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Just about to pay for rebuild parts, advice needed

736 views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  Asmodean 
#1 ·
Hey fellas/ladies,

I'm sure you're are quite sick of seeing these kind of threads, but I really need some third person perspective on this, to help me make a decision.

I've been picking out new parts over the last 2 weeks for a nice rebuild (gaming system), and I've made up my mind, more or less about all except the GPU.

I've seen loads of reviews for both sides (which are maddeningly inconsistent in my opinion), and this build is going to have to last at least 1+ year(s) for gaming etc. I would be most appreciative of your opinions.

Basically the main reason I can't make my mind up is: The 680 seems more like a mid-range nVidia card hardware-wise, rather than a flagship, and AMD's driver optimization/software is far behind nvidia's.

My thoughts:
  • Hardware - 7970 > 680
  • Software - 680 > 7970
Please help, I'm driving myself nuts with this lol

Links to each card in the poll
Palit GeForce GTX 680 Jetstream
EVGA GTX 680
Sapphire HD7970 Dual-X OC
Asus AMD Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II

[Rest of the parts I've picked (about to buy) are below]

CPU: i7-3770K
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Gene
GPU: ?
RAM: Corsair 8GB Vengeance 2133MHz CL9
SSD: Crucial CT128M4SSD2BAA 128GB M4 SSD 2.5 inch with bracket
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-750HX Professional Series 750W
Case: Antec Full Tower Case Twelve Hundred V3 with 12 Drive Bays, Washable Air Filters
 
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#2 ·
Why don't you consider the Gigabyte HD 7970 Windforce. It has a better cooler than sapphire . and there are quite a few complaints of coil whine on sapphire HD 7970(more than any other brand). As for the ASUS Direct Cu II HD 7970 do confirm from users that the voltage is not locked. heard a few users complain of voltage being locked on that card.
 
#6 ·
Presently, @1080p (which would suggest the 680) but I'm tempted to upgrade to an Asus 1200p soon, if I can afford it, as I've had my current for ~3 years now (in sig)

I'm leaning towards a 680, as I said I would do myself a favour and get an nVidia card this time around, but The bandwidth and vram is holding me back.

9 times out of 10 3gb of vram is overkill, but Skyrim currently maxes out the 2gb on my 6950 (SSAA, Texture mods etc) Hmmm..

Edit: Trying to get around 20 votes guys
 
#14 ·
Well, bit the bullet and bought all the parts
smile.gif


CPU: i7-3770K
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Gene
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SC Signature 2
RAM: Corsair 8GB Vengeance 2133MHz CL9
SSD: Crucial CT128M4SSD2BAA 128GB M4 SSD 2.5 inch with bracket
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-750HX Professional Series 750W
Case: NZXT Phantom USB 3.0 Big Tower Chassis - Black

Total: 1500 euro/1810 dollars

My virtual wallet feels empty now lol

Tried to pick the best I could, hope it was worth the coin.

Thanks for the help fellas. +1
 
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