Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 Video Card w/ Boost $270 AR. Opinions??

[zettler]

I just found this deal at SD and wanted you all's opinion on whether this a good card AND a good deal. I am copying and pasting from my cell so forgive any errors or the like as I can't see all that I have typed, copied....


Newegg has the Sapphire 100352-4L Radeon HD 7950 3GB [newegg.com] for $269.99 AR and $3 shipping (or free 2 day shipping with shoprunner).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...4202030&cm_sp=


Plus an added AMD Neversettle Reloaded "Level-Up" bonus of Tomb Raider, in addition to Crysis 3, Bioshock: Infinite and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.


Also same price at Amazon


http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Displ...b9_O3EZ3_0_0_0


The benefit of AMD PowerTune technology (with Boost) now comes to the SAPPHIRE HD 7950 3GB Boost Edition graphics card. With PowerTune Dynamic Boost, you can enjoy faster clock speed of up to 925MHz--75MHz higher than the standard clock speed. What's more, the Radeon HD 7950 GPU offers graphic bliss with other advanced innovations including 28nm GCN (Graphic Core Next) architecture, Next Generation AMD Eyefinity Technology, AMD HD3D, AMD ZeroCore Power technology, and more. With SAPPHIRE TriXX utility, users can tune the key parameters for maximum performance.

 

[CaptainPete]

All indications as of now are that Amazon is not part of the `Level Up' promotion yet(*), so don't expect to get Tomb Raider if you order one from them.

Other than that, it's supposed to be a nice card. It's got a reference 7970 PCB with one of the power phases missing (5+1). There's a huge thread on overclock.net about these:

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

* That is, it's not mentioned on the product page, and Amazon is not listed on the retailers list at the official AMD page:

http://sites.amd.com/us/promo/never-settle/Pages/nsreloadedlu.aspx

 

[zettler]

My biggest concern is fan noise AND heat. I guess I won't know unless I try one...

 

[qliveur]

Don't get a reference card if you're concerned about fan noise.

Get one of the custom models with dual fans.

 

[zettler]

I should have added I myself am looking for a card for my son's birthday on May 30. This being the case AND that I have enough store credit at Amazon, I really need to buy it on Amazon...

I missed out on the 670 card for $300 a few weeks ago and am trying to get the best bang for my buck to allow him the best for the next 18 months or so when he will want to build a new PC....

Thanks again.

 

[Rvenger]

All indications as of now are that Amazon is not part of the `Level Up' promotion yet(*), so don't expect to get Tomb Raider if you order one from them.

Other than that, it's supposed to be a nice card. It's got a reference 7970 PCB with one of the power phases missing (5+1). There's a huge thread on overclock.net about these:

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

* That is, it's not mentioned on the product page, and Amazon is not listed on the retailers list at the official AMD page:

http://sites.amd.com/us/promo/never-settle/Pages/nsreloadedlu.aspx

Talk to Thracks over at OCN and he can help get you the rest of the bundle.

 

[The0ne]

I should have added I myself am looking for a card for my son's birthday on May 30. This being the case AND that I have enough store credit at Amazon, I really need to buy it on Amazon...

I missed out on the 670 card for $300 a few weeks ago and am trying to get the best bang for my buck to allow him the best for the next 18 months or so when he will want to build a new PC....

Thanks again.

670 for $300? hmm..odd for mw to miss this since it is the model i want.

 

[zettler]

670 for $300? hmm..odd for mw to miss this since it is the model i want.

There were several of them. Here are two:

http://www.aaotots.com/GeForce-GTX670-2GB-p/vcggtx670xpb.htm

http://slickdeals.net/f/5975226-EVG...48MB-GDDR5-256bit-300-plus-shipping?t=5975226

 

[zettler]

Don't get a reference card if you're concerned about fan noise.

Get one of the custom models with dual fans.

Sorry, was typing earlier on my Cell...

It's not that I hate the reported noise but it's reported it is noisy and that worries me as to heat issues.

I do not want to spend more than $300 for a video card but want the most bang for my buck for him and that's why this one seemed pretty good deal that will allow him to play hard for another 18 months or so. And since I have around $300 in gift credit at Amazon, then that's where I have to look.