Need GPU advice, Zotac 670 AMP! or Diamond Radeon 7970

[MidgetD]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week tommorow if possible.
BUDGET RANGE: 400-450 USD

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (BF3, GW2, DotA 2, LoL, Crysis 2). Home theater use.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: None, I can't decide between the Diamond Radeon 7970 or the Zotac 670 AMP!. I'm also purchasing a 750W power supply but am willing to increase the wattage if need be.



PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: None, again just need help deciding between those two cards.

OVERCLOCKING: Willing to if needed.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is my first build and I'm currently typing this on an iPhone, I appologize if it's a mess, the response on this thing is atrocious and I deleted what I typed 3 times... I hate you iPhone... I'll post additional information if you need it.

Again this rig will be used for gaming but I do not know what card to choose.

 

[monu_08]

gtx 670 amp is great one http://www.game-debate.com/hardware/index.php?gc_make=ATI&gc_deriv=Radeon+HD+7970&gid=943&graphics=GeForce+GTX+670+Zotac+AMP+Edition&checkSubmit=#system%20requirements

it can beat gtx 680 also http://www.game-debate.com/hardware/index.php?gc_make=Nvidia&gc_deriv=GeForce+GTX+680&gid=943&graphics=GeForce+GTX+670+Zotac+AMP+Edition&checkSubmit=#system%20requirements

 

[MidgetD]

Thanks for the information. My only issue with the Zotac card is that a few people have been having a heat issue with it that requires some adjustment to the card. While I understand that it is a quick fix I'm afraid I'd damage the card in doing so.

This review show the problem http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_670_Amp_Edition/1.html

Again, this is my first time doing anything like this and I'm a bit wary of damaging my card.

 

[killerhurtalot]

Add $20 and get a 7970 ghz edition. Overclocks great and beats both GTX 680 and GTX 670 OCed at stock 1050mhz clock

 

[killerhurtalot]

Thanks for the information. My only issue with the Zotac card is that a few people have been having a heat issue with it that requires some adjustment to the card. While I understand that it is a quick fix I'm afraid I'd damage the card in doing so.

This review show the problem http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_670_Amp_Edition/1.html

Again, this is my first time doing anything like this and I'm a bit wary of damaging my card.

the 7970 also runs really hot and is really loud with a stock cooler...

Are you sure that you won't consider other manufacturers of the cards?

 

[monu_08]

here are the ghz edition cards link newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006662&isNodeId=1&Description=7970+ghz&x=0&y=0

the cheaper one cost around 430$

 

[killerhurtalot]

here are the ghz edition cards link newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006662&isNodeId=1&Description=7970+ghz&x=0&y=0

the cheaper one cost around 430$

go with either Gigabyte or Asus since they have the best coolers of the lot...

 

[MidgetD]

I'm willing to consider other manufacturers it's just that those two cards are what I had in mind. (I really hate typing with this thing) I'm just looking to get the best "bang for my buck" so to speak.

 

[monu_08]

nah sapphire version is the best one although they have professional in making cards as gigabyte quiet beginner

 

[Stickem]

Man....just go with the 670.......similiar performance, cheaper, uses less power, probaly less noisy, and probably runs cooler. Also, understand that the small performance gain that you will get with a 7970 Ghz is so small percentage wise that you'll never see the darn difference. Also, nvidia has always had better and more stable drivers than ATi/AMD..........need I say more?

 

[cooldudesubho]

zotac gtx 670 amp is a beast.Will beat 7970 in most games you mentioned.

 

[whiteodian]

Free Borderlands 2 with the 670 I loved the first one. If you are at all interested that is a good bargain there. Take a look at another forum post here asking 670 or 7970.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/358881-33-radeon-7970

 

[otakubr]

I would go with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423
If i'm not messing it up, gigabyte edition won the comparative tom'shardware did between all the 670 gtx

 

[MidgetD]

Probably going to pick up the 670 I'm going to contact Zotac about the heat issue tonight. What would be the benefits of picking up the 7970 though? There is one that is cheaper than the Zotac card that also has a lifetime warranty on newegg... Though Zotac is giving away borderlands 2 with the purchase.

 

[killerhurtalot]

if you're getting the GTX 670, go with either the EVGA GTX 670 FTW (GTX 670 chip on a GTX 680 board with better voltage control and cooling) or one of the chips that's got the vendor specific cooling. (Asus DirectCU II, Sapphire Vapor x, or Gigabyte's one)

the 7970 ghz edition WILL OUTPERFORM BOTH THE GTX 670 AND GTX 680 stock or overclocked.

 

[redeemer]

Man....just go with the 670.......similiar performance, cheaper, uses less power, probaly less noisy, and probably runs cooler. Also, understand that the small performance gain that you will get with a 7970 Ghz is so small percentage wise that you'll never see the darn difference. Also, nvidia has always had better and more stable drivers than ATi/AMD..........need I say more?

Nvidia more stable drivers.... nah they are the same just as good as AMD right now. The 600 series had the worst drivers ever at launch, vsync bug, 120hz bug, stuttering and their control panel is horrible when compared to the Catalyst Suite. The 7970 is way faster its the fastest single card right now and you know what happens when you overclock it.

 

[redeemer]

 

[MidgetD]

Thank you for the chart redeemer. I think I'll go with the XFX card (lifetime warranty and cheaper than the Zotac after the rebate).