison purposes. The only problem being it's hard to replicate the exact fight for legitimate comparisons. Or at least, I'd be curious what kind of GPU and CPU usage you are getting (especially how many CPU cores does it utilize? Because I know that was one of the things they were working on).
 
Either of those would be a good choice, really.

Although, the 670 seems to have a definite advantage in BF3 currently. Not so sure about Guild Wars 2 as I haven't seen any information on performance (haven't looked).

I guess it really comes down to whether or not you enjoy AMD's CCC or nVidia's CP and their respective drivers. Added benefit of the 670 would be PhysX and CUDA but I doubt that would even make a difference for your usage. Especially since there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming number of titles that make use of PhysX.
 
skizzled said:
Either of those would be a good choice, really.

Although, the 670 seems to have a definite advantage in BF3 currently. Not so sure about Guild Wars 2 as I haven't seen any information on performance (haven't looked).

I guess it really comes down to whether or not you enjoy AMD's CCC or nVidia's CP and their respective drivers. Added benefit of the 670 would be PhysX and CUDA but I doubt that would even make a difference for your usage. Especially since there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming number of titles that make use of PhysX.
Click to expand...

7970 still cleans up in battlefield 3 especially overclocked.. the 7970 is faster but more expensive. i would probably just save the 100$ buy a 670


the boost technology is probably the biggest thing to consider. max voltage set so there is no danger of damaging. it boosts out of the box so stock is 915 core but when you play games you get like 1100+
 
Sentiments seem pretty much inline with what I had thought. I will check out CPU/GPU usage come release and adjust accordingly. See if I can't pick up a decent deal on a Twin Frozr GTX670 used.
 
Let's look at the evidence!

http://www.hwcompare.com/12546/geforce-gtx-670-vs-radeon-hd-6970/
http://www.digitalversus.com/graphics-card/face-off/10205-13310-versus-table.html

HardOCP Nvidia GTX 670 Review

Battlefield 3 Test Highest Playable Settings
Nvidia GeForce GTX 670 vs AMD Radeon HD 6970
1336636802OhmufU4CHj_3_1.gif
1321868452wmGLudOmqb_3_3.gif


In the above comparison, you see a considerable jump in image quality settings and resolution when you jump to the GTX 670.

Battlefield 3 GTX 670 at 1900x1200
1336636802OhmufU4CHj_3_4.gif


Here too, you see that the GTX 670 can enable more features at the same resolution, while keeping an equaivalent framerate at the same resolution compared to the 6970.

Next you will want to decide on whether that jump is enough for you, if it is you can check out the below reviews!

Galaxy 670 GC [Qualifier: These tests were run at 2560x1600]
http://hardocp.com/article/2012/06/04/galaxy_geforce_gtx_670_gc_video_card_review/
13387648583gu0vZ1Vzw_5_1.gif


ASUS Direct CU 2 Top 670
http://hardocp.com/article/2012/06/26/asus_geforce_gtx_670_directcu_ii_top_video_card_review/
1339825843iGh88o8atj_6_1.gif


Gigabyte 670 OC
http://hardocp.com/article/2012/07/25/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_670_oc_video_card_review/
134301816907Bz8JXTOQ_5_1.png


And more!

I got the ASUS Direct CU 2 myself, and am wholly enjoying it while maxing out everything I play with smooth frames!


-edit-

Also, for reference, I submit the 7970 GHZ Edition.
13401556355JjpvVlbGv_4_1.gif
13401556355JjpvVlbGv_7_3.jpg

It doesn't justify it's higher price here, in my opinion. $100+ for 4x MSAA with a 10 frame hit.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the time to post that. I've been reading the reviews but that was very neatly put together. Thanks again.
 
wouldn't it be better to look at benches that have his resolution?
 
dremic said:
wouldn't it be better to look at benches that have his resolution?
Click to expand...

In hardocp fashion, these were highest playable settings evaluations. Yes, it is smart to look at his own resolution. Here is a webpage with some reviews that cover a large range of cards and resolutions. Below are 3 670s and 3 7970s for reference.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_670_Direct_Cu_II/9.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/GeForce_GTX_670_Windforce/1.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_670_Power_Edition/1.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7970_GHz_Edition/1.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/HD_7970_SOC/1.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_7970_Lightning/
bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif

bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif
 
Last edited:
Maplehamwich said:
In hardocp fashion, these were highest playable settings evaluations. Yes, it is smart to look at his own resolution. Here is a webpage with some reviews that cover a large range of cards and resolutions.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_670_Direct_Cu_II/9.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/GeForce_GTX_670_Windforce/1.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_670_Power_Edition/1.html
bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif
bf3_1920_1200.gif
Click to expand...

670 is just unbeatable at 100$ cheaper.
 
so as far as GTX 670s go, what is the best model to go with? i was looking at the Gigabyte and eVGA cards. im sure the OP has similar questions...


Posted from Hardforum.com App for Android
 
I'm looking at the Gigabyte Windforce. Seems like a decent OC'er ( it's a lottery anyways ) but is cool and quiet.
 
ive heard the Gigabyte hinders the rest of your system b/c it blows the hot air towards your mobo/cpu/ram


Posted from Hardforum.com App for Android
 
eric335 said:
ive heard the Gigabyte hinders the rest of your system b/c it blows the hot air towards your mobo/cpu/ram


Posted from Hardforum.com App for Android
Click to expand...

It can hinder if you have poor air flow. My current cooler is not an exhaust type cooler, but my HAF clears out the hot air quick.
 
Most non-reference designs do; Gigabyte is no exception. 670 doesn't pull that much power anyway, so unless you're thinking of SLI, all you have to do is keep good airflow in your case and you'll be fine.
 
SilverSliver said:
Quote:

Originally Posted by eric335

ive heard the Gigabyte hinders the rest of your system b/c it blows the hot air towards your mobo/cpu/ram


Posted from Hardforum.com App for Android

It can hinder if you have poor air flow. My current cooler is not an exhaust type cooler, but my HAF clears out the hot air quick.
Click to expand...

which HAF? im thinking of buying the HAF X. do you like yours?


Posted from Hardforum.com App for Android
 
I've read that the overclock headroom on the 7970, coupled with the new drivers, has really woken them up. I love me some good OC. That being said, I'm still deciding between the Gigabyte 670 WF3 for $399 or the Gigabyte 7970 WF3 for $439. It's mind boggling how ambiguous the comparisons are between the two cards. When I bought my 6950, it was pretty clear cut the performance/value for the OC/flash, etc. I'm not really seeing a clear cut winner, or if there is, I am not aware of it. Especially now that, apparently, with the new ATI drivers just about every comparison graph out there now is supposedly invalid.

Edit - going to wait for the next cards to come out. Upped my normal gaming OC and we will see if that helps.
 
Last edited:
SilverSliver said:
I've read that the overclock headroom on the 7970, coupled with the new drivers, has really woken them up. I love me some good OC. That being said, I'm still deciding between the Gigabyte 670 WF3 for $399 or the Gigabyte 7970 WF3 for $439. It's mind boggling how ambiguous the comparisons are between the two cards. When I bought my 6950, it was pretty clear cut the performance/value for the OC/flash, etc. I'm not really seeing a clear cut winner, or if there is, I am not aware of it. Especially now that, apparently, with the new ATI drivers just about every comparison graph out there now is supposedly invalid.

Edit - going to wait for the next cards to come out. Upped my normal gaming OC and we will see if that helps.
Click to expand...

If you are still deciding which card to buy get this card . Sapphire HD 7970 Ghz Vapor-X 3 GB for USD 450 . 1000 / 1050 speeds out of the box. new cooler and PCB design.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/HD_7970_SOC/28.html

perf summary 1920 x 1200

GTX 680 (1006 / 1058 ) - 98
HD 7970 Ghz (1000 / 1050) - 99

Its easy to see that Gigabyte GTX 670 (980 / 1058) will be slower than HD 7970 Ghz. also the HD 7970 Ghz scales better with overclocking.

here is a user running at 1300 Mhz speeds with the Sapphire HD 7970 Toxic 6 GB.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1288287/...arking-3dmark11-p-settings-heaven-3-0-default

There are minor differences between the Vapor-X 3GB and Toxic 6 GB ( the chip and cooler are pretty much the same)
1. VRAM size
2. Lethal Boost 1100 / 1200 speeds on Toxic
3. The Toxic has more power phases and a better quality PCB for running 6 GB VRAM stable at high speeds.

I have no doubt that the Vapor-X can overclock to 1250 Mhz with voltage tweaking. It will easily beat the GTX 670 overclocked. Take your pick.
 
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Was going to gut up and buy that 7970, went to the movies, came back and it's sold out.
 
I'm waiting until at least next generation. The only difference you'll get at that resolution is being able to turn AA on. You should already be running ultra minus the AA in BF3.
 
Ordered the Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 Ghz edition from SuperBiiz. I did not 100% need to upgrade, but I want to get maximum value for my unlocked 6950 before the next gens hit. I will be keeping this card for longer than I usually do because I now have a kid on the way. Trying to get some computer upgrades done prior.
 
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