GTX 760 vs R9 280

[Luke470]

I'm trying to decide on which of these I should choose and I'm trying to spend as least money as possible. The 760 is $225 and the 280 is $210. I know its only $15 difference but which one will get me better performance? I won't be playing any games that use mantle so exclude that from the 280.

 

[Suztera]

They are both similar performance. One card will outperform the other by a small amount in some games and vice versa.
But with games starting to take up more VRAM, you may want the R9 280 or perhaps wait for the GTX 960.

 

[Rapajez]

Here's a comparison in a bunch of games (settings CRANKED) http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1038?vs=1332

For the most part, the 280 seems like the better value.

 

[Luke470]

Hmm ok I may wait for the 960 depending on when it comes out and how much it will cost, has any information about the 960 been released?

 

[Suztera]

http://wccftech.com/nvidia-gtx-960-amd-r9-285x-specs-performance-price/

It rumored to be at $250 but it may be higher but the performance is expected to be 20% under a GTX 970. GTX 760 might not keep up with newer games soon if you want high settings.

 

[Rapajez]

Agreed, if you can wait a few more weeks, the 960 will smoke those cards. If nothing else, their prices should drop a little.

 

[Luke470]

Well this build is probably going to be around Christmas I was just planning ahead so if it comes out in a few weeks I'll be fine

 

[Suztera]

Well this build is probably going to be around Christmas I was just planning ahead so if it comes out in a few weeks I'll be fine

You still got plenty of time. You may want to get other parts when they are on sale on Black Friday or something.

 

[Luke470]

Ya thats what I was thinking, originally I was going to order everything at once cause I have no patience but I might start ordering parts and overtime build it and save as much $ as possible

 

[Rapajez]

Just order everything at once when you can afford it. Otherwise, you just end up paying extra for older tech by the time you're done.

 

[Suztera]

Just order everything at once when you can afford it. Otherwise, you just end up paying extra for older tech by the time you're done.

Some things like hard drive, cpu cooler, cases, motherboards and memory prices won't change that much.
If a cpu goes on sale then you could probably take it up. Broadwell is delayed so at Christmas I doubt there is any release.
But you should hold off buying gpu early until AMD has released some more news on their R9 300 series.