What to do, lots of head scratching at mo...

[TheAbz]

Ok so i am in the market for a new GPU. I have just got rid of my watercooled GTX 580 as i just wasnt happy with it. Not that there was anything wrong with it but its gone now so i need a new GPU.
My dilemma is what do i get?
I mostly play car racing games, so thats Dirt, F1, NFS, and the likes and also play sports games, FIFA, NFL and the likes. These are not the most demanding of games on GPU's AFAIK. Im not into the Crysis, Battlefield FPS genre etc but i may be tempted to have a go.

I game on a single monitor (Dell u3011) @ 1440/1600p. I have no plans to go multi monitor. I don't 3D, bit gimmicky for now. I MAY game on a large screen via a projector but will be at 1080p, shouldnt be a problem with that. Lastly i want a GPU that will last me quite a while. I'm not one for upgrading every generation. The GTX 580 i had, i upgraded that from an Geforce MX440.

Two cards that keep popping up are the GTX 670 2GB and the HD 7950.

Only problem with the AMD is that theres supposed to be the new gen around the corner - is it worth waiting? Only problem with waiting is i dont have a GPU (apart from intel HD3000). How much can i expect from an over clocked 7950 over say 3 years?

What about the 670? does it fit my criteria?

Cheers Guys

 

[SEBAR]

Either card will do you fine. You will probably be able to get the 7950 for a good price compaired to the GTX 670. Dont get to hung up on "theres supposed to be the new gen around the corner ", there is always a new generation card around the corner. You will not see much improvement over the GTX 580 infact the 7950 might be considered a downgrade.

 

[TheAbz]

Either card will do you fine. You will probably be able to get the 7950 for a good price compaired to the GTX 670. Dont get to hung up on "theres supposed to be the new gen around the corner ", there is always a new generation card around the corner. You will not see much improvement over the GTX 580 infact the 7950 might be considered a downgrade.

Yeh i know what you mean, always something around the corner. I have been looking at the MSI TFIII V2. Seems to be a decent card - on the 7970 PCB.
As for my 580, we will leave it be, someone else has the pleasure of using it now.
And yes, the 670's are lot pricier than the 7950's.

 

[Lystfiskern]

As mentioned the games u enjoy arent pushing GPUs limits even at full res on your 30 Dell. U should be fine with either 670 or the 7950.
Having said that - AMD has the NeverSettleReloaded bundle going wich increases the added value on the 7950 imo.
As for timespan - 3 years is impossible to forsee, hell even a year could turn things completely upside-down....:huh:
There will always be new cards "around the corner". So if u need one now - just buy one and dont look back.

 

[TheAbz]

Agreed - there will always be new cards "around the corner". So if u need one now - just buy one and dont look back. As mentioned the games u enjoy arent the hardest on the GPU even at full res on your 30 Dell. U should be fine with either 670 or the 7950.
Having said that - AMD has the NeverSettleReloaded bundle going wich increases the added value on the 7950 imo.

Go for whatever u fancy.

Yes i have seen the bundles and i think i am going to go way of the 7950's.
Just need to decide which one now.
One other question i have. if there are two similar cards i.e sapphire 3gb 7950 @ stock 800mhz and sapphire 3gb 7950 over clock @ 900mhz..would both cards be able to over clock to similar levels even though one comes with an over clock already from sapphire? Appreciation is given to the silicon lottery.

 

[USAdystopia]

If you're going 7950...spend a few bucks more and get a 7970.

The 900MHz is probably a binned card and *should* be able to handle higher overclocks. Both cards will probably be within 50MHz of each other when overclocked...see the reviews.

 

[ZeVo]

Yeh i know what you mean, always something around the corner. I have been looking at the MSI TFIII V2. Seems to be a decent card - on the 7970 PCB.
As for my 580, we will leave it be, someone else has the pleasure of using it now.
And yes, the 670's are lot pricier than the 7950's.

Actually, many recent reviews have been saying the TFIII is not using the 7970 PCB anymore. They are back to the 7950 and instead of 6+8 pin, it is back to 6+6 pin.

I only know of two 7950's that are for sure not voltage locked/use a 7970 PCB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161429

 

[TheAbz]

Actually, many recent reviews have been saying the TFIII is not using the 7970 PCB anymore. They are back to the 7950 and instead of 6+8 pin, it is back to 6+6 pin.

I only know of two 7950's that are for sure not voltage locked/use a 7970 PCB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161429

is there any way to confirm this pcb change back to 7950 pcb? any chance of a link to a review please.