Gigabyte 7970 GHZ Edition VS EVGA GTX 680+ 4GB With Backplate For System

[thstahler]

Hello folks, This is my first post here. My system specifications are as follows:

Q8200 Core 2 Quad
1000w EliteXStream Power Supply
Fractal Design R4 Case
Crucial Ballistix 8GB RAM
2 1TB Seagate Baraccuda 7200 HDD'S
Sabrent 4 Port 3.0 USB Card
2 Port Firewire Card
2 DVD Drives

My monitor size is 1600x900 model HP2009m.

I have found two video cards that are the exact same price for my rig. I found a Gigabyte 7970 3GB Windforce Ghz Edition and a EVGA GTX 680+ 4GB With Backplate. I do not plan on running more than one monitor and don't plan on upgrading any other components any time soon. I have my decision down between these two models only. I use my computer to run my recording studio, and play games like World Of Tanks, World Of Warcraft, Assassins Creed III, and Aliens Vs Predator, in my free time. I simply want the best card for my build between these two and they are the same price with only a single monitor at 1600x900. Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter. I want to pick up this graphics card today. Thanks!

 

[Novuake]

Both those cards are WAAAAAAYYYYY overkill for your monitor and those games you play.
Fastest card is the HD7970 GHz if you really want to know, but its pointless going that powerful with your setup.
The CPU will bottleneck that powerful a card too.
You will be perfectly happy with an HD7870LE/XT.

 

[thstahler]

I guess I just wasn't sure based on what games I play. I also thought that maybe since I'm running only a single monitor, and with my limited screen resolution, that the limitations of the 680 bandwidth might not be prevalent. Also, That version of the 7970 GHZ is voltage locked, unfortunately. So, Not sure if that changes anything.

 

[ingtar33]

yeah... both the 680 and 7970 are far too much gpu for that monitor. you can make due with a lot less.

a 660/660ti or a 7870 or 7870xt will max out that monitor and then some.

 

[Novuake]

Yes it is voltage locked but if you do not OC, that is fine.

I strongly suggest not going that powerful. Serious waste of money paired with that CPU and screen resolution.

 

[thstahler]

But, Between the two, I should take the Gigabyte 7970 GHZ Edition over the EVGA GTX 680+ 4GB?

 

[Novuake]

Yes! But yeah :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

That is better. (not voltage locked)

 

[thstahler]

Wow, And the price I am paying for either card is $477 for the 7970 GHZ and $494 for the 680. I am getting the card I am getting from Microcenter since I have a $500 gift card.

 

[Novuake]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/413440/R7970TF3GD5OCBE_AMD_Radeon_HD_7970_OC_TwinFrozr_III_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

That one then. Get an external HDD or something with the money that is left.

 

[thstahler]

Thank you for the help. I am definitely not any kind of a Nvidia or AMD fanboy. I just read that the 7970 ghz seemed to do better at high resolutions, and the 680 did better at lower ones. I also read that the 680 is more stable while the 7970 ghz has mor peaks rather than stability versus the 680. The only other concern I had was that most of the games I listed above seem to be more geared towards Nvidia. Does that still leave the 7970 ghz as the best choice?

 

[thstahler]

I just want to be able to Max out all games with all effects on. Thanks.

 

[Novuake]

Thank you for the help. I am definitely not any kind of a Nvidia or AMD fanboy. I just read that the 7970 ghz seemed to do better at high resolutions, and the 680 did better at lower ones. I also read that the 680 is more stable while the 7970 ghz has mor peaks rather than stability versus the 680. The only other concern I had was that most of the games I listed above seem to be more geared towards Nvidia. Does that still leave the 7970 ghz as the best choice?

If you just want to max out games, get a GTX670 2GB and you can do it with ease, I just can not suggest something as overpriced as the GTX680.

 

[thstahler]

For me, I can get both the 7970 GHZ and the 680 4GB for nearly exactly the same price.

 

[thstahler]

I also want to be able to watch and edit movies and video with ease.

 

[Novuake]

Still is no reason to get such a powerful GPU. Just save some and get other stuff instead. Hell even a nice sound system is better.

 

[thstahler]

Guess I just want the best between the two simply because I can. ;-)

 

[Novuake]

Guess I just want the best between the two simply because I can. ;-)

Best Value = HD7970 GHz

 

[ingtar33]

Guess I just want the best between the two simply because I can. ;-)

if you have so much cash to toss around get a better monitor then. to make use of all that gpu power.

 

[thstahler]

I might get a better monitor. So, To confirm, Strictly from a performance standpoint rather than just value, The 7970 GHZ will definitely outperform the 680 then?

 

[Novuake]

Yes easily.

 

[ingtar33]

I might get a better monitor. So, To confirm, Strictly from a performance standpoint rather than just value, The 7970 GHZ will definitely outperform the 680 then?

yep

 

[scott71_70]

The asus hd7970 D2 has better cooling fan,s for the price ,but the gigabyte has 3 fans & cools better than evga it has only one fan

 

[scott71_70]

The asus hd7970 D2 has better cooling fan,s for the price ,but the gigabyte has 3 fans & cools better than evga it has only one fan