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HD 7950 vs HD 7970 vs HD 7870 CFX

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Yes, around 40% better assuming a working CF profile. The downside is potential microstutter so probably a good idea to use RadeonPro and/or stay at 60fps with vsync
 
Don't buy another 7870 until AMD's magical crossfire fix actually lands.

They have been pushing it off for months.

They promised a memory rewrite more than a year ago, and that never materialized.
 
Also would it be smarter to get a reference card or non reference ? This is the space between the slots about 1"

xk9t.jpg
 
Durvelle27 said:
Also would it be smarter to get a reference card or non reference ? This is the space between the slots about 1"

xk9t.jpg
Click to expand...

Your temps for your card in the top slot will go up at least 10C at same clocks, voltages, load, and fan speed with 1 slot of free space.

If you go non-reference, your bottom card will likely blow directly into the intake of the top card, and make the temps of your top card go up more than 15C at same clocks, voltages, load, and fan speed with 1 slot of free space.
 
Durvelle27 said:
The only card I could find that exhaust the heat outside of the case


HIS IceQ H787Q2G2M Radeon HD 7870 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1
Click to expand...

Probably the best cooler on any 7870 actually.

It cools my 7950 1050@1.3v core 1575@1.7v vram drawing 200-230w 24/7 @ 70C @ 72F ambient as the middle card in tri-fire acting as supplementary system exhaust for the heat spewed from the bottom card, lol.

If you can get it as cheaply as the rest of the 7870s, its your best bet for that choice.

You should actually put that card as the top card, and put your current card as the bottom card, as the XFX cooling solution is absolutely garbage (first hand experience).

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If you can get that GHz edition 7970 for $280 though, I think that will be a better choice. Just sell your current card and you will actually end up ahead in real world performance.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/857?vs=768
 
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Communism said:
Probably the best cooler on any 7870 actually.

It cools my 7950 1050@1.3v core 1575@1.7v vram drawing 200-230w 24/7 @ 70C @ 72F ambient as the middle card in tri-fire acting as supplementary system exhaust for the heat spewed from the bottom card, lol.

If you can get it as cheaply as the rest of the 7870s, its your best bet for that choice.

You should actually put that card as the top card, and put your current card as the bottom card, as the XFX cooling solution is absolutely garbage (first hand experience).

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If you can get that GHz edition 7970 for $280 though, I think that will be a better choice. Just sell your current card and you will actually end up ahead in real world performance.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/857?vs=768
Click to expand...

Your comparing a single HD 7870 vs HD 7970 GHz where we was comparing HD 7870 CFX vs HD 7970 GHz

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/857?vs=855


also found this

http://www.techspot.com/review/644-nvidia-geforce-titan/page4.html
 
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Durvelle27 said:
Your comparing a single HD 7870 vs HD 7970 GHz where we was comparing HD 7870 CFX vs HD 7970 GHz

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/857?vs=855

also found this

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/powercolor_radeon_hd_7870_myst_edition_crossfire/4.htm
Click to expand...

Your 7870 CFX isn't going to scale past 2x 7870 results.

I thought that was obvious.


EDIT TO REPLY TO EDITED POST:
That's not a 7870

EDIT TO REPLY TO TWICE EDITED POST:
So this whole thread was just marketing FUD.

Thanks for wasting my time.
 
Last edited:
Communism said:
Your 7870 CFX isn't going to scale past 2x 7870 results.

I thought that was obvious.


EDIT TO REPLY TO EDITED POST:
That's not a 7870

EDIT TO REPLY TO TWICE EDITED POST:
So this whole thread was just marketing FUD.

Thanks for wasting my time.
Click to expand...

Read updated post
 
Thx guys for all the help. Will try to see if i can find a good deal on a His IceQ HD 7870 if not then i'll get a reference model. Will keep you guys posted.
 
Durvelle27 said:
Your comparing a single HD 7870 vs HD 7970 GHz where we was comparing HD 7870 CFX vs HD 7970 GHz

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/857?vs=855


also found this

http://www.techspot.com/review/644-nvidia-geforce-titan/page4.html
Click to expand...

That benchmark was showing a linear performance improvement with CFX.

I haven't paid much attention to CF, considering I thought I'd never be able to afford it. Is this normal now? In the past, I didn't think so but maybe CF would be fun with improvements like that.
 
tential said:
That benchmark was showing a linear performance improvement with CFX.

I haven't paid much attention to CF, considering I thought I'd never be able to afford it. Is this normal now? In the past, I didn't think so but maybe CF would be fun with improvements like that.
Click to expand...

I really couldn't say as i have never used CFX so someone else would have to chime in but i think it really depends on the game.
 
alexruiz said:
Care to share a link for a HD7970 GHz ed for $280. I'm in for crossfire at that price.
Click to expand...

I see them used for that much, but they go FAST. That's the price range that has got me recommending 7970s, but then again I already have one and know what it can do. A second one is a no-brainer for me, when and if CF gets fixed.
 
Durvelle27 said:
I really couldn't say as i have never used CFX so someone else would have to chime in but i think it really depends on the game.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I had better setup my mining rig today, and hopefully be able to afford another 7950 in 5-6 months to test it out.
 
tential said:
That benchmark was showing a linear performance improvement with CFX.

I haven't paid much attention to CF, considering I thought I'd never be able to afford it. Is this normal now? In the past, I didn't think so but maybe CF would be fun with improvements like that.
Click to expand...

CFX has come a long way. There are a few games out there that will not work well with multiple GPUs (CoH 2 is the most recent and frustrating example), but most modern games support it well. Between RadeonPro and AMD's frame pacer later this month I think Crossfire has become the best budget way to see massive performance gains.

I love my 7870s and wouldn't trade them for anything else at that price point.
 
Haven't had any issue with modern day CF, and I came from a Titan. Initially bought 2x7950 and was pretty happy so moved to a 7990.

The people that claim there's no benefit over a single card with it due to frame pacing issues are spouting some serious hyperbole. I owned dual card setups in the past, GTX275 SLI and 5870 CF, and the microstutter on those cards was indeed unbearable. It's why I was very reluctant to go back to CF, especially with all the recent reports coming out. But I'm glad I did. Oddly enough less people complained about it back then and many of time those that did were dismissed as fanboys.
 
Durvelle27 said:
thing with that is my mother board only has 1x 2.0 x16 slot and 1x 2.0 x4 slot.
Click to expand...

That's too bad.

If I were spending my money, I'd wait. Is the 7870 really struggling that much? There are settings that are huge resource hogs that don't make a huge difference in IQ. Shadows on high and ambient occlusion, come to mind. With a bit of adjusting the 7870 should be able to give an excellent game experience.

BigChickenJim said:
Bummer. Supposedly running a second card in a x8 slot gives about a 5-8% (basically unnoticeable and still better than a 7970) performance loss, but x4 can be much worse.
I guess the 7970 would be the way to go with your budget. You could probably get a decent CFX mobo AND a 7870 for $350, but obviously it would involve gutting your system instead of just plugging in a new GPU. I know how much I despise gut upgrades...
Click to expand...

Eventually he's going to need a new rig. Looks like that day is getting here. He might be better to bite the bullet sooner rather than later.
 
3DVagabond said:
That's too bad.

If I were spending my money, I'd wait. Is the 7870 really struggling that much? There are settings that are huge resource hogs that don't make a huge difference in IQ. Shadows on high and ambient occlusion, come to mind. With a bit of adjusting the 7870 should be able to give an excellent game experience.
Click to expand...

After some helpful info from other members the x4 slot will be fine


3DVagabond said:
Eventually he's going to need a new rig. Looks like that day is getting here. He might be better to bite the bullet sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...
Why would I need a new rig
 
Durvelle27 said:
After some helpful info from other members the x4 slot will be fine



Why would I need a new rig
Click to expand...

Your system is fine over all. Sure it may not be as fast as a 4.5GHz Haswell, but it will play any game out there from a CPU standpoint.
 
Durvelle27 said:
So CFX HD 7870s would be better than a single HD 7970 as I don't mind Crossfiring
Click to expand...

if you want to go HD 7870 CF wait till month end for CF frame pacing driver. imo single GPU is always best bet. the HD 9000 series should launch in Sep or Oct. the HD 9870 is the card which would sell for around USD 300 - 350. its mostly a 1.1 - 1.2 ghz clocked chip with 1792 sp , 256 bit memory at 7 Ghz (224 Gb/s) , 32 ROPs . A Pitcairn update with good perf / watt. mostly match HD 7970 Ghz perf. But that perf is already available with HD 7950 which on average overclocks of 1100 - 1150 mhz matches HD 7970 Ghz perf.

if you can spend USD 400 - 450 and wait till HD 9950 launches in Sep / Oct that might be your best bet. that card should beat the HD 7970 Ghz / GTX 770 and have more OC perf headroom. if you want to buy now go for HIS HD 7950 iceq x2 boost. this is the best built HD 7950. reference HD 7970 PCB with 8 + 6 pin power. more power phases than ref HD 7950. unlocked voltage. excellent cooler. 311mm long.

http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Boost-Cloc...dp/B00A6ASRL8/
http://www.legionhardware.com/artic...hz_edition_7950_iceq_xsup2_boost_clock,3.html

here are a few other options
Sapphire hd 7950 boost. this card uses a custom PCB and does not have VRM temp sensors.
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-79503GB

Sapphire HD 7950 vapor-x with custom PCB and VRM temp sensors.
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...dp/B009MML1UA/
 
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I'd wait for the new reviews then decide. Seeing that review you posted with the 7870s CF, makes me think that if you already have a 7870, getting it CF wouldn't be a bad idea. At least waiting for the new drivers to see how they work.

If you can find another review or two that support that one I'd go for 7870s CF. I mean, they outperform/perform similar to a GTX Titan. That's a lot of performance for a ~200 upgrade. A 7950/7970 doesnt seem like a big upgrade anymore. 15 FPS (maximum) vs close to doubling/GTX Titan performance.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2311387

Here is a review, but also how is your Mobo? They had only a single slot separating the two cards. If you have more, then you might have better cooling than that review.

Another review:
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/4...ference_video_cards_in_crossfire/index17.html

After reading those, I'd be really confident in doing it. But that's me. This is a tech forum, so I assume you'd be ok with tweaking your game/settings(whatever) to make sure it works in CF correctly, so other than waiting for those new CFX drivers to see how it goes, I'd just go Crossfire.
 
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