Test System Setup And Benchmarks
In order to compare the performance of these high-end graphics cards, we're employing an X79 Express-based platform and overclocking Core i7-3960X processor.
Of course, isolating relative performance is important, so game and synthetic benchmark results are key. But the power, temperature, and noise tests are just as critical.
| Test System | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-3960X (Sandy Bridge-E), 3.3 GHz, Six Cores, LGA 2011, 15 MB Shared L3 Cache, Hyper-Threading enabled. Overclocked to 4.25 GHz | |||||||
| Motherboard | ASRock X79 Extreme9 (LGA 2011) Chipset: Intel X79 Express | |||||||
| Networking | On-Board Gigabit LAN controller | |||||||
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LP PC3-16000, 4 x 4 GB, 1600 MT/s, CL 8-8-8-24-2T | |||||||
| Graphics | Gigabyte GV-R797OC-3GD 1000 MHz GPU, 3 GB GDDR5 at 1375 MHz HIS 7970 IceQ X2 Turbo X 1120 MHz GPU, 3 GB GDDR5 at 1400 MHz HIS 7970 IceQ X2 Turbo* 1050 MHz GPU, 3 GB GDDR5 at 1400 MHz *simulated by underclocking the Turbo X MSI R7970 Lightning 1070 MHz GPU, 3 GB GDDR5 at 1400 MHz Sapphire HD 7970 OC 950 MHz GPU (1000 MHz Alt. BIOS), 3 GB GDDR5 at 1425 MHz (1450 MHz Alt. BIOS) VisionTek Radeon HD 7970 925 MHz GPU, 3 GB GDDR5 at 1375 MHz | |||||||
| Hard Drive | Samsung 256 GB (SSD) | |||||||
| Power | ePower EP-1200E10-T2 1200 W ATX12V, EPS12V | |||||||
| Software and Drivers | ||||||||
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 7 x64, Service Pack 1 | |||||||
| DirectX | DirectX 11 | |||||||
| Graphics Drivers | Catalyst 12.3 WHQL | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||
| 3DMark 11 | Version: 1.0.1.0, Benchmark Only | |||||||
| Crysis 2 | Adrenaline Crysis 2 Benchmark Tool 1.0.1.13, Times Square, DirectX 11 | |||||||
| Aliens vs. Predator | Version 1.0.0.0, DirectX 11 Benchmark | |||||||
| Metro 2033 | Full Game, Built-In Benchmark, "Frontline" Scene DX9, High, AAA, 4x AF, No PhysX | |||||||
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I need a new pair of pants. Definitely graphics card eye candy. Specially the Sapphire one IMO. Do I hear giveaway THG?
I need to replace my 5870 HD I bought over 3 years ago. I can still play any game on HIGH at 1080p, but I want ULTRA on BF3 and Max Payne 3.
Lets hope the 680 GTX becomes available to see what price these AMD cards end up at. I like AMD and how they don't rebrand their cards like nVidia, but $20 cheaper than 680 GTX is not cheap enough to sway me that way.
why a reference card(visiontek 7970) with non reference competitors?
i am impressed with HIS IceQ X2 Turbo X but still MSi lightning is my favorite.they have beefier VRMs,great cooling and are overclocking beasts.
Nice write up! Really helps when trying to peg down a card. Will be revisiting alot!
The gigabyte card pcb was BLUE, not BLACK
visiontek for "Particularly at its modest $279 price."
$379 or $479??
visiontek for "Particularly at its modest $279 price." $379 or $479??
$479.99 (USD) is more or less the cheapest price point for any Radeon 7970.
Cool review. It'd be nice if SI units were included in the weights and lengths though. Guess I'll have to do a little math. It's very nice to know that the non-reference coolers are much quieter (excluding Gigabyte's) than the original design.
Let's see some typos:
In the 'Test System Setup And Benchmarks' page in the Operating System row it is written as Microsoft Windows 7 x6. I assume it's supposed to be x64.
In the first paragraph of the 'Sapphire HD 7970 OC' page the card is described as "HD 7970 PC".
Good review Don.
I agree with your first and second choices ... well thought out.
Fixed the typos; thanks weatherdude and nekromobo.
I'm surprised the Asus DirectCUII didn't make it on here. Still, the MSI Lightning seems to be the best of the bunch in terms of performance, wattage, cooling, and noise, but at $50 more than the other cards, it's not very appealing.
Nice review.
I hope you guys do another one like this later on the Radeon 7870 since imo, that is the best 7000 series card in terms of price to performance. It's just a shame that there are no new nvidia cards to push the price of the 7800 series lower. Please include the MSI 7870 hawk and the asus direct cu card as well if you do make the review
I have to admit the 7970 really has quite a big OC headroom. I mean compared to the GTX 680 it really can catch up. hahahaha
I'm wondering why HIS do not sells IceQ X2 Turbo in NA......
Is the shiping + tax will drove the price to high, or the market is too small and HIS brand not strong enough in NA?
The 12.4 Catalysts raise the overdrive OC limits and have been available for over a week now, why weren't they used?
The first Gigabyte card certainly doesn't look like it has a black PCB...are my eyes messed up?
A few thoughts:
-Pretty sure that the Gigabyte and Sapphire cards used in this roundup are reference, not custom, PCBs.
-The Lightning has been unavailable in the USA for almost a month, though its price was $520 a few days ago on newegg. I just imported one from the UK (for $580) to get a second one for crossfire, because it's completely MIA. It's not even like the 680, where it's unavailable at MSRP but available on sites like ebay if you're willing to get price gouged.
If it were in stock, I think the Lightning is the best card here, because it's the most durable and it remains quiet when overclocked. If you want to run an overclocked card for a few years and not worry about blowing up a VRM, it's the way to go and you pay a premium for the peace of mind. Aside from the noise, you are paying for intangibles with this card, but I think it's worth it.
My thoughts: If you are overclocking and don't need a dual link DVI connector, get the Lightning. If you are overclocking and DO need a DL-DVI connection, get the Sapphire. If you're not really gonna overclock the card, get a reference board and save $50 (or, better yet, wait till you can get a 680 for $500... it's the better card by far for non overclockers).
I like AMD and how they don't rebrand their cards like nVidia, but $20 cheaper than 680 GTX is not cheap enough to sway me that way.
is that the only thing you like about AMD? Sad.
Nice Article & Thanks!
From lead-in
It would have been nice to toss-in a some GTX 680 benchmarks for comparison sake. Just reuse some of Chris's benchmarks -> http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,3161.html or run your own.
Otherwise this is only a reference vs non-reverence HD 7970 article. You 'should' have been able to OC theses cards all the same and the difference should be within margin of error. No doubt effective cooling & Noise is a critical part, but I'm a little confused here -- I assume both Temps & Noise data is based on Factory (OC if applicable) settings which is fine BUT what about your OC Temps & Noise data?? To me this is critically important, what's the use in OC benchmarks if you need Jet rated earmuffs and temps that (exaggerating) to melt lead? Duh, I misread the data.
The HIS IceQ X2 Turbo (Turbo X) & MSI R7970 Lightning are the standouts with noise and temps with OC. Since I know how both noise & temps can change in a snap of a finger, both are fine. -- Thanks for that data!