AMD vs. ATI and R7 vs. R9?

[Jpaalman]

I want to assemble a computer but the graphics cards confuse me. To begin, what's the difference between AND and ATI? Furthermore, what is the difference between R7 and R9 cards of AMD or ATI. Some R7s cost more than some R9s. It probably has something to do with the numbers like 250, 270, 290 etc. What should i look at when i want to determine the performance?

Update: how should i determine the performance of the graphics cards? Is an r9 always better than a r7 and second i should look at the number?

 

[Edv7]

I want to assemble a computer but the graphics cards confuse me. To begin, what's the difference between AND and ATI? Furthermore, what is the difference between R7 and R9 cards of AMD or ATI. Some R7s cost more than some R9s. It probably has something to do with the numbers like 250, 270, 290 etc. What should i look at when i want to determine the performance?

AMD and ATI is same things. Full name would be AMD ATI Radeon R9, R7 xxx series. R9 is better than R7. AMD and NVIDIA is completely different companies and they compete with eachother.

 

[bystander]

AMD bought ATI years ago. AMD has stopped using the name ATI over the past few generations. If you see ATI being used, it is either a very old card, or a typo.

 

[imrazor]

I may just confuse things further, but I'll try to explain the nomenclature. R9 video cards are 'high-end' cards that are generally expensive. R7 cards are 'mainstream' cards in a lower price tier. As R9 models age, they will drop in price compared to newer R7's. Thus you might have a last-generation R9 priced lower than a current-gen R7.