Sapphire 7950 for $279.99 ($20 rebate, $299.99 takes it home)

[Internetlad]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102989&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-Sapphire+Tech-_-14102989

Yep, you read right, top of the line ATI graphics card for $279 after rebate. If you're willing to do a bit of OC'ing, this unit will be competative with the 660/670 which tend to be at least 80 bucks more for the cheapest model.

Note that this is not the OC version, so it's probably binned as a lesser core, but at this price, who cares.

[swagpiratex]

Great prices. I'm thinking that I can hold out a little longer to see if it can go any lower. Still debating whether I should cop this, or pull all stops for the 7970.

[Internetlad]

I don't see enough difference in the 7970 to merit the price jump. If you're really gonna go up just wait for the 7990

[mkawa]

fyi, this is the older 800mhz version. sapphire also sells a 950mhz version on their custom 7970 pcb, but that one's still over 300 (like 350) i think. i have the latter and it's excellent.

[swagpiratex]

Still new to the whole bapc thing, but didn't someone recently release a bios that allowed for overclocking? or is that manufacturer specific?

[mkawa]

possible, don't know. the difference is that the 950mhz version comes with higher binned chips, and has a better voltage regulation topo (it's literally a 7970 toxic board with a 7950 binned chip and memory on it)

[swagpiratex]

Yea I just read the review of their 6GB 7970 Toxic and it seems like major overkill, lol.

[Internetlad]

Still new to the whole bapc thing, but didn't someone recently release a bios that allowed for overclocking? or is that manufacturer specific?

As long as you're not talking about changing voltages, MSI's excellent Afterburner program will work with all brands of ATI cards, however if you're using an MSI branded card it has extra monitoring goodies unlocked.

It looks like ATI is reducing prices yet again on it's 7000 series cards, not a lot but it'll bring it down to this price MSRP.

[boost]

Nice deal

[mkawa]

Still new to the whole bapc thing, but didn't someone recently release a bios that allowed for overclocking? or is that manufacturer specific?

As long as you're not talking about changing voltages, MSI's excellent Afterburner program will work with all brands of ATI cards, however if you're using an MSI branded card it has extra monitoring goodies unlocked.

It looks like ATI is reducing prices yet again on it's 7000 series cards, not a lot but it'll bring it down to this price MSRP.

i bought mine for 390 ;`(

[Internetlad]

i bought mine for 390 ;`(

It's okay, I bought a 3DS on launch day. It gets used so little it's not even funny.