Recommendation..680 SC or 7970 BE?

mog22wai · 05-30-12 at 05:59 PM

Let me preface this by saying I'm not and AMD or Nvidia hack. I just want whatever works best. Recently, my XFX 5970 BE crapped out.

So I ordered an EVGA 680 Superclocked GPU. However, I learned it won't support 3D on my Samsung 27a750d monitor. This is unfortunate as every article I've read has put the 680 as the single fastest GPU at this time, and I was looking forward to trying out Nvidia and seeing if their drivers were less of a headache.

On AMD's website they guaranteed the 7970 supports the Samsung 27a750d. If I go with the 7970 I'll be able to watch 3D movies and play 3D games. But I've heard the drivers are horrible for the 7970's so far, and it's not as fast. But on the other hand the 7970 BE "DD" edition is $100 cheaper than the 680 Superclocked, and almost as powerful.

Honestly, I probably won't be gaming much in 3D because my eyes can only handle it for short periods then I feel like a cat with its whiskers shorn off for the rest off the day. But I would like to watch 3D movies on the PC.

I've read there is a work around for the 680 to get 3D functional with the Samsung monitor but it's hit or miss. What do you all recommend? Any one have any experience with the new cards?

With both cards so powerful would I notice a difference anyway?

Thanks in advance for your input!

**kolewan** · 05-30-12 at 07:03 PM

Personally, I prefer Nvidia GPUs in general. I've found the driver support to be far better and for them to usually outperform similiar AMD cards; however, at a higher pricepoint for the most part (you seem to be okay with a power over budget deal though).

My two friends have had 5770s for a while and after one was fed up with the constant graphical problems; so, he decided to upgrade but wasn't sure what to go with. I converted him to the GTX 570 since they were on sale at a local computer shop and his problems were gone while my other friends graphical issues persist...

Good luck and hopefully your happy with whichever you settle with!

mog22wai · 05-30-12 at 08:38 PM

Thank you for your input Kolewan!

**draconous** · 05-30-12 at 10:37 PM

I would also recommend the 680 just because of the reviews that it has, it's very unusual what it does on high fps on certain frames. I have a HD5750 and I have no problems with it and I also had a 250GT and it would just depend on what you're looking for. With the 680 you would see a 15% performance increase with a 5% power consumption drop against the 7970. You're not the only one that is looking for another graphics card right now so I've been looking at this for about a month straight and this is what I've seen and read. So I'm thinking of switching to Nvidia because of that 5% power difference. Oh and what is weird is that with the nvidia performance, apparently when the settings are set higher, there are "descrepancies" when the higher the settings are set, the lower the power consumption turns out to be. But whatever it is of what you're looking at, good luck hunting....

Johnny-kwarpoop · 05-31-12 at 12:59 AM

You can watch 3D movies just fine. Games will also work with the included software. The only thing that won't is the nVidia 3D Vision stuff.

I have the SA950D.

EDIT: The monitor has a built-in 3D decoder. Just press the "3D" button and select the mode.

mog22wai · 06-02-12 at 03:00 PM

Thank you for the advice Johnny Kwarpoop!

Lon3Wo1f · 06-03-12 at 07:51 PM

If you plan to overclock, a 7970 will match a 680 clock for clock.

05-30-12 at 07:03 PM	#2
kolewan The Perseverant Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 722	Personally, I prefer Nvidia GPUs in general. I've found the driver support to be far better and for them to usually outperform similiar AMD cards; however, at a higher pricepoint for the most part (you seem to be okay with a power over budget deal though). My two friends have had 5770s for a while and after one was fed up with the constant graphical problems; so, he decided to upgrade but wasn't sure what to go with. I converted him to the GTX 570 since they were on sale at a local computer shop and his problems were gone while my other friends graphical issues persist... Good luck and hopefully your happy with whichever you settle with! Last edited by kolewan; 05-30-12 at 07:05 PM.

05-30-12 at 08:38 PM	#3
mog22wai Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 411	Thank you for your input Kolewan!

05-30-12 at 10:37 PM	#4
draconous Newcomer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 90	I would also recommend the 680 just because of the reviews that it has, it's very unusual what it does on high fps on certain frames. I have a HD5750 and I have no problems with it and I also had a 250GT and it would just depend on what you're looking for. With the 680 you would see a 15% performance increase with a 5% power consumption drop against the 7970. You're not the only one that is looking for another graphics card right now so I've been looking at this for about a month straight and this is what I've seen and read. So I'm thinking of switching to Nvidia because of that 5% power difference. Oh and what is weird is that with the nvidia performance, apparently when the settings are set higher, there are "descrepancies" when the higher the settings are set, the lower the power consumption turns out to be. But whatever it is of what you're looking at, good luck hunting....

05-31-12 at 12:59 AM	#5
Johnny-kwarpoop Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10	You can watch 3D movies just fine. Games will also work with the included software. The only thing that won't is the nVidia 3D Vision stuff. I have the SA950D. EDIT: The monitor has a built-in 3D decoder. Just press the "3D" button and select the mode.

06-02-12 at 03:00 PM	#6
mog22wai Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 411	Thank you for the advice Johnny Kwarpoop!

06-03-12 at 07:51 PM	#7
Lon3Wo1f Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2	If you plan to overclock, a 7970 will match a 680 clock for clock.