Gigabyte or Sapphire?

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

Im currently running on a APU and I'm thinking of upgrading my graphics now. I've chosen the R9 270X series of cards but the ones I'm interested are the Gigabyte Windforce 3x R9 270X and the Sapphire Vapor-X R9 270X. They both say the heatsinks are great but I'm getting 50/50. Which I'm pretty sure there will be only 1-2 fps difference due to the cards having the same chip but I was wondering which one runs cooler and quieter. My case is a NZXT Phantom 410 which can fit both of those cards. Here are the graphic cards:

Sapphire Vapor-X: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1560&products_id=25511

Gigabyte Windforce 3X: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1560&products_id=25325

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

Have you considered this one, It's even on sale.

The upgrade/OC version of the sapphire you linked.

It's even on sale. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1560&products_id=25329

None of these cards are considered noisy by the way, Not sure on exact noise numbers though.

Novuake · Mar 9, 2014

I would also get the dual-x with that large a price difference. Vapor-x cards are overrated anyway.

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

Wait, Did I mix them up?

Is Dual-X the model up from Vapor-X or other way around?

Anyway the one I posted is great value for money whilst on sale and not a noisy card.

Novuake · Mar 9, 2014

AshyCFC :

The Dual-x is usually the SLIGHTLY higher OCd model.
In general the dual-x has better quality VRMs as well.

The Vapor-x is supposed to be quieter but the difference is minimal.

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

Okay, so I was half right haha.

By the way OP, I own a HD 7870 DUAL-X version (I know not the same card but the 270x is a rebranded 7870) and I never notice noise.

Novuake · Mar 9, 2014

I own 2 HD7950 Dual-X cards. Both of them can do 1280MHz, from 850MHz. So they are very nice cards.

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

Right now my power supply is a Cougar SL500 ( http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_1548&products_id=25151 ) So I'm thinking of buying a factory overclocked card.

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

But does 1070Mhz on the Dual-X make a difference to 1100Mhz on the Vapor-X?

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

There is virtually no difference except the $30 price tag reduction.

I am sure you can put the dual-x upto 1100mhz yourself if you really wanted to.

Novuake · Mar 9, 2014

Yes, you can add that extra 30Mhz with no effort.

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

But do you think I will be able to do that with my currrent PSU? (listed above) Some of the higher members of this forum said I should stay away from overclocking with this unstable PSU. So I'm not sure if I should risk it.

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

Well the fact is by buying a factory OCed card you've already overclocked the GPU.

So get the dual-x and ignore Ocing

That said though, your PSU is probably fine.

What's the rest of your spec?

Novuake · Mar 9, 2014

Well overclocking should be avoided on that PSU, but 30MHz will not adjust any voltages. So its fine, however in time, replace your PSU.

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

My specs are

Mobo: Asrock A88x Itx Motherboard
Ram: 8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 1333Mhz (I know its a horrible ram for a APU)
CPU: AMD A10 6800k
Case: NZXT Phantom 410
HDD: 1TB WD Blue

Daniel Byun · Mar 9, 2014

PSU: Cougar SL500

AshyCFC · Mar 9, 2014

You'll be fine with the SL500

Just get a better unit when you can.

Gigabyte or Sapphire?

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