Debating on 3 different GPU's

[cobra4014]

Hey guys. I wanted to get your opinion on which card to get (generic).

ATI 6870
ATI 7870 GHz edition
Nvidia 570

I know they do differ on performance scales, but I would just like to know what is more reliable (I know manufacturer counts), what has better support, etc. I prefer a quiet, cool card.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gary1]

7870. Mine idles at 27 and maxes out around 50.. Low power consumption also.

 

[cobra4014]

Also the fact that it's a new card running on the 28mm process.. do you know if they'll have a price drop soon?

 

[gary1]

Not on the 7870. However, the 7950 and 7970 are at redonkulous prices. I would have grabbed the 7970 in a heartbeat if it was at that price when I build my computer.

 

[cobra4014]

Wait, so is the 7870 on a 40 or a 32 mm process?

 

[gary1]

28nm.

 

[cobra4014]

Oh sorry I thought you were talking about the process it was made on. Reviews seem to favor the card too.. I'll research some more, but this one seems to be it.

 

[gary1]

400$ for a 7950? Sigh. Paid 360$ for my 7870, 40$ more for a 7950. *punches wall*

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102963

 

[vitornob]

Usually I would go with Nvidia, nice drivers, very fast to update them, usually supports all games without hitch or performance problems. Have CUDA, Physx and 3D Vision too.

But if you don't care about the drivers, and how fast they update it, and do not need all these Nvidia extras.
Go with HD7870. Sometimes is fast as GTX570, sometimes fast as GTX580, it's colder, and consumes little power (much less power btw)...

 

[cobra4014]

Yeah Nvidia seems like a power hungry heat machine, but all of that heat pays off...

 

[scout_03]

did you read that for the 7870 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/image-quality-driver-optimization-graphics,3173.html

 

[gary1]

Did you read that for the 7870.. They also fixed it?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/image-quality-driver-optimization-graphics,3173-7.html

 

[scout_03]

i will wait to see when the driver will be out

 

[geogolem]

I prefer nvidia cards. I avoid AMD graphics cards as much as possible.... Personally..

EVGA is my favorite brand. They make quality cards have great support. Life-time warranties if you get the model numbers that end in AR (which are sometimes only $5 more than the KR non lifetime warranty counterparts). EVGA also has the "step up" upgrade program in which you can enrol within the 90 days after you purchase in which you can pay the difference between what you paid and a newer better card and trade your recently purchased card for an entirely newer better one. Sometimes when newer cards come out within 90 days of your purchase depending on their price point you can get free or extremely cheap upgrades to the newer cards through this program.

 

[geogolem]

Just FYI:

EVGA 012-P3-1573-KR
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=426309&CatId=3669
274.99

EVGA 012-P3-1573-AR
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7303441&CatId=3669
289.99

are identical cards; except the KR one comes with a 3 year warranty while the AR version comes with a lifetime warranty (as long as you register within 30 days of purchase).

this AR vs KR difference is true across all the models;however the price difference between them varies. Sometimes KR is even more expensive then AR lol.

Here is some info on the step-up program: http://www.evga.com/support/stepup/

the stepup program appears to only be valid on the AR cards or when an extended warranty has been purchased on the KR card.

 

[pezonator]

7870 all the way, it's a great card, nips on the heels of the 7950, uses less power than it and a GTX 580 for the same performance.

 

[Guest]

for $40 more then the 7870 the 7950 can overclock and get you gtx 680 speed.At this point the 7870 is priced to high imo.7950 best bang for the highend buck right now.They can be had for $399 on newegg compared to $359 for the 7870

 

[pezonator]

for $40 more then the 7870 the 7950 can overclock and get you gtx 680 speed.At this point the 7870 is priced to high imo.7950 best bang for the highend buck right now.They can be had for $399 on newegg compared to $359 for the 7870

Mike makes a very good point. Here is a link to a fantastic 7950 card:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/02/21/sapphire_radeon_hd_7950_oc_video_card_review/1

Here is australia, 7950's start at $470 and 7970's start at $570 and GTX 680's around $600. This Sapphire is at $490 which in my opinion is a very good buy considering when overclocked it can match a 7970. In saying that, the 7870 starts at $360, so there's a much bigger gap in price, that's why in Aus I would recommend the 7870.