Sapphire HD7970 Vapor-X vs Zotac GTX770 Amp

[lemming9]

Was all but set to get a something like a Gigabyte HD7970 GHz but then was recommended to consider the Sapphire version or a GTX770 if possible. I understand these are cards of a similar class so some user experience would help in deciding which way I should lean.

For the Sapphire HD7970 there looks like 2 variations worth considering.
OC Edition: Core: 950 Boost: 1000 Memory: 1425
Vapor - X: Core: 1000 Boost: 1050 Memory: 1500
I've been told that the Sapphire HD7970 can OC to 1200/1800 stable but I'm not sure which edition will go up to that. Is it only the Vapor-X or will the OC Edition also OC to the same level. i.e. are they both essentially the same card with one being factory overclocked higher or are there some differences that means the Vapor-X will OC better?

The GTX770 comes with Core: 1150 Boost: 1202 and Memory: 1800 so is already up to the 1200/1800 OC level of a Sapphire HD7970 out of the box without any overclocking. However I've read one review that states that the OC limit on the GTX770 is only about 45MHz more on the core. Or will the GTX770 also OC by 200MHz on the core like with the Sapphire HD7970?

Also, given the fact that the GTX 770 is 2GB / 256-bit and the HD7970 is 3GB / 384-bit mean I should go with a HD7970 for better performance?

Most benches seem to say the GTX770 is the slightly better option but taking into account their respective maximum stable OC limit would the GTX770 Amp or Sapphire HD7970 achieve higher FPS?

Thanks.

 

[Kennytran320]

Depends how much you want to spend. AMD's got a promo right now. If you get the 7970 which is a great card, it comes with 3 games of your choice from their site. Or you can save money, get this and OC it to chieve 7970's performance plus free games: http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/101080/newegg-sapphire-radeon-hd-7950-3gb-gddr5-pci-express-video-card-3-gold-reward-games

 

[17seconds]

Out of the box, the Zotac AMP! is the highest clocked GTX 770, on the core, boost, and memory, and yes it can overclock even more. No 7970, no matter how good can match it in anything, except maybe in Hitman Absolution or DiRT 3.

Overclocking the 7970, even the Sapphire Vapor-X will only result in similar performance, but at the cost of much higher noise levels. The GTX 770 will also allow you to use PhysX, Adaptive VSync, FXAA, TXAA, Geforce Experience, and Shadowplay, while the 7970 doesn't have anything comparable. The GTX 770 also comes with a free copy of Splinter Cell Blacklist.

 

[lemming9]

Thanks all.

The Sapphire has been recommended a few times here, but it's price is a little steep in my region compared to the discounts you're able to get it for. Hopefully that means it will be reduced here soon too.

As you're suggesting I also think the 3GB of the HD7970GHz might prove useful compared to the 2GB on the GTX770 even though I really only plan to game at 1080p.

I thought the HD7970GHz and GTX770 were relatively even, so was leaning towards the HD7970GHz. If a HD7970 no matter how good can match the GTX770 then I should probably look more closely at that.

Thanks for the feedback.