The Asus HD7970-DC2-3GD5 and MSI R7970 Lightning; the solution for tearing in the 79XX family

[Moose]

The Asus card runs really good. Had some BSOD´s, but after a fresh W7 install and a CMOS Clear everything was fine. The card doesn´t run hot and stays really quiet. Even under full load, the fans came to a max of 22% and the GPU temp did not rise above 54 degrees Celsius. Testing out some games at the moment. I really like it, although you should also consider the new 680 from Nvidia. It´s slightly cheaper, slightly faster, a lot hotter. It has 1 Displayport, 1 HDMI port and 2 DVI ports (one single-link, one dual-link). Maybe it can run three screens without tearing since HDMI and DVI are essentially the same, but you'd have to check out the Nvidia forum part if you want to be sure. All I can say is that I am very, very happy with this card. I will be writing a review/article about it when I have some spare time.

Moose

[BIGGRIMTIM]

Thanks for the update, glad to hear that things are running well for you.

[suiken_2mieu]

Hey, So I read the review of the Msi Lightning. It says the DVI ports are single link. I'm trying to run 5x1 Portrait 30"rs here. I'm not sure if it's just that it shares the TDMS clock between the the two DVI ports.

Would it be better for me to pick up this card?

I just know that these two cards exist, where as the sapphire 7970 Flex with 6GB of VRAM and 6 miniDP (what I really need) hasn't been seen physically.

Also, what's the main difference between DC2 and DC2T cards?

[Wijkert]

Also, what's the main difference between DC2 and DC2T cards?

The DC2T is a higher clocked and higher binned model. Physically I believe they are the same, not 100% sure though.

[Exmortis]

[quote]Also, what's the main difference between DC2 and DC2T cards?

The DC2T is a higher clocked and higher binned model. Physically I believe they are the same, not 100% sure though.

That is my understanding as well. End of day doesn't mean much really, often you can OC just as good as higher binned. Binning isn't the holy grail it once was. You can buy 10 cards and get 10 different OC, I hate reviews tha1t score based on OC, as unless you test 10, it isn't really a fair test.

[Exmortis]

Hey, So I read the review of the Msi Lightning. It says the DVI ports are single link. I'm trying to run 5x1 Portrait 30"rs here. I'm not sure if it's just that it shares the TDMS clock between the the two DVI ports.

Would it be better for me to pick up this card??

It means each DVI has its own TDMS, to go above the 1920 res you require two chained TDMS. DVI was half baked rushed spec when the two consortuims coudl not agree on anything for HDMI, so it is a cosnumer TV spec not a computer spec. DVI was rushed to hold us over for DisplayPort. Not sure you can do 5 30's with the lightning. The ASUS has a full dual link DVI port.

Seems like the ASUS may be the better card for that setup, unless you hold out for a flex card. I have no idea of the sales of the original, so no idea on how likely a new one is. 7970 is powerful enough to run 6 screens, much more so then the 5870, so possible its coming. Been alot of rumors on it, just no hard facts.

[Exmortis]

MSI lightning in stock with Newegg.ca. Mine is ordered, verified and now awaiting shipping (hopefully tomorrow).

I waited to post until my order was through. Sorry, but thats the way she be.

Should get it in a few days, hopefully by the weekend!!!

[Moose]

I'm having so problems with my GPU. I've been doing a lot of troubleshooting and now I'm almost certain it's my power supply. I'm going from 600 to 700 watts now, I'll get back to you when the problem is fixed. Excuse me for postponing my article.

[Wijkert]

I'm having so problems with my GPU. I've been doing a lot of troubleshooting and now I'm almost certain it's my power supply. I'm going from 600 to 700 watts now, I'll get back to you when the problem is fixed. Excuse me for postponing my article.

I am sure you realize that 600 watts should be more then enough for a single gpu, so the amount of watts should not be the problem. Let me know if you need help troubleshooting?

[Haldi]

I am sure you realize that 600 watts should be more then enough for a single gpu, so the amount of watts should not be the problem. Let me know if you need help troubleshooting?

QFT!

but you never know! Maybe a problem inside the PSU? If not i'd say problem from MB!

I wonder how the OC potential of that Cards are. DCUII should do 1200mhz with Air!
I wonder how the MSI Lightning will do. With LN2 up to 1800mhz... But thats a special sample!

[Exmortis]

I'm having so problems with my GPU. I've been doing a lot of troubleshooting and now I'm almost certain it's my power supply. I'm going from 600 to 700 watts now, I'll get back to you when the problem is fixed. Excuse me for postponing my article.

Wow sorry to hear you having so many issues. Hopefully the new PSU solves your issues. If its old or weakened over time, you may be pushing it just over the edge.

[Exmortis]

[quote]
I am sure you realize that 600 watts should be more then enough for a single gpu, so the amount of watts should not be the problem. Let me know if you need help troubleshooting?

QFT!

but you never know! Maybe a problem inside the PSU? If not i'd say problem from MB!

I wonder how the OC potential of that Cards are. DCUII should do 1200mhz with Air!
I wonder how the MSI Lightning will do. With LN2 up to 1800mhz... But thats a special sample!

Well mines (MSI LIghtning) in transit as I post this I am hoping to have it by Friday. So I will post my initial feelings then.

[Moose]

Well, at first I thought the problem was indeed located elsewhere. However, the freezes where always somewhere ingame, never on desktop. Then I started fiddling around in AMD Overdrive. I clocked my card back from initial speeds to standard clock speeds and turned down energysettings to -20%. This drastically reduced the amount of freezes.

Also, a 600 watts PSU should be enough, however I've had mine for over two years now, so the wattage capacity isn't 80% anymore.

Electrolytic capacitor aging. When used heavily or over an extended period of time (1+ years) a PSU will slowly lose some of its initial wattage capacity. We recommend you add 20% if you plan to keep your PSU for more than 1 year, or 25-30% for 24/7 usage and 1+ years.

That's why I decided to get a new PSU.

Moose

[Exmortis]

Well, at first I thought the problem was indeed located elsewhere. However, the freezes where always somewhere ingame, never on desktop. Then I started fiddling around in AMD Overdrive. I clocked my card back from initial speeds to standard clock speeds and turned down energysettings to -20%. This drastically reduced the amount of freezes.

Also, a 600 watts PSU should be enough, however I've had mine for over two years now, so the wattage capacity isn't 80% anymore.

Electrolytic capacitor aging. When used heavily or over an extended period of time (1+ years) a PSU will slowly lose some of its initial wattage capacity. We recommend you add 20% if you plan to keep your PSU for more than 1 year, or 25-30% for 24/7 usage and 1+ years.

That's why I decided to get a new PSU.

Moose

That is true, but alot also depends on build quality. I own a Corsair AX850 Gold. One thing I never skimp on is PSU, I bvuy the best tested PSU in the range of power I want. When I bought mine the Corsair was the cleanest most stable power HardOCP had ever tested. I wanted 750ish, so 850 was a fit. Was not cheap, but its a great solid unit.

It is also enough for CFX, if I ever go that way again.

[Haldi]

Also, a 600 watts PSU should be enough, however I've had mine for over two years now, so the wattage capacity isn't 80% anymore.

Electrolytic capacitor aging. When used heavily or over an extended period of time (1+ years) a PSU will slowly lose some of its initial wattage capacity. We recommend you add 20% if you plan to keep your PSU for more than 1 year, or 25-30% for 24/7 usage and 1+ years.

That's why I decided to get a new PSU.

Moose

Lol. How much did you pay for your psu? 50$ ¿

We're talking about Gaming PSU's not 24/7 industrial use! I payd 300$ for mine (Enermax Max Revo 1500W Gold) and im sure that in 5-6 Years when i'm gonna buy a Quad GPU high end Monster PC i'd still be able to use the exact same PSU!
Beside... 750W doesnt mean it'll shut down at 750W ! Most PSU can handle 10-15% over usage.
If there's a Problem with the PSU, its not because you drain to much but more because the PSU itself has a problem. Well still ends in same^^ need to replace PSU.

[Exmortis]

Well My MSI came in, and man is it a BIG ass card, I do not mean width I mean all over!!! its hugely longer then reference, taller as well.

I work to an unknown hour tonight, and I have to get a third mDP to DP 6' cable before I install it, so will be tomorrow sometime.
I will post my feelings, and some benchmarks.

I own all 3Dmark, I will install, run them on my system as it is with my 6970, then my new 7970 at stock speeds.

[Moose]

Well My MSI came in, and man is it a BIG ass card, I do not mean width I mean all over!!! its hugely longer then reference, taller as well.

Haha, I know that feeling. These cards really are monsters. I hope everthing works out for you, my PSU is due to come in on tuesday.

[Crysto]

Well I'm new to the ATI camp but picked up this card (the TOP version) just recently. Temps and noise are great, but the VRM cooling limits overclocking headroom. (1.2v 1200mhz cannot be sustained even at 100% fan due to VRM's getting over 105C, tested stock clocks at this voltage and crashes occur at the same VRM temps.) If that were addressed or this card was to be water cooled (now that EK are producing blocks for it), I'd imagine it would overclock very well.

However the reason myself (and most people on this forum) would buy this card is for the apparently tearing free eyefinity- with 3 monitors in extended desktop, all appears fine, however when running 5760x1080 or any amount of bezel correction I am seeing consistent tearing on one screen with Vsync enabled (this one is using an active DP-DVI adapter).
Is there any specific setup configuration that will remove the tearing, or is (for whatever reason) this card just not *the* solution to tearing?

[Moose]

However the reason myself (and most people on this forum) would buy this card is for the apparently tearing free eyefinity- with 3 monitors in extended desktop, all appears fine, however when running 5760x1080 or any amount of bezel correction I am seeing consistent tearing on one screen with Vsync enabled (this one is using an active DP-DVI adapter).
Is there any specific setup configuration that will remove the tearing, or is (for whatever reason) this card just not *the* solution to tearing?

Well, apparently you are using a DVI port in combination with a DP port. That will give tearing. I have three DVI screens with three DP to DVI adapters. That way you're not messing up different digital signals, you're just converting three DP signals to three DVI signals.

Hope this helps!

[Crysto]

Probably should have clarified, I am using two 'passive' DP to DVI adapters for two of my monitors, and one active DP to DVI adapter (my understanding was this was required for eyefinity). Is this not the way I should be connecting my screens to prevent tearing?

I have tried running one of my screens through the 'switched' dual link DVI port (as it is a 120hz monitor, and my active adapter apparently isn't up to the task of that - even though it can do 2560x1600), and I get identical tearing in eyefinity (but none with extended desktop).