AMD reduces prices, new game bundle inbound

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MrK6

Diamond Member
Aug 9, 2004
4,458
4
81
Newegg has the HIS IceQ 7950 for $320. No rebate Free shipping.
Very nice card. I haven't been following the latest tech much lately, but I think this shows what nonsense AMD's reference fans are. The fact that these produce adequate airflow at much lower noise is remarkable.
 
Feb 19, 2009
10,457
10
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Very nice card. I haven't been following the latest tech much lately, but I think this shows what nonsense AMD's reference fans are. The fact that these produce adequate airflow at much lower noise is remarkable.

Because its bigger, more than the standard 2 slot.

Ref blowers get really loud above 50%, as all that air has to be pushed through a tiny gap generates most of the noise.
 

3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
204
106
I think the biggest difference is it uses a bigger blower. It's just barely bigger then 2 slots. Not more than a backplate from the straight on shot on Newegg.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Only a few months left for 7xxx before switching to 8xxx manufacture. May as well grab as much volume as possible.

Are you sure?

1) Normally when a GPU is just a few months away we start to get some rumours and leaks. So far nothing major on HD8000 series.

2) Sea Islands is not on AMD's roadmap for 2012 at all. Not sure where people are getting the idea from that HD8000 for the desktop will launch soon. From what I read it's actually Q1-Q2 2013 at the earliest. Where are you getting the info that HD8000 series will launch before the end of this year?

Newegg has the HIS IceQ 7950 for $320. No rebate Free shipping. Don't be fooled though. It easily holds it's own against the dual/triple fan types and exhausts all of the air out of the case for those who desire that setup.

That card and many other after-market 7950s is exactly why I feel that most hardware tech websites have done a very poor job this round covering consumer options. The excuse given was that NV is doing a "virtual" launch and that's why after-market 660Tis were included. How does that even make any sense? Here is a reference GTX660Ti and there are plenty of after-market 7950s that aren't going anywhere. Alternatively 950mhz HD7950 Vapor-X has already dipped to $330 on Newegg.

I can say that GTX660Ti vs. HD7950 coverage was one of the worst in terms of informing consumers about their choices in this price segment.
 
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AnandThenMan

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2004
3,991
626
126
I doubt we will see Sea Islands in 2012, and if we do it will be a very late aka Dec. 31st and limited launch.
I can say that GTX660Ti vs. HD7950 coverage was one of the worst in terms of informing consumers about their choices in this price segment.
Agreed, but the question is why.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,677
6,250
126
Are you sure?

1) Normally when a GPU is just a few months away we start to get some rumours and leaks. So far nothing major on HD8000 series.

2) Sea Islands is not on AMD's roadmap for 2012 at all. Not sure where people are getting the idea from that HD8000 for the desktop will launch soon. From what I read it's actually Q1-Q2 2013 at the earliest. Where are you getting the info that HD8000 series will launch before the end of this year?



That card and many other after-market 7950s is exactly why I feel that most hardware tech websites have done a very poor job this round covering consumer options. The excuse given was that NV is doing a "virtual" launch and that's why after-market 660Tis were included. How does that even make any sense? Here is a reference GTX660Ti and there are plenty of after-market 7950s that aren't going anywhere. Alternatively 950mhz HD7950 Vapor-X has already dipped to $330 on Newegg.

I can say that GTX660Ti vs. HD7950 coverage was one of the worst in terms of informing consumers about their choices in this price segment.

Not Launch, but the GPUs will begin manufacture.
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
I think the biggest difference is it uses a bigger blower. It's just barely bigger then 2 slots. Not more than a backplate from the straight on shot on Newegg.
Normally I'd trust Newegg product photos, but that looks like it's the same cooler that was on the 7870 IceQ.

AT has a good side shot of that card, and that's anything but a thin card.

IQT7870Side.jpg


Edit: Ahh, there's a photo on HIS's site. It's definitely the same cooler.

0137_06_1600.jpg
 

3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
204
106
Normally I'd trust Newegg product photos, but that looks like it's the same cooler that was on the 7870 IceQ.

AT has a good side shot of that card, and that's anything but a thin card.

IQT7870Side.jpg


Edit: Ahh, there's a photo on HIS's site. It's definitely the same cooler.

0137_06_1600.jpg

Yes, that photo definitely shows it's thicker than the product images portray it. Good catch. I still think it's width of 160mm could present more of a problem in many cases.

If running crossfire, you are of course going to need 3 slot spacing. At least with 3 slot spacing it's not going to be crammed together. With 2 slot spacing on 2 slot cards the spacing is too close, IMO. These cards at ~250w O/C'd (and you know you want to overclock ;)) need some breathing room.
 

KompuKare

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2009
1,224
1,582
136
I doubt we will see Sea Islands in 2012, and if we do it will be a very late aka Dec. 31st and limited launch.

Agreed, but the question is why.

Hm, sounds familiar. May something like this:

  • Someone like Rory announcing to analysts that "we'll be shipping for revenue in Q4...",
  • Release the product with half finished drivers
  • And even worse while yields are still poor and because of yields and leakage on early silicon they have to clock the top of the range at far too slow a speed.
  • And when the rest of the lineup launches later (when yields and leakage is better) they have to cripple them even more otherwise the top SKU looks poor.

Deja vu...
 

raghu78

Diamond Member
Aug 23, 2012
4,093
1,475
136
AMD's pricing is much better than Nvidia's pricing currently. But Nvidia will not cut prices. They know that the initial marketing and hype can take care of sales and people will still flock to buy a GTX 680 for USD 500 even though a HD 7970 Ghz which is clearly faster sells for lesser price. similarly people would pick GTX 670 over HD 7970. But the AMD prices are good for the consumer. At USD 300 a card like HIS Iceq HD 7950 is value for your money. With that kind of amazing cooler you can easily push clocks to 1.1 Ghz and match the HD 7970 Ghz or beat the GTX 680. All that for a price which is 200 bucks less than the cheapest GTX 680. The problem with AMD is they aren't as good at marketing their products as Nvidia.Also the market perception is that Nvidia is always better at the same price and performance. So AMD has no choice but to keep prices lower.
 

Pheran

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2001
5,740
35
91
Anyone know when the Sleeping Dogs bundle is actually supposed to be available?
 

Rvenger

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator <br> Video Cards
Apr 6, 2004
6,283
5
81
Normally I'd trust Newegg product photos, but that looks like it's the same cooler that was on the 7870 IceQ.

AT has a good side shot of that card, and that's anything but a thin card.

IQT7870Side.jpg


Edit: Ahh, there's a photo on HIS's site. It's definitely the same cooler.

0137_06_1600.jpg


Well If I want to crossfire I would certainly add this card to my TF3. It would cut down on my case temps to have at least one card blowing exhaust externally.
 

Pheran

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2001
5,740
35
91
That's a terrific deal. If you've got the space for it, there's absolutely zero reason to buy a 7850 at all, especially with the free game thrown in.

Now people can stop calling "7850" in my "7870 is the new mainstream gaming GPU" thread. :)