I have recently been looking to upgrade my computer and the GPU that caught my attention was the 7870 as it seemed to be powerful for the money. However, I am not sure whether it will be able to run the next generation of video games such as BF4. I was just wondering if someone could tell me if they think that it would be ok, bearing in mind that it would be put with an i5 3570k and 8gb of RAM?
Is 7870 sufficient for top end games to be released next year?
- Thread starter Christige
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MacLeod
New member
I say no at least at max settings. Far Cry 3 is a beast and Crysis 3 looks to be pretty demanding too. A 7870 is still a great card and will be able to play most anything at max in the future I'd guess but there will be a few you'll have to turn some settings down. For long term I'd rather save a little more for a GTX670 for better.
Josh Weston
New member
670: £280
7950: £218
7950 gets my vote.
The 7870's still a great card, though. I have it's younger brother, the 7950, and I can still play BF3 on ultra at around 40fps.
Don't be afraid to overclock and these well priced cards can do a hell of a lot.
7950: £218
7950 gets my vote.
The 7870's still a great card, though. I have it's younger brother, the 7950, and I can still play BF3 on ultra at around 40fps.
Don't be afraid to overclock and these well priced cards can do a hell of a lot.
I'd say it depends on how you may define sufficient, a HD7870 probably would be capable of keeping up with newer games with mid/high settings, though it probably won't be able to max them out, as already said.
Do note that the HD7870 is really at the peak of the price/performance ratio, which starts to drop as you go for higher end units. Nothing really wrong with that as the HD7950 is still an excellent value card, but it's just worth keeping in mind from a value perspective.
Do note that the HD7870 is really at the peak of the price/performance ratio, which starts to drop as you go for higher end units. Nothing really wrong with that as the HD7950 is still an excellent value card, but it's just worth keeping in mind from a value perspective.
I'd spend an extra £40 and get the 7950. I asked myself the exact same question last week then bought an XFX 7950 DD. Managed to get it at £199.99. You can get it from Aria for £218.99. You also get Sleeping Dogs, Hitman: Absolution and Far Cry 3.
Not to mention, the card overclocks nicely and the temps are awesome!
Not to mention, the card overclocks nicely and the temps are awesome!
grassman
New member
At this point in time if you want 60 fps in every game then wait for the radeon hd 8xxx series should be here in spring use a 7870 in the mean time. At this moment no AMD or Nvidia single gpu can get 60fps in Sleeping dogs far cry 3 hitman etc. If your gonna be spending 300-400 on a card personally I would expect 60FPS across the board imo it's just stupid to get one at this point.
Josh Weston
New member
Through my own experience I find that there doesn't really seem to be a whole deal of difference between gameplay at 60fps and gameplay at 45fps. Also, there's really no difference at all between the visuals of BF3 at Ultra and BF3 at High. I couldn't even notice any difference when I lowered the settings further.
This could, of course, just be my eyes playing me up.
I think the 7950 comes in at a fantastic price point and, what with the new drivers etc. it's a great option. You don't need to wait for the next generation of cards, especially if you overclock.
BF4's most likely just going to be a revamped BF3 running the same engine, so I don't think it would be much more intensive if at all. No one can say, mind you.
Edit: good choice, my man.
This could, of course, just be my eyes playing me up.
I think the 7950 comes in at a fantastic price point and, what with the new drivers etc. it's a great option. You don't need to wait for the next generation of cards, especially if you overclock.
BF4's most likely just going to be a revamped BF3 running the same engine, so I don't think it would be much more intensive if at all. No one can say, mind you.
Edit: good choice, my man.
Litte info on FPS... eyes can't tell the difference WHILE running Vsync and getting 30 or 60 fps because that is faster than your own eyes can take in, if you aren't running Vsync you will most likely see the dips. So I don't see the point in spending extra money or even wanting 60 fps unless your looking to play games with the same card for 2-3 years, and 7950 is nice have fun with it.
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SavageCupcake
New member
Ive got a 7870 hawk edition. It overclocks like the dogs danglies. got it on 1200 core and 1450 memory, could probably go more but dont see any need to really. 80 fps in bf3 on ultra (FXAA not MSAA as i dont see any difference) it handles far cry 3 pretty well to. If you can find a 7870 on the cheap get one but if the 7950 is only a few quid more then i would go with one of those. i only picked it up because at the time i couldnt find a 7950 under 250 quid 
you wont be dissapointed by either card
you wont be dissapointed by either card
MacLeod
New member
The 7950 would be a good choice as well. Here in the states, they're the same price as the GTX670's so that's why I recommend them.
Itll only be a handful of games that youll need monster video cards for and even then itll likely be something like Far Cry 3 or Metro where its one setting like Metro's DOF feature. Turn that thing on and it makes little difference in your graphics but cuts the frame rates in half! Far Cry 2 has one like that too.
Crysis 3 however looks to be very demanding and if there is a BF4 in the near future, no reason to think it wont be pushing your GPU's ability too cause BF3 is very taxing and BF2 was no slouch either.
Itll only be a handful of games that youll need monster video cards for and even then itll likely be something like Far Cry 3 or Metro where its one setting like Metro's DOF feature. Turn that thing on and it makes little difference in your graphics but cuts the frame rates in half! Far Cry 2 has one like that too.
Crysis 3 however looks to be very demanding and if there is a BF4 in the near future, no reason to think it wont be pushing your GPU's ability too cause BF3 is very taxing and BF2 was no slouch either.
demonking
New member
my old 260 can do 60fps on BF3 @ 1024 res!!!! but @ 1080p pft 60fph (hour lol)
anyhoo... no one can really give you a definate answer on that 1. look at crysis 1 not even the top cards at release were able to run that at max (only cos quad sli was really bad back then (not that its much better now))
anyway buy the best you can afford and keep it till it doesn't suit your gaming preferences, then upgrade. any high end card should keep you going for at least a year unless your a bench king lol
anyhoo... no one can really give you a definate answer on that 1. look at crysis 1 not even the top cards at release were able to run that at max (only cos quad sli was really bad back then (not that its much better now))
anyway buy the best you can afford and keep it till it doesn't suit your gaming preferences, then upgrade. any high end card should keep you going for at least a year unless your a bench king lol
MacLeod
New member
My trusty but aging 5870 is able to play almost everything at full max settings. I have to keep DOF off in Metro and I get in the mid 30's there. Crysis I can handle with 2xAA and I get in the mid to low 30's. BF3 was the first one it couldn't handle. Rates in the 20's on Ultra settings. Its not a big deal though cause bump a few settings down one notch and Im back into the 40's so its only a couple settings that are really taking the toll.
I am desperately wanting a GPU upgrade soon though. A GTX670 is what Im really after but I don't know when. About 500 things have popped up lately thatll require a TON of cash so I don't know when Ill be able to fit one in.
I am desperately wanting a GPU upgrade soon though. A GTX670 is what Im really after but I don't know when. About 500 things have popped up lately thatll require a TON of cash so I don't know when Ill be able to fit one in.
