Friend offers me a switch from his AMD GPU to my Nvidia GPU

[MadMorigan]

I have a friend that is offering to switch his r9 290x for my gtx 970. We'll even switch PSUs. From the hardware, it seems like the 290x has MUCH more of everything: memory bus, shader units, tex map units but also HEAT, power consumption. However...all benchmarks i have seen have 970's way ahead of the 290's in performance.

How is this possible and should i make the switch?

My GPU:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-970-GAMING-4G/dp/B00NN0GEXQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420900160&sr=1-2&keywords=msi+970+gaming

Friends GPU:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-VAPOR-X-PCI-Express-Graphics-11227-04-40G/dp/B00JJJW4Z2/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1420899758&sr=1-2&keywords=amd+290x


He's a friend so I think I can talk him to a trial-run and go from there. Plus i really wanna try out crossfire; I hate you can't mix-match even similar gpus for NVIDIA

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

The 970 is better in terms of compatibility, it also has CUDA - a great benefit if you game or edit videos. If you are looking for raw power go for the AMD but otherwise stick with your own

 

[Dunlop0078]

Thats a horrible trade your gtx 970 is more powerful than a r9 290 and worth more money. Its possible beacuse nvidia uses a much more modern manufacturing process on the 9 series so it doesnt need a massive memory bus to perform and it stays much cooler and uses less power than the 290.

 

[Dunlop0078]

You said he has the r9 290x then you put a link to the r9 290. Which one does he have? The 290x trades blows with the 970 and that would be a better trade although i would still rather have the 970.

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

To switch you would need to swap your PSU if it doesn't provide enough power, otherwise you can leave it in, and just slot the new graphics card in - like you would when you first installed the 970

 

[MadMorigan]

sorry, i meant:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1420901252&sr=1-4&keywords=290x

they just sound so similar lol

Looks like i might stay team green

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

sorry, i meant:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1420901252&sr=1-4&keywords=290x

they just look so similar lol

Looks like i might stay team green

NVIDIA is love, NVIDIA is life. 😀

 

[Dunlop0078]

sorry, i meant:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11226-00-40G/dp/B00HJOKARI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1420901252&sr=1-4&keywords=290x

they just look so similar lol

Looks like i might stay team green

I mean there very similar in terms of performance the 970 will win by a few frames on some games the 290x will win by a few frames on others. But the 970 stays a hell of a lot cooler uses much less power so its not as hard on your power supply and shadowplay is far better than whatever amd has if your into recording gameplay.

 

[MadMorigan]

Yeah, the 970 hasn't really disappointed me so i'll just stick with what I know.I just can't believe that 290x was so expensive a month ago and it still performs at 970 levels in performance