EVGA GTX 970 SSC and Sapphire R9 390 G-sync vs Free Sync and Monitor selection

[kickflapper]

So, I have 2 GPU's right now a) EVGA 970 SSC and I won B)sapphire R9 390. I have been bench-marking and game testing both of them. The 970 SSC is slightly-moderately better in all the benchmarks and even better on most of the true gaming tests. It also is a very good overclocking GPU. I have it over 1600hz no sweat without messing with power at all really; where as 390 does have much head room for overclocking. I'm concerned about the 3.5 of VRAM, and directx 12 features for future gaming. On paper the sappire R9 390 should be better and more future proof. In addition I am upgrading my CPU from i7 860 to i7 4790k and I question weather the 390 with benefit from the new CPU and pull ahead. However CPU usage does not seem to be maxing out. I will end up testing both when I install my new CPU (tomorrow). I am leaning towards the 970 SSC is that crazy and dumb? Either way I will sell the other and use the money to get a new monitor. Which leads to my follow up question of G-sync or free-sync?, or skip it and go slightly larger size ie 23" 144hz w/ g-sync or free-sync or 27" 144hz no-sync. As always thank you for any advise or tips!

 

[JUICEhunter]

As you can see from my setup I'm running an OC'd 780ti/24in 144hz 1080p G-sync and love the combo, I can't speak for the amd side but if you're staying at 1080p which I recommend you'll be running very high settings/high hz. I've seen my monitor on sale for $300-$350 as well as the ACER version which should provide a similar experience. Of course going 2k/ultra-wide/ips is the next level but it comes at a cost. Everyone who's seen my monitor both gamers and non-gamers are impressed with it's colors/smooth motion.

Note: My gpu only has 3gb of VRAM and it's really not an issue at all, using high/very instead of ultra will allow higher fps which you need for high hz and VRAM usage becomes quite a bit less as well.