What is the best 7950 (that is actually in stock) that has the best cooling?
I've been confused about this for a while. It seems people keep saying different things about each card, and how some say one is better than another for cooling, while someone else will say that card got hotter than any of the others.
Also, would it be worth it to buy a 7970? What I really want is a good card that will last a couple years and stay really cool regardless of what I throw at it.
I believe from the reiews I've seen that this HIS Radeon 7950 has one of the best cooling solutions on the market, though I can't say from personal experience.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161429
As for a 7970, I think you're better off going with a 7950 because it's $50 - $100 cheaper and only a few FPS slower than the 7970, and your can easily overclock it past the 7970.
The Gigabyte Windfoce, Asus DCUII, and HIS IceQ X2 have all had pretty good reviews.
How do I find those specific models?
I've got the Gigabyte windfore and it's voltage locked at 1.25v and runs very hot.
After Logan's review, I think the Asus DirectCU II would be the way to go.
I also have a Gigabyte Windforce, however I have it crossfired with a Sapphire 7950 OC boost which is way, way cooler. Which is weird 'cause it cost almost half as much as I paid for the Gigabyte.
Voltage locked at 1.25 ? thats the Highest you should ever push a 7950 for voltage, so no its not locked, and bumping voltage will increase temps, but how hot are we talking ?
Seems the Asus DirectCU II is out of stock on Newegg, and on Amazon it's $400+..
I have a price limit of around $300-$350 if I'm grabbing an 7950.
I'm currently thinking about
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150588 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202003
I just really want something I can overclock if need be, and still have great cooling and realibility. I guess noise is a factor as well, as I want a quiet rig. I will probably be buying some silent series fans as well.
If you can grab the HIS, im pretty sure the XFX and Sapphire are Voltage locked (one of the sapphires arent, i forget which one) and the HIS is known to have a pretty good & silent cooler, as well as overclocking well.
HIS seems to be out of stock as well. What would be the alternative of that?
Yeah, the voltage is way too high in my opinion the card runs in the upper 70s just at stock clocks, with two cards in crossfire it will overheat.
When I say it's locked I mean it can't be undervolted
We've gone over most of those, and most of those are out of stock, not available any more, or $400+.
where are you buying from ?
I am trying to use either Newegg or Amazon, as I like Newegg and I have a gift card still for Amazon, but if you can find the cards can you link them? I did look but still wasn't able to find them, but it is a good possibility that I'm stupid and missed them.
Asus DirectCUII and Sapphire Vapor-x are both the best options in therms of cooling, but are also priced higer.
Im guessing that means your in the U.S. ill look for the best performing card for the $ and cooling wise aswell, might take me a bit though.
Yes, I am in the US, thanks for your help. I am pretty much clueless when it comes to GPUs..
Trying to learn a bit more, but all the different cooling types are confusing to me, and all of the big recommended ones seem to be out of reach.
This is on sale for $250, thoughts? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-131-478&nm_mc=EMC-GD042413&cm_mmc=EMC-GD042413-_-index-_-Item-_-14-131-478
I always thought the MSI twin frozr III was a better cooler and overclocker, and came with the 7970pcb. And comes with a 3 year warranty.