Radeon HD 7950 Owner's Thread

[tigersty1e]

that is the theoretical marketing explanation I've also heard.

but the gtx 570 vrm also popped. it was because of inferior vrm and not because of too few phases.


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[MTDEW]

i have the sapphire 2L 7950, which i believe is a boost edition: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

stock: 925/1250

i just used afterburner to drag the sliders over to 1100/1400 and tried playing some crysis on it, worked well, but the fps didnt improve as much as i had hoped. the cpu temp was at 60 degs/70% fan speed, on stock speeds it was 55 max/60% fan speed.

could i up it to 1150/1500 without damaging my card? will i even see much improvement in games or are these speeds for obsessed number crunchers? i am new to overclocking, my old gtx 275 can hit up to 75degs but i dont want to put this new one through that.

also regarding the kombustor stability test, what settings should i run it in?

thanks!

The Sapphire 2L's have great coolers and tend to overclock just as well as any other 7950's on the cores. (usually around 1125 - 1200)

But they also tend to come with the Elpida memory that usually maxes out at around 1500mhz. (this is what other owners report, not 100% sure all 2L's do)
Whereas the 7950's with Hynix memory are usually good for around 1600mhz.

Not that anyone would be complaining about maxing out at around 1500mhz for the memory since its still an awesome OC.

If you're wondering if 1500mhz vs 1600mhz really matters..... not really.
You're still getting a card that should easily match or exceed the 7970GE performance for your $$.
And the Sapphire 2L's have excellent coolers with quiet fans.

Just figured i'd give ya a "heads up" so to speak, so you're not wondering why other 7950's seem to get better overclocks on the memory, so you know you're not doing anything wrong on your part.

 

[Riceninja]

The Sapphire 2L's have great coolers and tend to overclock just as well as any other 7950's on the cores. (usually around 1125 - 1200)

But they also tend to come with the Elpida memory that usually maxes out at around 1500mhz. (this is what other owners report, not 100% sure all 2L's do)
Whereas the 7950's with Hynix memory are usually good for around 1600mhz.

Not that anyone would be complaining about maxing out at around 1500mhz for the memory since its still an awesome OC.

If you're wondering if 1500mhz vs 1600mhz really matters..... not really.
You're still getting a card that should easily match or exceed the 7970GE performance for your $$.
And the Sapphire 2L's have excellent coolers with quiet fans.

Just figured i'd give ya a "heads up" so to speak, so you're not wondering why other 7950's seem to get better overclocks on the memory, so you know you're not doing anything wrong on your part.

thanks for the info, its very rare that i feel better and better about an electronic purchase as the days pass.


i ran heaven 4.0 at 1920x1080 8xAA fullscreen, ultra, extreme tessellation, at both stock and overclock speeds. also returned my i7-920 to a stock 2.67ghz for this test.

925/1250:

FPS: 28.6
Score: 720
Min FPS: 7.1
Max FPS: 63.7

max temp 57 degs@68% fan

1100/1500:

FPS: 35.0
Score: 882
Min FPS: 14.8
Max FPS: 75.9

max temp 64 degs@80% fan


thats a 22% increase, and most importantly way smoother in the lower fps areas. very happy with the results.

 

[MTDEW]

thanks for the info, its very rare that i feel better and better about an electronic purchase as the days pass.


i ran heaven 4.0 at 1920x1080 8xAA fullscreen, ultra, extreme tessellation, at both stock and overclock speeds. also returned my i7-920 to a stock 2.67ghz for this test.

925/1250:

FPS: 28.6
Score: 720
Min FPS: 7.1
Max FPS: 63.7

max temp 57 degs@68% fan

1100/1500:

FPS: 35.0
Score: 882
Min FPS: 14.8
Max FPS: 75.9

max temp 64 degs@80% fan


thats a 22% increase, and most importantly way smoother in the lower fps areas. very happy with the results.

I know exactly what you mean, i have a pair of Sapphire 2L's and also couldn't be happier. :thumbsup:
They have excellent cooling and overclock very well.

I have zero regrets not going with SAPPHIRE Vapor-X instead.
Had both in my cart for a few days and decided to go with the 2L's.

NOTE: Apparently you can tell if you have Hynix memory by looking for the HY in the bios version using GPU-Z.
See post #32 screenshot here
But i'm not so sure he is right about the Elpida having an EL instead, because mine don't.
My bios's are 015.023.000.001.000000 (113-E207200P2-S4C)
And I'm pretty darn sure mine are Elpida.
I just don't care enough to remove my heatsinks to be 100% sure either way. LOL

 

[3DVagabond]

Does anyone know why the MSI TF3 7950 V2 (7970 PCB) has an extra vrm module vs. standard reference 7970 PCB?

MSI 7950 TF3 V2 PCB


AMD 7970 reference PCB

I'm not sure what card that top PCB is from, but it's 8pin+6pin. Both MSI 7950's currently on Newegg are 6pin+6pin. They both say AMD on the pci-e connector, so I'mm assuming both are reference?

 

[njdevilsfan87]

Are these bench scores below in the right area? They seem just a tad bit low.

Clocks : 1100/1500

Heaven 4.0 Extreme HD : 34.1fps
Valley 1.0 Extreme HD : 34.8fps
3dmark 11 GPU Score : 8455

I'm using the 13.3 beta drivers on Windows 8. There's no CPU bottleneck either (3930K running at 4.2ghz). GPU usage was showing 100% in MSI AB.

 

[Rvenger]

I got my HD 7950 in and as soon as I powered it on it started a very loud electrical buzzing noise. This was even louder than coil whine and was almost like a rattle. Every time I get a unit with a very loud coil whine I know for a fact it's a low ASIC score as well. Is this just a coincidence? 61% ASIC. Due to hearing coil whine while idling on the desktop, I am getting an exchange through newegg. The replacement should be here Thursday.

 

[spinejam]

I got my HD 7950 in and as soon as I powered it on it started a very loud electrical buzzing noise. This was even louder than coil whine and was almost like a rattle. Every time I get a unit with a very loud coil whine I know for a fact it's a low ASIC score as well. Is this just a coincidence? 61% ASIC. Due to hearing coil whine while idling on the desktop, I am getting an exchange through newegg. The replacement should be here Thursday.

Wow, that really sucks -- hope your new card works-out for you.

 

[Face2Face]

Are these bench scores below in the right area? They seem just a tad bit low.

Clocks : 1100/1500

Heaven 4.0 Extreme HD : 34.1fps
Valley 1.0 Extreme HD : 34.8fps
3dmark 11 GPU Score : 8455

I'm using the 13.3 beta drivers on Windows 8. There's no CPU bottleneck either (3930K running at 4.2ghz). GPU usage was showing 100% in MSI AB.

I just tested my card with the same clocks 1100/1500

Valley 1.0 Extreme HD : 43.1fps
3dmark 11 GPU Score : 9731

I would make sure your power limit is set @ + 20%

I'm not sure what card that top PCB is from, but it's 8pin+6pin. Both MSI 7950's currently on Newegg are 6pin+6pin. They both say AMD on the pci-e connector, so I'mm assuming both are reference?

The top card is a MSI 7950 TF3 V2 with the 7970 PCB. The bottom is a reference 7970. Looks like the MSI 7950 circuitry is a little better than the reference 7970.

 

[3DVagabond]

I got my HD 7950 in and as soon as I powered it on it started a very loud electrical buzzing noise. This was even louder than coil whine and was almost like a rattle. Every time I get a unit with a very loud coil whine I know for a fact it's a low ASIC score as well. Is this just a coincidence? 61% ASIC. Due to hearing coil whine while idling on the desktop, I am getting an exchange through newegg. The replacement should be here Thursday.

I might have asked you before, but what PSU do you have?

 

[njdevilsfan87]

I just tested my card with the same clocks 1100/1500

Valley 1.0 Extreme HD : 43.1fps
3dmark 11 GPU Score : 9731

I would make sure your power limit is set @ + 20%

I guess I'm driver cleaning when I get home. I had power set to + 20% so I'm not sure what it could have been. GPU usage was also pegged to 100% during the benchmarks. If that doesn't work, I may have to RMA for exchange.

 

[zaydq]

Are these bench scores below in the right area? They seem just a tad bit low.

Clocks : 1100/1500

Heaven 4.0 Extreme HD : 34.1fps
Valley 1.0 Extreme HD : 34.8fps
3dmark 11 GPU Score : 8455

I'm using the 13.3 beta drivers on Windows 8. There's no CPU bottleneck either (3930K running at 4.2ghz). GPU usage was showing 100% in MSI AB.

Low. Try some driver cleaning. Maybe switch around to another set of 6+6 pins. Whats the voltage you're running?

 

[Endymion FRS]

What is the normal max OC for 7950s? I was playing around last night and ended up with 1150/1625 @ 1.25v. Couldn't hit 1200 core even at max voltage in Trixx (1.3v), didn't really bother testing in between 1150 and 1200.

 

[Rvenger]

I might have asked you before, but what PSU do you have?

Seasonic Build NZXT Hale82 850 watt.

Had no coil whine with my MSI 7970 and Titan on the same PSU.

 

[Face2Face]

What is the normal max OC for 7950s? I was playing around last night and ended up with 1150/1625 @ 1.25v. Couldn't hit 1200 core even at max voltage in Trixx (1.3v), didn't really bother testing in between 1150 and 1200.

I would say 1150/1600 is the norm. You are about even or a little faster than a GTX 680 and 7970GE at this speed.

 

[3DVagabond]

Seasonic Build NZXT Hale82 850 watt.

Had no coil whine with my MSI 7970 and Titan on the same PSU.

I was just trying to see if there was any connection with coil whine and PSU. I've asked others before, but it seems independent of brand or quality. I've heard of it with Seasonic built units, Antec (Delta), Silverstone (Enhance), as well as some lesser quality models.

 

[Face2Face]

Upgraded from the 7950 to this beast!!



Yeah I know off topic -- Was trying to see if she still worked and after a couple mins of BF3 (High settings @ 1080P) She overheated and shut the whole PC down... Time to give her a cleaning and see if she still works

 

[Rvenger]

I received my replacement 7950. This one is definitely quieter. I still get a slight buzzing on the desktop and when moving around the mouse, scrolling etc but the overall coilwhine in game is not bad at all. I think these cards probably all have some coil whine. 71.7% asic score, temps top out at around 75c on auto fan speed. Voltage peaks at 1.168v at stock. Not bad for a sub $300 card. I am thinking about cranking the clocks but I will leave it at stock and game for a few days to make sure the card isn't defective.

 

[Tattoedsailor]

Upgraded from the 7950 to this beast!!



Yeah I know off topic -- Was trying to see if she still worked and after a couple mins of BF3 (High settings @ 1080P) She overheated and shut the whole PC down... Time to give her a cleaning and see if she still works

Lol what card is that?

 

[Face2Face]

Lol what card is that?

9800GX2 ---- AKA -The Heat!!

How is that new 7950 treating you? What kind of overclocks are you getting?

 

[Tattoedsailor]

9800GX2 ---- AKA -The Heat!!

How is that new 7950 treating you? What kind of overclocks are you getting?

Excellent! The only overclocks I've been doing is with Crysis 3. 1150/1500 on ultra MSAA x4 FPS 40-60's sometimes it drops in high 30's. Temps are 62-64:biggrin: Room temp is 70F

 

[Face2Face]

Excellent! The only overclocks I've been doing is with Crysis 3. 1150/1500 on ultra MSAA x4 FPS 40-60's sometimes it drops in high 30's. Temps are 62-64:biggrin: Room temp is 70F

Very good temps. See if you can give her a little more 1200/1600 should be realistic...

 

[Tattoedsailor]

Very good temps. See if you can give her a little more 1200/1600 should be realistic...

What are you running your voltage @?

 

[Face2Face]

What are you running your voltage @?

1025/1650 with 1.03v/1.6v
1100/1650 with 1.10v/1.6v
1200/1650 with 1.15v/1.6v
1250/1650 with 1.20v/1.6v
1300/1800 with 1.23v/1.65v
1325/1860 with 1.25v/1.7v

89.1 ASIC

 

[Face2Face]

I received my replacement 7950. This one is definitely quieter. I still get a slight buzzing on the desktop and when moving around the mouse, scrolling etc but the overall coilwhine in game is not bad at all. I think these cards probably all have some coil whine. 71.7% asic score, temps top out at around 75c on auto fan speed. Voltage peaks at 1.168v at stock. Not bad for a sub $300 card. I am thinking about cranking the clocks but I will leave it at stock and game for a few days to make sure the card isn't defective.

Let us know how she clocks. You may need to set an aggressive fan profile to keep those temps down.