Which company for an HD 7950?

[DarkRogue]

Hello everyone,

I've been away from the AMD camp for a few years.

I'm leaning toward getting a 7950, but I'm not sure which company is the one to get anymore. It used to be XFX, but now I hear they're starting to change for the worse.

As of right now, Powercolor's 7950 is the cheapest at 380, but I recall there used to be a stigma around them. Is this still the case?

MSI's has a MIR, too.

As far as what I'm looking for, it's really just component/board quality, and possibly support, and maybe GPU binning. The coolers are of no concern to me, as I'm going to be mating the card with an Accelero Xtreme 7970. I heard Sapphire voids warranty if the heatsink is removed, though.

Any ideas?

 

[3DVagabond]

Support varies by country. In the US XFX offers lifetime warranty and doesn't void it for changing the heat sink. They offer help on how to do it, and will even do it for you, if you send them the card. As far as quality of the PCB itself goes, the reference cards are all the same. Just be sure to get a true reference design. It's not unusual for companies to have cheaper designs made with the reference cooler. In the past you could tell because the board was a different color or missing the bios switch. Some etailers don't update the pics on their sites and will continue to show the original reference model while they are selling something else. The specs are the same, so they can get away with it.

 

[tigersty1e]

xfx is good if you go reference or one of their black edition cards.

most 7950 cards are non reference, so its depends on the card. post some cards you're looking to buy.

 

[DarkRogue]

Yeah, I have no real way of telling which cards on Newegg right now are reference or not.

I'm hoping they all are, at least PCB-wise, since the Accelero says it was designed to fit reference designs only.

Otherwise, I am aware of XFX' perks, as they were a big one from the nVidia days, but as of late, I've heard them starting to reduce warranties, and generally having miserable customer support, which concerns me.

There was also a report some time ago on these forums of a user who was trying to swap the heatsink on his XFX card, except the "warranty void if removed" sticker covered up one of the screws needed to remove the heatsink.

*EDIT*
As far as the ones I'm looking at, pretty much any 7950 at $400 or less right now.

Powercolor (Cheapest @ $380)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131457

Sapphire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102962

HIS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161400

XFX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150590

Gigabyte
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125414

MSI ($20 MIR brings it down to $380)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127651

 

[blastingcap]

xfx doesn't offer lifetime warranty anymore except for select models. and their engineering is craptacularly bad now. http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853...950-asus-his-msi-powercolor-sapphire-xfx.html

I would stick with msi and sapphire's dual-fan versions for 7970s, personally. Unless you get a reference card in which case just get whatever is cheapest. Asus DirectCUII cooler had some issues with GPU contact but I can't remember the specifics; I hope they fixed them by now.

Btw, this is what a reference AMD card looks like. They all have blower fans at the end of the card--not at the center.

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4510/amd_radeon_hd_7970_3gb_reference_video_card_review/index.html

 

[DarkRogue]

Thanks for the links, blastingcap.

Isn't that only indicative of a reference heatsink design though?
Surely the PCB could be the same as a reference board, and they could move the fan around on the custom coolers.

 

[blastingcap]

Thanks for the links, blastingcap.

Isn't that only indicative of a reference heatsink design though?
Surely the PCB could be the same as a reference board, and they could move the fan around on the custom coolers.

that *is* a custom cooler, a piece of crap XFX dual fan design that has a huge hotspot, especially during overclocking tests. look carefully at the hardware.fr page. they tested a lot of different 7950 and 7970 cooler designs, including Reference.

 

[DarkRogue]

that *is* a custom cooler, a piece of crap XFX dual fan design that has a huge hotspot, especially during overclocking tests. look carefully at the hardware.fr page. they tested a lot of different 7950 and 7970 cooler designs, including Reference.

Oh, no I meant about the position of the fan in order to determine which cards were reference or not. I did lol at the XFX hitting over 100C, though.

 

[3DVagabond]

xfx doesn't offer lifetime warranty anymore except for select models. and their engineering is craptacularly bad now. http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853...950-asus-his-msi-powercolor-sapphire-xfx.html

I would stick with msi and sapphire's dual-fan versions for 7970s, personally. Unless you get a reference card in which case just get whatever is cheapest. Asus DirectCUII cooler had some issues with GPU contact but I can't remember the specifics; I hope they fixed them by now.

Btw, this is what a reference AMD card looks like. They all have blower fans at the end of the card--not at the center.

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4510/amd_radeon_hd_7970_3gb_reference_video_card_review/index.html

That is correct. Not all XFX have lifetime warranty. The particular model the OP is considering does not. It is also missing the bios switch. Makes me believe that it isn't reference and cooler compatibility might be a problem. Sorry I didn't qualify that. The 7950 ref card doesn't have the blower on the end. That's the 7970.


OP:
The "void if removed" sticker isn't legally binding in the US (I don't believe it is in Canada either).

Of the models you've listed the Gigabyte has the best warranty. I believe that with the "Windforce 3" cooler you'll likely find you won't need a better cooler, YMMV.

There's also the VisionTek which is a reference design and comes with a lifetime warranty. I read through their warranty info. It states that the warranty is voided if the modification to the card caused the defect. It doesn't state that modifying the card unequivocally voids the warranty.

I would still go with the Gigabyte. Unless you are convinced you wouldn't be happy with it's cooler.

 

[Stuka87]

I would suggest a Sapphire HD7950 OC (Love mine) or an MSI TwinFrozr II. Both are awesome cards.

 

[Toonation]

I would suggest a Sapphire HD7950 OC (Love mine) or an MSI TwinFrozr II. Both are awesome cards.

Yea I agree in fact I'm getting the Sapphire OC edition myself atm but apprently its expansive atm $445 dollars on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s01_i02
I got mine for $400 dollars just recently like on monday o-o weird xD. Well gl. Go for w/e suits you I herd great things about MSI too and there lifespan and stuff xD.

 

[DarkRogue]

The problem with Sapphire is that I've read various people saying they void the warranty if you swap the heatsink.

I also cannot find any other MSI 7950 on that Newegg page.

Unfortunately, it's exceedingly difficult to figure out the warranties for these manufacturers.

It was much simpler back when I was buying my 8800GT. XFX, eVGA, BFG, and done. All 3 were "modder-friendly."

Seems there's no such luck with AMD's camp.

 

[3DVagabond]

The problem with Sapphire is that I've read various people saying they void the warranty if you swap the heatsink.

I also cannot find any other MSI 7950 on that Newegg page.

Unfortunately, it's exceedingly difficult to figure out the warranties for these manufacturers.

It was much simpler back when I was buying my 8800GT. XFX, eVGA, BFG, and done. All 3 were "modder-friendly."

Seems there's no such luck with AMD's camp.

Have you gone online to look at each manufacturer's warranty? I have and it doesn't seem as bad as you are making it out to be.

XFX specifically sates they allow changing of heatsinks. They even offer support for doing so.

Powercolor states it only voids your warranty if you've damaged your card by modifying.

The PowerColor product MUST be free of any physical damage due to improper installation or modification of ANY kind (this includes installing aftermarket cooling solutions) or the warranty WILL be VOID.

Sapphire does not allow modifying, or even removing the heatsink. Some states, most actually, would not allow this exclusion. Why bother though. The last thing you need are any hassles if you need support.

HIS while not being specific it's worded so I wouldn't bother.

Gigabyte doesn't put their warranty terms and conditions on their site. I'd skip them if I were going to swap out the sink.

MSI is also vague. I wouldn't get theirs if I was going to swap out the heatsink.

VisionTek states it won't warranty a product that has been damaged due to modification. They do say this though.

VisionTek Products LLC, (“VisionTek”) is pleased to warrant to the original purchaser (“Warrantee”) of the graphics card (“Product”), that the product will be free from manufacturing defects in material for the lifetime of the retail product when given normal and proper usage.

I've seen this interpreted as only as long as Visiontek still sells the original product. Once discontinued it's "retail lifetime" is over. I don't know if that's true or just FUD spread by distractors.

Asus seems like a no go for replacing heatsinks

the product has been tampered, repaired and/or modified by non-authorized personnel;

So, there ya go

 

[chimaxi83]

Gigabyte and MSI have both received RMA cards from me, that had waterblocks on them. Sent them back with original coolers, my own TIM on GPU, and my own thermal tape on VRM/RAM, and I had zero issues with them.

 

[tigersty1e]

one of the companies, can't remember who had stickers on the inside of the heatsink that would be broken if removed. it wasn't xfx. they have screws on the outside.

 

[Stuka87]

The problem with Sapphire is that I've read various people saying they void the warranty if you swap the heatsink.

I also cannot find any other MSI 7950 on that Newegg page.

Unfortunately, it's exceedingly difficult to figure out the warranties for these manufacturers.

It was much simpler back when I was buying my 8800GT. XFX, eVGA, BFG, and done. All 3 were "modder-friendly."

Seems there's no such luck with AMD's camp.

The only reason to swap out the heatsink on a Sapphire OC edition is if you water cool. The stock dual fan cooler works great, even when clocked up.

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

With the Sapphire brand you don't NEED to swap the hsf. Nice cooling on the Sapphire 7970 OC Edition, I imagine the 7950 is the same (best cooling Radeon brand for 7000 series).

 

[DarkRogue]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I don't know what the Sapphire OC edition is, as the only Sapphire listed is the one I linked earlier.

In either case, I really don't trust any stock heatsink to be quiet, or at least quieter than the Accelero with a Nexus strapped to it. Unfortunately, it's really hard to find objective reviews of GPU heatsink noise now, as most sites are not properly equipped to do such testing. What I mean is, the last time I read an Anandtech review that included details about their noise testing, they cited that 30dB was their ambient level at the "dead of night" which, would be exceedingly loud by SPCR's standards.

Unfortunately, they don't do much reviewing anymore, but I wish that they'd rent out their anechoic chamber (11dB ambient) or something for other reviewers.

I currently have my Seasonic X650 (fan off at idle), 2 undervolted Nexus fans @5v, 1 Scythe S-Flex @ 12v, and 1 S-Flex @ 5v, and the fan noise is still apparent and annoying to me.

Back to the topic at hand, Vagabond, I really appreciate you going out of your way there. I did not think to check the manufacturer sites, because to me, they're 99% always worded extremely vaguely to cover their..well, you know. I was instead looking through various forums to find people who had experience with these companies after installing aftemarket heatsinks.

I know XFX was the big one, and they were my first choice until many users started posting about how the company is going downhill. Sapphire and Powercolor look to be out as well.

VisionTek's warranty can be interpreted in a way that's more favorable to them as well - "lifetime of the retail product when given normal and proper usage." This could mean they'd void your warranty simply for OC'ing.

I will doublecheck the remaining candidates, crosschecking both their warranty terms and user experience.

 

[Zebo]

I would only buy MSI premium line up in AMD. The Lightnings, Hawks, Power Editions and Twin Frozrs because the use best IC parts, no coil whine, have Black PCB, and many heat pipes for good cooling.

Can't go wrong with Sapphire's premium stuff for similar reasons but many PCBs are ugly blue. Looks wise XFX all the way.

Edit OP- you should wait though. GTX 670 is coming out and will be faster stock thus depressing prices on HD7950 shortly thereafter.

 

[Stuka87]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I don't know what the Sapphire OC edition is, as the only Sapphire listed is the one I linked earlier.

In either case, I really don't trust any stock heatsink to be quiet, or at least quieter than the Accelero with a Nexus strapped to it. Unfortunately, it's really hard to find objective reviews of GPU heatsink noise now, as most sites are not properly equipped to do such testing. What I mean is, the last time I read an Anandtech review that included details about their noise testing, they cited that 30dB was their ambient level at the "dead of night" which, would be exceedingly loud by SPCR's standards.

Unfortunately, they don't do much reviewing anymore, but I wish that they'd rent out their anechoic chamber (11dB ambient) or something for other reviewers.

I currently have my Seasonic X650 (fan off at idle), 2 undervolted Nexus fans @5v, 1 Scythe S-Flex @ 12v, and 1 S-Flex @ 5v, and the fan noise is still apparent and annoying to me.

Back to the topic at hand, Vagabond, I really appreciate you going out of your way there. I did not think to check the manufacturer sites, because to me, they're 99% always worded extremely vaguely to cover their..well, you know. I was instead looking through various forums to find people who had experience with these companies after installing aftemarket heatsinks.

I know XFX was the big one, and they were my first choice until many users started posting about how the company is going downhill. Sapphire and Powercolor look to be out as well.

VisionTek's warranty can be interpreted in a way that's more favorable to them as well - "lifetime of the retail product when given normal and proper usage." This could mean they'd void your warranty simply for OC'ing.

I will doublecheck the remaining candidates, crosschecking both their warranty terms and user experience.

This is the Sapphire 7950 OC, which is currently out of stock (It has been activated and deactivated many times, other places have it in stock though):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA

The fan on this is very quiet, and I would never consider swapping it out for an after market cooler. There would be no point.

 

[Stuka87]

Edit OP- you should wait though. GTX 670 is coming out and will be faster stock thus depressing prices on HD7950 shortly thereafter.

The Prices of AMD's cards are not going anywhere. You are guessing that the 670 will be faster (And it may very well be 5-10% faster). But fail to mention the 670 will be locked down just like the 680 is. No voltage adjustments mean it will be severely limited from an overclocking standpoint. The 7950's have no such limitation on them.

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

The 7900 series overclocked= WIN