HD7950 + SSD or HD7970 and SSD later

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Thomos

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Jun 14, 2013
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I am building a gaming computer this month and I can't decide on this one.

I already bought the I5-4670k. If I want to stay in my budget I will have to decide between a HD7950 + an SSD or just the HD7970.

If I buy the HD7970 I will be able to buy the SSD later on in a few months.


What do you guys recommend?
Also, will the HD7950 or even the HD7970 be good enough to run the upcoming games on ultra settings (BF4, ..)?
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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If my prediction is right, you are planning on getting a 7950 + 120 GB SSD. I would highly suggest that you just get the 7970 now, and then when you have the money buy a 240 GB SSD instead...thought I would also suggest getting a GTX 770 instead of the 7970.

Why you might ask? Typically the 120 GB SSDs have a significantly lower sequential write speed. Compare the Samsung 840 Pro 128 GB vs 256 GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193
 
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AdioKIP

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My opinion would be the exact opposite of everyone elses. I wouldnt build a machine today without an SSD as the boot drive. I've been building computers for 20 years and SSD's are probably the second best upgrade I've ever seen. While it wont help you out as far as gaming, the overall difference in how your system boots and runs with an SSD compared to a normal hard drive is HIGHLY noticeable. The fact that you're choosing between two cards that are so similiar also makes the choice easier. Get a descent 7950 and it should easily overclock past a stock 7970ghz edition. Both my Sapphire 7950's (1xOC edition and 1xBoost Edition) easily overclock if I really need extra power. Overall the 7970 will give you slightly better performance if you're not overclocking, but the difference gained in gaming from a 7970 vs a 7950 isnt as noticeable as the difference an SSD makes in overall system performance. Also since you're just building, its easier to get the SSD now so you dont have to reinstall your operating system later on.
 
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jessterman21

jessterman21

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It's true - adding an SSD does not improve gaming performance, but it improves almost everything else.
 
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tomdabomb

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Thats what evryone told me before i bought ,my ssd. To be honest the difference isn't that significant.
 
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Thomos

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I think I'll get the stronger videocard then. It is easier to just buy a 100-150 euros SSD in a few months than to replace an expensive videocard because it is not just strong enough.

So if I decide to pick a stronger video card, the GTX770 is the better choice? Isn't the 2GB of VRAM not enough for multiple monitors? I use 2 monitors right now.


 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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I agree that the SSD is one of the best upgrades that you can get for your computer, but I have never had a problem installing an operating system on an SSD after building my rig.

I just started building a few years ago and my first rig didnt have an SSD. I bought one, changed the boot order in the BIOS, installed windows, and was done. I left windows on my HDD because if the SSD failed (like they were prone to do when they first became mainstream) I wouldnt have a dead computer. Then I bought a faster SSD using SATA 3, did the same thing, reformatted my original SSD and now use that as my video recording/encoding drive.

Anyway, the point is, I do not think it is hard to add a SSD after building, and sometimes it is even good, so you can set up a redundant OS in the off chance that your drive does die.
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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Absolutely, the 770 is a better choice, and 2 GB of VRAM is plenty for two monitors.
 
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jessterman21

jessterman21

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It's the best choice for $400 right now. 2GB VRAM is plenty for gaming, and I doubt you play games using both monitors, right? Otherwise you'd have two bezels right in the middle of your games...
 
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AdioKIP

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I'm not saying its difficult to add it, I'm just saying why go thru installing the operating system twice. By adding the SSD now you save yourself from having to repeat the OS install by upgrading later.

To the OP, keep in mind, you could always go with the 7950+SSD now and add a second video card later on for even more power. Really it just comes down to personal preference, while I would never build without an SSD now, to some getting every frame possible out of a game is more important. You say you dont want to be stuck with a card that isnt adequate, you have to realize ANY game a 7970 can run a 7950 can run as well, you just may have to drop a setting or two, but overall it wouldnt be much at all.

2 gigs of ram is fine IF you're not going to use Surround or EyeFinity (Multi-monitor gaming), although for the sake of lasting longer if you can get a card with more than 2 gigs I would. Some games are already approaching using the 2 gigs of ram on a card easily so in the near future I'm sure games will be going past it.
 
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Thomos

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I don't think I will ever play using EyeFinity, so for 2 monitors, one with the games and one with background stuff (youtube, skype, other programs) 2GB VRAM will be enough for the future games?

HD7970 : http://www.alternate.be/SAPPHIRE/SAPPHIRE+HD_7970_3GB_Vapor-X_Edition_(11197-12-40G)/html/product/1018375/?
GTX770 : http://www.alternate.be/GIGABYTE/GIGABYTE+GV-N770OC-2GD/html/product/1083491/?

I'll go for the Gigabyte GTX770 then? Is this a good version?
 
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