Best Bang for Buck - Gigabyte 2xWindforce 7950 Crossfired (Tests on 1080 and 1440)

King4x4 · Sep 6, 2012

Got a Yamaski Catleap and my old graphics cards weren't cutting it so I ordered two Gigabyte 7950s and flashed the non-GE 7970 bios on them (cba clocking them through afterburner)

I am pretty impressed cause these cards are monsters! @650$ total cost they are darn good priced too!

Some benchs:

Overclocked them beasts to 1100mhz. Fast benchy

1920x1080 4xAA Everything High except DX11 effects on Default Medium

2560x1440 4xAA Everything High except DX11 effects on Default Medium

Battlefield 3 Tests:

1920x1080

2560x1440 on 0xAA:

2560x1440 on 4xAA:

These babies are worth every $$$ spent on them! :rockout:

cadaveca · Sep 6, 2012

BF3 framerates suck on these cards.

I get similar perforamnce..better, even, but my 3x6950 does TWICE the frames in BF3...

However, benchmarks are much better with the 7950's:

I get 58114 in 3dm Vantage:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dmv/4227618

and 17553 in 3dm11:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4065177

All that said, while the BF3 is a bit disappointing(Antialiasing is disabled in your screenshot too), i stil lthink they are fantastic cards, and will probably buy a third...

King4x4 · Sep 6, 2012

60-80 Frames with everything on @2560x1440 with same price as a MSI lightning 680?

At nearly $400 less then the 690?

Clearly you are trolling

Black Mesa · Sep 6, 2012

King4x4 said:
60-80 Frames with everything on @2560x1440 with same price as a MSI lightning 680?

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_680_Lightning/images/bf3_2560_1600.gif

At nearly $400 less then the 690?

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_690/images/bf3_2560_1600.gif

Clearly you are trolling

I don't think he is trolling remember in those charts you posted that is AVERAGE fps not max. Those 7950 cards looks like they are performing as they should in BF3 @ 2560x1440 but the GTX 480s in SLI will do a bit better and they are only $360 for 2x of them on EVGA.com B stock.

King4x4 · Sep 6, 2012

Black Mesa said:
I don't think he is trolling remember in those charts you posted that is AVERAGE fps not max. Those 7950 cards looks like they are performing as they should in BF3 @ 2560x1440 but the GTX 480s in SLI will do a bit better and they are only $360 for 2x of them on EVGA.com B stock.

480 SLI is better in BF3 then a 7950 CF?

Damn.. Nvidias scaling might be going over %100! :roll:

As far as I know the 480s in SLI are equal to a 680.

Meaning they are equal to ONE OC 7950.

Same price as two SLI 480s. :rockout:

Nearly one fourth of the energy requirements and cooling requirements! :rockout:

Kenshai · Sep 7, 2012

Not trying to burst your bubble here, you're comparing 2 overclocked cards to the stock clocks of the other cards and the resolution that is more than 10% higher pixel count. Performance doesn't have a linear relationship with resolution.

Capitan Harlock · Sep 7, 2012

Kenshai said:
Not trying to burst your bubble here, you're comparing 2 overclocked cards to the stock clocks of the other cards and the resolution that is more than 10% higher pixel count. Performance doesn't have a linear relationship with resolution.

only why nvidia sell the gtx 680 with 1000mhz of core after the 7970 at lower clock donts mean is not an overclocked card give to people like was "normal"

ArchStupid · Sep 7, 2012

Capitan Harlock said:
only why nvidia sell the gtx 680 with 1000mhz of core after the 7970 at lower clock donts mean is not an overclocked card give to people like was "normal"

wat

ლ(ಠ益ಠლ

Black Mesa · Sep 7, 2012

King4x4 said:
480 SLI is better in BF3 then a 7950 CF?

Damn.. Nvidias scaling might be going over %100!

As far as I know the 480s in SLI are equal to a 680.

Meaning they are equal to ONE OC 7950.

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_7950_Vapor-X/images/perf_oc.gif

Same price as two SLI 480s.

Nearly one fourth of the energy requirements and cooling requirements!

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_7950_Vapor-X/images/power_peak.gif

The 7950 is not getting 75fps min FPS in BF3 that 75FPS average the GTX 480 SLI is better in BF3 because the game like nvidia cards and the 480SLI can get about 75fps average @ 2560x1440 in BF3.

Kenshai · Sep 7, 2012

Capitan Harlock said:
only why nvidia sell the gtx 680 with 1000mhz of core after the 7970 at lower clock donts mean is not an overclocked card give to people like was "normal"

Not sure what you're trying to say here. But I think what you're saying is the boost clocks the GTX6x0 series does? You can increase that just like you can increase the base core on a 79x0 card.

Comparing two 7950's clocked at 1100 to a stock, albeit slightly overclocked version of the GTX680, isn't quite an apples to apples comparison. Especially considering how much more headroom the GTX680's have.

Wiz's review of the MSI Lightning 680, shows it has over 100 mhz left on the core and improves at 1920x1200 by ~13% more framerate once overclocked.

To King4x4, use average FPS and make a fair comparison versus any of these cards.

In my opinion a single 680 would be better than 2 7950's for power/price to performance.

vega22 · Sep 7, 2012

kenshai i agree with you there mate about the 1 680 being better value than 2 7950 but i would counter that point with 1 7950 being even better value than 1 680.

which in turn leads to needing a 2nd 7950...

edit

thanks for sharing you results mate, always great to see what other end users are getting irl

Kenshai · Sep 7, 2012

I'm actually really interested in others results, I'm rocking a 560 Ti right now and it isn't quite up to the task of eye candy at 2560x1440.

I am thinking overall the 660 Ti will be the best bang for buck card for this resolution. Mixing the ability of eye candy and max resolution for what will be under 300 after rebates/on sale.

Capitan Harlock · Sep 7, 2012

Kenshai said:
Not sure what you're trying to say here. But I think what you're saying is the boost clocks the GTX6x0 series does? You can increase that just like you can increase the base core on a 79x0 card.

Comparing two 7950's clocked at 1100 to a stock, albeit slightly overclocked version of the GTX680, isn't quite an apples to apples comparison. Especially considering how much more headroom the GTX680's have.

Wiz's review of the MSI Lightning 680, shows it has over 100 mhz left on the core and improves at 1920x1200 by ~13% more framerate once overclocked.
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_680_Lightning/images/perf_oc.gif

To King4x4, use average FPS and make a fair comparison versus any of these cards.

In my opinion a single 680 would be better than 2 7950's for power/price to performance.

i talk about clock base of the gtx 680, its at 1006mhz and comes out after the 7970 with the clock core lower then the ghz edition , this is like a pre oc card than for normal people looks like normal ,this is what i mean and for me 2 7950 oc or at the ghz edition clock are better than 1 gtx 680 for the value e the performance ,for me if i have to spend 1200$ for 2 gtx 680 is better bring 2 hd 7970 ghz or 1 gtx 690 and oc but all dipends on the resolution you choose xd

Capitan Harlock · Sep 7, 2012

Kenshai said:
I'm actually really interested in others results, I'm rocking a 560 Ti right now and it isn't quite up to the task of eye candy at 2560x1440.

I am thinking overall the 660 Ti will be the best bang for buck card for this resolution. Mixing the ability of eye candy and max resolution for what will be under 300 after rebates/on sale.

if you have to play at 2560x1440 is better at this point 1 gtx 670 or a gtx 680 instead of a single gtx 660 ti xd

m1dg3t · Sep 7, 2012

7950's are coming in @ under $300ea now in Canada, some models, so it is hard to say there is anything better for the $$$

IMO anyways :eek:

cadaveca · Sep 7, 2012

CornCob! Gonna buy me another, yep!

vega22 · Sep 7, 2012

i have been running a 460 sli with my 560ti today and found its maxing the vsync for me @1440 in bf3 but only on med. it runs out of vram if i go higher but i am well impressed with getting any increase from this setup. slight issue i do have now it i cant oc my cpu xD

i am looking around at the same res and the 7950 is the best value of the cards for it. the extra vram helps with the filters and with them on the 660 takes a hit in fps.

King4x4 · Sep 7, 2012

For those making a fuss over Minimum frames... seriously...

Fast run on BF3 on a large map with 64 players... Can you really think a 480 SLI with an average of 50 frames can beat the crap out of a MINIMUM of 60 frames?

Come on people stop looking at those cards!

As for OC potential.. Got two 7950s rocking 1050mhz stable as hell... that's enough for me! :rockout:

Total payment of 650$ which includes shipping to my home country and taxes! :respect:

A Single reference 680 will have (even when overclocked) 50 AVERAGE frames at that resolution... They cost the same as two 7950s in my country... and internationally they have a difference of $100...

Now... You paying $500 for 50 Average frames... Thats $10 per Average Frame...
Or
You can pay $600 for 80 Average Frames... Thats $7.5 Per Frame (Cheaper by %25 per frame) and will run at 60 Minimum Frames (Thats $10 per minimum Frame which you are paying for Average frames on the 680)... A no brainer for me!

King4x4 · Sep 7, 2012

Kenshai said:
I'm actually really interested in others results, I'm rocking a 560 Ti right now and it isn't quite up to the task of eye candy at 2560x1440.

I am thinking overall the 660 Ti will be the best bang for buck card for this resolution. Mixing the ability of eye candy and max resolution for what will be under 300 after rebates/on sale.

Stay away from the 660Ti at 1440p resolutions... The Vram will take a serious hit on it. Hell even the 670 gets a banging on that resolution.

A Single 7950 is better at that resolution then both the 660Ti and 670 in a game which is touted to be Nvidia's game plan at 1080p

The 660Ti is banging... until you hit this sweet spot:

The Minimum frames suffered a LOT.

And if you go multi-cards it's gonna suffer even more.

marsey99 said:
kenshai i agree with you there mate about the 1 680 being better value than 2 7950 but i would counter that point with 1 7950 being even better value than 1 680.

which in turn leads to needing a 2nd 7950...

edit

thanks for sharing you results mate, always great to see what other end users are getting irl

No problem... I just love doing it for the kicks.

Kenshai said:
Not sure what you're trying to say here. But I think what you're saying is the boost clocks the GTX6x0 series does? You can increase that just like you can increase the base core on a 79x0 card.

Comparing two 7950's clocked at 1100 to a stock, albeit slightly overclocked version of the GTX680, isn't quite an apples to apples comparison. Especially considering how much more headroom the GTX680's have.

Wiz's review of the MSI Lightning 680, shows it has over 100 mhz left on the core and improves at 1920x1200 by ~13% more framerate once overclocked.
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_680_Lightning/images/perf_oc.gif

To King4x4, use average FPS and make a fair comparison versus any of these cards.

In my opinion a single 680 would be better than 2 7950's for power/price to performance.

Read the post above. Dual 7950s with the same price point as single OC 680 can have the same minimum FPS as that 680s Average FPS. :pimp:

King4x4 · Sep 24, 2012

Forced PhysX on high on borderlands 2

King4x4 · Oct 13, 2012

New Stable Record:
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4646476

King4x4 · Oct 26, 2012

In the latest news... just spanked down $2000 on some water cooling system to give me some OC power.

Did a quick bench today while waiting for the components through the mail.. MoH.. 100 Avg.. Nice!

Clubber_Lang · Oct 27, 2012

Well....I'll admit....I'm a complete noob in reading all these bench marks....but from what I have seen and understand....those two 7950's are kicking some serious ass! Good job 4X4! Any time someone can get two "lesser" cards for about the same price as one of the "Elite" cards.....OC them and stomp the crap out of an "Elite" card........made the right move as far as I'm concerned. Glad you are having fun with them. Scores look really impressive!

PatoRodrigues · Oct 27, 2012

King4x4 said:
60-80 Frames with everything on @2560x1440 with same price as a MSI lightning 680?

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_680_Lightning/images/bf3_2560_1600.gif

At nearly $400 less then the 690?

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_690/images/bf3_2560_1600.gif

Clearly you are trolling

No longer with the 12.11 driver. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I think he had a crystal ball at the time.

cdawall · Oct 27, 2012

King4x4 said:
For those making a fuss over Minimum frames... seriously...

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2413/bf32560x14404xaa64playe.jpg

Fast run on BF3 on a large map with 64 players... Can you really think a 480 SLI with an average of 50 frames can beat the crap out of a MINIMUM of 60 frames?

Come on people stop looking at those cards!

As for OC potential.. Got two 7950s rocking 1050mhz stable as hell... that's enough for me!

Total payment of 650$ which includes shipping to my home country and taxes!

A Single reference 680 will have (even when overclocked) 50 AVERAGE frames at that resolution... They cost the same as two 7950s in my country... and internationally they have a difference of $100...

Now... You paying $500 for 50 Average frames... Thats $10 per Average Frame...
Or
You can pay $600 for 80 Average Frames... Thats $7.5 Per Frame (Cheaper by %25 per frame) and will run at 60 Minimum Frames (Thats $10 per minimum Frame which you are paying for Average frames on the 680)... A no brainer for me!

Just fyi as far as oc potential goes on GTX480's...we are talking 40-50% overclocks.

System Name	Initials
Processor	i7 970@4.0Ghz
Motherboard	Asus Rampage III Extreme
Cooling	Noctua NH-C14
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Video Card(s)	2xGigabyte Windforce 7950s@1150mhz/1450mhz
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Processor	i7 970@4.0Ghz
Motherboard	Asus Rampage III Extreme
Cooling	Noctua NH-C14
Memory	24GB Samsung DDR3
Video Card(s)	2xGigabyte Windforce 7950s@1150mhz/1450mhz
Storage	OCZ Revodrive X2 240GB
Display(s)	Yamakasi Catleap 27in IPS
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System Name	Initials
Processor	i7 970@4.0Ghz
Motherboard	Asus Rampage III Extreme
Cooling	Noctua NH-C14
Memory	24GB Samsung DDR3
Video Card(s)	2xGigabyte Windforce 7950s@1150mhz/1450mhz
Storage	OCZ Revodrive X2 240GB
Display(s)	Yamakasi Catleap 27in IPS
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Best Bang for Buck - Gigabyte 2xWindforce 7950 Crossfired (Tests on 1080 and 1440)

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