GPU headache !!!

[Cpereira94]

Hello everyone! Need help picking up a new graphics card for my very first build. Don 't have much computer experience so please offer as much criticism as you see fit. I've been struggling to commit to a graphics card ever since I decided to build a PC and has proven to be the most difficult and confusing part of my build. I'm currently eyeing the AMD 7950 card but I'm not to sure of its longevity? I'm open to both a Gtx 670 card option as well as a 7970 card option but i am not sure which one will be best suited for me and my needs. What are my needs you ask? I would like a card that can play games max settings @ 1080p (maybe a little higher if possible),for use on only this single monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor, possible sli or crossfire option for future use (would be nice but not necessary), longevity and reliability is key as i want to be using this single gpu setup for at least 2 years, and last but not least, i do not want to spend more than i have to so i am not willing to spend more than $400 CAD! Also i will not be doing a multi monitor setup.

Please choose a card that will fit into this build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/cpereira94/saved/1d7g

Here are some current cards I've been considering:
*Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 OC 980MHZ 2GB 6.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card - NCIX.ca
*Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 Windforce 900MHZ 3GB 5GHZ GDDR5 DVI HDMI 2XDP PCI-E Video Card -NCIX.ca
*MSI Radeon HD 7950 Twin Frozr III 880MHZ 3GB 1250MHZ GDDR5 DVI HDMI 2xMini DP DX11 PCI-E Video Card - NCIX.ca
*HIS H795QMC3G2M Radeon HD 7950 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card -Newegg.ca


My max build budget is $1600. IF you see opportunities to cut back on other components for a better GPU feel free to show your solutions.

Thanks to everyone who is willing to help me out

 

[drinkingcola86]

Between those 4 cards, the 670 is a bit faster than the 7950's. From what I've seen for a stock 7950 to be equal to a 670 the core needs to be at about 950 which is easily reached.

Going with a stock 7970 would be your ideal situation since it's direct competition with the 680 however your looking at about 5-10% between the 7950 to the 670 and then to the 7970.

I have a Sapphire 7950 that came factory clocked at 950mhz and haven't been happier with my purchase.

 

[Cpereira94]

Thanks for the response! I forgot to mention that i am interested in overclocking and I've read that the 7950 when OC'd is on par or even better than the 670 but im also completely new to ovetrclocking so how much better is the 670 OC'd to a 7950 OC'd or vice versa ?

 

[drinkingcola86]

Overclocking is completely card dependent. There is no easy why to tell you which will O.C. better.

Both cards tend to O.C. well. Most people have experienced overclocks on the 7950 all the way up to 1200mhz on the core and 1600mhz on the vram.

People tend to see lower over clocks with the 670 because of the fact that they are already pretty high on their oc with Boost. There is still head room on them just usually not as much.