Sapphire R9 280X Toxic Edition (OCed 1300mhz core) neck to neck with Geforce 780 GTX!

[46andtool]

I stumbled upon this review while comparing 280x's on the market and I have to say that it is quite impressive. From the benchmarks it is going toe to toe with a reference 780GTX board.

The Sapphire Toxic Edition is the fastest R9 280X we have tested since launch, with the core clocked at 1,150mhz and the GDDR5 memory at 1,600mhz (6.4 Gbps effective). Thanks to the enhanced power delivery, we managed to squeeze almost 1,300mhz from the core and 1,762mhz from the GDDR5 memory (7.05 Gbps effective). Again, this is the highest manually tuned clock speed from any R9 280X this week. Some credit has to go to the capabilities of the Tri-X cooler which features three high grade aerofoil fans and gargantuan 10mm heat pipes.

And in reference to the board:

Sapphire have spared no expense in selecting the highest grade components, incorporating double side black Diamond choke capacitors and a 8+2+2 phase digital power phase to ensure rock solid performance under the most extreme load situations.

And in reference to the cooler:

We would go as far to say that the new Tri-X cooler is the best AMD cooling solution on the market. Not only did it outperform the triple slot cooler on the Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum, but it did so by a staggering 10c under load. We wouldn’t say the Sapphire R9 280X Toxic Edition was the quietest solution on the market, but the balance of noise to performance is about as good as we could feasibly expect. We would imagine gamers won’t mind a little fan noise under load anyway, and it is certainly much quieter than the HD7970 6GB Toxic Edition of the last generation.

I might have to pick one of these up, right now I have a Sapphire 6970 that is starting to show its age

 

[Teizo]

The Asus Matrix is the same. Those cards are very impressive, but not surprising considering they are 7970GE's.

The Matrix and Toxic cards offer very good value $350.

 

[blackened23]

Ehh? Not really. Once you get an overclocked GTX 780 the gap will widen once again to the OC'ed 780 being what, 25% faster or so? Then you're back to where you started - the overclocked GTX 780 being significantly faster than the overclocked 280X. I think the 280X is a great card for 300$, but if you're being real about it, it's just not going to match the 780, IMO. You can overclock all cards equally well these days, especially with aftermarket cooling.

I get kinda leery about the whole overclocking thing sometimes when it comes to product comparisons. You can say an OC'ed 770 matches a 780, an OC'ed 760 matches a 770, so on and so forth - you get the picture here. So the 280X can be OC'ed - Well, you can overclock the 780 too. Then what? You're back to where you started, back to square one. Again, the 280X is a great value card. But taking the overclocking variable out of the equation, which should be done since you can overclock both cards, the 780 is much faster. It costs more but you get more frames for that $$.

I think both the Matrix and Toxic are good cards, but I wouldn't get the impression that they flat-out match the 780, that clearly is not the case.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

A credit is due to that particular card for sure, but that's all the further I'd read into that.

Why anyone would pay $370 for a card like this over a $180 7950 is baffling, but I guess marketing knows what they're doing.

 

[shoman24v]

Those of you that upgrade from an already great card, do you actually need a new card?

 

[46andtool]

Ehh? Not really. Once you get an overclocked GTX 780 the gap will widen once again to the OC'ed 780 being what, 25% faster or so? Then you're back to where you started - the overclocked GTX 780 being significantly faster than the overclocked 280X. I think the 280X is a great card for 300$, but if you're being real about it, it's just not going to match the 780, IMO. You can overclock all cards equally well these days, especially with aftermarket cooling.

I get kinda leery about the whole overclocking thing sometimes when it comes to product comparisons. You can say an OC'ed 770 matches a 780, an OC'ed 760 matches a 770, so on and so forth - you get the picture here. So the 280X can be OC'ed - Well, you can overclock the 780 too. Then what? You're back to where you started, back to square one. Again, the 280X is a great value card. But taking the overclocking variable out of the equation, which should be done since you can overclock both cards, the 780 is much faster. It costs more but you get more frames for that $$.

I think both the Matrix and Toxic are good cards, but I wouldn't get the impression that they flat-out match the 780, that clearly is not the case.

Sure, I concede the point you are making, BUT what I am saying is that we have a $350 card which is able to trade blows with a $650 card, not to detract from the capabilities of the more expensive card, but to showcase the capabilities of the cheaper one.

 

[46andtool]

Those of you that upgrade from an already great card, do you actually need a new card?

With great games on the horizon such as The Witcher 3 and the system requirements and recommendations appearing for games releasing soon, I would venture to say that an upgrade is in order for myself. PS4 and Xbox1 are right around the corner and they are bringing increased system requirements and game fidelity along with them, I remember when xbox 360 and ps3 games were launching and coming out on PC and my x850xt was starting to show its age as a result.

 

[46andtool]

A credit is due to that particular card for sure, but that's all the further I'd read into that.

Why anyone would pay $370 for a card like this over a $180 7950 is baffling, but I guess marketing knows what they're doing.

Some of us want a larger performance gain than a 7950 would offer, but see it as ludicrous to spend $600+ for a videocard.

That card is a terrific bang for your buck right now, however I dont see the point in picking one up as an upgrade from a 6970 with a new generation of games on the horizon requiring more horsepower than either card will provide.

 

[Teizo]

A credit is due to that particular card for sure, but that's all the further I'd read into that.

Why anyone would pay $370 for a card like this over a $180 7950 is baffling, but I guess marketing knows what they're doing.

You have a point, but eventually all the 7950s and 7970s will be gone. They have to start the price higher in order to have room to drop it later on.

I personally still think it is a good value by comparison to the $400 770 with less memory, but yes...until the current 7950s and 7970s sell out...the cards do look overpriced considering they are just rebrands.

 

[Venomous]

Ehh? Not really. Once you get an overclocked GTX 780 the gap will widen once again to the OC'ed 780 being what, 25% faster or so? Then you're back to where you started - the overclocked GTX 780 being significantly faster than the overclocked 280X. I think the 280X is a great card for 300$, but if you're being real about it, it's just not going to match the 780, IMO. You can overclock all cards equally well these days, especially with aftermarket cooling.

I get kinda leery about the whole overclocking thing sometimes when it comes to product comparisons. You can say an OC'ed 770 matches a 780, an OC'ed 760 matches a 770, so on and so forth - you get the picture here. So the 280X can be OC'ed - Well, you can overclock the 780 too. Then what? You're back to where you started, back to square one. Again, the 280X is a great value card. But taking the overclocking variable out of the equation, which should be done since you can overclock both cards, the 780 is much faster. It costs more but you get more frames for that $$.

I think both the Matrix and Toxic are good cards, but I wouldn't get the impression that they flat-out match the 780, that clearly is not the case.

You make some valid points until you bring up pricing. That's where everything changes for many. End of the day you are still at 780 speeds for half the $.

$599 is my absolute max price point for a video card these days... But I just picked up a Asus Matrix Plat 280x to complete my new build. It should tear through BF4 just fine and I'll be able to give the card to my son in a few months when non ref 290s and 290xs finally hit main stream.

7950s are disappearing and 7970s are climbing back up on price.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Some of us want a larger performance gain than a 7950 would offer, but see it as ludicrous to spend $600+ for a videocard.

That card is a terrific bang for your buck right now.

See what I mean?

R280X is a 7970, it's 5-7% faster than the 7950 clock for clock but look at what this guy believes.

 

[Teizo]

Well, just looked at Newegg, and the cheapest 7970 is $299. Cheapest 7950 is $239.

Looks like those rock bottom prices hit a trampoline.

Guess AMD realized they had undercut themselves too much.

 

[3DVagabond]

I wouldn't do anything until we see the 290 (non X). We don't have a good handle on the pricing yet, so until we do I'd wait to see how cheap it is. If it holds true with prior generations, it should trade blows with the 290X/Titan including O/C's.

I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time), but I have a feeling AMD might come in below what people have been predicting for these cards. I think they want to make a splash in the market.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Well, just looked at Newegg, and the cheapest 7970 is $299. Cheapest 7950 is $239.

Looks like those rock bottom prices hit a trampoline.

Guess AMD realized they had undercut themselves too much.

lol the 7950s now cost more than the 7950s (R270X)...

"over reacting" :awe:

 

[3DVagabond]

lol the 7950s now cost more than the 7950s (R270X)...

"over reacting" :awe:

You do realize how Newegg pricing works?

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Based how how much cards are selling they will inflated prices.

We can have fun here, if that's ok with you.

 

[3DVagabond]

Yes. So it's the marketplace that determines if Neweggs prices go up. Considering that at this point the 270X(7870) is as much as the 7950. Doesn't make it seem like the 280(non X), if there is one, will be as good of a deal as the 7950 has been. I'm probably not the only one who realizes that and they could have had a run on them, making the price go up.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Several 7950 models have sold out over the past week or so since the sub $200 prices, I imagine that had everything to do with the jacked prices we're seeing now on them.

 

[46andtool]

See what I mean?

R280X is a 7970, it's 5-7% faster than the 7950 clock for clock but look at what this guy believes.

I was referring to the 7950 as the bang for your buck card.

 

[Teizo]

You do realize how Newegg pricing works?

Yes, but the price for the end user is what matters. AMD may 'set' a price, but where the rubber meets the road is at retailers and etailers where consumers get their cards. AMD and their respective AIB's can make it easier for them to absorb price drops by giving discounts on new products, etc.

 

[3DVagabond]

How many 7950's are going to O/C like the 270X Toxic does? The Toxic has an improved cooler and PCB that contribute to that O'C'ing ability.

 

[3DVagabond]

Yes, but the price for the end user is what matters. AMD may 'set' a price, but where the rubber meets the road is at retailers and etailers where consumers get their cards.

So how is that "over reacting", as Balla said it was? Besides, if he's calling the 270X a 7950, which is how his post reads, he's wrong.

 

[Lepton87]

Nothing new, Asus Matrix 7970 could also OC to similar clocks and perform very close to Titan.

ps. shouldn't it be neck and neck not neck to neck in the thread title?

 

[46andtool]

Nothing new, Asus Matrix 7970 could also OC to similar clocks and perform very close to Titan.

ps. shouldn't it be neck and neck not neck to neck in the thread title?

yeah i didn't realize until it was too late lol

 

[blackened23]

Nothing new, Asus Matrix 7970 could also OC to similar clocks and perform very close to Titan.

?????????????????

What kind of luck do you need? What clockspeed, 1400mhz? Will your GPU get so hot that it transports your PC to another space time continuum? How loud will it be with 100000% fan speed? I'm trying to figure out if you really believe the 7970 OC is on the same level as Titan or what. Having owned both (well, a 780OC and 7970 a long time ago, close enough!) I say, ridiculous. The 7970 is a great card for 300$. Titan or 780 replacement? Are you kidding me?

280X is a great card for the price, don't get me wrong - but I just can't believe some of the stuff i'm reading here. Christ.