7950 vs 7970

[3VIL_G3NIUS]

$270 +$12 shipping for 7950 sapphire OC flex
$330 with free shipping for 7970 sapphire dualx

Prices are in NZD.

Is the 7970 worth $48 more? Like a noticeable difference that actually matters. Considering a 7950 is already a bit more than I want to pay.

Thanks!

[LukaP]

No. most of the time, they are some 2FPS apart

[lani100]

I used both cards the diffrence isn't huge but if you want to keep the card for a few years I would go for the 7970.

The Sapphire cards are a good choise.

[Osmium]

Not really. 7950/280 is already a great card. 

[SkilledRebuilds]

91.27576578% of reviews (plus my experience with my older Gigabyte WF3 7950) is that the 7950 overclocks within 5-10% of 7970 performance if not surpassing it by enough margin (10%+) to be deemed the overclocking king of the series. They just have so much headroom compared to the other cards of the series.

 

I'd be surprised if ANY HD7950's couldn't do 1000mhz on the core, even the early 880mhz 7950's (which my brother has @ 1125mhz for his MSI Twinfrozr)

Google a few 7950 reviews and have a look at the overclocks. You'll be shocked how far some can go.

I know thats sometimes the case with all cards, but these really do have some headroom for extra performance!!!

 

My older 7950 @ 1200/1650mhz was maxing out @ 75*c after hours of gaming time.

[lani100]

91.27576578% of reviews (plus my experience with my older Gigabyte 7950) is that the 7950 overclocks within 5-10% of 7970 performance if not surpassing it.

They just have so much headroom compared to the other cards of the series.

I'd be surprised if ANY HD7950's couldn't do 1000mhz on the core, even the early 880mhz 7950's.

Yep the shitty XFX cards can't

[SkilledRebuilds]

Yep the shitty XFX cards can't

Thats where the 91.###% came from. But there were some XFX cards that also went quite high in overclocking.. Just didn't last long due to shitty cooling from XFX.

 

There were a few bad eggs, but that was not the 7950's fault, just XFX's shitty cooling.

[Izaya Orihara]

No. most of the time, they are some 2FPS apart

No... 

[lani100]

Thats where the 91.###% came from. But there were some XFX cards that also went quite high in overclocking.. Just didn't last long due to shitty cooling from XFX.

 

There were a few bad eggs, but that was not the 7950's fault, just XFX's shitty cooling.

Yep XFX is literally shit hope they go bakrupt.

[3VIL_G3NIUS]

91.27576578% of reviews (plus my experience with my older Gigabyte WF3 7950) is that the 7950 overclocks within 5-10% of 7970 performance if not surpassing it by enough margin (10%+) to be deemed the overclocking king of the series. They just have so much headroom compared to the other cards of the series.

 

I'd be surprised if ANY HD7950's couldn't do 1000mhz on the core, even the early 880mhz 7950's (which my brother has @ 1125mhz for his MSI Twinfrozr)

Google a few 7950 reviews and have a look at the overclocks. You'll be shocked how far some can go.

I know thats sometimes the case with all cards, but these really do have some headroom for extra performance!!!

 

My older 7950 @ 1200/1650mhz was maxing out @ 75*c after hours of gaming time.

So even if both are over clocked, chances are it makes the difference even less? If there's like within 5fps of each other when overclocked may as well go for the 7950. Different would have to be at least 10 fps in most games for me to care. In games where its running sub 60fps that is, since that's my monitors refresh rate.

1920x1200 btw

[ericlee30]

Yep the shitty XFX cards can't

 

 

Thats where the 91.###% came from. But there were some XFX cards that also went quite high in overclocking.. Just didn't last long due to shitty cooling from XFX.

 

There were a few bad eggs, but that was not the 7950's fault, just XFX's shitty cooling.

Hmm thats strange, I have 2 XFX 7950's and have had them since the release date in 2012. They both overclock really really good, at 1245 on the core clock and 1725 on the memory clock. they both have been at that speed since i got them and they are running just like I bought them yesterday. 

[lani100]

Hmm thats strange, I have 2 XFX 7950's and have had them since the release date in 2012. They both overclock really really good, at 1245 on the core clock and 1725 on the memory clock. they both have been at that speed since i got them and they are running just like I bought them yesterday. 

The first batch were good cards but that changed fast, I owned a XFX 7770 that was a great card with good cooling I could oc that thing like crazy and It still would run cool and quiet.

[SkilledRebuilds]

So even if both are over clocked, chances are it makes the difference even less? If there's like within 5fps of each other when overclocked may as well go for the 7950. Different would have to be at least 10 fps in most games for me to care. In games where its running sub 60fps that is, since that's my monitors refresh rate.

1920x1200 btw

Stock vs stock there is about 15% difference (give or take a few) in a varying amount of games. BUT.. most 7950's headroom surpasses the 7970's headroom for overclocking.

^Which is why I think grab a 7950 and OC it to the balls, surpassing the 7970 performance, saving you that $48 and you can add a couple of good quality fans or whatever... $48 of coffee for your lengthy overclocking tests

 

7970 @ 1075mhz VS 7950 @ 1175mhz, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in game.

1920x1200, not too different from 1080p performance wise, losing a few fps at best...

If your not too fussed about 4-8xAA and run 2xAA or "performance hit free" Shader AA's like FXAA/SMAA then you are gunna be sweet as.

However all those DX9 titles you've never played, can be proper maxed! Those early DX10/11 engines will be easily maxed out. I think any game made up until last year (excluding xmas and beyond) will be smashed by the 7950 at their highest detail settings.

 

Hmm thats strange, I have 2 XFX 7950's and have had them since the release date in 2012. They both overclock really really good, at 1245 on the core clock and 1725 on the memory clock. they both have been at that speed since i got them and they are running just like I bought them yesterday. 

I did say 91% (not all cards are bad eggs, however it does seem that XFX have a fair number more of them)

Btw, Damn Nice Overclock!

[3VIL_G3NIUS]

Stock vs stock there is about 15% difference (give or take a few) in a varying amount of games. BUT.. most 7950's headroom surpasses the 7970's headroom for overclocking.

^Which is why I think grab a 7950 and OC it to the balls, surpassing the 7970 performance, saving you that $48 and you can add a couple of good quality fans or whatever... $48 of coffee for your lengthy overclocking tests

 

7970 @ 1075mhz VS 7950 @ 1175mhz, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in game.

1920x1200mhz, not too different from 1080p performance wise, losing a few fps at best...

If your not too fussed about 4-8xAA and run 2xAA or "performance hit free" Shader AA's like FXAA/SMAA then you are gunna be sweet as.

However all those DX9 titles you've never played, can be proper maxed! Those early DX10/11 engines will be easily maxed out. I think any game made up until last year (excluding xmas and beyond) will be smashed by the 7950 at their highest detail settings.

That's very helpful, thanks for that!

I'm not fussy about high AA (not that I can be with a 5770 ) but even on games where I can have either higher AA, or other settings turned up I'll chose the other stuff first anyway. Better lighting, reflections and textures etc. Are a more obvious difference to me at that resolution on a 24" monitor.

So I should be sweet then! Cheers!

[SkilledRebuilds]

That's very helpful, thanks for that!

I'm not fussy about high AA (not that I can be with a 5770 ) but even on games where I can have either higher AA, or other settings turned up I'll chose the other stuff first anyway. Better lighting, reflections and textures etc. Are a more obvious difference to me at that resolution on a 24" monitor.

So I should be sweet then! Cheers!

Thanks, yeah I think you'll be sweet.. on the off occasion that you see lower performance, you stated you already know the basics of reducing shadows and reflections and those details that kill the FPS more than others...

So yeah, you will be sweet If the price is right, its the best thing your gunna buy in the Price>Performance ratio. (Some will say differently because the 7950 is no longer made, but I think it Still holds that crown) when the price is $200-250.