Gaming GPU Upgrade From R7 260X

[twgamerbuilder]

So im looking to upgrade my graphics card. I'm currently using a Sapphire Radeon R7 260X. My budget is under $200. I would also like to get a 4GB card. Some cards I have found to look pretty well are the R7 370 and the R9 380. Ive looked at both of these and they seem pretty similar but the 370 is about $50 cheaper and looks pretty similar to the 380. Just looking for some opinions on which one I should get or if there is another card out there better than these two options within my price range. Thanks! (also just thought i would note that for my cpu im running an AMD FX-6300)

 

[Dunlop0078]

I think a 380 would be more noticeable and worthwhile upgrade, coming from a 260. The 380 performs quite a bit better in most games than the 370. Assuming your power supply will handle a 380.

 

[VincentP]

R9 380 is a lot faster than the R7 370.
In between you have the GeForce GTX 960.
Benchmarks for all three:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-r9-390x-r9-380-r7-370,4178-6.html

Power usage is a higher on the R9 380, so check you have a decent PSU if you want to get this card.
R7 260X - 115W
R7 370 - 110W
GTX 960 - 120W
R9 380 - 190W

Many R7 370 and R9 380 models have only 2 GB of VRAM. Check the listing carefully when purchasing for a 4 GB card.
The GTX 960 is always 4 GB.

The other thing to consider is that both Nvidia and AMD are expected to release new models over the next few months to replace these cards. Unless you have some reason you particularly want to upgrade now, so might be better to wait.

 

[twgamerbuilder]

R9 380 is a lot faster than the R7 370.
In between you have the GeForce GTX 960.
Benchmarks for all three:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-r9-390x-r9-380-r7-370,4178-6.html

Power usage is a higher on the R9 380, so check you have a decent PSU if you want to get this card.
R7 260X - 115W
R7 370 - 110W
GTX 960 - 120W
R9 380 - 190W

Many R7 370 and R9 380 models have only 2 GB of VRAM. Check the listing carefully when purchasing for a 4 GB card.
The GTX 960 is always 4 GB.

The other thing to consider is that both Nvidia and AMD are expected to release new models over the next few months to replace these cards. Unless you have some reason you particularly want to upgrade now, so might be better to wait.

ok so i have a 500w psu so im not sure if i could support the 380. But you do make a good point about the new amd gpu's releasing. Its probably better for me to wait and see rather than be impatient and buy a card right now.

 

[Dunlop0078]

AMD polaris is speculated to release in july or august. Not too much longer to wait if you want to go that route.

 

[twgamerbuilder]

AMD polaris is speculated to release in july or august. Not too much longer to wait if you want to go that route.

yeah i think its best to be patient and wait for polaris

 

[VincentP]

R9 380 is a lot faster than the R7 370.
In between you have the GeForce GTX 960.
Benchmarks for all three:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-r9-390x-r9-380-r7-370,4178-6.html

Power usage is a higher on the R9 380, so check you have a decent PSU if you want to get this card.
R7 260X - 115W
R7 370 - 110W
GTX 960 - 120W
R9 380 - 190W

Many R7 370 and R9 380 models have only 2 GB of VRAM. Check the listing carefully when purchasing for a 4 GB card.
The GTX 960 is always 4 GB.

The other thing to consider is that both Nvidia and AMD are expected to release new models over the next few months to replace these cards. Unless you have some reason you particularly want to upgrade now, so might be better to wait.

ok so i have a 500w psu so im not sure if i could support the 380. But you do make a good point about the new amd gpu's releasing. Its probably better for me to wait and see rather than be impatient and buy a card right now.

A good 500W supply is fine, but there are plenty of rubbish supplies.
You want something good quality rated at least 34A on the +12V rails.
Be careful with multi rail designs too if they specify the rating separately for each +12V rail, but not the combined rating for these rails. You can't just add them up.

Nvidia has announced their new GTX 1070 and GTX 1080. The GTX 1060 is sure to follow before too long to replace the GTX 960. The new cards are faster and more power efficient.
AMD is expected to announce the first cards in their RX 400 series in June, but this could be delayed and it's likely the higher end cards will come first just like Nvidia. You are likely to be waiting a few months for a mid-range model under $200. When it comes though it will be faster and more efficient than previous AMD cards at least. For power efficiency, it has been a long time since AMD has been able to compete with Nvidia.

 

[twgamerbuilder]

R9 380 is a lot faster than the R7 370.
In between you have the GeForce GTX 960.
Benchmarks for all three:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-r9-390x-r9-380-r7-370,4178-6.html

Power usage is a higher on the R9 380, so check you have a decent PSU if you want to get this card.
R7 260X - 115W
R7 370 - 110W
GTX 960 - 120W
R9 380 - 190W

Many R7 370 and R9 380 models have only 2 GB of VRAM. Check the listing carefully when purchasing for a 4 GB card.
The GTX 960 is always 4 GB.

The other thing to consider is that both Nvidia and AMD are expected to release new models over the next few months to replace these cards. Unless you have some reason you particularly want to upgrade now, so might be better to wait.

ok so i have a 500w psu so im not sure if i could support the 380. But you do make a good point about the new amd gpu's releasing. Its probably better for me to wait and see rather than be impatient and buy a card right now.

A good 500W supply is fine, but there are plenty of rubbish supplies.
You want something good quality rated at least 34A on the +12V rails.
Be careful with multi rail designs too if they specify the rating separately for each +12V rail, but not the combined rating for these rails. You can't just add them up.

Nvidia has announced their new GTX 1070 and GTX 1080. The GTX 1060 is sure to follow before too long to replace the GTX 960. The new cards are faster and more power efficient.
AMD is expected to announce the first cards in their RX 400 series in June, but this could be delayed and it's likely the higher end cards will come first just like Nvidia. You are likely to be waiting a few months for a mid-range model under $200. When it comes though it will be faster and more efficient than previous AMD cards at least. For power efficiency, it has been a long time since AMD has been able to compete with Nvidia.

Yeah the psu I have is an EVGA 80+ certified. I think it will be good for the new cards coming out. Guess I just will wait and see whether AMD or Nvidia has the best budget card coming in the next few months.

 

[VincentP]

Yeah the psu I have is an EVGA 80+ certified. I think it will be good for the new cards coming out. Guess I just will wait and see whether AMD or Nvidia has the best budget card coming in the next few months.

EVGA makes some very good supplies, and some dodgy ones.
This list is a good reference:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Tier 3 and above should meet the specifications.
Tier 2 and above would be considered good quality.
Below tier 3, best to replace it.