[heartgrave]

What is the difference between these 2 cards and which would you go with? I am not worried about the price but strictly performance! http://www.superbiiz...hp?p=AT-787GHZ2 or http://www.superbiiz...name=AT-7870XT2

If you can find a better card without going much over $250, please let me know! I want the best performance for that price.

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Hello heartgrave

The cards are pretty evenly matched with one (the least expensive of the two) having a faster engine clock but a slower memory clock than the more expensive of the two,the feedback tab at Newegg shows mixed reviews http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202024

An alternative, marginally over your $250 budget but the better performance and 3 year warranty as opposed to the Sapphire cards 2 year warranty wins it for me http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

Benchmarks http://www.videocard...h_end_gpus.html

[phillpower2]

Hello heartgrave

The cards are pretty evenly matched with one (the least expensive of the two) having a faster engine clock but a slower memory clock than the more expensive of the two,the feedback tab at Newegg shows mixed reviews http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202024

An alternative, marginally over your $250 budget but the better performance and 3 year warranty as opposed to the Sapphire cards 2 year warranty wins it for me http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

Benchmarks http://www.videocard...h_end_gpus.html

[heartgrave]

The cards are pretty evenly matched with one (the least expensive of the two) having a faster engine clock but a slower memory clock than the more expensive of the two.

I thank you for your reply but unfortunately, I do not know what that means in terms of performance. Based on performance, which of the 2 would you pick?

I don't know if this the same card (looks like it is to me) as the one you said you would go with but I think I found it on Newegg.com for about $50 cheaper http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125466

Now the features in the overview of http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202025 far outweighs, in my lay mans eyes, the card you suggested http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125466

Edited by heartgrave, 15 July 2013 - 08:43 AM.

[phillpower2]

I thank you for your reply but unfortunately, I do not know what that means in terms of performance. Based on performance, which of the 2 would you pick?

The least expensive of the two.

The cards are pretty evenly matched with one (the least expensive of the two) having a faster engine clock but a slower memory clock than the more expensive of the two.

Meaning that both cards have a single advantage over each other, what you lose on the swings you will make up on the roundabout so to speak.

I don't know if this the same card (looks like it is to me) as the one you said you would go with but I think I found it on Newegg.com for about $50 cheaper http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125466

Prices change all of the time so you can never be certain that what you planned to purchase yesterday you may not do so today because the item has gone up by $50 as did the example card that I suggested.

The card that I would purchase for myself today http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_cp_pc_0

An alternative, marginally over your $250 budget but the better performance and 3 year warranty as opposed to the Sapphire cards 2 year warranty wins it for me http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGM8B6O/?tag=pcpapi-20
Benchmarks http://www.videocard...h_end_gpus.html

The reasons why I suggested the video card that I did, I also recommend that you read the Newegg feedback tab to get genuine opinions of people who actually own the particular video card.

[heartgrave]

So, you would take this card http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_cp_pc_0 over this one http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20 still?

[phillpower2]

Very close call http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20 slightly faster and can be overclocked if you wish (something that I do not do or ever suggest)but it is marginally more expensive and only 256-bit.

I would still go with the 5 out of 5* reviewed http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_cp_pc_0 which is the better 384bit Memory interface for improved video quality.

Just spotted a potential amazon typo as I believe that both cards are actually 256-bit memory http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130934

Edited by phillpower2, 21 July 2013 - 07:18 AM.
Update to links

[heartgrave]

Yeah, I seen that too, "2048MB GDDR5 384bit Memory" for the EVGA card.

The chipset on the Gigabyte has higher core clock and boost clock, 1085MHZ and 1150MHZ respectfully, compared to 1072MHZ and 1137MHZ respectfully, on the EVGA and both cards have a 256 bit interface according to Newegg. I am unsure if the higher the MHZ the better, or the lower the better. One thing that is pushing me to the Gigabyte card is the 3 fans and the Gigabyte card is not out of stock just about everywhere I look, compared to the EVGA being out of stock everywhere. The thing that is pushing me to the EVGA is the features that are listed on Newegg:
NVIDIA TXAA Technology
NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0
NVIDIA PhysX Technology
NVIDIA FXAA Technology
NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync
NVIDIA Surround
Support for four concurrent displays;two dual-link DVI connectors, HDMI and Displayport 1.2
Microsoft DirectX 11.1 API(feature level 11_0) with Direct Compute 5.0 support
NVIDIA 3D Vision-Ready
NVIDIA SLI-Ready
NVIDIA CUDA Technology
PCI Express 3.0 Support
OpenGL 4.3 Support
OpenCL Support
NVIDIA SHIELD-Ready.

Now both are Nvidia GPU family so does that mean that they both have these features? Newegg does not show these features on the Gigabyte. Also, according to Newegg, the EVGA supports 3D API, but the Gigabyte doesn't?

Edit below:

EVGA: http://www.newegg.co...VirtualParent=1

Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.co...VirtualParent=1

Another reason I want to go with the EVGA is, I do not know if the Gigabyte monstrosity can fit in my case: http://www.newegg.co...82E16811144076R since the dimensions of the Gigabyte are not shown either, or any physical obstructions with my MB: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157294

Edit 2: I went directly to Gigabyte.com and found some more specs. Card size L=295mm W=129mm H=43mm. 3D API is supported on Gigabyte. However, Gigabyte.com only shows that it has just some of the features that the EVGA has. EVGA still has more.
Direct link to Gigabyte card webpage http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=4663#sp
Direct link to EVGA card webpage http://www.evga.com/...=02G-P4-2765-KR

Edit 3: Gigabyte has Process Technology 28 nm, I could not find this on the EVGA. What does this mean?

Pros for the Gigabyte card: Higher core clock and boost clock, 1085MHZ and 1150MHZ respectfully. 3 fans and not out of stock everywhere.
Cons for the Gigabyte card: Does not have the same features as the EVGA and not able to confirm this on Newegg or Gigabyte.com Might not be compatible with my system due to the size of the card comapred to the case. Might get obstructed by parts on the MB causing it not be pushed into the slot all the way or properly.

Pros for the EVGA card: Way more features and able to confirm this on both websites. I know it can fit in my case.
Cons for the EVGA card: Out of stock everywhere. Lower core and boost clocks, 1072MHZ and 1137MHZ respectfully.

Edited by heartgrave, 21 July 2013 - 08:40 AM.

[phillpower2]

No both cards do not have the same features, Nvidea make the chipset only and Gigabyte and EVGA add their own features to the PCB, one advantage that the EVGA card has is the improved ACX cooling system, see review @ http://hexus.net/tec...perclocked-acx/

Edit 3: Gigabyte has Process Technology 28 nm, I could not find this on the EVGA. What does this mean?

Sorry but this is over my head

28 nm process technology;

Die shrinks are beneficial to end-users as shrinking a die reduces the current used by each transistor switching on or off in semiconductor devices while maintaining the same clock frequency of a chip, making a product with less power consumption (and thus less heat production), increased clock rate headroom, and lower prices.

[heartgrave]

Ok, so, to see if the Gigabyte can fit, I would probably have to do a physical check with a tape measure, correct? My only fear is the clearance between the bottom of the Gigabyte and the top of the Intel Z77 Chipset on my motherboard, because from the looks of this card, it will extend over the top of the chipset which in turn might block the Gigabyte from being able to properly fit in the x16 slot. I guess I can see how high the chipset rises above the x16 slot. The pictures does not allow for judging this.

Hexus system:
Processor Intel Core i7-3770K (3.50GHz, 8MB cache, quad-core)
CPU Cooler Intel reference E97378-001
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4 TH
Memory 8GB G.Skill RipJaws (2x4GB) DDR3 @ 1,600MHz
Power Supply Corsair AX750W
Storage Device Samsung 830 Series 256GB SSD
Optical Drive Generic 24x DVD-RW
Chassis Corsair Graphite Series 600T
Monitor Dell 3007WFP
Operating system Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

My system:
Processor Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core
CPU Cooler came with the CPU
Motherboard ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Power supply CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 650W
Storage device 500 GB HDD that came with the computer before I added aftermarket parts.
Optical drive same as above, came with computer before aftermarket parts were added.
Chasis APEVIA X-Infinity ATXB6KLW-BK/420 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Monitor is a LG 1080p LCD 42inch tv. 1920x1080 resolution with 60 (MHZ or GHZ not sure which?) refresh rate
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

Is my system, or theirs, better in terms of performance, as this would have an effect on the benchmarks posted on Hexus' site.

Edited by heartgrave, 21 July 2013 - 09:32 AM.

[phillpower2]

Just checked the MBs manual and you cannot gauge the clearance there either so yes a physical check is required, the Hexus link was to bring the ACX cooling system benefits to your attention only.

Does that "Usually ships within 1 to 3" months mean that the card is out of stock http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

[heartgrave]

To me, the "1 to 3 months" means that it is out of stock and when they get more, it will be shipped, kind of like pre-ordering something.

On the hexus site, pages 4-9 were FPS benchmarks, that made me think of performance ratings.

I most likely will go with the EVGA when I can find a site that will ship within a week of buying

Thanks yet again for your exceptional help!

Edited by heartgrave, 21 July 2013 - 10:52 AM.

[phillpower2]

I have been promising myself a new build for some time and have finally bit the bullet today http://uk.pcpartpick...wer2/saved/1Pa5 I had the same issue with the availability of the card but managed to get one for a little more than the lowest price listed by PCPartpicker.

You are most welcome BTW and thanks for giving me the incentive to finally upgrade my own computer

NB: I already have a Windows 8 Pro 64-bit retail disk for the OS.

[heartgrave]

I clicked on your PCpartpicker link and went to ebuyer and it told me "Sorry, this product is currently unavailable. It is likely that it has been discontinued and no longer for sale."

What does NB mean?

I am glad I inspired someone!

[phillpower2]

Yep as bad as some other sites advertising free shipping and then applying a handling charge

The card that I have purchased http://www.dabs.com/...9bf04a08af3576a

NB = Nota bene which means take note

I am glad I inspired someone!

I`m very good at suggesting expensive builds on forums but rather cautious with my own funds

[heartgrave]

That is the way you have to be sometimes. Loose pockets don't make no money

I am the same way with relationships, always giving relationship advice but somehow still manage to stay single! Haha

Edited by heartgrave, 21 July 2013 - 03:15 PM.