[PandaSPUR]

Hi all,

Finally looking to upgrade my GPU since my 560 non-Ti has been choking since I got my new monitor (1440p res).

Was considering a GTX 670 4GB since I have a few EVGA bucks but I keep reading about how the 7970 3GB is better due to higher memory bandwidth. Also because the cards come with Crysis 3 right now hehe.

The main option I'm looking at right now is the XFX 7970 GHz Double D 3GB. NCIX has it for $430 before $30 rebate, and I have a $20 coupon for NCIX. So its looking pretty good in terms of price (GTX 670 4GB would end up costing me the same amount though, in case anyone wants to push me in that direction).

My question is though, I know the XFX is reference PCB, so thats good for WC. But is the voltage unlocked? Is XFX good with their QC/binning?
I've seen a lot of different recommendations on this boards (a lot for the Sapphire Vapor-X) but that card isnt reference PCB so no full-cover blocks available.

Do I bother with GHz edition if I'm going to throw it under water and OC it myself anyway?

Suggestions? Thanks!
(Rig is in my sig, its up to date)

EDIT: NCIX has a decent deal on the MSI 7970 OC 3GB, would cost me $20 more than the XFX and it sounds like MSI keeps all their cards unlocked. Is this correct? If so should I just go for that card?

 

[Farih]

The XFX DD has a horrible cooler but since your getting a WC block on it it doesnt matter.

All reference PCB's go up to 1.3V on the GPU core i believe.

This one seems like a reference to (not 100% sure) and its really cheap:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=70111&vpn=AX7970%203GBD5%2D2DHV3&manufacture=PowerColor

 

[sugarhell]

The first revision of xfx have reference board.

Read this:http://www.ekwb.com/news/233/19/New-revision-od-XFX-7970-cards-brings-compatibility-issues/

Your best bet is to find diamond reference.

 

[PandaSPUR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farih

The XFX DD has a horrible cooler but since your getting a WC block on it it doesnt matter.

All reference PCB's go up to 1.3V on the GPU core i believe.

This one seems like a reference to (not 100% sure) and its really cheap:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=70111&vpn=AX7970%203GBD5%2D2DHV3&manufacture=PowerColor

Just checked with the EK cooling configurator, that one isnt reference PCB ):
Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarhell

The first revision of xfx have reference board.

Read this:http://www.ekwb.com/news/233/19/New-revision-od-XFX-7970-cards-brings-compatibility-issues/

Your best bet is to find diamond reference.

Thank you so much for that, I would've been screwed. EK's cooling configurator gave no warning even though the article says they added warnings to it.. And looking at the picture on NCIX, this XFX has two DVI ports, meaning its non-reference. Damnit.

Looks like my only choice is the MSI 7970 OC 3GB. Any opinions on that?

Or should I just go for the 4GB GTX 670? I know the 7970 beats the 2GB 670 at 1440p and above, but I'm having a hard time finding comparisons with the 4GB 670. And the 670 seems like a better choice if I choose to SLI in the future. Hmmmm.

 

[sugarhell]

Your only choise from NCIX is the msi reference.The 670 4gb is actuallly a bit slower than the 2gb 670

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/08/asus_geforce_gtx_670_directcu_ii_4gb_gpu_review/4#.USuEiWemFc8

 

[PandaSPUR]

Yep seems like it. And thanks for that link, interesting info.

I guess as long as 2GB doesnt even get saturated at high resolutions, 3GB will be fine if I add a second 7970 in the future.

I dont mind ordering from a different source if the price is similar or if some other card is much better. NCIX is just a preference currently since I have a $20 coupon.
And yay, MSI is 10.8", will fit in my FT02 just fine it seems.

 

[sugarhell]

This is a pure reference

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103201

 

[PandaSPUR]

Sorry, any reason why pure reference is preferable?
It seems MSI is definitely compatible with reference WC blocks and MSI themselves advertise overvoltage + overclocking.
Their "all solid capacitors" thing sounds nice too, not sure if thats just marketing but I have actually experienced a GPU failure due to just old age/wear and tear on components (RIP GTS 8800)

Thanks for the help

 

[sugarhell]

Just alternatives to msi . The only one that produce reference 7970 is diamond and visiontek.Msi is a pure reference card too

 

[PandaSPUR]

Ah I see I see. I'll probably go with the MSI card then. I hate rebates and tend to not consider them in cost calculations

so MSI is cheaper after $20 coupon.

Thanks again!

 

[dsmwookie]

Just staying reference for consistency with waterblocks. I have a Diamond 7970 and it was overclocked just fine. The warranty is for 5 years, but I have no experience with actually using their services.

 

[PandaSPUR]

Yea thats another reason why I went with the reference MSI, they're a better known company from what I can tell.

Ordered the card yesterday, tracking info says it should be here in NYC from CA by Friday. Woohoo.
I predict a massively un-productive weekend.

 

[tsm106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarhell

Just alternatives to msi . The only one that produce reference 7970 is diamond and visiontek.Msi is a pure reference card too

MSI OC is not a true reference, it uses the matte black pcb, aka the alternate pcb and uses different/lower spec caps.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1341883/do-i-have-the-7970-reference-pcb-with-the-new-higher-capacitor-or-not-does-it-fit-eks-earlier-blocks-or-not/0_40#post_18901974

 

[sugarhell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsm106

MSI OC is not a true reference, it uses the matte black pcb, aka the alternate pcb and uses different/lower spec caps.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1341883/do-i-have-the-7970-reference-pcb-with-the-new-higher-capacitor-or-not-does-it-fit-eks-earlier-blocks-or-not/0_40#post_18901974

Meh why they cant just use reference design :/

I have an ek block before they change for the alternatives reference and the most reference in greece is msi

 

[PandaSPUR]

Any confirmation that the caps are actually lower spec? Cause MSI makes it sound like they use better caps :\

 

[tsm106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Any confirmation that the caps are actually lower spec? Cause MSI makes it sound like they use better caps :\

It's all rubbish marketing talk. Military class lmao, its all stuff to get you excited. The best example was when they print that stuff on the early release cards cuz back then they were all reference. In other words that is the reference design, they are just selling what you would have gotten anyways, but they make it sound super awesome so they charge more for it.

 

[PandaSPUR]

As long as I'm not getting a below-reference-quality card then I'm fine lol. Not like I paid a lot for the card anyway.