7970 or 670?

[Pjak]

Hey Guys,

These are the two cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121638
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121560

I wont spend anymore atm because im australian and alot higher in australia.

I will eventually be going with sli or crossfire depending on what card i end up getting.

I would be overclocking the card and i will be playing MW3 and battlefield 3 and Minecraft.

Which should I go with for better performance gaming and rendering videos?

 

[akamrcrack]

if you regret replacing two 6950 with the two 670 then you have some very unique un common issues i rma those 670 get something else since ATI seemed to work so well for you i am confused as to why you switched from a brand you had so much greater experience with to begin with but nevertheless rma those 670 something wrong with them

Never said anything was wrong with my 670s?

I said I regret my 6950s no longer being used, not that I replaced them. If you actually read what I posted you would get that I said when I upgraded to two 670s I pretty much doubled my fps. I.E. what u smokin.

Im a fan for price+performance, the Twin Frozr III 6950s were well priced enough and with a quick mod could be 6970 stat wise, but they died and I /cared.

Was gonna just buy one 680, waited a long time for one to come in stock, saw 670 on day of release, bought, bought 2nd 670 on birthday, 1440p for christmas soon.

Still am not saying 670s arent worth the money btw 😛

 

[bigcyco1]

Never said anything was wrong with my 670s?

I said I regret my 6950s no longer being used, not that I replaced them. If you actually read what I posted you would get that I said when I upgraded to two 670s I pretty much doubled my fps. I.E. what u smokin.

Im a fan for price+performance, the Twin Frozr III 6950s were well priced enough and with a quick mod could be 6970 stat wise, but they died and I /cared.

Was gonna just buy one 680, waited a long time for one to come in stock, saw 670 on day of release, bought, bought 2nd 670 on birthday, 1440p for christmas soon.

Still am not saying 670s arent worth the money btw 😛

oh o.k. my bad i have been drinking maybe a little to much lol i got ya now

 

[RussK1]

Please don't spread misinformation. Rendering is done by the CPU.

What? Never heard of GPGPU, OpenCL, etc...? Media conversion, 3D rendering? Google is a free resource you can use...

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/2162193/nvidias-gtx680-thrashed-amds-mid-range-radeon-hd-7870-gpu-compute

Wow! The claim of beating the HD7970 goes right into the thin air, it seems. Nvidia's new GPU is beaten by the Radeon HD 7970 by an order of magnitude here in double precision floating-point, as well as nearly twice in ordinary single precision floating point. One is speechless here. Even the Radeon HD 7870 with its restricted double precision floating-point still outperforms the GTX680 by a noticeable margin in this department, as you can see here. Only the Radeon HD 7850 is substantially slower.
One might ask, why bother? Well, compute GPU performance can't rely on tweaked drivers, application detection turnarounds and similar tricks as well as other such shortcuts. It is pure, raw processing ability that defines the GPU general purpose computing useability. After all, Nvidia created the GPGPU market and CUDA programming environment. This situation not only badly hurts its prestige in this area but also forces the need for a, say, GK110 'real Kepler high end' follow-on to be delivered soon. Not to mention, Nvidia's GPU compute optimised cards like Tesla sell for thousands apiece, even though they are based on essentially the same dies as high end consumer GPUs, therefore GPU compute is important.
Source: The Inquirer (http://s.tt/17LZI)

The point is, if one isn't using such programs like Adobe PS, Lightroom, Gimp, 3DMax, Media Espresso, Power Producer, etc, etc then deciding on either or, doesn't really matter. It's moot... But if you are then the choice is simple.

 

[Pjak]

I still havent bought yet but wanna play Diablo 3 now thoughts?

 

[akamrcrack]

I still havent bought yet but wanna play Diablo 3 now thoughts?

Get a 6770 or a 7750 and you will run d3 no problem.

Then sell them once you get then cash to upgrade to what you really want!

I can run D3 with my 670 on adaptive-vsync and norm temps for my case cooling for the gpu is 42-48C with 45C being norm. Runs it so godlike. The 7750 would be the temp till you get the 670 which will really allow you to experience the glory of the 670 + the 304.48 beta driver from nvidia and FXAA enabled in the Npanel with adapsync and you will feel like a god. My cards are evga vanilla 670s so with the ASUS DCII you will have much better temps.

VSYNC MASTER RACE!

BF3 on your 670 w/ the proper settings and you will be raping noobs in no time!

Im as throw'd as a budweiser toad right now so hit me up on the flip side and I'll be able to explain myself better.

Gnite!

 

[El Tigre]

I would go for the EVGA GTX 670 FTW, it's $400 after the $10 rebate on Newegg. Not sure how much it cost in Australia though. Best bang for your buck card, it's faster than a reference GTX 680 for $100 cheaper and just as fast as the ASUS GTX 670 DCII TOP while being $30 cheaper. It runs about 8 degrees C warmer around 78C compared to the ASUS during full load. BUT! Because it uses the GTX 680 PCB and reference cooler, it shoots the warm air out the rear of the case unlike the ASUS shooting it back into the case so long time gaming sessions could be a disadvantage for the ASUS vs the EVGA FTW if your case has poor airflow.

You can also use GTX 680 waterblocks on the FTW because of it's GTX 680 PCB vs the shorter reference GTX 670's if you ever decide to dip em underwater. Then cooling won't be a factor and it has 8 phase VRM as well.

I vote for the EVGA GTX 670 FTW as I have one and I enjoy it a lot.


Here is a review comparing the ASUS and the EVGA FTW

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/40613-evga-geforce-gtx-670-ftw/

 

[akamrcrack]

I vote the EVGA GTX 670 Vanilla over the FTW

1. Because I have never seen it get over 75C and that was with benchmarks fully maxed e.g. Heaven. And that was with 70% fan speed.

2. Because it is a much better card and looks much better. OCing is fine and all but why settle with one 670 when you can always get a 2nd one and run 1440p like I will be soon enough

With BF3 my EVGA GTX 670 vanilla runs the game 43-60C with 53C being the average for all maps and 60C being the max (59C to be exact) when I am in tanks going hard in the paint 1080p 4X MSAA FXAA 60fps vsync (2x 670s ofc). I put backplates on mine, helped a bit.

The reason I love these cards over the other EVGA cards for sale, this is a vanilla that comes with the High Airflow Bracket which is not advertised on newegg or evga but I have recieved two and both have them as well as other people who bought them and recieved the same HFB I did. The card cools amazingly. People scream at me because of how much better my cards run than theirs, telling me I live in Antartica when my ambient temps in north texas are about 75-78C daily. lold.

Get the card he recommended if you really feel that persuaded by him and then report back to me the kind of temps you get running your settings like I did with my single 670.

Gnite

 

[El Tigre]

I honestly like how the FTW looks, it matches the inside of my case, I will soon get another one for SLI and jump to tri monitors too. The GTX 560 Ti was from my previous set up so I will use it for PhysX, for now, I put it down the other slot to allow more air between them. Since my case has plenty of fans and good airflow, my GTX 670 does not go beyond 70C during heavy gaming with 50% fan speed, lol, I should crank em up a bit more though. It does get around 75C during stress test when I run it for a few hrs though, but these cards were designed to run at these temps and they are factory OC'ed for those that don't like OC, but I will be getting waterblocks soon and dip em underwater, the 8 phase VRM will help a lot too.


I can push my Power Target to 145% vs how much your Vanilla has?? like 120 or less??? Not even the more expensive SC can go beyond 122+. Also being binned means I can OC my card better than reference too. 😉

Before anyone screams at me for using a GTX 560 Ti for PhysX, this is why I still have it, I did not go out and buy it recently 😉

Here is also proof that the FTW runs cooler than reference and not to mention it's faster than a reference GTX 680 out the box while costing around the same as 670 reference. I do wish mine came with backplates though, oh well

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-13.html

 

[akamrcrack]

O well then by all means do that. I didn't know you were planning on going crazy with them. Can't wait to see the finished product

 

[El Tigre]

It's going to be a few months before I go mad scientist on them, still have to save up for the other one and get the WC blocks for em w/pump and such. Either way, I kinda feel bad for those that bought reference GTX 680's when my $400 FTW beats most of them out the box, lol

I did have a 680 when they first came out, but as soon as the FTW came out, I sold the 680 for a nice profit since they were hard to find back then, made $100 more and that's how I bought the new Hyper 212 EVO to finally OC my aging 920 to 3.6 stable because of my 1333 XMS3 RAM. Soon, I will be buying my friends 990X and 1600 Corsair Vengeance for $200. I made a deal with him and fixed his car (replaced alternator). He is upgrading to a X79/3960X rig. I'm still on my trusty MSI X58 Pro-E, still going strong, lol

 

[Pjak]

Cant find anywhere in australia where they sell the FTW but The Asus Top Edition is just as good?

 

[17seconds]

Asus TOP is the best GTX 670. Get it.

 

[bigcyco1]

Asus TOP is the best GTX 670. Get it.

+1 listen to this man he knows his GPU better than most on this site 😉

 

[El Tigre]

The FTW actually beats the ASUS out the box in most benchmarks as seen here, but when OC is taken into account, the ASUS will do a bit better because of it's better cooling solution, but the EVGA is cheaper too. Both pretty much perform neck to neck. The choice is yours, but since you said you can't find the FTW, then there's nothing wrong with the ASUS. 😉

To me it's a tie because the EVGA is cheaper being priced the same as reference but uses a reference GTX 680 PCB and cooler vs the ASUS having a better cooling solution but more expensive. the FTW can actually OC more than the ASUS too, but heat will be factor because of it's cooling solution. The EVGA shoots the air out back vs the ASUS shooting it back into the case and rear, so SLI may be an issue with the ASUS cards but with good airflow in your case, this may be mitigated.

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/40613-evga-geforce-gtx-670-ftw/?page=5

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130802

 

[17seconds]

+1 listen to this man he knows his GPU better than most on this site 😉

I actually spent almost an hour yesterday trying to figure out which is better the DirectCU II TOP or the Lightning. It should be the Lightning, but the benchmarks say otherwise. I did find out that the Lightning's memory runs at 1.5 V, while the TOP runs at 1.6 V (to give you an idea of the level of analysis).

 

[vmem]

I actually spent almost an hour yesterday trying to figure out which is better the DirectCU II TOP or the Lightning. It should be the Lightning, but the benchmarks say otherwise. I did find out that the Lightning's memory runs at 1.5 V, while the TOP runs at 1.6 V (to give you an idea of the level of analysis).

interesting... you sure do your research 😗

 

[17seconds]

interesting... you sure do your research 😗

I guess I need a more productive way to spend my time.

 

[vmem]

I guess I need a more productive way to spend my time.

ha well it's very educational and save time for the rest of us so thank you very much :lol:

though looking from the thermalgraphs, it seems the lightning has slightly better VRM cooling... interesting that it's the ASUS card that puts more voltage through the memory

 

[17seconds]

I'm still waiting for a feature set comparison table for current gen nVidia vs AMD that I proposed you make earlier in the thread. 😍

Like I said then, the ball's in your court. I already listed the unique things Nvidia brings to the table.

To help you with your homework, I'll get you started.
AMD offers:
- Graphics Core Neutral
- MLAA
- Full Scene Supersampling

Feel free to add to that list, if you can. Rather than tear down the Nvidia features, I want to know what gets you excited about AMD.

You see, in my mind, after stacking up the pros and cons, it seems clear to me. If I'm wrong, I would love someone to steer me into the light.

Until then, I look at it like this: AMD brings nothing unique of enough value to sway a purchase decision. Purchasing an AMD card means you'll NEVER get to use PhysX, Adaptive VSync, forced FXAA, forced Ambient Occlusion, Transparency Supersampling, TXAA, Geforce Experience, etc. Regardless of the value you place on these features, it's better to have the option of using them than to not have that option at all.

 

[akamrcrack]

Like I said then, the ball's in your court. I already listed the unique things Nvidia brings to the table.

To help you with your homework, I'll get you started.
AMD offers:
- Graphics Core Neutral
- MLAA
- Full Scene Supersampling

Feel free to add to that list, if you can. Rather than tear down the Nvidia features, I want to know what gets you excited about AMD.

You see, in my mind, after stacking up the pros and cons, it seems clear to me. If I'm wrong, I would love someone to steer me into the light.

Until then, I look at it like this: AMD brings nothing unique of enough value to sway a purchase decision. Purchasing an AMD card means you'll NEVER get to use PhysX, Adaptive VSync, forced FXAA, forced Ambient Occlusion, Transparency Supersampling, TXAA, Geforce Experience, etc. Regardless of the value you place on these features, it's better to have the option of using them than to not have that option at all.

Nvidia stepped their game up because this is basically the arguement I had for Radeon 6000 series cards against Nvidia 500 series cards. Nvidia had nothing to offer except for 3D which is a niche in itself, while Radeon was boss hogging any games with Vsync enabled and epic scaling in crossfire with much better power usages and MLAA etc etc etc.

Oh how the times have changed

 

[LonelyMan]

I actually spent almost an hour yesterday trying to figure out which is better the DirectCU II TOP or the Lightning. It should be the Lightning, but the benchmarks say otherwise. I did find out that the Lightning's memory runs at 1.5 V, while the TOP runs at 1.6 V (to give you an idea of the level of analysis).

Hmm I wonder if that was because of me and my thread? fyi i'm still undecided on what to get

 

[17seconds]

Hmm I wonder if that was because of me and my thread? fyi i'm still undecided on what to get

Yeah, that was it. There's not much in terms of head to head analysis on the same test system. There are slight differences, but no clear winner. The Lightning on paper should be better, but that doesn't play out in the reviews. The Asus is cheaper, so there's your winner.

 

[LonelyMan]

Yeah, that was it. There's not much in terms of head to head analysis on the same test system. There are slight differences, but no clear winner. The Lightning on paper should be better, but that doesn't play out in the reviews. The Asus is cheaper, so there's your winner.

How much in performance increase do you think that the lightning or 680 top would need to have compared to a 670 to be considered worthwhile for 100$ more?10%, 15%? I did some tables using GURU3D's reviews for the 680 lightning, 680 top, 670 top and 670 power edition and compared all 4 and in some games they are all within 4-5% of each other while in others the difference between the 2 680 and the 670 was between 8 and 12%. Thoughts? Sorry for the persistence but I usually spend a month viewing my options before spending money on something, especially a 2000$ system

 

[vmem]

How much in performance increase do you think that the lightning or 680 top would need to have compared to a 670 to be considered worthwhile for 100$ more?10%, 15%? I did some tables using GURU3D's reviews for the 680 lightning, 680 top, 670 top and 670 power edition and compared all 4 and in some games they are all within 4-5% of each other while in others the difference between the 2 680 and the 670 was between 8 and 12%. Thoughts? Sorry for the persistence but I usually spend a month viewing my options before spending money on something, especially a 2000$ system

well, I won't answer for Matt, but in my opinion, it would be impossible to achieve a 15% performance increase from the ASUS 670 TOP for it to be worth $100. high-end graphics cards reach the point of diminishing returns (starting at around $200 or so), meaning you don't get +20% performance for +20% price, it'll be like +20% price for +10% performance, and at the very top +20% for maybe +5% performance. at some point it's about having the top card for the sake of having the top card.

if you truly want to get your money's worth, get a pair of ASUS 670 direct CUII TOP cards and SLI.

EDIT: oh, and the issue/blessing with careful browsing of computer hardware is that new ones are always coming out. if you mean it when you said you might take a month, Sapphire has the 7970 vapor-x and 7970 toxic coming out soon

 

[LonelyMan]

well, I won't answer for Matt, but in my opinion, it would be impossible to achieve a 15% performance increase from the ASUS 670 TOP for it to be worth $100. high-end graphics cards reach the point of diminishing returns (starting at around $200 or so), meaning you don't get +20% performance for +20% price, it'll be like +20% price for +10% performance, and at the very top +20% for maybe +5% performance. at some point it's about having the top card for the sake of having the top card.

if you truly want to get your money's worth, get a pair of ASUS 670 direct CUII TOP cards and SLI.

EDIT: oh, and the issue/blessing with careful browsing of computer hardware is that new ones are always coming out. if you mean it when you said you might take a month, Sapphire has the 7970 vapor-x and 7970 toxic coming out soon

I don't like ATI, and Nvidia might release the 660 and 660 ti, which I ain't interested in. so for me it's either 670 or 680, the 670 and 680 tops or 670 and 680 from msi. This and the only other things I am not sure on is my future Storm Stryker case and Maximus V Formula mobo, but imho, i think they both worth it. Maximus is 50$ more vs sabertooth, but i get wifi which i need, daemon tools and karsperky anti virus plus it fits my red white and black build theme. I have 8 days to decide 😗 .