100$ spread, which GPU to buy ?

[bricetk]

Dear All,

I am building a mid+ gaming computer because i feel like it is better than buying a next gen console.
Main use will be design & gaming.

I have been looking around a lot but i am still very confused on the choice i should make regarding the GPU.

I'm located in Asia and here are the prices (in USD) i have access to.
- Inno3D GTX 960 - 236$
- MSI GTX 960 2GB - 242$
- MSI GTW 960 4GB - 276$
- ASUS R9 290 DC2OC - 303$
- XFX R9 280X 3GB - 300$
- GGB R0 290X D5 4GB - 334$

This is to go on
27' LCD FHD 144hz or 27' qHD 60hz
- cpu i5 4460
- mobo Asrock H97 Pro 4 ou MSI Z97 pcmate
- Corsair Vengeance Blue 2x4GB
- WD 1to Blue
- PSU Corsair 600CX

My first choice would go to Inno3D GTX960 iChill as i'm not sur it is interesting to spend more regarding my usage, but considering the price spread of 100$ less would it worth buying something else ??? Please consider only the prices i'm givin here cuz, importing from website will end up with high if not massive Customs duties.

I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y

Thanks for your precious help.

 

[DasHotShot]

"I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y"

The 290x is your only choice then. At $100 more than the 960 and $30 more than the 280x/290 you MUST opt for it as it outperforms most of the cards in that line up significantly.

If you haven't bought the system yet I strongly advise against the Cx 600 PSU in favour of a Seasonic/Antec or XFX Bronze or higher unit, with 650+ watt for safety margins, especially with radeon cards.

 

[bricetk]

"I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y"

The 290x is your only choice then. At $100 more than the 960 and $30 more than the 280x/290 you MUST opt for it as it outperforms most of the cards in that line up significantly.

If you haven't bought the system yet I strongly advise against the Cx 600 PSU in favour of a Seasonic/Antec or XFX Bronze or higher unit, with 650+ watt for safety margins, especially with radeon cards.

Thanks a lot for your quick answer, much appreciated.
I also forgot to mention,
- XFX R9 290X 4GB 512bits instead of the 256bits of the Gigabyte R9 290XD5-4GB-D for an additional 15$
- GTX 970 coming at 374 usd cheapest
if you have any other reference to consider, don't hesitate to tell me.

According to you what would be the lifespan of a GTX 960 mount (i don't need to play utra or high) ?

Regarding the PSU, your strongly advised wether with a 960 or R290X or is this improvement due to 290X power up ?

Thanks again for your help

 

[DasHotShot]

"I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y"

The 290x is your only choice then. At $100 more than the 960 and $30 more than the 280x/290 you MUST opt for it as it outperforms most of the cards in that line up significantly.

If you haven't bought the system yet I strongly advise against the Cx 600 PSU in favour of a Seasonic/Antec or XFX Bronze or higher unit, with 650+ watt for safety margins, especially with radeon cards.

Thanks a lot for your quick answer, much appreciated.
I also forgot to mention,
- XFX R9 290X 4GB 512bits instead of the 256bits of the Gigabyte R9 290XD5-4GB-D for an additional 15$
- GTX 970 coming at 374 usd cheapest
if you have any other reference to consider, don't hesitate to tell me.

According to you what would be the lifespan of a GTX 960 mount (i don't need to play utra or high) ?

Regarding the PSU, your strongly advised wether with a 960 or R290X or is this improvement due to 290X power up ?

Thanks again for your help

I am not aware how much of a difference 512 will make compared to 256. Maybe it is worth a few bucks.

Value wise, stick to the 290x over the 970 in this case. The performance difference is too small and the 290 has 0.5gb more actual ram.

The 960 is interesting, as it is mid range and well priced...however I think its performance will fall off a cliff soonish. Don't expect to get much joy from titles like Star Citizen etc. I would give that card 2 years of fair performance before it is semi obsolete. Look at 660 and 760 for reference in terms of performance over the long term.

The CX PSU's just aren't very revered. Not really designed for gaming and if you buy a nice system like that, why put it at risk? In terms of wattage, 600 is ok. 650 or 750 is better:
It's like building a runway at an airport 30-40% longer than it needs to be. It gives you great headroom. A 290x is very power hungry and as such draws far more than a 960.

 

[bricetk]

"I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y"

The 290x is your only choice then. At $100 more than the 960 and $30 more than the 280x/290 you MUST opt for it as it outperforms most of the cards in that line up significantly.

If you haven't bought the system yet I strongly advise against the Cx 600 PSU in favour of a Seasonic/Antec or XFX Bronze or higher unit, with 650+ watt for safety margins, especially with radeon cards.

Thanks a lot for your quick answer, much appreciated.
I also forgot to mention,
- XFX R9 290X 4GB 512bits instead of the 256bits of the Gigabyte R9 290XD5-4GB-D for an additional 15$
- GTX 970 coming at 374 usd cheapest
if you have any other reference to consider, don't hesitate to tell me.

According to you what would be the lifespan of a GTX 960 mount (i don't need to play utra or high) ?

Regarding the PSU, your strongly advised wether with a 960 or R290X or is this improvement due to 290X power up ?

Thanks again for your help

I am not aware how much of a difference 512 will make compared to 256. Maybe it is worth a few bucks.

Value wise, stick to the 290x over the 970 in this case. The performance difference is too small and the 290 has 0.5gb more actual ram.

The 960 is interesting, as it is mid range and well priced...however I think its performance will fall off a cliff soonish. Don't expect to get much joy from titles like Star Citizen etc. I would give that card 2 years of fair performance before it is semi obsolete. Look at 660 and 760 for reference in terms of performance over the long term.

The CX PSU's just aren't very revered. Not really designed for gaming and if you buy a nice system like that, why put it at risk? In terms of wattage, 600 is ok. 650 or 750 is better:
It's like building a runway at an airport 30-40% longer than it needs to be. It gives you great headroom. A 290x is very power hungry and as such draws far more than a 960.

Thanks a lot DasHotShot, really appreciate your help and quick answer. I'll go as you say. Thanks again, i hope one day i'll be able to help you back 😉

 

[DasHotShot]

"I would like to avoid any upgrade for the next 3y"

The 290x is your only choice then. At $100 more than the 960 and $30 more than the 280x/290 you MUST opt for it as it outperforms most of the cards in that line up significantly.

If you haven't bought the system yet I strongly advise against the Cx 600 PSU in favour of a Seasonic/Antec or XFX Bronze or higher unit, with 650+ watt for safety margins, especially with radeon cards.

Thanks a lot for your quick answer, much appreciated.
I also forgot to mention,
- XFX R9 290X 4GB 512bits instead of the 256bits of the Gigabyte R9 290XD5-4GB-D for an additional 15$
- GTX 970 coming at 374 usd cheapest
if you have any other reference to consider, don't hesitate to tell me.

According to you what would be the lifespan of a GTX 960 mount (i don't need to play utra or high) ?

Regarding the PSU, your strongly advised wether with a 960 or R290X or is this improvement due to 290X power up ?

Thanks again for your help

I am not aware how much of a difference 512 will make compared to 256. Maybe it is worth a few bucks.

Value wise, stick to the 290x over the 970 in this case. The performance difference is too small and the 290 has 0.5gb more actual ram.

The 960 is interesting, as it is mid range and well priced...however I think its performance will fall off a cliff soonish. Don't expect to get much joy from titles like Star Citizen etc. I would give that card 2 years of fair performance before it is semi obsolete. Look at 660 and 760 for reference in terms of performance over the long term.

The CX PSU's just aren't very revered. Not really designed for gaming and if you buy a nice system like that, why put it at risk? In terms of wattage, 600 is ok. 650 or 750 is better:
It's like building a runway at an airport 30-40% longer than it needs to be. It gives you great headroom. A 290x is very power hungry and as such draws far more than a 960.

Thanks a lot DasHotShot, really appreciate your help and quick answer. I'll go as you say. Thanks again, i hope one day i'll be able to help you back 😉

No problem! That's what this community is for!

Enjoy the system!