HIS 7950 IceQ

[cookybiscuit]

Looking at this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-065-HS

I'm pretty blind to GPU specs, just want to make sure theres not some catch with it, like when manufacturers sell 1GB version of a 2GB card, so something like that?

Anyway, been looking through some reviews and it seems like the 7950 is the best choice in the price range (if someone disagree's, whats better?), also looks like the IceQ would be a good choice if I were to get one since I need something quiet. Any drawbacks to it, is this better or worse? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-304-SP

Also, I've asked before I really don't want to get one if its going to be wasted on how weak the rest of my system is, I have an i5 2320 and a Silverstone ST50f-ES, will they be good enough for a 7950 at 900MHz?

Really appreciate any help, sorry for asking so much crap.

 

[cookybiscuit]

Anyone?

 

[manpreet66]

For Power Supply, I highly recommend Sea Sonic 620w or Corsair tx650 if Seasonic is not available. 500w - 550w is the minimum requirement for a 7950 so you should have Atleast 600w power supply from a good brand.

As for brand of card, HIS is fine but only problem with HIS is their support and warranty policies. Before buying their card go on there website read their warranty policies (I did not) and also make sure if they have any good authorised service center where you live. I have not used any sapphire card so can not comment on that.

 

[manpreet66]

And I don't think your processor will downgrade much of its performance but a stronger cpu would still be better.

 

[cookybiscuit]

Thanks. I already have the Silverstone PSU and 2320 unfortunetly, are you're recommendations based on the card at 900MHz? I was told in the past I could do it with my PSU but it would be cutting it close (not saying you're wrong, just don't know how the watts required is determined), I don't understand all the power stuff because people show in reviews the whole system pulling like 400w max with a 7950. I could probably just drop the clock to 800 if that would help, since my case has terrible airflow that would help with noise a bit too I think.

Will check HIS info too, thanks.

 

[UAhmed]

Get the sapphire OC one
I prefer it over the His one

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/364716-33-vote-7950
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7950-review-benchmark,3207-14.html

 

[cookybiscuit]

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask why? From the reviews it seems the IceQ runs the quietest and thats really what I'm after. Is the Vapour X version in the OP any different to the one you posted?

 

[UAhmed]

Yes they are both different cards

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1157&lid=1&pid=1450&leg=0

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1157&pid=1547&psn&lid=1&leg=0

 

[cookybiscuit]

Ok thanks, so the Vapour is the better one? Also how are these compared to the IceQ?

 

[UAhmed]

And the reason is the same.......
Majority go for the sapphire one and i've hardly seen any negative responses......

On the other hand ..... i've seen no negative responses about HIS one either.......

But as mostly people buy the sapphire one.... i can't see any responses from people having HIS one

http://www.overclock.net/t/1299110/buying-a-7950-got-a-few-qs-first
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2272257
http://www.overclock.net/t/1308213/which-7950

As u can see from these reviews..... MOstly people recommend getting sapphire..... its not that HIS iceq is bad...... its also one of the best But still i'll recommend sapphire

Sapphire one has only a 25 mhz increase in boost mode..... so its not much...... they are pretty same when it comes to fps in games IMO....
BUT i can't ind any benchmarks between he two

EDIT:-

When it comes down to 7950..... on most forums i see the choices limit to

SAPPHIRE VAPOR-x
HIs iceq turbo ( boost clock one )
And on some
Gigabyte

So there's no need to be confused..... its not that one is bad and the other is good
Its just that people buy sapphire mostly as i have said earlier.....
IF u want to buy HIS one no problem its ur choice

 

[cookybiscuit]

Alright thanks. Like I said I'm mainly after something quiet (but obviously don't want everything else to be crap just for that), assuming my PSU can even power it, do you (or anyone) think the Sapphire cards will be the best for what I'm after?

 

[UAhmed]

Like i said i can't say this one's best............ BOTH are good
I just prefer sapphire only because most people buy IT
people have bought HIS one too and also recommend it

SO..........
Its ur choice now
If i were u i'd go for sapphire.... reason?? i've told u above

EDIT:-

And if u are going to buy HIS remember to buy his iceq boost one not the simple one

 

[cookybiscuit]

Reason I was so interested in the IceQ is because I hear it dissipates alot of the heat out the back rather than into the case. I think this is important to me since my case is crap, it has 1 tiny exhaust fan, no intake and is really small. Do the Sapphire ones exhaust into the case? Do you think it will matter?

Thanks for the replys, and sorry for the constant questions just don't want to make a mistake.

 

[manpreet66]

Thanks. I already have the Silverstone PSU and 2320 unfortunetly, are you're recommendations based on the card at 900MHz? I was told in the past I could do it with my PSU but it would be cutting it close (not saying you're wrong, just don't know how the watts required is determined), I don't understand all the power stuff because people show in reviews the whole system pulling like 400w max with a 7950. I could probably just drop the clock to 800 if that would help, since my case has terrible airflow that would help with noise a bit too I think.

Will check HIS info too, thanks.

Your are right about system pulling 400w max but when a system is pulling 400w maximum from a 500w psu then it means it is putting a high load on the psu and not many PSUs can handle such a load for a long time. We should always leave some headroom (30 % of rated wattage minimum). 500w -550w PSU is minimum what AMD recommends for this card. Your card will run on that psu but chances of malfunction gpu, dying hdd, dying psu or damaged motherboard will increase especially if your card is overclocked or on load. So if you want a long life for your components 600w- 650w PSU (from a good brand) would be good enough for you and it will be easier for you in the future to upgrade or crossfire


Out of HIS and Sapphire, as I told you, whichever provide better support buy that, performance and quality wise both are good.

 

[cookybiscuit]

Alright thanks I see what you mean about PSU's. I suppose I'll just look at whats cheaper or their warranty policies if the cards don't matter for my case.

 

[UAhmed]

Reason I was so interested in the IceQ is because I hear it dissipates alot of the heat out the back rather than into the case. I think this is important to me since my case is crap, it has 1 tiny exhaust fan, no intake and is really small. Do the Sapphire ones exhaust into the case? Do you think it will matter?

Thanks for the replys, and sorry for the constant questions just don't want to make a mistake.

No... no need for sorry

If u are worried about temperatures.... then there is not much difference in tempratures
BUT i've heard good reviews about his iceq coolers so get that one

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/his_radeon_hd_7950_iceq_turbo_review,8.html

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_7950_Vapor-X/32.html

these reviews are at different sites but they show that at idle sapphire one has 10C higher temp......

BUT im not sure if i can match reviews from different sites

But when it comes to cooler i've heard HIS iceq is one of the coolest So if u want... go for the HIS one

 

[cookybiscuit]

Alright thanks everybody. I think I'll look through prices and support stuff and see which one is worth it, but it looks like the IceQ is better for me then.

 

[UAhmed]

Good luk