Can't decide: 390X or 980 upgrade for VR?

[JSully]

Some time in the next few weeks a HTC Vive will drop on my door step. And while I know this isn't a great time to buy a new graphics card (due to the next generation coming soon), I need to upgrade mine now.

But I've been racking my brains over this one and struggling to decide.

I either buy a R9 390X and a new PSU to power it, or I get a GTX 980 without the need of a new PSU.
Because the 390X needs a PSU upgrade too the prices become very similar.

I'm budgeting between £350 and £400, I'm a little flexible with that for the right card (and PSU).

The card seem very similar, swapping blow for blow. I run games at 1080p and soon in VR, so help! 😉 Which should I go for? I've been eyeing up these (though also keeping an eye on HUKD

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-geforce-gtx-980-gaming-le-edition-4096mb-gddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-318-ms.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-radeon-r9-390x-dc3-oc-strix-8192mb-gddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-with-free-farcry-primal-gx-373-as.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xfx-radeon-r9-390x-dd-black-edition-8192mb-gddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-r9-390x-8db6-gx-226-xf.html

Current set up:
Pro: Intel i5-4670K
MB: MSI Z97 Gaming 5 3gb
GFX: MSI R9 280 Gaming
RAM: 2x8gb + 2x4gb

 

[stavrosmast]

390 Is the best option. Same fps, a lot more meory,lower price

 

[CBender]

I would go with the 980. For a couple of reasons.

At this point 9xx series has higher/more tested hardware quality than the current 3xx. The power consumption as you state is much better. And at this point nvidia has a bit better software suppot/drivers.

Because VR is very new and untested I would go with NVidia. The only downside is that Nvidia cards aren't as well optimized for DX12.

But you have to know that either card would lose quite a bit of value, so might worth considering buying a used one?

 

[sizzling]

I would go with the 980. For a couple of reasons.

At this point 9xx series has higher/more tested hardware quality than the current 3xx. The power consumption as you state is much better. And at this point nvidia has a bit better software suppot/drivers.

Because VR is very new and untested I would go with NVidia. The only downside is that Nvidia cards aren't as well optimized for DX12.

But you have to know that either card would lose quite a bit of value, so might worth considering buying a used one?

This would be my choice too and as you are looking at VR which is obviously very new I'd be even more persuaded by Nvidia and their ability to release new drivers quicker.

 

[Alan Caldwell]

The GTX 980 will be better. Nvidia puts out drivers faster.

 

[Edo4Life]

I recommend the 980. It should be more future proof and have better performance. Also nVidia releases drivers more often.

 

[stavrosmast]

980 has 1-2 fps more than the 390 and costs a ton more. It has 4gb vs 8gb. The downside of dx12 and nvidia has started lately to release drivers more often but with more issues

 

[CBender]

The memory benefit is laughable. I mean it is nice knowing that you have 8gigs. But that card would start to melt if your game needed more than 4, maybe 5 gigs. It is the same exact as with the 380 and 960 versions. It is very rare to find a situation where the gpu can keep with such large assets.

Also we should never forget that unlike the 3xx (unfortunately) the 9xx series has way more overclock headroom.