Graphics Card, AMD 7950 or Nvidia 660Ti?

[Clorky]

Hello everyone. I'm in a big trouble selecting a new graphics card into my computer. I have two choices. In basics, the AMD 7950 Gigabyte Windforce (910MHz) is faster when i overclock it. The problem is it hasn't got PhysX technology, but will probably fill my needs. The Nvidia 660Ti MSI or Gigabyte (1019MHz) are strong enough, but they are overclocked yet, so it's probably their maximum. Maybe i can get them higher, but still. The problem is, they are PhysX supported.

My resolution and other specs:
CPU: I5-750 @3,8GHz
RAM: 4GB 1600MHz
Motherboard: ASUS P7P55D-E
Power Supply: Fortron Black Power 550W
Monitor: 1920x1080

So here's my questions:
1. Will http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4121 be faster then http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4319#ov?
2. How much clocks can i get out of Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950?
3. How much more clocks can i get out of Gigabyte 660Ti (OCed at 1032MHz)?
4. Which one is stronger? The MSI PE OC'd version of 660Ti or OC'd Gigabyte 660Ti?
5. Am i able run all the games on maximum graphics with both 660Ti and 7950? If i do, can i run them on maximum graphics even with PhysX enabled on 660Ti?

I can get both of them for like 350$, so there's not much deal in costs, and i get a free games even with the card.

As i looked in benchmarks, It was almost the same, the 660Ti got better than 7950 in some games, and 7950 in the other games. So it's really hard choose from.

Thank you VERY much for help, i appreciate it. Going to buy next week.​

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Without a shadow of doubt 7950, especially if you wish to overclock.

Though IMO either of these wouldn't be used to the fullest with your present CPU or RAM. You need at least 8 GB for some games, that is certain. Though others may run fine with 4 GB.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Your CPU is just fine, but you should upgrade your RAM to 8GB.

With that out of the way, you should definitely go for the HD 7950. The GTX 660 Ti is pretty overpriced considering how cut-down it is.

 

[Clorky]

Maybe i'll go for 6GB later on, but for now, i can live with that, it runs pretty much everything from Minecraft to Battlefield 3 on medium (1680x1050 and ATI Radeon HD 5770).
And the CPU is i think OK for now, why not? The people are buying I5-2500K and there's not much difference then better OC.

And i'll definitely going for overclock atleast a bit.

EDIT(after reading 2nd post): Hmm, i care only for games, do i really need that extra ram? I can see for now there aren't even one game which wants more than 4GB of RAM. But I'll take care of that, later on, when i gather some more money than i have for now on the graphics.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

With a 7950 we are talking about maxing out at 1080p and 4gb sent enuf for that.

 

[96Firebird]

Do you play any games that use Physx?

 

[Clorky]

Do you play any games that use Physx?

Not now, cuz i haven't got Nvidia card, but ATI 5770 OCed

But if i had a 660Ti (which i am not sure yet, i better had 7950), I ask you if there are some big performance exchanges for that cute effects.

If i had 7950, i suppose It's not even supported by the card in the game, like Metro 2033, huh?

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Physx has a huge impact on fps afaik.

 

[Clorky]

Physx has a huge impact on fps afaik.

I though so. So the 7950 is definitely a better choice?
I've been through some reviews, and overall it's i am afraid a draw when those cards are on basic clocks.

I would like to go into the Gigabyte 7950 Windforce, which has 3 coolers and a wonderful Overclocking potential, i hope. Also, there is a Sapphire card, but i don't think it's the best choice. The MSI is overpriced I'm afraid.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

It isn't a draw with AA or at higher Rez. And once oced the diff is huge.

 

[chimaxi83]

Physx has a huge impact on fps afaik.

Ehh not really in my experience. I can play Batman AC at 1920x1080, Detail on Extreme, FXAA, and PhysX high and average around 85 fps with my GTX680. My 7970 at same settings, no PhysX, averages about 90-95 fps, but with PhysX running on CPU that drops to about 55-60 fps average.

 

[Clorky]

Without a shadow of doubt 7950, especially if you wish to overclock.

Though IMO either of these wouldn't be used to the fullest with your present CPU or RAM. You need at least 8 GB for some games, that is certain. Though others may run fine with 4 GB.

I'm kinda dissapointed now. I always though the I5 is very good, and with Noctua cooler and OC'd to 3,8GHz, even better. So is that a rumor with the RAM and CPU, or should i really upgrade atleast a RAM?

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Going to a 2600k will be a big help for games like BF3 or at least 2500k for most games. 8 GB is the min you need.

 

[chimaxi83]

The choice is simple. If you are going to overclock, grab the 7950. If you're not going to, the 660ti will automatically overclock itself, and will mostly beat a stock, 800MHz 7950. I've gone thru three 7950's that have all hit 1100+ on the core though, so you have a decent chance at a great overclocker. Both come with free games, 7950 with Sleeping Dogs and 660ti with Borderlands 2.

 

[Clorky]

I'll go for 7950

But i wanna hear from someone else, is the CPU and RAM a big help?...

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I'm kinda dissapointed now. I always though the I5 is very good, and with Noctua cooler and OC'd to 3,8GHz, even better. So is that a rumor with the RAM and CPU, or should i really upgrade atleast a RAM?

Your i5 is still very good given its clock speed. He's wrong: you don't need to upgrade your CPU. I guess people forget Sandy Bridge is 10-15% faster clock-for-clock than Nehalem, meaning your CPU would be about equal in gaming performance to a stock i5-2500K. That's certainly enough for a good gaming experience.

Do upgrade the RAM, though, since it's so cheap. Don't skimp on that. Don't get 6GB because then it will run in single-channel. You can get an 8GB (2x4GB) 1600 kit for $35.

 

[chimaxi83]

Not every game will see much difference with a better CPU. I'd go for 8GB RAM though, it's cheap. What games are you playing?

 

[aaksheytalwar]

He hasn't upgraded from core 1 to core 2 perhaps. I have,and I know that 2xxx is noticeably faster than xxx

The very fact that a person links CPU to only fps shows his limited vision. A newer CPU makes the performance smoother and better even without fps increase.

 

[Clorky]

I'd go for the 2x4GB's, thanks.

After i get 7950, I'll play BF 3, Metro 2033, Crysis 2, Shogun 2 and some other very demanding games.

In my experience, there is no need for more than 4GB RAM in Metro 2033, Crysis 1, maybe 2 and Shogun 2. After i benchmark some games, i'll then decide if it's worth it, but i guess by now, it is.

What about these?:
Kingston HyperX Predator XMP 8GB (2x4 kit) 2400 MHz. In my store, for like 60 bucks, 1 225 CZK.

EDIT: Going for a sleep for tonight, it's 22:30 out here. Gbye and thanks for help. I appreciate it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Physx has a huge impact on fps afaik.

Really depends on the scene. In Batman AC the benchmark takes a performance hit but the game as you play it is just as fluid and doesn't show the same drop. The Physx in the benchmark demo are exaggerated.

 

[toyota]

physx most certainly has a pretty large impact on performance. sometimes the average may not look much worse but the minimums can be downright awful in spots.

 

[cmdrdredd]

physx most certainly has a pretty large impact on performance. sometimes the average may not look much worse but the minimums can be downright awful in spots.

not my experience at all

 

[toyota]

not my experience at all

sorry but its a fact. I tested the crap out of physx on my gtx570 and gtx670. heck even going back to older games I noticed this with my gtx260.

 

[chimaxi83]

Minimums definitely went down, I noticed it, but it didn't make it unplayable for me. Gameplay was still smooth and stutter free. That's with a 1300MHz 680 though.

 

[toyota]

its well known that Batman AC is not always smooth in DX11 and adding physx only makes those choppy parts worse.

here are some real gameplay numbers with a stock gtx570 and a gtx670 FTW which is equal to a stock gtx680.

Batman Arkham City with DX11 extreme settings and 2x MSAA with high Physx

GTX570
Min, Max, Avg
29, 90, 50.552

GTX670 FTW
Min, Max, Avg
25, 114, 72.613


Batman Arkham City with DX11 extreme with 8x MSAA and high Physx

GTX570
Min, Max, Avg
23, 63, 33.628

GTX670 FTW
Min, Max, Avg
29, 89, 51.217