Return of the MSI 7900 GTO! Better than a 512MB 7950GT?

[killtacular]

Hey peeps!

I just need to know which card you would go for if they were near enough the same price? I know the GTO has a faster core speed (650), but it does lack the memory speed of the 7950GT. Would this be a substantial difference in terms of gameplay i.e. having better core speed than memory speed?

P.S. Before you say get an X1950XT, I had one today and had nothing but grief. Driver issues with 6.12 and 7.1, artifacts all over the place, tried ATI Tools, but to no avail. I do believe it's a driver problem.

Thanks for the help.

 

[cleeve]

100 Mhz difference in the core clock, but only 40 Mhz (80 Mhz effective) difference in the memory...

Stock I reckon the GTO would win. If you're an overclocker though, and assuming the 7950 GTs memory is speedier, an overclocker might be better off with the 7950 GT.

It really depends what memory the GTOs come with. If it's known to be underclocked, the GTO is even more of a sure thing.

 

[killtacular]

Well, if I purchased a 7950GT, it will be the Gainward one as the Golden Sample comes with 1.2ns memory and core speed of 580Mhz.

The MSI 7900GTO seems to come with 1.1ns memory and 650Mhz core.

7950 GT 580/750
7900 GTO 650/660

The 7950GT overclocks to at least 650/1700 (even 1800) in some reviews but I have seen how some people can't get the GTO's memory past 1600 and yet it's using faster memory?

 

[Lx]

Here are some numbers based on the Firingsquad review comparing FPS 7900GTO VS 7950GT:
HL2 GTO has +6,5
BF2 GTO has +7,8
Q4 GTO has +3,0
FEAR =
OBLIV GTO has +3,1
COD2 GTO has -0,3
These diffs with the tests at resolution 1280 with aa and af.

As you can see they are pretty much the same with the GTO having a slight lead, you could just choose the cheaper card… bear in mind though that the GTO has the fantastic cooler from the GTX… well worth it.

 

[killtacular]

As you can see they are pretty much the same with the GTO having a slight lead, you could just choose the cheaper card… bear in mind though that the GTO has the fantastic cooler from the GTX… well worth it.

Hmmm, good point, but the Gainward Golden Sample too comes with a fantastic cooler. Looks like it will have to be the cheapest one.

Thanks Cleeve and Lx for your time and input. I really appreciate it.

Peace!