[Matt-Matt]

So a mate got me a 7950, he acted like he was going to get it for himself so I told him to get the Sapphire 7950 v2 (7970 PCB). PCCG didn't send us that but the boost which seems to be a reference 7950 PCB, the card itself looks really nice but I am unsure if its a reference or not, I'll be water cooling it later on most likely if temps are bad too.

I hope the pictures are okay, they're just off my Velocity 4G.





Oh and yes I do realize it saying "AMD" above the PCI-E slot meant reference on past generation cards, I just would like to be certain.

 

[raghu78]

is your card model no 11196-16-20G . you might find this code in the box on the serial no sticker . if its is then its a reference HD 7950 PCB.

 

[Fishinfan]

No, I don't think so. I did some research on other sites and all came up with that answer.

 

[tsm106]

^^

Looks reference to me. It's got all the parts in the right place and coolingconfigurator confirms it.

 

[Matt-Matt]

Thanks guys! I'm leaning towards it being reference ,myself because it looks like a reference layout but I'm not certain. I guess I'll find out when I drive back to my dorm, I'm at home for the weekend with no PC

I'll be comparing it to my ice which is reference for sure.

+rep guys, thanks

 

[Matt-Matt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raghu78

is your card model no 11196-16-20G . you might find this code in the box on the serial no sticker . if its is then its a reference HD 7950 PCB.

Sorry to double post.. This is a lot harder to use on my tablet, but its a 11196-16-40G which is supposedly the 7970 PCB model but its got two 6 pins..?

Turns out it, is a 7970 except one of the 8x pins hasn't been soldered so its just two 6 pins, from my understanding it had a eight and a six.

 

[raghu78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-Matt

Sorry to double post.. This is a lot harder to use on my tablet, but its a 11196-16-40G which is supposedly the 7970 PCB model but its got two 6 pins..?

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com

this site lists Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 Boost 3GB GDDR5 (11196-16) as reference AMD PCB design. so yeah its ref hd 7950

 

[th3m3nt4l]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-Matt

So a mate got me a 7950, he acted like he was going to get it for himself so I told him to get the Sapphire 7950 v2 (7970 PCB). PCCG didn't send us that but the boost which seems to be a reference 7950 PCB, the card itself looks really nice but I am unsure if its a reference or not, I'll be water cooling it later on most likely if temps are bad too.

I hope the pictures are okay, they're just off my Velocity 4G.





Oh and yes I do realize it saying "AMD" above the PCI-E slot meant reference on past generation cards, I just would like to be certain.

Just and FYI since most have answered you already. When trying to find if your PCB is reference or not. Look right above the PCI connector. On all AMD/ATI cards the PCB revision number is there. If its a reference design it will have the AMD reference board number on it, if its a custom design the number will be different. I prefer going to swiftech's site for finding PCB revision numbers for reference designs as they are usually spelled out clear as day. The 2nd picture you took gets to blurry when I blow it up, but if you yourself take a closer look at it and hit up swiftech (again just a point of reference) you should be to verify with 99% accuracy that your PCB is reference.

 

[Matt-Matt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3m3nt4l

Just and FYI since most have answered you already. When trying to find if your PCB is reference or not. Look right above the PCI connector. On all AMD/ATI cards the PCB revision number is there. If its a reference design it will have the AMD reference board number on it, if its a custom design the number will be different. I prefer going to swiftech's site for finding PCB revision numbers for reference designs as they are usually spelled out clear as day. The 2nd picture you took gets to blurry when I blow it up, but if you yourself take a closer look at it and hit up swiftech (again just a point of reference) you should be to verify with 99% accuracy that your PCB is reference.

Yes, I checked that after others mentioned it. Thank you for all the help guys! My next problem is one of the bearings in the fans isn't right, so it makes a rattling noise when I spin in with my finger and the other is silent.. I'll see what it does in my PC first though.
Do sapphire RMA off serial number? Would they let me just send them the fan/cooler to save on postage costs?

 

[Frank33]

Open CCC and go to *information/hardware clic. What does it says on the fabricant? Built by AMD or Powered by AMD? My ref card say *built by AMD* while my non ref says *Powered by AMD.*

Also the Ref model usually have the AMD logo printed on top of the PCI fingers like yours. Non ref dont.

 

[Matt-Matt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank33

Open CCC and go to *information/hardware clic. What does it says on the fabricant? Built by AMD or Powered by AMD? My ref card say *built by AMD* while my non ref says *Powered by AMD.*

Also the Ref model usually have the AMD logo printed on top of the PCI fingers like yours. Non ref dont.

It was only tried in a friends PC to see if it works

I'll be going back to uni tonight so I'll test it then. I'm just going out for dinner with friends before that and I prefer to drive at night, I'd drive back now otherwise

 

[tsm106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank33

Open CCC and go to *information/hardware clic. What does it says on the fabricant? Built by AMD or Powered by AMD? My ref card say *built by AMD* while my non ref says *Powered by AMD.*

Also the Ref model usually have the AMD logo printed on top of the PCI fingers like yours. Non ref dont.

Mine says Powered by AMD and I have all reference cards, so this point is moot.

 

[Frank33]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsm106

Mine says Powered by AMD and I have all reference cards, so this point is moot.

Maybe it was not moot for the 6XXX series? EK site say that my non ref is a Rev2 so it's not a *real* reference. Im not arguing here, just trying to figure out the difference or the why...

 

[tsm106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsm106

Mine says Powered by AMD and I have all reference cards, so this point is moot.

Maybe it was not moot for the 6XXX series? EK site say that my non ref is a Rev2 so it's not a *real* reference. Im not arguing here, just trying to figure out the difference or the why...

Trying to figure this out by some random software line is sophomoric. A visual match is the proper method and the only one to prevent buying the wrong blocks.

 

[Matt-Matt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsm106

Trying to figure this out by some random software line is sophomoric. A visual match is the proper method and the only one to prevent buying the wrong blocks.

It works if you aren't 100% certain, or if it looks like it. I think it's another good way to check

But nothing will beat a visual match

 

[Derpinheimer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-Matt

Yes, I checked that after others mentioned it. Thank you for all the help guys! My next problem is one of the bearings in the fans isn't right, so it makes a rattling noise when I spin in with my finger and the other is silent.. I'll see what it does in my PC first though.
Do sapphire RMA off serial number? Would they let me just send them the fan/cooler to save on postage costs?

My 7950 Vapor-X has a shroud rattling issue. I would have RMA-d but mine was an amazing overclocker. So if yours overclocks well dont RMA, if it doesnt.. RMA. I highly doubt they offer fan RMAs, but if they do.. awesome

 

[Matt-Matt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derpinheimer

My 7950 Vapor-X has a shroud rattling issue. I would have RMA-d but mine was an amazing overclocker. So if yours overclocks well dont RMA, if it doesnt.. RMA. I highly doubt they offer fan RMAs, but if they do.. awesome

Well I messaged them about it anyway!

Thanks for the feedback!

Did you ever replace the fan?