Hd 7970 ghz ed vs gtx 680 lightning

[gloo69]

I'm down to these two cards but can't decide which one to go with.
His 7970 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161431
or msi gtx 680 lightning http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127693&Tpk=msi%20gtx%20680%20lightning
I'll be playing Bf3 a lot and skyrim and what not... I know these are some very good cards but I can't make up my mind.
I heard amd has a lot of problems with there drivers but I'm sure nvidia has its share of problems too.

 

[pete123edgar]

Bf3 works better with NVIDIA while Skyrim benefits better with the huge memory, I am not sure because I don't own an AMD but still, its up to your preference. Being an nvidia user, I am biased towards the gtx 680 and there is physX, but really, with or without physX it won't really make a difference. You will be in good hands with either cards, but if you want to save $50 and get the free games, go with AMD.

 

[chimpbagel]

7970 ever

 

[DelightfulDucklings]

I would say go 7970 because free games so you get the best good value, both will perform very similarly and last a good while

 

[iam2thecrowe]

either card can max out skyrim and bf3. nvidia does have driver issues, but they are fixed far more promptly than AMD drivers. If i were buying something that high end i would nt go with 2gb vram, i would go with more.

 

[Proclaim89]

well as far as i know the 7970 ghz will perform slightly better in games with them new drivers but the msi lightning gtx 680 is a special 680, i know since i own one, and from what i can tell, this card is a beast. super high clocks to kick and not to mention the over voltage that you can do with this card gives it a real boost in terms of your core clock and memory. just remeber to keep it fairly cool and you will be fine, oh and the fans on the lightning are superb. very quiet and extremely efficient at keep the entire card cool because it has a massive aluminium radiator. i overclocked mine stock voltages +70@core and +500@memory on a hot day, which is pretty decent considering ambient temps are 36celcius. remember the cooler your card is the higher overclocking capability it has and the fans are excellent at keeping the card cool. i cant say much about the 7970 ghz since ive never owned one but if your going to grab a gtx 680, the lightning is the perfect solution imo.

edit- spelling errors from typing on ipod

 

[JJ1217]

well as far as i know the 7970 ghz will perform slightly better in games with them new drivers but the msi lightning gtx 680 is a special 680, i know since i own one, and from what i can tell, this card is a beast. super high clocks to kick and not to mention the over voltage that you can do with this card gives it a real boost in terms of your core clock and memory. just remeber to keep it fairly cool and you will be fine, oh and the fans on the lightning are superb. very quiet and extremely efficient at keep the entire card cool because it has a massive aluminium radiator. i overclocked mine stock voltages +70@core and +500@memory on a hot day, which is pretty decent considering ambient temps are 36celcius. remember the cooler your card is the higher overclocking capability it has and the fans are excellent at keeping the card cool. i cant say much about the 7970 ghz since ive never owned one but if your going to grab a gtx 680, the lightning is the perfect solution imo.

edit- spelling errors from typing on ipod

Overvolting has since been removed from the lightning, only the early models had it. Nvidia cried a little and forced MSI to change it.

Meh, with either card you'll be happy, I'd definitely be leaning towards AMD for Crysis 3, at least you'll have a game to properly test your graphics card. The 2GB should be enough on the 680, however if you ever move into multi monitor stuff, that extra gig on the 7970 would come useful.

 

[Proclaim89]

yea i lnow you just need to flash the bios with the unlocked voltage .rom file, dl afterburner 2.2.3 and your set for some fun overclocking

 

[gloo69]

Ahh that is a good deal with the 7970 but the 680 has $150 in game money for planet side 2 and other games but I'm sure I won't play them haha Well I really do enjoy playing bf3. I coming from a xbox 360 so I know any of these will amaze me but its a +1 for nvidia since it handles the game better. How well is the overclocking on the 7970? I'm will new to this whole overclocking thing and I know the msi card has that gpu reactor which makes it overclock a little better right?.. Its a tough decision haha Well what are the good and the bad about both cards? and for the lightning what is ln2?

 

[gloo69]

Best answer selected by gloo69.