VTX3D 7870 or MSI 7850

I'm going to buy a new graphics card, around the £130 mark. I've seen the VTX3D 7870 and the MSI 7850 for around the same price. Naturally, one would assume the 7870 is better, but if that is the case why is it at the same price point as a 7850 when other manufacturers cards are priced £20-£30 more? Also, if anyone with either of these cards could give an idea into the noise levels one could expect whilst under load that would be much appreciated? Thanks.

Links:
http://www.dabs.com/products/best-va...356.html?src=3
http://www.dabs.com/products/msi-amd...?q=7850&src=16

VTX3D are not a well known brand, while MSI can charge a slight premium. The 7870 is better than the 7850.

Okay, with VTX3D being a lesser-known brand is the quality lower than that of brands such as Sapphire, Gigabyte and MSI?

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Originally Posted by CMarlow

Okay, with VTX3D being a lesser-known brand is the quality lower than that of brands such as Sapphire, Gigabyte and MSI?

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Hard to say - the main bit of the GPU will be identical as it's supplied by AMD. Check reviews in case they do something odd with the cooler.

Having had both VTX and Sapphire 7850s in the past, I would choose VTX again as it overclocked way, way higher. That could be a sign of quality or just luck???

For choosing between the big brands, I'd recommend a read of this : http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-car...ally-look.html

Regarding reviews, Dabs seem to be the only retailer stocking this version of the VTX3D 7870 and the only reviews I can find are those for the Black Edition. However, I've just realised that if I was to order it, it would come with a two-year warranty. Cooling is the only issue I can think of, as it has a single fan, and as I currently have a passive card, noise levels are important to me.

EDIT: Cheers dude, I'll give that a read

Both will be a hell of a lot louder than what you have, I would look for a card with a decent aftermarket cooler.

HIS IceQ are very good:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=411

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=411

Do you have experience with the 7850? Looking at the reviews (soundwise) they are very mixed, some claiming it to be silent, others very loud.

I've had a VTX 7850 and a Sapphire 7850 overclocked to their max but with water cooling as I can't stand the noise, and my PC is on the desk beside me.

They are now in my kids PCs back on stock settings and reference cooling, under a desk out of direct ear-line they are not too bad.

I think I'll go with the Sapphire 7850 OC as it is has dual fans and is only slightly more expensive. Also, I'm more comfortable with Sapphire cards as they're a big company and my previous two cards have been from them. Thanks for all the help guys, you can consider this question resolved!