Which 7950 would you get

[Tweak155]

These prices plus the games are just too tempting... ok so which of these 2?

MSI TF3 -

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...erclocked_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

Or Gigabyte WF3 -

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...n_HD_7950_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

Any input as to why would be great. I normally would just look at NE reviews but I'm sure there are some guys in this section with some real experience.

 

[DooKey]

I have a couple of 660Ti with the WF cooling and it's outstanding. Quiet and effective cooling. I've also owned MSI Twin Frozr cards and they are outstanding as well. To be honest you'll be happy with either and I'd just buy the one you like the looks of best.

 

[Galatian]

If it is any comparison I picked up an MSI 7770 for my HTPC and I found the fans o be unbearable loud. I switched it out for a dual fan solution of XFX. Those fans are just as loud but since they are dual fans they don't spin up as fast.

 

[Broheim]

i've got the msi tf3, it's quiet, cool and I have no complaints, which I'm sure can also be said for the gigabyte... honestly you can't go wrong with either. (I picked the tf3 because of the black pcb)

 

[lehtv]

You picked hte card because of PCB color? I can't think of a less important feature of a graphics card...

 

[Tweak155]

You picked hte card because of PCB color? I can't think of a less important feature of a graphics card...

With everything else being equal, I don't see why it would be a bad decision maker? I used to like MSI mobos due to red PCB and as long as the mobo supported what I was looking for, hey good for their marketing ideas.

 

[RussianSensation]

If you intend to overvolt and overclock, the MSI TF3. If you want to run the card at stock speeds and quieter noise levels, the Gigabyte.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2012/kurztest-3-x-amd-radeon-hd-7950/6/

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853-8/msi-radeon-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-test.html

The reason the 7950 TF3 is so popular is because it's one of the best overclockers.

This thread should have people with real world experience of both of those cards. Just double check to see if the newer Gigabyte 7950s are voltage locked. The MSI TF3 is not voltage locked and new versions are clocked at 960mhz instead of 880mhz.

Here is a review of both of them head-to-head
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...rce-msi-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-review-18.html

 

[Tweak155]

If you intend to overvolt and overclock, the MSI TF3. If you want to run the card at stock speeds and quieter noise levels, the Gigabyte.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2012/kurztest-3-x-amd-radeon-hd-7950/6/

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853-8/msi-radeon-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-test.html

The reason the 7950 TF3 is so popular is because it's one of the best overclockers.

This thread should have people with real world experience of both of those cards. Just double check to see if the newer Gigabyte 7950s are voltage locked. The MSI TF3 is not voltage locked and new versions are clocked at 960mhz instead of 880mhz.

Here is a review of both of them head-to-head
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...rce-msi-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-review-18.html

Nice... I'm not generally one for overclocking so maybe the WF3 will work good. More quiet sounds good to me!

 

[Sleepingforest]

I would get the cheapest non-blower. If you want overclocking, look for voltage unlocked. At this level of graphics card, you can only get a few degrees or decibels either way unless that card is genuinely a dud. Your case overall makes more of a difference in volume (airflow quality, size, silencing features).

 

[zettler]

If you intend to overvolt and overclock, the MSI TF3. If you want to run the card at stock speeds and quieter noise levels, the Gigabyte.

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2012/kurztest-3-x-amd-radeon-hd-7950/6/

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853-8/msi-radeon-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-test.html

The reason the 7950 TF3 is so popular is because it's one of the best overclockers.

This thread should have people with real world experience of both of those cards. Just double check to see if the newer Gigabyte 7950s are voltage locked. The MSI TF3 is not voltage locked and new versions are clocked at 960mhz instead of 880mhz.

Here is a review of both of them head-to-head
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...rce-msi-hd-7950-twin-frozr-iii-review-18.html

Has something changed since this post?

I am looking at both but Amazon states the MSI is 880...






http://www.amazon.com/MSI-R7950-TWIN...2/ref=pd_ybh_8

 

[BallaTheFeared]

^880 is base, 960 is boost


Only problem besides not being able to overvolt the WF3 is that you can't undervolt it either.

If you want to run 1050, it's 1.25v, if you want to do 800 because you don't need the speed, it's 1.25v, if you want to do 1200, you might not be able to because you can't up the volts.

 

[zettler]

^880 is base, 960 is boost


Only problem besides not being able to overvolt the WF3 is that you can't undervolt it either.

If you want to run 1050, it's 1.25v, if you want to do 800 because you don't need the speed, it's 1.25v, if you want to do 1200, you might not be able to because you can't up the volts.

This is a present for my son. His buddies suggested an EVGA GTX 660ti but I thought this model would be a better choice for the next year for him. He is NOT a serious overclocker but a dedicated (obsessed) hardcore gamer. I just want the best I can afford at Amazon (credit there) and I need to decide by Sunday...so if I understand you correctly, the MSI is a better choice?

Thanks to all.

 

[Takinato]

The Gb 7950 comes stock at 1000/1250 1.25v. I've gotten it stable at 1100/1500 anything more and it crashes because of locked voltage. I want to try the TF 3 but I need to sell my gb one first.


Posted from Anandtech.com App for Android

 

[BallaTheFeared]

No, if you aren't going to touch it at all just get the WF3.

The TF3 will come at 1.25v as well, it can just be changed whereas with the WF3 there is no tweaking at all with voltage.

However for $15 more I'd get a 670 instead. It's rear exhaust so case/cooling internally isn't as big of a factor as it is with that WF3/TF3.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-Gr...ywords=GTX+670

 

[zettler]

No, if you aren't going to touch it at all just get the WF3.

The TF3 will come at 1.25v as well, it can just be changed whereas with the WF3 there is no tweaking at all with voltage.

However for $15 more I'd get a 670 instead. It's rear exhaust so case/cooling internally isn't as big of a factor as it is with that WF3/TF3.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-Gr...ywords=GTX+670

No the MSI and the Gigabyte are now $310....the 670 is $354.

 

[SiliconWars]

Never listen to anybody who advises on a 660 Ti or 670 over a 7950.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Ahh you mean $320, I'd stil pay $34 more for the faster at stock card but that's up to you.

Just remember with the open air coolers you need to or have had already invested in a good case with good airflow otherwise you're just going to cook everything inside.


I have two of the TF3 7950's, just so you know :thumbsup:

I need big OC's to catch the 670.

 

[zettler]

Actually the MSI has a rebate to make it $310 AR.

I have read a number of recent reviews where several people have had issues with the Gigabyte card and RMA s. That concerns me. He games a LOT and the card needs to be dependable. I can buy a Squaretrade policy but it only covers two years.

By the way, my initial price point was below $300. I already have other gifts (birthday) for him and truly don't want to go any higher. There was a PNY670 a month ago for $300 and I kick myself for not pulling the trigger..

 

[SiliconWars]

Read this - http://www.overclockers.com/his-hd-7950-iceq-x2-boost-clock-graphics-card-review

The benchmark results speak for themselves with consistently high performance marks. It managed to hold its own against the GTX 680 and GTX 670, especially in the game benchmarks where it came out on top quite often..

Now go buy a 7950 confident in the knowledge that you got the only card that is truly a bargain this generation.

 

[thilanliyan]

I believe the GB card is voltage locked whereas the MSI isn't. That was a big differentiator for me. The VRM cooling on the MSI card is not that great IMO.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

TF3 is 2 years labor, 3 years parts.

WF3 is 3/3.

(warranty)

Based on warranty I'd go with the WF3... Otherwise I'd go with the TF3, keep it at stock clocks but drop the voltage from 1.25v to 1.1v for stock.

Keep the old card as a backup and fret not over online reviews, bad cards happen they don't QA every card that comes off the line.


I guess to sum up my position... If I wasn't going to touch anything, I'd get the WF3. If I was going to tweak it the only real option is the TF3.


@SiliconWars their card is at 1200Mhz, he isn't overclocking. That was pretty deceptive, adding ~20% performance to the card... Nice job!

 

[thilanliyan]

@SiliconWars their card is at 1200Mhz, he isn't overclocking. That was pretty deceptive, adding ~20% performance to the card... Nice job!

The card from his link? The HIS card boosts to 950MHz. Where is the 1200MHz you're talking about?

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Are you serious? From the actual review.

7950 boost is closer to the 660Ti than the 670, it's only after a huge overclock that you can compare it performance wise to the 670.

It's basic logic, these cards have been around for awhile it's disingenuous to suggest otherwise at this point.

 

[thilanliyan]

Are you serious? From the actual review.

7950 boost is closer to the 660Ti than the 670, it's only after a huge overclock that you can compare it performance wise to the 670.

It's basic logic, these cards have been around for awhile it's disingenuous to suggest otherwise at this point.

The conclusion isn't based on the overclocked card from what I'm reading. Look at the actual game benchmarks...the STOCK card does hold its own against the 670 and 680 and even beats the 680 in a couple of titles.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

It's not worth discussing, old review that makes little to no sense.