Geforce GTX 660 Ti (3GB) vs. Radeon HD 7970 (3GB)?

Okay, I have seen bits of debate from various commenters over which line is better for their price range. Everyone seems to agree that the GTX 670 offers little benefit over the 660 Ti particularly considering the price, however I haven't been able to get a clear answer on how the GTX 660 Ti stacks up against AMD's latest and greatest in the same price range, and I'm hoping some of our pros here can illuminate me.

It will be quite a while before I have saved up enough for a new graphics card since I have minimal income and a lot of other essential upgrades that must come first (basically, I'm going to be building into a new rig one piece at a time), however I want to know which one represents the legendary "best bang for the buck," and which one will likely be the most future proof (if I'm going to be dropping over $300 on a new card I want it to last a few years).

Here are the two models from each camp that I would be most likely to buy if I were to buy one today:

Galaxy 66NNH7DV6WXZ GeForce GTX 660 Ti GC 3GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162119

SAPPHIRE 100351SR Radeon HD 7970 3GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

I've been a Radeon user for many years simply because they tend to be more affordable, although I've seen many claims that Nvidia is much more on top of things as far as the latest and greatest tech goes. I'm under the impression that there is a lot of fanboyism at play with some people's opinions, but I have no preference and I simply want to know which card series will offer the most value and longest career (particularly if I were to drop a second one into my rig after the prices go down a little further).

The 7970 by leaps and bounds, if your choice is between those two models. The 7970 is AMD's top-of-the-line this gen, whereas the 660ti is quite a further bit down on Nvidia's totempole. In addition, AMD's latest drivers (beta) added up to 12% boost in gpu performance for 7000-seris cards (7700 and upwards).

Bang for the buck in this case --> 7970

I suggest you order that asap the price is almost $100 less than other brands.

This shouldn't even be a question...7970 FTW!

the 7970 is the fastest card on the market currently, its faster than the 680gtx as well.

Thank you very much for your responses. It would appear that we've got a pretty good consensus going on here, so it looks like I'll be sticking with Radeon for now. :)

Also, in the meanwhile I will be installing that CCC beta. I want that 12% boost! :D

One is high end, top of the line. The other is also top of the line but of the midrange one. 7970 FTW!!!!!111

the 7970 is the fastest card on the market currently, its faster than the 680gtx as well.

blaznwiipspman1

[QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

the 7970 is the fastest card on the market currently, its faster than the 680gtx as well.

acanofcoke

well you asked for it: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/Catalyst_12.11_Performance/1.html

latest performance benchmarks for the 7970 and the 680. Most people won't want to accept it though, but the truth will set you free. Still the difference between both cards is the lowest its ever been in a long time...nvidia is probably sweating bullets right now, especially with the sweet deals you get of 3 free games plus $100 cheaper. One thing you can be sure to expect though is a price drop on the flagship geforce 680 and the 670.

7970 is teh fastest single gpu, so that one.

[QUOTE="acanofcoke"][QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

the 7970 is the fastest card on the market currently, its faster than the 680gtx as well.

blaznwiipspman1

well you asked for it: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/Catalyst_12.11_Performance/1.html

latest performance benchmarks for the 7970 and the 680. Most people won't want to accept it though, but the truth will set you free. Still the difference between both cards is the lowest its ever been in a long time...nvidia is probably sweating bullets right now, especially with the sweet deals you get of 3 free games plus $100 cheaper. One thing you can be sure to expect though is a price drop on the flagship geforce 680 and the 670.

7970 all the way. Fastest single-gpu solution on the market.

*puts hands over ears* "lalalalalalalalalaimnotlistening"acanofcoke

LMAO.

7970, as many have already said it's the fastest single gpu currently.Guovssohas

Would the single fastest GPU be the GTX 690? Or do you mean just between the 7970 and 660?

[QUOTE="acanofcoke"]*puts hands over ears* "lalalalalalalalalaimnotlistening"Amster_G

LMAO.

7970, as many have already said it's the fastest single gpu currently.Guovssohas

Would the single fastest GPU be the GTX 690? Or do you mean just between the 7970 and 660?

690 is a dual gpu.MonsieurX

In one card, though (single).

[QUOTE="MonsieurX"]690 is a dual gpu.Amster_G

In one card, though (single).

Yeah I guess so.

To me personally, the term "single card" refers to one physical video card that takes one PCI-E slot, whether it's got dual chips or not.

That's just me!

Yeah I guess so.

To me personally, the term "single card" refers to one physical video card that takes one PCI-E slot, whether it's got dual chips or not.

That's just me!

Amster_G

He said single gpu, not single card.

He said single gpu, not single card.

Postmortem123

Ok fiiiiiiiiiine :P

[QUOTE="Postmortem123"]

He said single gpu, not single card.

Amster_G

Ok fiiiiiiiiiine :P

:P

[QUOTE="acanofcoke"]*puts hands over ears* "lalalalalalalalalaimnotlistening"Amster_G

LMAO.

7970, as many have already said it's the fastest single gpu currently.Guovssohas

Would the single fastest GPU be the GTX 690? Or do you mean just between the 7970 and 660?

EDIT: F***ing Gamespot... When I posted this it told me there was only one page.