7970 Questions

[suklee]

Can my hardware handle a 7970, in particular the VX550W power supply?

And, what would I get from a 7970 over a 560Ti:

• ultra settings in BF3 @1900x1200, with smoother framerates?
• ability to add a second 7970 in the future along with upgraded PSU for Eyefinity? (Unless I can do it off a single card?)
• faster card for bitcoin mining?
• bragging rights?

 

[Shmee]

Hey, I am not sure about the PSU issue, but it looks like it might be cutting it close, especially with your OC. I know corsair does quality PSUs though. As for your current res, a single 7970 should be plenty, even if you add eyefinity I would think.

Of course, for larger resolutions in eyefinity the second card would likely help with frame rates. Would need a PSU upgrade of course.

Anyways, depending on the DC project you use, at least the ones that do well on AMD cards should also do very well on the 7970, as it is optimized for computation as well as gaming.

Anyways, would be a good upgrade for sure, but I would consider a PSU upgrade as well, especially if you want to OC the card.

 

[NumericalMethods]

Guru 3D recommened a 550Watt PSU as the minimum for a single card. I think, given the quality of Corsair supplies, this would be sufficient for your system.

Using the rig in my sig, I am getting frame rates of 50 - 70 fps in BF3 at 1920x1200 using the Ultra preset. Very very playable for me

 

[suklee]

OK, so I will get the card first and see how it runs on my 550W... first sign of trouble I'll go get me a Corsair HX

As for 7970 brands/models, I see a lot of talk about reference design vs. custom... is reference 'bad' because it only has one fan?

Which of these should I get then? Only the XFX has a dual-fans.


HIS HD7970 ~$566
MSI DI-R7970G3 ~$598
PowerColor HD7970 ~$573
Sapphire HD7970 ~$603
XFX FX-797A-TDBC HD7970 (Dual Fan Black Edition) ~$630
XFX FX-797A-TDFC HD7970 (Dual Fan OC) ~$603
XFX FX-797A-TNFC HD7970 (ATI Vapor fan) ~$578

PS. Anyone know a solid way to move from Nvidia to AMD drivers?

 

[jackstar7]

What case are you using? That might help people know which kind of cooler might be better.

Reference blows it all out of the case, which is preferred for some cases, but the trade-off is typically more noise. So what's important to your experience?

 

[suklee]

I'm using the CM Elite 334 :

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2868

I don't mind the noise, if it'll give me better cooling.

Dual fans such as the XFX (http://xfxforce.com/en-us/Products/...Radeon-HD-7000-Series/AMD-Radeon-HD-7970.aspx) don't blow it out of the case?

 

[Oyster]

Just FYI, I have the Sapphire 7970 and the package recommends a 700W PSU. Also, if you're going to buy one, I'd recommend waiting for a couple of extra weeks... that's when AMD has promised new supply. If you buy something now, you may end up receiving a returned card as every place is virtually sold out. Not to mention the price gouging!

 

[AnandThenMan]

You could do with a better case, honestly. That case has acceptable airflow but not great. The power supply, it should be fine if you run everything at stock, start cranking up the overclocks and a higher spec unit would be a good thing.

Moving from Nvidia to AMD driver wise is normally not an issue, uninstall the Nvidia drivers, shut down, remove the card. Install the AMD hardware and drivers. If you have issues, then you can start getting more aggressive with dedicated driver cleaners.

 

[suklee]

You know, I wouldn't be opposed to getting a new case. Then I can re-build my Q6600 rig as a spare workstation (though no real need for a second PC)

I'd want the case to be roughly the same size though. When you say improved airflow, would it have be a larger case?

 

[suklee]

This just came in today - Gigabyte GV-R797OC-3GD with 3 fans. Gimmicky, or really '15% cooler'? ~$625

The reference design is below. ~$580 (is that a light saber?)