PNY is a reference cooler with reference speeds. It is always IMHO worth it to spend extra on aftermarket cooler. I also like Factory overclocked cards.
I think bang for the buck is a tired argument. It's what you say when you have no other standing argument. I don't necessarily shop for just bang for the buck, I need to look at the overall needs.
You can get a cheap 680 for $400 or a cheap 7970 for $350. $50 is immaterial if the 680 has something the 7970 doesn't. However, the 7970 is just a faster card, which is why it's worth recommending. For something I'm going to use at least once a week for the next 2 year, $50 is nothing (a night out on the town is already more than that). As a working adult, I care more for what the item gives me than rather what I have to pay for it, as long as it's within a reasonable budget (I wouldn't splurge on a Titan over a 7970...).
However, there are reasons to still pick Nvidia. The smaller power consumption and TDP makes it a better choice for mITX. If I were to build a shoebox case right now, I'd rather go with a 680 over a 7970. Likewise with the 690/Titan over a 7990, even if the pure performance is better.
Bang/buck is about getting the most in your budget.
Only when all else is equal.
I think bang for the buck is a tired argument. It's what you say when you have no other standing argument. I don't necessarily shop for just bang for the buck, I need to look at the overall needs.
Then why aren't you using a 3770k with HD 7970 Ghz instead of a 3570k with HD 7950? Or for that matter, why not a Titan with 3970x? Price has to count for something.
I wish I was rich like you guys.. but the $60 diff was a serious consideration.
FYI for those who say the bundle is a big diff. I have already been offered $40 for two parts of the bundle and the 3rd can get $15... so sales wise it is a wash.
I wish I was rich like you guys.. but the $60 diff was a serious consideration.
FYI for those who say the bundle is a big diff. I have already been offered $40 for two parts of the bundle and the 3rd can get $15... so sales wise it is a wash.
I was just pointing out it was a wash because so many seem upset at Nvidias bundle.
Is for the F2P bundle? If so, that's crazy... the AMD bundles are going for around $50-60.
I wouldn't call myself rich, but this is a hobby I take seriously, and so it's worthwhile. I don't know of any other real hobby where $60 would get you far. If you went paintballing, for example, gas and ammo would run you that much for a single day.
Rock climbing and snowboarding, for example, can also cost that much.
It's a pretty cheap hobby and I don't want to spend it nitpicking the "price/perf" over $50.
I hate to say it, but if you're on a tight budget... most hobbies aren't a good investment, not even PC building. In fact, for the budget builder, I think the 660/7870 are much better choices, you get most of the performance for 2/3rds the price. When talking 7950s,7970s, 670s... different game.
For $60 bucks, it's not worth it. I have an ASUS 670 DCII and an MSI 7970. Both are great cards, but the difference between them isn't eye popping. Yes the 7970 is faster, and sure the 7950 might win a few here and there over the 670, but I like them both the same. Keep the 670. I think its great card. Just my 2 cents.
You have to remember for some people the hobby is building a PC to play their PC games that are the main hobby.
The one thing nobody seems to bring up is desktop speed. This card was worth it just for that. Games shut down 100x faster. firefox runs 100x faster. I am just shocked at how much faster stuff on the desktop runs. I was floored by that. Things open and close faster, videos load and run faster... incredible.