What i do expect? I already told once, roughly 20% above 580 GTX might be possible considering the much more effective manufacturing process. Its 28 nm vs. 40 nm, and we know close to no data but they will be 28 nm thats pretty sure. 28 nm does allow for lesser heat vs. 580 GTX and therefore even if AMD barely improved the performance of the architecture, it still should be ahead of the 580 GTX, but how much is the good question. I think the difference is same such as 6970 vs. 580 GTX but now it goes upward that ladder...
I think the "true" SPU amount could/should be at around ~1900 for the 7970, and the 7950 could be at around ~1700. However, thats combined with higher efficiency on the entire architecture so its 20% from the SPUs and another 20% from the rest of the architecture, simply a harsh and funny guessing. However, generally i would already be happy when the GPU finally will just annihilate the 580 GTX, even if it does only beat it by 5%, beaten is beaten, thats the spirit which brings a Radeon and finally AMD further.
Sure, Nvidia will counter and so on, thats called competition and its fun to have. Although AMD will have aswell the time to work on even more improvements. However, its still good to be slightly ahead and allows for better price and sells, thats why the 580 GTX was a huge successor, even if it isnt mainstream (and for most people simply to expensive). How much AMD can charge for surely depends on the performance, and that one is simply unclear yet. Im fully certain that it cant be compared with the BD flop, its a Radeon, not a ... we know how to call it so i rather keep shut about. But, the improvements can be on many spots, it can be power efficiency (i have a huge need for, SFF and Notebook users will adore that, because the GPU is the hottest piece by far), not just performance. Improvements are something which isnt always clearly visible when it isnt focused on raw performance. Points at the 5000 vs. 6000 series. Both had about same performance in most cases but, the 6000 series had a higher power efficiency and was first choice for all users who are fighting with to much cookie-burners. The 480 GTX aswell performed great, but what a flame-thrower, it can burn every small PC into pieces.. when used excessive.
What i can say for now: I thank AMD for making such a weird fuss and surprise short time before Christmas, because it surely is heating up almost everyones blood and thats surely a nice present.
