The AMD Radeon HD 7970 Review Thread

[Higgy10]

Originally Posted by jam2k

Hardware.fr: GTX680 sample press did beat 7970, but retail GTX680 doesn't. 7970 re-takes performance crown against retail GTX680

very interesting results and conclusions

[Roadhog_]

Called that one. I'm sure that there are a bunch of 680s that will boost high and beat the 7970. I'm also sure there are just as many if not more that will only boost to the minimum or just above it that won't beat the 7970.

[Nunz]

I haven't seen a single GTX680 that only boosts to the minimum.

[muzz]

Originally Posted by Higgy10

very interesting results and conclusions

I was gonna post that last night when I saw it....but it would just cause problems with The Infidels and Non-Believers!!

[demo]

Better roll with those results.. they tell you want you want to hear.. ignore the other 99%.

[noko]

Ignore boosting the 7970s even a tad and call the 680 a winner endlessly .

How about choosing the one that best fits what you want to do. The numbers in anycase are so close as it is and some beating one over the other depending upon benchmark and time of day maybe - who cares?

[demo]

I agree noko, lets roll with those results. Ignore the rest.

[noko]

They are both awesome cards with each having some unique features. Hopefully NVidia will get the supply up for buyers.

[caveman-jim]

Originally Posted by demo

Better roll with those results.. they tell you want you want to hear.. ignore the other 99%.

Originally Posted by noko

Ignore boosting the 7970s even a tad and call the 680 a winner endlessly .

How about choosing the one that best fits what you want to do. The numbers in anycase are so close as it is and some beating one over the other depending upon benchmark and time of day maybe - who cares?

Originally Posted by demo

I agree noko, lets roll with those results. Ignore the rest.

[noko]

Originally Posted by caveman-jim

Fanboys from both clubs

You do

[noko]

On related note, this is what Damage says at Tech Report in 690 review thread:

Originally Posted by Damage

1) If you look at *ahem* our GTX 680 review, we said at the time that the 680 and 7970 were essentially in a dead heat, performance-wise. The 7970 was a little ahead in the 99th percentile metric, while the GTX 680 had a slightly higher FPS average.

2) We increased the display resolution tested here from a mix of 1920x1200 and 2560x1600 to 5760x1200. With that move, memory becomes more important than ever. The 7970 has a wider memory interface, more bandwidth, and 3GB of RAM versus the 680's 2GB. I'd expect the bandwidth to be more of an advantage than the capacity, really, but either way, these really high resolutions are home turf for the bigger chip with the more robust memory subsystem.

Too bad TechReport didn't up the OverDrive, even a tad bit more. Oh well AMD will resort to the Gigahertz edition shortly.

Also Damage pretty much reflects what Shadow has been saying for awhile on memory bandwidth as note 2.

[jam2k]

AMD Counter-Attacks GeForce GTX 670, Questions NVIDIA's Kepler Availability

NVIDIA may be launching a GTX 670 in a couple of hours, but that did not stop a PR representative from AMD to publicly question the availability of NVIDIA hardware. Instead of providing a comment, we have decided to leave the email "as is" and leave you to comment on the subject.

Tell us what do you think, do you agree with this assesment or did the Kepler GPU architecture turned to be a much more dangerous competitor than AMD planned?

"With so many product launches happening in the last few weeks, we felt you’d find it useful to have a look at this recap of some of the benefits of our current AMD Radeon™ HD 7900 series graphics products.

Both the AMD Radeon™ HD 7970 and AMD Radeon™ HD 7950 graphics cards are available in volume from all major etailers, with plenty of overclocked and AMD Eyefinity Technology designs from our AIBs. The AMD Radeon™ HD 7970 is available for as low as $479, while the AMD Radeon™ HD 7950 is available for as low as $399. We expect to continue to have strong supply on all of our 28nm GPUs going forward. In contrast,both GTX 680 and GTX 690 have not been supplied in any significant volume and continue to be unavailable at major stores like Newegg in the US and Alternate Europe (as of noon, Wednesday May 8th).

With every AMD Radeon™ HD 7970 Series purchase, you can take advantage of our Three For Free program and get a free copy of DiRT Showdown, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (with the Explosive Mission Pack DLC expansion), and Nexuiz. Together, these three games are worth $100. Please see links below.

Additionally, Graphics Core Next continues to deliver more than just gaming, with recent announcements such as Adobe Creative Suite 6, WinZip 16.5, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), and vReveal now taking advantage of OpenCL acceleration. This is evidence of AMD's commitment to making the GPU relevant for more than just gaming. As these major consumer applications are starting to leverage GPU compute, NVIDIA has regressed on compute features and performance relative to their previous generation.

With 3GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 384-bit memory bus, the AMD Radeon™ HD 7900 Series continues to excel at ultra-high resolution gaming (2560x1600 and Eyefinity), and is designed to let you max out settings in the latest games. We urge you to focus on maxed settings at 2560x1600 or higher resolution in your reviews.

AMD Eyefinity Technology continues to be the most advanced multi-display technology on the market. With support for up to 6 displays, Radeons offer the flexibility for gamers to run in countless configurations, ranging from triple-panel landscape or portrait modes, all the way up to the ultimate Eyefinity-5 and Eyefinity-6 configurations. Since the technology’s launch in 2009, we have continually polished our solution and Eyefinity delivers the most comprehensive set of multi-display features.

AMD ZeroCore Power continues to be exclusive to AMD Radeon GPUs, and offers the best idle power of any graphics card on the market. Kepler based products will continue to waste electricity, produce unnecessary noise, and generate unwanted heat even when the PC is not in use. Additionally, AMD ZeroCore Power Technology’s benefits are multiplied when multiple cards are used in Crossfire.

Given these features and advantages, and that NVIDIA keeps their recent Kepler-based products at paperware-status, we feel Radeon products are uniquely positioned in the market for continued success.

[caveman-jim]

I doubt they'll get many more emails from AMD PR before product launches now

[demo]

Lol wah wah from AMD PR.

[Nunz]

LOL @ the PR Statement.. GTX670s had plenty of stock.

[Blín D'ñero]

Originally Posted by Nunz

LOL @ the PR Statement.. GTX670s had plenty of stock.

LOL@ the Nunz statement.

@ Newegg GTX670 page with 7 brands/models, only 1 in stock. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tx+670&x=0&y=0

@ Newegg HD7970 page with 17 brands/models only 3 out of stock for the rest all available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...HD7970&x=0&y=0

[noko]

They have 580's though for $549 yet AMD is the one that should drop the prices less then $400 for the 7970's .

Well let see if the 670 pond drys up in the next couple of weeks and see how long before it rains again. 680 pond and the 690 pond looks like they are being filled in with gravel.

[demo]

Pretty sure $549 isnt nvidias MSRP for 580 noko..

[The PyroPath]

Was there a worldwide handout of brandpolarizing glasses I missed somewhere?

TBH you guys make me go crazy. If someone raises an argument for brand/card A, the amount of sources don't matter and all else is a lie. If the same happens for brand/card B you choose to ignore it and shout out "shenz" faster then you can see "BUT!".

The facts are:
- Both cards are great, but high priced.
- Both win some and lose some benchmarks.
- Both cards will do great in present games at least.
- Differences in raw FPS is in most cases negligible on total FPS. (62 vs 68 FPS max will not make a game playable or unplayable allthough it is a 8.835% difference. As long as minimum FPS is on par)
- In few cases the difference is significant, If you play exactly those games, base your choice on that.
- Both are not the end all be all for gaming.

On the AMD email: Though it isn't nice on its own we all have seen far worse ways of marketing

[noko]

Originally Posted by The PyroPath

Was there a worldwide handout of brandpolarizing glasses I missed somewhere?

TBH you guys make me go crazy. If someone raises an argument for brand/card A, the amount of sources don't matter and all else is a lie. If the same happens for brand/card B you choose to ignore it and shout out "shenz" faster then you can see "BUT!".

The facts are:
- Both cards are great, but high priced.
- Both win some and lose some benchmarks.
- Both cards will do great in present games at least.
- Differences in raw FPS is in most cases negligible on total FPS. (62 vs 68 FPS max will not make a game playable or unplayable allthough it is a 8.835% difference. As long as minimum FPS is on par)
- In few cases the difference is significant, If you play exactly those games, base your choice on that.
- Both are not the end all be all for gaming.

On the AMD email: Though it isn't nice on its own we all have seen far worse ways of marketing

Could not have said it better!

Except one is easy to buy and well the other . . .

[Blín D'ñero]

Originally Posted by demo

Pretty sure $549 isnt nvidias MSRP for 580 noko..

It's the 3GB version...
And if that's not MSRP, what about newegg's 7970 prices?

In the Netherlands, cheapest 2GB GTX680 (non available) is 468.00 EUR = 597.150 USD

[The PyroPath]

Originally Posted by Blín D'ñero

It's the 3GB version...
And if that's not MSRP, what about newegg's 7970 prices?

In the Netherlands, cheapest 2GB GTX680 (non available) is 468.00 EUR = 597.150 USD

You have to correct for sales tax though because in the US of A they don't show it in the price:
Then it's €393 which is $501 before taxes.
Cheapest 7970 is €328 before taxes, which is $418

[AGibbon]

Yea, local Frys had some EVGA 580s on the shelf for 429.00 today.

[train2win]

The Nvidia cards are barely available at my local computer shops in Canada while the Radeons are plentiful.

[demo]

Originally Posted by Blín D'ñero

It's the 3GB version...
And if that's not MSRP, what about newegg's 7970 prices?

In the Netherlands, cheapest 2GB GTX680 (non available) is 468.00 EUR = 597.150 USD

And? Nvidia don't make 3GB GTX580's, so its not Nvidias MSRP. Its 3rd party prices.

[noko]

Originally Posted by train2win

The Nvidia cards are barely available at my local computer shops in Canada while the Radeons are plentiful.

I can't help but believe Nvidia will have a new stepping to improve yields in the very near future, like the 5xx series did over the short lived 4xx series. Still this will take time while Nvidia was successfull in getting mind share in the short term but the lack of supply and subsequent balloning of prices from that will turn that around. Especially if the low supplies last several months.

As for AMD marketing, unless they promote OCing and show benchmarks at higher resolutions and settings will be in a squeeze. I hope AMD does a refresh of the high end, get good coverage of performance and features and sell it at the 680 price.

When a broad base of games are used at higher resolutions and settings as in the 7970, even at stock speeds compare well against the 680. A 10% OC in this case would clearly put it over the top but I hope AMD at least goes to 1025mhz with an OverDrive boost setting that is similar to Nvdia boost. Call it boost to so reviewers won't call it the evil OCing word that they can't do even though the card will OC better then any other card in history. Also have it as a driver feature which you can turn off for better power savings, more green then the green team . On by default (mainly because many reviewers would refuse to use it since it wasn't turned on in the first place even though it is right there glaring at them, kinda like OverDrive).

Then again throw in a super green setting, power mizer dream from a big powerful card. Reduced clock speeds and power to like 800/1000 or less automatically for those old games etc that really don't need it, make it fps based. Something most would never used but would be cool to throw at Nvidia for mind share wars on countless forums where members will spends eons of time defending and how caring and great AMD is .

AMD push those OEM sells, particulary with Intel setups where Nvidia seems to be getting a share with older less capable GPUs. Plus where are the coupons and discounts combining AMD graphics with AMD cpu's? This will also sell AMD chipsets, memory etc.

[Treeckcold57]

Originally Posted by noko

I can't help but believe Nvidia will have a new stepping to improve yields in the very near future, like the 5xx series did over the short lived 4xx series. Still this will take time while Nvidia was successfull in getting mind share in the short term but the lack of supply and subsequent balloning of prices from that will turn that around. Especially if the low supplies last several months.

As for AMD marketing, unless they promote OCing and show benchmarks at higher resolutions and settings will be in a squeeze. I hope AMD does a refresh of the high end, get good coverage of performance and features and sell it at the 680 price.

When a broad base of games are used at higher resolutions and settings as in the 7970, even at stock speeds compare well against the 680. A 10% OC in this case would clearly put it over the top but I hope AMD at least goes to 1025mhz with an OverDrive boost setting that is similar to Nvdia boost. Call it boost to so reviewers won't call it the evil OCing word that they can't do even though the card will OC better then any other card in history. Also have it as a driver feature which you can turn off for better power savings, more green then the green team . On by default (mainly because many reviewers would refuse to use it since it wasn't turned on in the first place even though it is right there glaring at them, kinda like OverDrive).

Then again throw in a super green setting, power mizer dream from a big powerful card. Reduced clock speeds and power to like 800/1000 or less for those old games etc that really don't need it. Something most would never used but would be cool to throw at Nvidia for mind share wars on countless forums where members will spends eons of time defending and how caring and great AMD is .

AMD push those OEM sells, particulary with Intel setups where Nvidia seems to be getting a share with older less capable GPUs. Plus where are the coupons and discounts combining AMD graphics with AMD cpu's? This will also sell AMD chipsets, memory etc.

Yeah, something like that...maybe. Did you know AMD won't able to release the Sea Islands next-gen cards until 2013? It should be more interesting when we're in 2013 cause I'm not sure if I want to buy a 7970 or should I wait for a re-spin 7970...

[noko]

Originally Posted by demo

And? Nvidia don't make 3GB GTX580's, so its not Nvidias MSRP. Its 3rd party prices.

So who would spend $549 for a 3gb 580 vice $449 for a 3gb 7970? Retards? Definitely not gamers, maybe Cuda programmers or users but that is about it. Oh, pure 100% refined and brainwashed fanboys maybe too.

[demo]

No one, but whats that got to do with what I said? Those prices are obviously not Nvidia MSRP, they dont even make 3GB reference models.

[noko]

Originally Posted by Treeckcold57

Yeah, something like that...maybe. Did you know AMD won't able to release the Sea Islands next-gen cards until 2013? It should be more interesting when we're in 2013 cause I'm not sure if I want to buy a 7970 or should I wait for a re-spin 7970...

I say buy when you want or need to, waiting for unknown products or unavailable products usually just get frustrating. For example I bought my 7970 in January, been getting the benefits of that purchase since then plus allowed me to move up in size in a monitor earlier and get benefits from that as well. Now I am tempted in buying another 7970 since at $449 to me is awesome! Except I don't like hearing about CFX issues, I just like stable consistent systems and that maybe is not for me but then again . . .