PowerColor 7970 vs Sapphire 7950?

[mcross162]

After much contemplating (and with you help of this forum. ) I've decided to go with a Radeon graphics card. I originally intended on getting the Sapphire 7950. While looking around on Newegg, I found a deal for a 7970 that was the just slighly more than the 7950, granted it's an open box, but my experience with open boxed hardware from NewEgg has been really good.

Sooo.. The only thing keeping me from buying the 7970 right now is that it is a PowerColor.

Here are the two cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131471R

I know that Sapphire is by far the most reliable company for Radeon graphics cards, but would I be insane to buy a 7950 when I could have a 7970 for only $30 more...?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Solid_Snake3]

I would go for the Sapphire because it has better cooling IMO and that they just look so, beast. Because they have good cooling, I'm sure you can overclock it and then match it's performance with the 7970.

 

[mcross162]

Alright, I think I'm going to go with the Sapphire. There are two different Sapphire that look almost identacle but one is $10 cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006 <- $320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026 <- $310

The only difference I can see are the two DVI ports on the cheaper one.. Am I missing something..?

 

[Solid_Snake3]

Go with the cheaper Sapphire card. It seems to have more features than the other one, which I find is very unusual.....

 

[CharlieMason]

If you haven't already made your decision, I'd suggest getting the sapphire 7950 because it can take the heat very well even when clocked beyond the 7970. Any feature besides that is a bonus and the 7950 doesn't disappoint.

 

[Mephic]

Bear in mind that there is no guarantee that You will get great overclocking chip. 7950/7970 now are not the same good OC chips as in 2012. Too much limitations due to locked vcores (in some cases), boost "fail" technology and other stuff. Still I'd take Sapphire one - I don't trust Powercolor. Heard about too many RMA's.

 

[monu_08]

i think these guys are such getting interact with 7950 but let me clear u a 7970 is fa much better the n 7950 make it think about it a 7970 will give u fast responsive gaming experience
here
http://www.game-debate.com/hardware/index.php?gc_make=ATI&gc_deriv=Radeon+HD+7970&gid=671&graphics=Radeon+HD+7950&checkSubmit=#system%20requirements

 

[Solid_Snake3]

The guys are all agreeing with me. With different points of view of course. So go for the Sapphire 7950. Two reasons why: 1. It has better overclocking potential due to better cooling and bigger fans and 2. It looks much better than the horrible PowerColor shroud.