AMD R9 290 vs R9 390 - Added Features Worth the Additional Cost?

[vcoppa91]

So I am nearly finished my computer build. All I need now is the graphics card. I will be using this computer mainly for 1080p gaming, financial modeling, video/picture editing, and general use.

I settled on the MSI R9 290/290x six months ago when I first put together my build. However, external factors caused me to put off finishing the build until now.

With a few days left until the R9 300 series is released, I would like to know if the added features of the 300 series (8GB vram, higher clock speed) are worth the higher price. I can get an MSI R9 290 for $270 ($240 after rebate) right now. I have read speculative articles stating that the R9 390 will be priced around $330 (potentially higher right after the release).

Is the $90 increase and 1-2 week wait worth the 8GB of vram and increased clock speeds? Keep in mind that there may be bigger and better updates to graphics cards a year (or less) from now, like 14/16nm vs 28nm, HBM, etc.

Here is my build:

https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

I appreciate your help.

 

[redgarl]

Just wait, with really don't know much until the 16.

 

[getochkn]

Why not wait the few days and see pricing/performance/heat/benchmarks when it comes out. Being so soon, a few days isn't going to kill you rather than wait and speculate.

 

[geofelt]

The speculation is that the R9-390/390X are minor updates to their 290/290X predecessors from a functional point of view.
They will be marketed to compete with Nvidia in a very competitive marketplace.

Those who know the detaisl are under NDA and are not telling.
Those who tell don't know.

If it is important to you, by all means wait.

Otherwise, I suggest you simply buy the best graphics card that your budget will support.
In the end, all cards will compete and you eill see only insignificant price/performance differences.

And...
Do not chase VRAM. It has become a marketing thing.
Performance differences between 2gb and 4gb are almost negligible:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Performance-2GB-vs-4GB-Memory-154/

Also fancy coolers sells.
The reality is that the overclock you get is determined by the binning of the chips, not so much by the cooling. Vendors are wise to this and use the better chips in their factory overclocked cards. My guess is that a small price premium paid for a factory OC is probably worth it.

I prefer cards with stock direct exhaust double slot coolers.
They get the hot vga air directly out the back of the case.
Other aftermarket coolers do a good job of cooling the vga chip in an open testbed.
But in a case, they just dump hot air back into the case where case cooling has to deal with it.
That heats up both the graphics card AND the cpu..... not good.

 

[vcoppa91]

Thanks for your answers everyone. I really agree about 8GB of vram being quite unnecessary except in very unique circumstances. I would be fine with 4GB as opposed to 8GB.

The only issue I have with waiting is the possibility of the MSI 290/290x no longer being available. Already I cannot find the MSI 290x (the standard Gaming version).

 

[geofelt]

The R9 series is getting old in the tooth.
They also seem to have more than their fair share of issues.
I would seriously consider the newer nvidia Maxwell series.
You might read this older article:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Failure-Rates-by-Generation-563/

 

[vcoppa91]

I am open to utilizing nVidia cards; no reason to discriminate.

I have a budget of around $300 (preferred) to $350 (stretched). I definitely have done much more research on AMD cards and know that right now, that puts me at the 290-290x level.

I believe the GTX 970 is right around $350.

 

[1LiquidPC]

The R9 390 8GB & higher clocks than the 290 is rumored to be around $329, with launch in a few days. I'd hold out till the reviews come in to see how it performs. It's looking that it could outpace the 970 at the same price point. With that said, I'm running 970 SLI myself, and I'd recommend these cards no problem.

 

[vcoppa91]

The r9 390 8G, right now, is my tentative top choice. I just hope the performance over the 290 will warrant the potential $90 higher price.

My main concerns are a) that the performance won't warrant the price increase and b) this years incremental update will be a "waste" compared to next years more than incremental potential update.

I know that there are always better things on the horizon. I don't want to buy a "next-gen" card now for $350 and then want to buy a "next-next-gen" card next year. I'd feel better buying a current gen card for $230 and then buying next year's card with 14/16nm chips or HBM, etc. for $350 (or whatever price) unless this year's update is going to be worth it.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[1LiquidPC]

With the new info provided, and you *may* buy a new card again next year, HBM 14/16nm as mentioned, I would stick the the 290 or 290X then, as I don't think the 390 will be a huge gain for the price increase nor is it really "next gen" as it's pretty much a rebrand w/ more VRAM and some tweaks.

 

[vcoppa91]

Right, that's how I feel. I need a graphics card now either way. I prefer buying the components that will be the most future proof. But I'd be willing to buy a slightly discounted current gen card now and then upgrade to the real deal next year as opposed to buying the (slight) update now for a premium and not be able to justify buying the real deal next year due to costs.

I think I am going to go with the MSI R9 290 Gaming for $230 (after rebates) now and feel better about upgrading next year.

 

[1LiquidPC]

Still may want to wait for reviews to show up, but I'm thinking your 290 for $230 is a good choice if you plan to upgrade again next year.

 

[vcoppa91]

Oh yes I agree. I meant "now" as in imminently.

I really appreciate your help. I will be selecting your response as the answer.

 

[Hellowalkman]

since u wud b computing as well i ll lean more towards radeon .. just w8 out the next couple of weeks n then make ur final decision

 

[vcoppa91]

Just thought I'd give some closure.

I ended up buying the MSI R9 290 for $230. I know that a lot of benchmarks were showing the 390 on par with the 290x. However, I would have to spend ~$100 more. My rationale was that I would get something adequate right now (keep in mind this is a fresh build, not an upgrade) and save the money towards a future next-gen gpu.

So far, I am very impressed by this card. Granted, I haven't played any brand new games with it. It runs a heavily modded Skyrim (a lot of graphics mods among others), ACIV Black Flag, Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3 and 4 at max settings (for the most part, some settings turned down a bit, like AA in ACIV) pegged at 60FPS with a few dips here and there in crowded areas.

Plus, the gpu temperatures rarely go above 70C.

Thanks for the help everyone! I know where to go for advice on my next GPU purchase!

 

[1LiquidPC]

Glad to hear the news Good choice at a good price, given the reviews I've seen of the "new" 390(x) which seem basically OC'd slightly on the GPU core, and 1Ghz faster memory ICs. Should work out fine until you upgrade again down the road.

 

[mrmessma]

Just thought I'd give some closure.

I ended up buying the MSI R9 290 for $230. I know that a lot of benchmarks were showing the 390 on par with the 290x. However, I would have to spend ~$100 more. My rationale was that I would get something adequate right now (keep in mind this is a fresh build, not an upgrade) and save the money towards a future next-gen gpu.

So far, I am very impressed by this card. Granted, I haven't played any brand new games with it. It runs a heavily modded Skyrim (a lot of graphics mods among others), ACIV Black Flag, Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3 and 4 at max settings (for the most part, some settings turned down a bit, like AA in ACIV) pegged at 60FPS with a few dips here and there in crowded areas.

Plus, the gpu temperatures rarely go above 70C.

Thanks for the help everyone! I know where to go for advice on my next GPU purchase!

Just wondering, I know prices fluctuate but where did you get your MSI 290 for $230, I've been looking for that card since it's the shortest of the aftermarket 290's and Newegg has it for 270, nowhere else is even close, did you get it at newegg or is there any other place I should be looking (microcenter/frys/tigerdirect/ncix) Thanks!

 

[Hellowalkman]

the 300 series cards seem to be running a lot cooler than 200 series.. if that is your concern then it is worth it I believe.

 

[thebunnyrules]

And...
Do not chase VRAM. It has become a marketing thing.
Performance differences between 2gb and 4gb are almost negligible:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Performance-2GB-vs-4GB-Memory-154/

Also fancy coolers sells.
The reality is that the overclock you get is determined by the binning of the chips, not so much by the cooling. Vendors are wise to this and use the better chips in their factory overclocked cards. My guess is that a small price premium paid for a factory OC is probably worth it.

Please stop spreading that piece of miss information around. 8gb is very useful (!!!) if you want to play in 2k-4k (that includes amd super virtual res which makes 720p and 1080p monitors look amazing, use high quality textures, mod games, flight simulators, open world and sandbox games. I'm always hitting my cards 4gb limit.