Radeon HD7870 Gigabyte or Sapphire?

[andyhan95]

I like both of their designs, they have different overclocks (which obviously isn't a huge deal) but the thing I'm concerned about is their cooling.

Which one has more efficient, and quieter cooling? I'm going to be overclocking a fair bit but I don't want a jet engine in my computer.

Just by looking at it, the Gigabyte looks to cool better because of its extra fan and Windforce design, but I'm just assuming things.

Sapphire:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition OC 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card (11199-03-20G)

Gigabyte:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

[NyteOwl]

No personal experience, solely from reading various reviews (as I've been shopping for a new card myself). There seems to be little to choose between them based on noise and cooling. It does seem that Gigabyte may be easier to work with if need for RMA arises than Sapphire due to shipping etc. If it was my choice I'd probably go with the Gigabyte if it would fit in my case.

[biggyk]

I was just looking at these cards today as well. Since on topic, Can these cards work in a 2.0/2.1 mobo?

[Dzzope]

If your talking pci-e, then yes they will.

[biggyk]

Yes PCIe, I dont think there are any 3.0 AMD mobos yet is there? Silly of me if I didnt spot them

[NSdeadly1]

XFX Double Dissipation has gotten some great reviews. Plus XFX has awesome customer support and great warranty. Probably the best rma dept i've ever dealt with.

[BigPhatPaulie]

Really? I every 7800 xfx card review i've read they have worse thermals (by 10 degrees in some cases)) than the 2 listed let alone reference....

[Masteroderus]

Originally Posted by biggyk

Yes PCIe, I dont think there are any 3.0 AMD mobos yet is there? Silly of me if I didnt spot them

There aren't any amd pcie 3.0 mobos , but don't despair as you currently cannot even max out a 16x pcie 2.0 link, and the 990fx chipset runs in full dual 16x mode.

[biggyk]

990 is the chipset I was looking at so thats good to know

and again....andyhan95 sorry to threadjack.

[Masteroderus]

Originally Posted by biggyk

990 is the chipset I was looking at so thats good to know

and again....andyhan95 sorry to threadjack.

Remember, there are 2 types of 990 chipsets, the 990x and the 990fx which have different features, do not be fooled.