XFX Radeon HD 7850 - Too many models?

[Lukebad]

Hello there!

I'm looking to upgrade my 5770 to a 2GB 7850, and I wanted to know the best possible model to purchase...
It seems there are a few different serials (as seen here http://products.xfxforce.com/en-us/Graphics_Cards/AMD_Radeon%E2%84%A2_HD_7850/FX-785A-CDBC ), but the website doesn't specify the differences between them.
I'm particularly between two models, because I don't know which one is less prone to problems. The models are the CNL4 and the CNFC.

If I can observe correctly, it seems that the CNL4 (the one I'm almost buying, because it's available on a store close-by) has alluminium dissipation... I can't see any copper.
And the CNFC has two big copper pipes running through it.
I'm not sure about this, I'm only describing what I see in shopping websites.

Here are both on Newegg

CNL4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150641

CNFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150608

Any of you guys have one of these two?
Which do you think would be best? (The one with copper, probably... But is the other one bad?)

Thanks a bunch.

EDIT: Also, feel free to try and sway me to a GTX 660. I've been thinking about it... Is it a better buy?

 

[charmer]

Well The first thing you should consider is that XFX cards are not trustful .. (google it if you wish).

Between those tow there is NO difference in the spec terms (clock core, Streem Pocessors etc').
The only difference is that the CNFC has 2 6pin connectors while the CNL4 has only 1 - the XFX FX-785A-CNFC has a bigger heatsink = lower Temps = bettser perfomance under presure.


Good Luck


EDIT: If you are using a 1080p monitor stick to the 7850 coz of of the higher bit (7850 has 2GDDR5 with 256bit / 660 has 2GDDR5 with 192bit)
.. Just a suggestion

 

[Lukebad]

Well The first thing you should consider is that XFX cards are not trustful .. (google it if you wish).

Between those tow there is NO difference in the spec terms (clock core, Streem Pocessors etc').
The only difference is that the CNFC has 2 6pin connectors while the CNL4 has only 1 - the XFX FX-785A-CNFC has a bigger heatsink = lower Temps = bettser perfomance under presure.


Good Luck


EDIT: If you are using a 1080p monitor stick to the 7850 coz of of the higher bit (7850 has 2GDDR5 with 256bit / 660 has 2GDDR5 with 192bit)
.. Just a suggestion

Thanks a bunch for the clarification!

Well, I'm currently using a 1680x1050 monitor, and I quite like the 16:10 ratio, so I don't think I'll be upgrading that soon.
And I've had a XFX 5770 for three (two?) years now, and not one hiccup! I assumed XFX was a good brand, but then again, I could've just been lucky.
Rethinking XFX now.

I ran into a good-priced Sapphire 7870, would that trump my former options? Found some good reviews.

 

[charmer]

All brands of the 7870 has 27% more Stream Processors.
Most have ~20% more core clock speed, same bit (256), same ram (2GDDR5).

If you can get it for a good price Take it, Its a great card.

may I ask what is your budget for the card ?

 

[Lukebad]

Since I have no pre-defined budget, I'm dancing between prices right now.
But I live in Brazil, so prices here are really... different.
I consider the equivalent of 300 dollars to be "cheap" for a 7870, while I know you guys will think that a price this high is unacceptable.
So, anything in that order of power is acceptable. There's a spike of about 70 dollars from the GTX 660 to the GTX 660 TI, and about 110 dollars from the 660 to the GTX 670. The GTX 660 TI is a bit too high for me. So you can consider that the GTX 660 Ti is the very extreme "roof" of my budget.

 

[Lukebad]

The 7870 seems like a great card, albeit without PhysX and adaptative V-sync. (Well, it does support TressFX for fabulous hair.)

Also, another VERY similar problem to the first one:
Two versions, and apart from different connections (one lacks a second DVI, the other lacks mini DisplayPorts...) there's no distinguishable difference between them. I'm partial to the smaller one (with two DVI), but I'm not sure it the decrease in size will affect heat dissipation.

Bigger (11199-00-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1473&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Smaller (11199-19-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1700&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

 

[charmer]

The 7870 seems like a great card, albeit without PhysX and adaptative V-sync. (Well, it does support TressFX for fabulous hair.)

Also, another VERY similar problem to the first one:
Two versions, and apart from different connections (one lacks a second DVI, the other lacks mini DisplayPorts...) there's no distinguishable difference between them. I'm partial to the smaller one (with two DVI), but I'm not sure it the decrease in size will affect heat dissipation.

Bigger (11199-00-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1473&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Smaller (11199-19-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1700&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Ok so ill put it this way:
The 7870 was beaten by the MSI 660 Twin Frozr III in 70% of the Benchmarks, While the 7870 Beats the 660 in gaming performance tests.
You can see most of it in this Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOJer80pHc0

Just to be sure look at this comparison (note that future games will need better bit - that the 7870 has) :
For Unboxing + benchmarks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vk3hbAt4Es
For their Benchmarks only - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOXMYVEmpEg

The small card comes with a built in feature for AA while the "Bigger" 7870 has a slightly better cooling witch again means slightly less noise and temps.

I would go for the bigger one just for the cooling, but its up to you.

 

[Lukebad]

The 7870 seems like a great card, albeit without PhysX and adaptative V-sync. (Well, it does support TressFX for fabulous hair.)

Also, another VERY similar problem to the first one:
Two versions, and apart from different connections (one lacks a second DVI, the other lacks mini DisplayPorts...) there's no distinguishable difference between them. I'm partial to the smaller one (with two DVI), but I'm not sure it the decrease in size will affect heat dissipation.

Bigger (11199-00-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1473&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Smaller (11199-19-20g)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1160&pid=1700&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Ok so ill put it this way:
The 7870 was beaten by the MSI 660 Twin Frozr III in 70% of the Benchmarks, While the 7870 Beats the 660 in gaming performance tests.
You can see most of it in this Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOJer80pHc0

Just to be sure look at this comparison (note that future games will need better bit - that the 7870 has) :
For Unboxing + benchmarks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vk3hbAt4Es
For their Benchmarks only - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOXMYVEmpEg

The small card comes with a built in feature for AA while the "Bigger" 7870 has a slightly better cooling witch again means slightly less noise and temps.

I would go for the bigger one just for the cooling, but its up to you.

Well, gaming is my focus, but I always take performance tests / benchmarks with a grain of salt.
They are quite on par on that video you sent! Okay.

I think I'll go for the Sapphire 7870! Is it a good brand?
Thank you so much for all your help, you've been quite the good samaritan!

I'll try and find the bigger one, but right now the smaller one is on sale, so I might just go and get that one... Well, I'll see.

Thanks once more for everything!

 

[charmer]

With pleasure !
Sapphire is one of the best when it comes to GPUs but the ASUS 7870 Ghz edition was just a bit better (by 2%~4%) so if youll find it on sale as well take it, If not just Grab the "Small" Sapphire and Enjoy 😛