Between a GPU and a Hard place

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I

IMASHERIFF

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Mar 17, 2013
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I'm building my fist PC for gaming, I have done some research and cant decide on a GPU.
right now i'm looking at the Sapphire Vapor-x 7970 GHz edition and don't know whether to get it or something else and save or spend a little more cash. I know that the GTX 670 and 680 have the "Physx" and its pretty cool but not that many games seem to support it, so if u have an opinion please share and explain what is "better" and why.

Thanks
 
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Azn Cracker

Azn Cracker

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Whats the rest your specs? PhysX isnt really that useful. I mean you get a little more effects but you won't really notice them. Also you get lower fps with physx turned on. You can save some money by getting a regular 7970 and then OCing it yourself. An even cheaper alternative is the 7950. If you want nvidia, the gtx 670 is a pretty solid card, but not as cheap as the amd cards. The gtx 680 is kinda a waste of money.
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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PhysX aside.... I'd take the 670 over the 7970 in a heartbeat just based upon a consensus of dozens of independent reviews and personal "side by side" experiences / evaluation .... looking at what other peeps are buying

http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/

Just over 243 GTX 670's are out there for every 100 HD 7970's out there.

As for PhysX, i think of it kinda like 4 wheel drive on a car .... ya may not need to use it very often but when ya need it, it sure is worth having. But don't take my advice .... look at PhysX on and PhysX off side by side and decide for yaself.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/batman_arkham_asylum_physx_performance/page2.asp

Personally, I agree with THG's article that once ya have turned it in, ya not gonna turn it off.....I played Batman AC on it on my son's box and after doing so turned it off and played a bit again .... doubt ya'd miss much if ya played it 1st w/o PhysX but playing with it on and then off .... was like listening to mono sound versus surround sound

 
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I

IMASHERIFF

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Here are the rest of my specs
CPU: i5 3570K
PSU: Corsair HX 750
MotherBoard: AsRock z77 Extreme 4
HardDrive: WD Black 1TB
Case: Cool Master Storm Stryker
Windows: 7 64-bit
Ram: Corsair vengeance blue 8GB (2x4GB)

Im still now sure if i am going to OC, and is it really worth it
 
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I

IMASHERIFF

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I know what you mean Physx is quit awesome but i don't play Batman or BL2 and im not too certain that many game are going to take advatake of that super cool feature. if all game had it i would be on all nvidia products in a heart beat but, only a few do, it a bummer.
 
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J

JustLurking

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Shrug, running a 7950 Oc'd at 1000mhz with a first gen i3 dual core. It's capable of 1100 if I raise voltage and need it.

So far, I haven't needed it, and as far as I can tell I haven't missed anything by not having a PhysX capable GPU.

I'll freely admit my knowledge of NV GPU's is very limited. Only my father has a recent one (660) and while he's no technophile, he says it clocks itself down (I have no idea how often/when) and is generally unhappy with it.

I'm happy with my purchase, SO FAR. If I come across something that limits my gaming, obviously that'll change. ;)
 
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I

IMASHERIFF

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Just wondering how well does the 7950 do at stock, because im not sure if i should OC
 
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J

JustLurking

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Best answer I could give there is to simply check the benchmarks. There's a good dozen+ sites that'll give you benchies on the every graphics card at stock, many will have the games you play.

My own (very limited) experience was there wasn't much difference, but I could also be held back by my 1st gen dual core i3. /shrug.

GL!
 
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I

IMASHERIFF

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Ya iv seen so many benchmark now that vary i dont know what to trust. most say either the Sapphire vapor-x or a GTX 680, the 7970 ussaly wins but thoughs are just bench marks i would rather hear reviews from people that i can communicate to and have them tell me how they fell.

and thanks you telling me about the 7950 :)
 
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I

IMASHERIFF

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All right i narrowed it down to the Sapphire Vapor-x 7970 and a gtx 670. Does any one know of a Gtx 670 that will be better than the 7970, i play many games all across the board so it not like i need the Physx.

All opinions are accepted

Thanks
 
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