7950 or wait for r9 series?

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

Looking to upgrade my current video card. Currently I have a 650 Ti non boost model. Been looking at Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 on amazon for 189.99 after rebate.

Would the 7950 be my best deal for around the 200$ mark, also consider if I do wait for the r9 270x which would be 199, would that be inferior to the 7950 based on early knowledge.

Any other card upgrade advice would be welcomed

Looking to spend around 200$
Looking to specifically purchase from Amazon.

Edit:
Wanted to add specs

AMD FX 6300
Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD3
8 gig pc312800
Samsung 240 EVO

 

[raghu78]

newegg has the PCS+ HD 7950 at USD 210 (180 after mail in rebate). it has a very good cooler. much better than the ref design you are talking of. 880 mhz stock clocks. unlocked voltage too. can easily hit 1100 mhz with voltage tweaking. :thumbsup:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131458

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/35033-powercolor-radeon-hd-7950-pcs/?page=12
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_7950_PCS_Plus/26.html

is it compulsory to buy from amazon ? btw R9 270x is a Pitcairn chip aka HD 7870 clocked at 1.1 Ghz and priced at USD 200. So go ahead and grab a HD 7950 at the same price. stocks might not last for a long while. the R9 280 which is a newer version of HD 7950 boost should launch in few weeks time and will most probably slot in at USD 240 - 250

 

[wilds]

Do it. The 7950 has amazing value right now. It'll be gone soon, and you are getting fantastic performance for the price.

 

[pcslookout]

Buy if you don't like it return it in 14 or 30 days. However long their return policy is.

 

[Roland00Address]

I am quoting myself from a couple day ago instead of retyping the same answer to pretty much the same question.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=35537622&postcount=30

If you can get a 7950 3gb at a price around $200 I think you should buy now and not wait till later. The 7950s are being phased out at clearance prices and thus you are getting a better prices than MSRP for said cards. Currently on newegg there are 5 different cards 7950 cards (4 of them being the 7950 boost edition) retailing for $205 to $225, after MIR said cards are $180 to $200.

Furthermore you also get 3 free games from most retailers for most retailers particpate in the Never Settle Forever promotion.

The reason you shouldn't buy a 7950 is you don't care for performance per dollar, you just want the best performance (for example 1440p or eyefinity and you do no want to deal with crossfire.) If you are such a person you are waiting for the R9 290X and possibly the R9 290. Performance per dollar be damn.

 

[tential]

I am quoting myself from a couple day ago instead of retyping the same answer to pretty much the same question.

So you're telling me I should get a second one and CFX?

That's what I'm hearing right?

 

[taq8ojh]

Isn't normal 290 sort of what 7950 was to 7970?

 

[Roland00Address]

So you're telling me I should get a second one and CFX?

That's what I'm hearing right?

Depends on your resolution. I would easily recommend it for 1440p. For 1080p depends on the games you play, 1 7950 plays most current games so well.

If you are not playing 1440p or if you don't play twitch style fps then I recommend saving the money and putting it towards something you really like. (For example a nice monitor.) Then again getting another 7950 to add another year or two to your gaming rig life expectancy (due to newer games in the future) is also a good idea. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Isn't normal 290 sort of what 7950 was to 7970?

Probably (like a 98% chance)

 

[gorobei]

since the tahiti cards are being rebranded as 270 280 you are better off buying the 7950 now while they are being cleared out.

 

[Red Hawk]

If you see a good deal, go for it. The 7950 will support the upcoming AMD Mantle API so it's not like you'll be locked out of new features.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

Thanks for the advice guys, still watching that deal on amazon... btw, reason I'm looking at Amazon is because I received some gift cards. The 650TI is a decent card, but with the current prices for the 7950 it's hard to pass up.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

Ok update again:

Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB with Boost
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
209, 189 After rebate.

PowerColor Radeon HD7950
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
209 no rebate.

Which one of the two?

 

[CuriousMike]

The PowerColor is the one I bought last week... I can't say much other than
a) it works
b) it is quiet

 

[Ieat]

If you have a small to med case with limited airflow(3 fans or less) I would get the Sapphire. If you have a big case with plenty of fans get the PowerColor.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

I purchased the Sapphire card based on this thread..

http://www.overclock.net/t/1378557/...00-20ghd-7950-the-final-holy-grail-of-hd7950s

Very interesting information concerning this card... check it out.

 

[Durp]

I just bought a powercolor pcs+ 7950. I really hope I made the right choice instead of waiting for R9. Only a 2 year warranty is kind of a bummer.

 

[raghu78]

I just bought a powercolor pcs+ 7950. I really hope I made the right choice instead of waiting for R9. Only a 2 year warranty is kind of a bummer.

good decision. the pcs+ cooler is quiet and can handle overclocks of 1100 - 1150 mhz easily. unlocked voltage too.

 

[Bateluer]

I purchased the Sapphire card based on this thread..

http://www.overclock.net/t/1378557/...00-20ghd-7950-the-final-holy-grail-of-hd7950s

Very interesting information concerning this card... check it out.

I bought the same card, no complaints with it.

 

[beginner99]

I am quoting myself from a couple day ago instead of retyping the same answer to pretty much the same question.

What would you recommend with the pricing available where I live (= much, much higher...)

cheapest 7950: Sapphire HD 7950 3GB 850MHz (Boost: 925MHz)
$ 275 (yes, no joke)

7970:

Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP 3GB 1000Mhz
$378

Club 3D HD 7970 royalAce 3GB 1050mhz boost 1100mhz
$385

I also expected the R9 280(x) to be priced above $299 here...

 

[boboftw]

I purchased the Sapphire card based on this thread..

http://www.overclock.net/t/1378557/...00-20ghd-7950-the-final-holy-grail-of-hd7950s

Very interesting information concerning this card... check it out.

Wait, you bought the $310 Sapphire card, or did Amazon change the price?

 

[Redmenace]

good decision. the pcs+ cooler is quiet and can handle overclocks of 1100 - 1150 mhz easily. unlocked voltage too.

I'm not so sure the voltage is unlocked on this version of the card that Newegg is selling. I've tried Afterburner and Trixx and the voltage won't budge off of 1.09 volts max.