Which 4GB 670 should I buy

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GeneralTso

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Hello, I am building a new computer and plan on running Skyrim with lots of community HD mods. For this reason, I am looking at a GTX 670 4GB as I will need the extra VRAM to run all of the mods I plan on using.

I cant decide which GTX 670 4GB to purchase, many of them have overheating problems so I was leaning towards ASUS. However, there is also a Galaxy one that looks decent on Newegg:

ASUS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121659

Galaxy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162118

If you were to purchase one of these cards which one would you get? Are there any other Nvidia Cards that you would recommend? I do not want to spend over $450 so I cant afford a GTX 680 4GB.

Here is my build that I have so far:

Case: Coolermaster Haf XB
CPU: Intel Core i7 3.5GHZ IVY
Mobo: As Rock Z77 Extreme 4
Memory: G Skill 16GB (8gb x 2) DDR3 1600
Power Supply: Corsair TX750
G Skill Phoenix 120GB SSD
Barracuda 2TB
GPU: ???

If anybody could help me out that would be great!
 
Solution
photonboy
Update:
Gigabyte also has a 3-slot version of the GTX 4GB:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125449

NOISE:
It will run FAR QUIETER than the Galaxy version.

Performance:
It's less than 3% slower on paper, but because the GPU can dynamically clock up depending on the TEMPERATURE (GPU Boost) in reality it's likely just as fast or possibly faster.

Summary:
If you are set on a GTX670 4GB, my ONLY recommend is this 3-slot solution because the NOISE will be far lower than the other options. Think it's not a big deal? It really is.
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photonboy

photonboy

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The Gigabyte is clocked 10% faster, however it likely will be NOISIER.

FYI, Vanilla Skyrim uses 1.5GB of VRAM maximum. If you don't throw tonnes of mods at it you can stay under 2GB anyway. Too many mods also reduces the frame rate as you can overload the GPU.

*Unless you absolutely want NVidia, you may wish to consider an HD7970. They have 3GB of VRAM and for the same price will perform better than a GTX670. (If you exceed 3GB of VRAM using Skyrim mods then it's time to cut back on the mods anyway.)

The card I WANTED to recommend but can't find in stock (disontinued?):
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/MATRIXHD79703GD5

A different Asus card that is 925MHz base clock. I like the 3-slot cards from Asus as they are the QUIETEST cards due to the large heatsink.
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=68755&vpn=HD7970-DC2-3GD5&manufacture=ASUS

Here's a 1.1GHz card from Gigabyte. I don't know what the NOISE level would be like (make sure you have at least one front CASE FAN though):
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77601&vpn=GVR797TO3GD&manufacture=Gigabyte

Summary:
- for the GTX670's you list, it comes down to NOISE vs Processing Power
- an HD7970 graphics card has 3GB which should be plenty, and the card should outperform a GTX670
- 3-slot Asus cards are the quietest around
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Update:
Gigabyte also has a 3-slot version of the GTX 4GB:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125449

NOISE:
It will run FAR QUIETER than the Galaxy version.

Performance:
It's less than 3% slower on paper, but because the GPU can dynamically clock up depending on the TEMPERATURE (GPU Boost) in reality it's likely just as fast or possibly faster.

Summary:
If you are set on a GTX670 4GB, my ONLY recommend is this 3-slot solution because the NOISE will be far lower than the other options. Think it's not a big deal? It really is.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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I simply said the 3-slot solutions are far quieter than the dual-slot ones due to the large heatsink.

Here's an example:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/55064-asus-gtx-680-directcu-ii-top-review-18.html

Quote: "With a pair of 100mm fans cooling off a large internal heatsink, rotational speed can stay to a minimum. The result is one of the quietest cards we have tested."

*If you have actual proof that a 3-slot card is inferior in NOISE management than a similar 2-slot graphics card than provide it. Don't simply say "you sir don't know." The entire POINT of a 3-slot card is for noise control and overclocking.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Please quit being argumentative.

First of all, my main recommendation is 3-slot solutions as the large heatsinks make a huge difference in cooling and thus noise.

As for the 3-fan card, it's difficult to say about the noise. It depends on the type of fan used, and the QUALITY of the heatsink component and how aggressive the speed of the fans is controlled.

The REASON I put the HD7970 Gigabyte 1.1GHz card on the list is because there was no other card in that category (frequency and price) so I was covering the bases (Asus lower frequency but quieter, and the higher frequency Gigabyte but noisier).

It can be quite difficult to actually COMPARE cards for noise control and I did search for that information. I even SAID I was unsure about the noise of that 3-fan card you refer to so what MORE do you want?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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I agree,
Since he has budget issues the i5-3570K is ideal for his needs.

CPU HSF:
I noticed no mention of one. Here's an inexpensive example that is far better than the stock one that comes with the Intel CPU's:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=41337&vpn=RR-B10-212P-G1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
*It uses a PWM fan. Some fans on CPU Heatsinks are 3-pin (Voltage) only and don't have fan speed control on many modern motherboards.

Also,
I've never seen a G. Skill SSD on the list of recommended SSD's. You may wish to Google this. I'd say an OCZ Vertex 4, Crucial M4 or Samsung 840 (depending on price). The Samsung 840 (non-PRO) uses TLC, however the lower lifespan (similar to many MLC anyway) is offset by the price (120GB is about $95) so the value is there. It should last at LEAST three years and by then SSD's will be much cheaper.

If you want to extend SSD lifespan there are a few things to do:
- over provisioning (Samsung Magician can do this for you; HIGHLY recommended anyway)
- disable Hibernation
- reduce Pagefile to 4GB
 
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GeneralTso

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I really like this idea, I was originally going to buy this exact i5 but a friend talked me into an i7 processor. Maybe I will save the extra $100 and get a better graphics card.

By the way I forgot, I ordered a Zalman heat sink already for my processor on Newegg so I am covered for those.
 
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GeneralTso

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I saw this card and I liked the cooling system! do you think its alright if this card does not have a back plate on it?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Most cards don't have back plates.

You mainly need to ensure you have good case cooling:
- at least one front main case fan to suck air in
- one or two case fans near the CPU
- CPU fan obviously
- fan speed control where possible
- block any top, rear, or side fan slots with NO fans attached (the open holes make air flow inefficient). I used cardboard and painters tape.
 
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