Ok , lets see some overclocking performance!
3DMark 11 - L2N Results, GTX 680 vs AMD 7970 - Performance Setting
First Corner: AMD
Intel i7 3960x @ 5.2 ghz
MSI 7970 @ 1800 Mhz
4Gb DDR3 @ 2314 Mhz
Score: P15035
Link
---
Second Corner: Nvidia
Intel i7 3930k @ 5.5 ghz
EVGA GTX 680 @ 1842 Mhz
4 Gb DDR3 @ 2400 Mhz
Score: P14912
Link
--
WINNER : AMD
----
Not only is the Nvidia GPU clocked higher, so is the memory, and the CPU clock. Despite these advantages, the 7970 manages to squeeze out a higher score!
EDIT: The GTX 680 actually turbos to 1110 Mhz, so this is the stock clock used when comparing to a 925 Mhz 7970. Clock per clock is a completely different ball game, and it is important to note because these cards are designed to overclock.
UPDATE: Check here you can see that an overclocked 7970 gets very close and usually passes an overclocked gtx 680 in performance. VR Zone giving the GTX 680 a worse score (8.5, vs 9.0) than the AMD 7970, even given its lower price. Keep in mind the GTX 680 still has a 4.3% OC limit advantage in this specific benchmark. (GTX 680 @ 1335/1800 Mhz AMD 7970 @ 1280/1860 Mhz).
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/794464/width/600/height/454/flags/
No Clear Winner....
source: Xbit Labs
QUOTE:
And finally we can compare the performance boost each card gets from overclocking. It's clear the AMD Radeon HD 7970 benefits more from overclocking in nearly every test both in 1920x1080 and in 2560x1600.
source
Also seen here, we can see overclocked performance is pretty much a tie! Note the GTX 680 is at 1300+ Mhz, while the 7970 is only at 1125 mhz
This is from techpowerUP
As seen here, we can see across all resolutions the 7970 @ 925 / 1375 Mhz vs GTX 680 @ 1058 / 1502 Mhz we only see a +6% difference. Note to get to the clocks of the 680, the 7970 will have to be overclocked +14.4%/+9.2% for clock/memory.
source
Now compare these TWO reviews from OCC. they are using identical hardware, and most tests are identical. Watch the 7970 @ 1235/1730 Mhz wipe the floor with the GTX 680 @ 1305/1563 Mhz IN EVERY SINGLE TEST. (Well almost heh)
source 1 - gtx 680 OC
source 2 - 7970 OC
So who really is the Clear winner? Clock per clock the battle gets really close, and maximum overclocks are very close as well.. I dont see why so many review sites jumped the gun to say its the clear victor, when the stock clocks are so high when compared to the 7970. If for instance, Sapphire does release their 1335 Mhz 7970 (here), this would be the victor just based off its clocks alone. With this in mind, there isnt a clear winner.
EDIT: Clock per clock comparison from Pro Nvidia OBR
source
HE ACTUALLY MADE A MISTAKE IT LOOKS LIKE THE 7970 IS ~8.0% BETTER ON AVERAGE CLOCK PER CLOCK, NOT 1.8%, I DID THE MATH AVERAGING MY SELF! DO IT TO CONFIRM!
WINNER: AMD
http://AMDFX.blogspot.com
3DMark 11 - L2N Results, GTX 680 vs AMD 7970 - Performance Setting
First Corner: AMD
Intel i7 3960x @ 5.2 ghz
MSI 7970 @ 1800 Mhz
4Gb DDR3 @ 2314 Mhz
Score: P15035
Link
---
Second Corner: Nvidia
Intel i7 3930k @ 5.5 ghz
EVGA GTX 680 @ 1842 Mhz
4 Gb DDR3 @ 2400 Mhz
Score: P14912
Link
--
WINNER : AMD
----
Not only is the Nvidia GPU clocked higher, so is the memory, and the CPU clock. Despite these advantages, the 7970 manages to squeeze out a higher score!
EDIT: The GTX 680 actually turbos to 1110 Mhz, so this is the stock clock used when comparing to a 925 Mhz 7970. Clock per clock is a completely different ball game, and it is important to note because these cards are designed to overclock.
UPDATE: Check here you can see that an overclocked 7970 gets very close and usually passes an overclocked gtx 680 in performance. VR Zone giving the GTX 680 a worse score (8.5, vs 9.0) than the AMD 7970, even given its lower price. Keep in mind the GTX 680 still has a 4.3% OC limit advantage in this specific benchmark. (GTX 680 @ 1335/1800 Mhz AMD 7970 @ 1280/1860 Mhz).
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/794464/width/600/height/454/flags/
source: Xbit Labs
QUOTE:
And finally we can compare the performance boost each card gets from overclocking. It's clear the AMD Radeon HD 7970 benefits more from overclocking in nearly every test both in 1920x1080 and in 2560x1600.
source
Also seen here, we can see overclocked performance is pretty much a tie! Note the GTX 680 is at 1300+ Mhz, while the 7970 is only at 1125 mhz
This is from techpowerUP
As seen here, we can see across all resolutions the 7970 @ 925 / 1375 Mhz vs GTX 680 @ 1058 / 1502 Mhz we only see a +6% difference. Note to get to the clocks of the 680, the 7970 will have to be overclocked +14.4%/+9.2% for clock/memory.
source
Now compare these TWO reviews from OCC. they are using identical hardware, and most tests are identical. Watch the 7970 @ 1235/1730 Mhz wipe the floor with the GTX 680 @ 1305/1563 Mhz IN EVERY SINGLE TEST. (Well almost heh)
source 1 - gtx 680 OC
source 2 - 7970 OC
So who really is the Clear winner? Clock per clock the battle gets really close, and maximum overclocks are very close as well.. I dont see why so many review sites jumped the gun to say its the clear victor, when the stock clocks are so high when compared to the 7970. If for instance, Sapphire does release their 1335 Mhz 7970 (here), this would be the victor just based off its clocks alone. With this in mind, there isnt a clear winner.
EDIT: Clock per clock comparison from Pro Nvidia OBR
source
HE ACTUALLY MADE A MISTAKE IT LOOKS LIKE THE 7970 IS ~8.0% BETTER ON AVERAGE CLOCK PER CLOCK, NOT 1.8%, I DID THE MATH AVERAGING MY SELF! DO IT TO CONFIRM!
WINNER: AMD
http://AMDFX.blogspot.com