Can't decide which GPU for my A7850K APU

[clammier]

Hello everyone.

To cut the story how and why I got the above mentioned APU, I'll just post my system specs and write what exactly is my issue here.

MBO: AsRock FM2A88M Extreme4+
CPU: AMD A7850K 4.0GHz
Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper TX3 Evo
RAM: 2 x 4GB 1600MHz (HyperX)
HDD: 1TB WD Blue + 128GB Samsung Evo 840 Basic SSD
PSU: MS Platinum 400W

I have 4 GPUs I'm considering, would want to crossfire first two with my APU's iGPU:

1. R7 250 2GB GDDR3
2. R7 250X 2GB GDRR5
3. R9 270 2GB GDDR5
4. GeForce 750Ti 2GB GDDR5

Now, before jumping the gun and saying I shouldn't even consider first two cards, I would like to point out that I would rather save money and not invest too much into this PC as I'm not much of a gamer. I would only purchase R9 or 750Ti if people here agreed that R7 250(X) are awful choices and I wouldn't gain much performance from them (at least not enough to play GTA V in full screen/decent resolution (graphics settings don't matter to me, I'm used to everything on low for over a decade now ).

I also realize that if I'm going for either R9 or 750Ti, I will need a new PSU, so there is that additional cost of $50 (total of $260) compared to $120!

But yeah, please help me out and speak freely, so I can order something ASAP.

 

[Entomber]

actually, if you get a 750Ti you will not have to upgrade your PSU at all.

 

[dark_strike]

I would choose the GTX 750ti. It is a reasonably priced card and good performance for the price. Also you wont have to change your PSU if you get it.
If you look at this chart- http://www.hwcompare.com/17282/geforce-gtx-750-ti-vs-radeon-r9-270/
The 750 is only going to pull 60 watts. The R9 270 is not bad either. Although more expensive. If you are not a hardcore gamer and don't care for high resolutions and high detail. I would say go with the 750.
Hope I was able to help.

 

[clammier]

actually, if you get a 750Ti you will not have to upgrade your PSU at all.

Hmmm interesting, I thought 400W wouldn't cut it for either of those stronger GPUs!

So I assume better question would be whether I'll notice an improvement after upgrading to R7 (I've read somewhere it won't matter if it's GDDR5 since my RAM is DDR3, not sure if that's true though) and would the improvement be worth the money if I was to compare R7 250(X) to R9/750Ti, especially for someone who is not very likely to purchase more demanding games in near future?

 

[Entomber]

if you are trying to play GTA V, you would be much happier with the performance of a GTX 750Ti/R9 270 than with a R7 250.

For neither of them will you have to upgrade your PSU, actually.

 

[dark_strike]

Here is the chart comparing the two- http://www.hwcompare.com/17281/geforce-gtx-750-ti-vs-radeon-r7-250x/
In all truth. I would say upgrade to the 750. It is a little more powerful. Cheaper. This way if you do plan on getting into gaming down the road. You could use the money saved and upgrade latter. It is like of best of both worlds. I can play what I want now with a little stronger and newer card. If 2 years I want more punch. Upgrade and run newer titles.

 

[dark_strike]

Here is a price between two really good cards. One of each.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp43753kr
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9270dc2oc2gd5

By the way. The 270 will give you a little(not much) more future proofing so you can still play games with a little higher graphics and newer titles. Just in case that is an issue. Never know what the future holds.

 

[clammier]

if you are trying to play GTA V, you would be much happier with the performance of a GTX 750Ti/R9 270 than with a R7 250.

For neither of them will you have to upgrade your PSU, actually.

God bless APU and it's low power then, haha.

Here is the chart comparing the two- http://www.hwcompare.com/17281/geforce-gtx-750-ti-vs-radeon-r7-250x/
In all truth. I would say upgrade to the 750. It is a little more powerful. Cheaper. This way if you do plan on getting into gaming down the road. You could use the money saved and upgrade latter. It is like of best of both worlds. I can play what I want now with a little stronger and newer card. If 2 years I want more punch. Upgrade and run newer titles.

Hmmm, but that is comparison without R7 250X in crossfire, which I always assumed would boost the performance a bit, wouldn't it?

Damn, this makes it even harder now, considering from those charts R9 270X is so far superior to both, but it also costs[strike] $50[/strike] $32 more (which seems to be the case with most hardware anyway, just a bit more cash for something better and then a bit more etc...). Sadly, the costs are a bit different in Croatia and these are the lowest (or almost lowest) I was able to find:

R7 250X: $117
750Ti: $163
R9 270X: [strike]$213[/strike] $195

Basically, it all comes down to money. If I want to spend [strike]$213[/strike] $195, I'll have the best GPU from the ones I listed and performance it'll deliver will be a decent improvement compared to 750Ti and even bigger compared to R7 250X.

I feel like R9 270X is going to be my choice here, unless somebody else has a different suggestion/opinion?

 

[dark_strike]

That's great. The 270x is good. I was trying to stay on the cheaper side. It will do everything you need. Just make sure you have ventilation through your PC. ATI cards tend to run hotter. In your case not by much though.