Buyer's remorse on choosing 7970m over GTX 680m

So yes, I did pay almost $300 less for my system with the 7970m. And yes, I do get benchmark scores very close (my latest score with 950/1450 OC on the card was 7100 on 3dMark2011) compared to GTX 680m, but the overall driver support and the significant performance difference for my favorite games (like Diablo 3 and Borderlands 2) really threw me into a state of serious buyer's remorse.

Is there anything I can do at this point? I'm still within the 21 days but the restocking fee is humongous of course. Or learn to live with my decision and wait for my next upgrade in a couple of years?

 

You could buy one from ebay or off here. Then sell the 7970. Thats what i did except i had the 660m so im having trouble selling it. But the 7970 has a good market value.

 

Both of those cards sell for about the same price on Ebay.

AMD Radeon HD 7970M alienware | eBay

You could buy the 680m on Ebay and sell your 7970m and probably almost break even.

 

Hmm I have a feeling that you are using the Dell drivers for your 7970 card. You might want to try the 12.11 beta drivers http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...beta-11-amd-official-03-12-12-12-11-cap2.html I am getting 6500 (3dMark2011) stock with the 12.11 and if I turn Tessellation and Catalyst A.I options off I get 7210, again all stock clocks. Try the new drivers and you might change your mind..

 

Yeah, I'm going to have to agree. First flag was 7970m + diablo 3. New drivers dont lag like the ty dell stock drivers.

 

Ive had both btw, and the difference is minimal. Both are amazing mobile cards.

 

Like I said I have no issues with 3DMark benchmarks and most of the games I play. But Blizzard games don't seem to like it - and yes I'm using 12.11p.

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT - I repeat - DO NOT sell the 7970M before you get the 680M and test it! Also be aware that by replacing it aftermarket voids the warranty on this specific component and any heat damage as a result of this new component. You're taking on a great amount of risk by purchasing the 680M, but it may be worth it - you won't know until you try. Just be careful, take precautions, backup everything, and make sure the person / company you buy from has a return policy of at least 21 days. :thumbsup:

 

Im glad I chose the 680m. Had 2 driver updates in a week. My experience of the 7970m is poor driver support lets it down.

 

There is no restocking fee if you ordered in Dell/Alienware USA. They even cover the shipping label when you return it to them. Just make sure you don't get an indian from overseas to process your return or he will charge you the restocking fee.

Unless of course you didn't do proper research and you didn't add the coupon Free Shipping & Easy Returns! Free 5-7 day ground shipping on all orders placed on Dell.com. No minimum purchase required. Easy Returns: Send the product back to Dell within 30-days of the invoice date for a full refund. Includes free return shipping and no restocking fee. Excludes software if opened or downloaded.

 

You do have the latest drivers right? 12.10 mobility ones? You could try the 12.11 beta ones....

I've seen that the 7970m gets considerably higher in bf3, crysis 2, skyrim and a fair few other games.

They're both fairly similar in specs though, although the gtx680m does offer better battery life.

I don't regret choosing the 7970m instead. But I guess the final decision will be which card runs GTA V better when it finally comes out for the PC - hopefully this summer!

 

Is it down to a question of PhysX? I have seen a youtube video of Borderlands 2 with/without PhysX, and the difference is quite noticeable. I don't know if Diablo 3 uses PhysX though. However it seems that even if the cards score the same in benchmarking, there is always favouring in games - some like the 680 better, some the 7970. I haven't had a single problem with my 7970 since I got my computer.

 

Borderlands 2 can use PhysX pretty heavy. If you have a powerful enough CPU you can install the PhysX system software from the nVidia website and it will work in software mode. Diablo 3 however does not use PhysX at all.

 

anyone having issue with diablo 3 freeze with buzzing sound coming out of speaker which requires hard reset? looks like quite a lot of people with 7970m including myself have this problem but not everyone has it.

 

I had this problem with the defective 7970M cards I used to have in my M18x. It was typically random. This can also be caused by setting your BCLK in the BIOS to more than 100MHz, so I would check that and lower it if it is.

 

i don't think my card is defective because i can play other games just fine. also passes major benchmarks without any issue, scoring 6600 on 3dmark11 with stock setting which is good imo. funny thing is dell knows how to fix this and they want to charge $175 for it saying it's software(d3) related lol.

 

Is your first name short for Richard by chance?

 

Day anyone know if can update to the latest nvidia drivers using the inf mod?