[WARM] PowerColor HD7950 3GB ($380), HIS HD7970 ($450) + shipping @Newegg

[Termie]

UPDATE: 4/18/12

The price cuts on the AMD HD7000 series are finally starting to show up.

HD7950
The PowerColor 7950 model is already selling for under the $399 suggested price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131457. At $380 + $8 shipping, it's a pretty good deal.

For a better cooler, go with the Sapphire HD7950 OC for $400FS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

HD7970
Newegg has the HIS HD7970 for $450 plus shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

For a better cooler, go with the Sapphire HD7970 OC at $460AR/FS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

HD7870
PowerColor HD7870 is available for $330 plus shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131467

 

[xxxkaliboyxxx]

New price cuts are in affect. That means we should be finding good deals at retailers and at forums

 

[trancet]

Powercolor 7870 for $330 as well
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131467

 

[wand3r3r]

HIS 7970 @ $450 + $8 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161399

MSI $479.99 - $20 MIR = $459.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127645

The MSI is clearly better based on the warranty, but you have to do the $20 MIR so...

 

[Termie]

Powercolor 7870 for $330 as well
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131467

HIS 7970 @ $450 + $8 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161399

MSI $479.99 - $20 MIR = $459.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127645

The MSI is clearly better based on the warranty, but you have to do the $20 MIR so...

OP updated.

BTW, I didn't include the MSI HD7970 because its pre-rebate price is above MSRP, so I don't consider that hot.

 

[RussianSensation]

I don't think either of those deals is great.

Sapphire HD7950 OC for $399 is one of the best 7950s and is well worth the $20 extra for overclocking alone.

Sapphire HD7970 OC for $469 - $10 MIR = $459 @ Newegg or @ Amazon are also well worth the $10 price difference over a reference jet engine 7970 card.

$10 more over a reference 7970 for the Sapphire OC is a no brainer.

Interesting how so many people kept justifying the pricing for 7900 series and all it took is 1 card from NV. The Sapphire HD7970 OC was going for $569.99 just last week and now it's selling for $110 less. At these prices, aftermarket 7970s are finally a great alternative against a stock 680.

 

[wirednuts]

ugh so confusing. i had a 7950 once before i think. it too cost $350 and it barely played toca race driver 3:biggrin:

 

[Termie]

I don't think either of those deals is great.

Sapphire HD7950 OC for $399 is one of the best 7950s and is well worth the $20 extra for overclocking alone.

Sapphire HD7970 OC for $469 - $10 MIR = $459 @ Newegg or @ Amazon are also well worth the $10 price difference over a reference jet engine 7970 card.

$10 more over a reference 7970 for the Sapphire OC is a no brainer.

Interesting how so many people kept justifying the pricing for 7900 series and all it took is 1 card from NV. The Sapphire HD7970 OC was going for $569.99 just last week and now it's selling for $110 less. At these prices, aftermarket 7970s are finally a great alternative against a stock 680.

Updated. I read the HardOCP review earlier today, and that Sapphire cooler definitely sounds like it's a good one. I also appreciate the lower power use versus reference.

 

[RussianSensation]

Update:

Reference 7950s such as the PowerColor have a very weak cooler:

Temperatures sky-rocket under overclocking:

vs. Sapphire 7950 OC:

The reference 7970 is also gets hot under overclocking and loud:

vs. Non-reference 7970 such as MSI Lightning/Sapphire 7970 OC:

Source

 

[RussianSensation]

I really think those considering HD7870 should reconsider the 7950 now. The nice Sapphire version used to be almost $490. At $400, it's a whole other ball game. Once 7950 is overclocked, its performance becomes within a hair of an overclocked 7970 (i.e., it would easily beat an overclocked 7870):

Termie, I think you meant 7970 OC for $460 not 7870.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I really think those considering HD7870 should reconsider the 7950 now. The nice Sapphire version used to be almost $490. At $400, it's a whole other ball game. Once 7950 is overclocked, its performance becomes within a hair of an overclocked 7970 (i.e., it would easily beat an overclocked 7870):

Termie, I think you meant 7970 OC for $460 not 7870.

Clock-for-clock the difference between the 7950 and 7970 is only 5%, so yeah.

What I don't like about custom coolers is their open/internal exhaust. Really makes CF/SLI a PITA in many cases, plus all that heat gets sent to your other components. If I were to buy a 7950 I'd get a reference model and what I'd do is undervolt and overclock it.

 

[RussianSensation]

What I don't like about custom coolers is their open/internal exhaust. Really makes CF/SLI a PITA in many cases, plus all that heat gets sent to your other components. If I were to buy a 7950 I'd get a reference model and what I'd do is undervolt and overclock it.

Ya, for SLI/CF reference cards are often better. However, for single GPU, I still think aftermarket ones make sense because you could actually use them with high overclocks and reasonable noise levels. After going through reference 4890, GTX470, HD6950 and overclocking all of them, the temperatures and subsequent noise levels were not great (4890 was a jet engine). For my next upgrade I think I'll spend more for an after market card so I can run certain tasks 24/7 @ 99% GPU load without having to wear headphones.

The way I look at it, the heat will still be dumped in the room. The possible 10*C increase in CPU temperatures that I'd probably get with a card that dumps all the heat into my case can be offset by getting an after market CPU cooler.

I think it just depends on the quality of the reference cooler too. My 8800GTS 320 had an incredibly quiet reference cooler.

 

[zettler]

Really hope to see something around $200-250 range for my sons new gaming PC. Thanks for the info and will keep looking!

PS. Just did my first everRMA on a XFX video card today as the fan quit. Now he is sol until I either build the new one or find a deal!