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

[Moose]

Since there are now a lot of new cards from Nvidia and AMD that do have output designs optimized for multi-screen users, this thread is getting a bit outdated. However, if you own either of these cards, you can still come here and get support.

Moose

NOTICE: This thread also covers the Asus HD7970-DC2T-3GD5, since they are essentially the same.

Estimated date of release in the UK: 22nd of Februari. This is probably the same for all of Europe, although I haven't found any exact dates.

There seems to be a problem on the 'T' cards with voltage regulation to the GDDR5 memory that can only be hardware fixed. Sweclockers.com has had direct conversation with Asus people, no source link yet. This has been fixed.

FYI: This thread covers the new Asus 7970's and the MSI R7970's, which are at this moment out on the market. Here (thanks to sparx) you can find a cool article on the making of the Asus cards. Additional info will be put here when we hear it. Furthermore, I will make an in-depth review about the card when I recieve it.

Original thread below.

Okay, so I recently stumbled upon this 7970;
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/AMD_Series/HD7970DC23GD5/#specifications


This card features four Displayports and 2 DVI connections (one of them is dual-link, but requires an extra clock. This will disable one of the Displayports via a switch on the card.
[hr]
MSI also brought fourth there version of the 7970, which is slightly better in performance;
http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R7970-Lightning.html


This card features the same amount of outputs, but MSI opted for Mini-Displayports instead of Displayports. It does not have a dual-link DVI port.


Post/ask anything about these cards here, there are always people here to help.

Moose

PS: 10.000 views! [12 may 2012]

[mattsimis]

I hope to see this Eyefinity and mixed output tearing myself one day. I have 2x DVI and 1x passive DVI to DP (XFX branded, like EUR12 on Ebay).

[Wijkert]

This would indeed eliminate tearing, so the card might be a good option for you. The cost of three active adapters seems high though. As long as there isn't tearing on my center monitor I don't notice it, but you do?

[Moose]

Well, I've looked up the adapters again, and the price is only around 20 euro's. And since I've already got one, that means I'd only have to spent 70 euro's in total over a reference AMD 7970 to eliminate a tearing issue. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is interesting. Also, the card is overclocked and has a great cooler. I think I'm going for this one.

PS: ik ben ook Nederlands :p

[BHawthorne]

The ASUS DCII and Sapphire Flex E6 are the only cards I'd bother with if you want the maximum options.

[Haldi]

Heard of that Graphic Card a while ago, wanted to make a post in WSGF but missed it :D

Truly a wonderfull piece for Multi Monitor Gaming! Nice work Asus!

Sad part of the Story, just heard someone Talking about Tearing on HD7970! gotta ask him how and what he did to get it, i'll get back later.

[Moose]

Yes Haldi, I'd like to hear about that. I can find very little info about the Asus in eyefinity.

[Wijkert]

I might ben considering this card too, but it has no hdmi port for my tv :(.

Would it be possible to connect the tv to the hdmi port on my motherboard (Intel integretad graphics)?

[Moose]

I might ben considering this card too, but it has no hdmi port for my tv :(.

Would it be possible to connect the tv to the hdmi port on my motherboard (Intel integretad graphics)?

Well, intergrated graphics are disabled the moment a PCI slot is in use by a GPU. You could connect your tv via the included HDMI-DVI adapter, but I'm guessing you want a direct HDMI for the audio.

You'd have to find someone else to tell you if you can enable your intergrated graphics while having a GPU in the PCI slot.

[Haldi]

AFAIK Z68 boards have this Lucid Logic Chip built in, which enables usage of IGP+GPU.

[Wijkert]

AFAIK Z68 boards have this Lucid Logic Chip built in, which enables usage of IGP+GPU.

Indeed, in my bios I have the option to enable integrated graphics even when a separate gpu is installed. My question would be, does it work or would I run into some issues? If nobody has experience in that area, I guess I will do some testing myself.

[Moose]

Sad part of the Story, just heard someone Talking about Tearing on HD7970! gotta ask him how and what he did to get it, i'll get back later.

I'm not sure if you're talking about regular 7970's or the ASUS one. If you're talking about the ASUS card, could you be as quickly as possible? I'm sorry, but I'm kinda in a hurry :~

Moose

[Haldi]

Nah, it was the Normal HD7970! And it was the First time i ever heard some1 talk bout HD7970 and Screen tearing! i know of at least 5 other people not having any problems!

[Moose]

Well, I'm taking the certain for the uncertain, because if you mix different display-outputs it's a recipe for tearing. I'm getting an Asus HD7970-DC2-3GD5 or the Asus HD7970-DC2T-3GD5.

If anyone else has more info about his card, please share it! There a far too few people using this card (for eyefinity) and sharing their experiences.

Moose

[Wijkert]

If anyone else has more info about his card, please share it! There a far too few people using this card (for eyefinity) and sharing their experiences.

The reason that nobody is talking about that card is that isn't out yet. It will at least take another 2 weeks for it being availible in the Netherlands.

Well, I'm taking the certain for the uncertain,

If I didn't knew it already, I would be certain about which country you are from... ;) That saying can only be used in Dutch.

[Moose]

The reason that nobody is talking about that card is that isn't out yet. It will at least take another 2 weeks for it being availible in the Netherlands.

Source please :p

[Wijkert]

Source please :p

http://nl.hardware.info/productinfo/136490/asus-hd7970-dc2t-3gd5#tab:prijzen

The most optimistic (shady) shop tells us that the minimum time untill the cards are in stock is 10 days, so two weeks seems reasonable.

[Moose]

http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/301351/asus-hd7970-dc2-3gd5.html

Tweakers > Hardware.info, no offense there though. But you're probably right. :/

[BHawthorne]

If anyone else has more info about his card, [b]please share it! There a far too few people using this card (for eyefinity) and sharing their experiences.[/b]

There is almost no quantity out there on the shelves of this card. Not many people have it yet. Right now this card would be the one to get though. Just have to be mindful of 16x slot spacing on your mobo if you ever plan to use two. My EVGA E762 is no issue, but most other mobos are setup with 2 slot spacing not three.

[Wijkert]

http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/301351/asus-hd7970-dc2-3gd5.html

Tweakers > Hardware.info, no offense there though. But you're probably right. :/

Until like a couple of months ago Tweakers ruled all, but since HardwareInfo refreshes there pricewatch more often I like to theirs. Using both work as well. I hope I am not right, but I am afraid I probably am.