Hey tomshardware
So, I am looking to upgrade my video card. I plan on selling my 7970 hopefully for around $400 on Ebay since the market is hot on them. Meaning, for essentially $50-$100 I can upgrade to a GTX 780. However, I can't decide between these three cards:
MSI Lightning, EVGA ACX Cooler, and ZOTAC Amp.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&Description=gtx%20780&bop=And&CompareItemList=48%7C14-127-754%5E14-127-754-TS%2C14-130-918%5E14-130-918-TS%2C14-500-311%5E14-500-311-TS&percm=14-127-754%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B14-130-918%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B14-500-311%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24
I have never heard of Zotac so I am a little worried. I read the lightning is only worth it if you plan to overclock (which I could). I can basically get the Lightning and EVGA for both $450. It appears the Lightning is the better card, but the EVGA has much better reviews (not sure why).
For about $20 more I could get the Zotac which seems the best of them all. I am worried about buying from Zotac though.
Here is the rest of my build in case you are curious:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.96 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Pro 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($147.27 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: SteelSeries 6Gv2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Black Edition Wired Optical Mouse ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1155.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-20 10:40 EST-0500)
Oh important! I plan on getting a 2560x1440 monitor (perhaps an Overlord with potential to overclock past 60fps). That is the biggest reason I am upgrading. I originally planned to just get a 2nd 7970, but the mining craze has made the pricing on them nonsensical to buy. Also, I read the GTX 780 is much better at hi-res than the 7970 anyway.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
BeeGeePee
So, I am looking to upgrade my video card. I plan on selling my 7970 hopefully for around $400 on Ebay since the market is hot on them. Meaning, for essentially $50-$100 I can upgrade to a GTX 780. However, I can't decide between these three cards:
MSI Lightning, EVGA ACX Cooler, and ZOTAC Amp.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&Description=gtx%20780&bop=And&CompareItemList=48%7C14-127-754%5E14-127-754-TS%2C14-130-918%5E14-130-918-TS%2C14-500-311%5E14-500-311-TS&percm=14-127-754%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B14-130-918%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B14-500-311%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24
I have never heard of Zotac so I am a little worried. I read the lightning is only worth it if you plan to overclock (which I could). I can basically get the Lightning and EVGA for both $450. It appears the Lightning is the better card, but the EVGA has much better reviews (not sure why).
For about $20 more I could get the Zotac which seems the best of them all. I am worried about buying from Zotac though.
Here is the rest of my build in case you are curious:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.96 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Pro 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($147.27 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: SteelSeries 6Gv2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Black Edition Wired Optical Mouse ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1155.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-20 10:40 EST-0500)
Oh important! I plan on getting a 2560x1440 monitor (perhaps an Overlord with potential to overclock past 60fps). That is the biggest reason I am upgrading. I originally planned to just get a 2nd 7970, but the mining craze has made the pricing on them nonsensical to buy. Also, I read the GTX 780 is much better at hi-res than the 7970 anyway.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
BeeGeePee
I am just looking for the best performing card at the best price.
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