[Narnith]

I'm currently planning on replacing my current GTX 470. It's been having some performance issues, and I recently moved up to a 1440p monitor and it just isn't enough. Plus it is doubling as a space heater.

My budget is essentially $200-$300, but I would like it to be as low as possible. I'm currently looking at a 7950 (specifically this). I usually only upgrade a graphics card every 2.5-3 years, would this be a decent choice for lasting that long. I might consider crossfire in the future, but not now.

 

[Inglewood78]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7700178&SRCCODE=BIZRATE&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5ObkkzCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=30-240624214-2

7970 for less thatn $300.

 

[Narnith]

I've heard poor things about XFX, and newegg currently has a $25 off deal that puts the card I linked to $215. Is it worth the extra $75?

 

[Inglewood78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narnith

I've heard poor things about XFX, and newegg currently has a $25 off deal that puts the card I linked to $215. Is it worth the extra $75?

the 7950 is close enough. get the 7950 for $75 less.

 

[estabya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inglewood78

the 7950 is close enough. get the 7950 for $75 less.

This. I don't thing the 7970 is worth an extra $75 if you are trying to spend as little as possible. Just OC that sucker and then grab another one. Year or two down the road

 

[WOD35]

I'm in the same boat (well, a 465 flashed with a 470 bios) and the card I'm looking to go to is the XFX 7850 2GB 256-bit for $165. I'm only powering 1 1920x1080, however. You don't need 3GB and 384-bit for only 1 monitor, even if it's 1440p, IMO. Some games, like PS2, are CPU necked anyway. What games are you playing?

My opinion, spend low on this upgrade... save money for your next complete build.

 

[raghu78]

OP go for a HD 7950. go for a brand with a good cooler. XFX DD sucks. Sapphire dual x, his iceq x2, msi twin frozr, gigabyte windforce3x are good options

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161429
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202007

the sapphire model at newegg 100352-3L does not have VRM temp sensors. my pick would be the his hd 7950 iceq x2 boost. buy it if you can fit the card in your case. its 311 mm long.

http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/his_7970_iceq_xsup2_ghz_edition_7950_iceq_xsup2_boost_clock,3.html

reference HD 7970 PCB. unlocked voltage. good cooler. more power phases than ref HD 7950.

 

[Nocturn3]

I was going to say a gtx 760 but new eggs price's atm for 7950's are amazing.

Grab one of these for $220 now, and then when you have the money to crossfire it down the road they will be less than $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161420

Or the best model/brand for amd imo, though its $20 more than the one above.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026

 

[Narnith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nocturn3

I was going to say a gtx 760 but new eggs price's atm for 7950's are amazing.

Grab one of these for $220 now, and then when you have the money to crossfire it down the road they will be less than $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161420

Or the best model/brand for amd imo, though its $20 more than the one above.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026

Well I bought the MSI one I linked last night, but now I come on and see these two. I could cancel the order right now, would it worth it? Are the coolers better?

 

[raghu78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narnith

Well I bought the MSI one I linked last night, but now I come on and see these two. I could cancel the order right now, would it worth it? Are the coolers better?

if the order has not shipped I suggest going for the HIS HD 7950 iceq x2 boost. this is the best HD 7950. cooling, PCB quality etc.

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

 

[Narnith]

I just checked my case and the HIS HD 7950 iceq x2 boost probably won't ft.

 

[WOD35]

Thought you should read this thread on how AMD chips suck for games with poor multi-thread optimization, like planetside2, which is why I asked what games you play http://www.overclock.net/t/1416153/psls-the-ps4-s-big-challenge-is-its-amd-chip-that-heavily-relies-on-multi-threading-says-planetside-2-dev

So your bottleneck may be ( and I would say most likely is) your CPU and upgrading the GPU may show no improvement at all. AMD Phenom II X4 955 is a 4-5 year old chip and almost certainly a problem. Is it overclocked?