GTX 770 vs R9 290

[elk123]

Hi,

I'm building a new computer (first one, mainly for gaming) and I'm a bit undecided about the graphics card. From what I've read, the R9 290 is better than then GTX 770 but I've had a radeon card for the past five years and it seems like most of the issues I've run into are unique to people with Radeon cards. I don't know, maybe if I had an Nvidia, I would have run into many issues that are unique to that card but can anyone confirm if games are usually better optimized for nvidia cards?

The R9 (4gb) comes in around 379 cad (40 cad off)
The gtx 2gb is at 311
The gtx 4gb is at 369

Is the difference between the gtx 2gb and 4gb big enough for the extra cost? Also, what core clock value should I look for. If it is too high, is the card not likely to last as long?

Thank you!

 

[yoyodolo]

get r9 270x 2gb boost oc

 

[elk123]

Any ideas about the actual questions?

 

[yoyodolo]

Any ideas about the actual questions?

yeah, thats why I told you to go with r9 270x, amazing performance

 

[elk123]

Thing is, I really don't want to get a card that I need to oc, especially in the beginning. I don't know about it enough and I'd rather wait a few years. That's why I want a stronger one, like the r9 290, so I don't have to do anything for a while. Do you know anything about which core clock speed I should get? Is highest always best?

 

[Alex Kelly]

^ Don't listen to this.
The 290 is certainly better value then the 770, if you're aren't interested in Nvidia exclusive features (G-Sync, Shield integration, PhysX)
Some games are optimised slightly better for Nvidia cards, some slightly more optimised for AMD cards.
If you buy a 290, you have to make sure you get one of the good ones (Sapphire Tri-X, XFX Double Dissipation).
Other 290's run either very hot, very loud or both.

Higher frequency is certainly not always best.

 

[LukaBoki]

The GTX 770 2GB will be enough.It has higher clock speed,higher trubo clock etc.You can check that here:
http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R9-290-vs-GeForce-GTX-770
Most of today's games don't really need more than 2GB of VRAM,except Watch Dogs maybe.2GB card will do the job.
My recommendation is to go for the GTX 770 2GB. I would also suggest that you use a Gigabyte GTX 770,since Gigabyte is the best brand for GTX cards.
Hope this helps.

 

[Alex Kelly]

Eh, I wouldn't say Gigabyte is best. EVGA make amazing 770's, too.
What resolution will you be gaming at, and are you considering upgrading your monitor in the future?

 

[LukaBoki]

Eh, I wouldn't say Gigabyte is best. EVGA make amazing 770's, too.
What resolution will you be gaming at, and are you considering upgrading your monitor in the future?

Pfff.I know that. ( ')( ')

 

[elk123]

I want to play at 1080p
Also, I'm looking for a card that will last me a few years. So, if the gtx 770 is good now but might handle games quite a bit worse than the r9 290 in a years, I might be less inclined to get it.

Also, any ideas about core clock values?

 

[LukaBoki]

Scroll down on this link,you should get the clear picture of it:
http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R9-290-vs-GeForce-GTX-770

 

[Alex Kelly]

Clocks mean nothing really. The 290 will last longer than the 770 though, especially with 3GB of VRAM.

 

[Alex Kelly]

GPUboss is really bad tbh, I wouldn't use it for comparisons.
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/xfx_r9_290_dd_double_dissipation_gpu_review/8

 

[elk123]

Well, at least I can be sure not to get the gtx 4gb? If I get that then it might as well be the r9?

 

[legend001523]

GPUboss is really bad tbh, I wouldn't use it for comparisons.
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/xfx_r9_290_dd_double_dissipation_gpu_review/8

^ true dat, I hear it's heavily biased,use game debate instead

 

[Alex Kelly]

^ Exactly.
If you can wait, the GTX 870 will be released in a month of two, and should have 3GB or 4GB of VRAM, but if you need one now I highly recommend the XFX or Sapphire 290.

 

[legend001523]

But anyways, I think a 290 is 780 level? So it would be better than a 770, none of the cards need a oc, it's not a necessity, though you can get the 290 oc'ed to a near 290x level, 4gb of ram would be more 'preparing for the future' as more games are utilising it, but if you are on a single 1080p monitor, 2gb should be okay

 

[Alex Kelly]

Eh, the 290 isn't as good as the 780, but it comes pretty close.
I have a 760 and it struggles to play new games at high settings, and the 770 isn't much better.
I say go for the 290 3GB.

 

[elk123]

Dual monitors would be nice but i'm not planning on it in the near future. Also, maybe i will have higher resolution in a few years, I don't know.

But how do I know about the core clock value? They all seem to be different on partspicker

 

[legend001523]

Dual monitors would be nice but i'm not planning on it in the near future. Also, maybe i will have higher resolution in a few years, I don't know.

But how do I know about the core clock value? They all seem to be different on partspicker

Yes, because difference manufacturer's overclock them for you in the factory for you, the higher end models tend to have the highest base clock

 

[elk123]

Eh, the 290 isn't as good as the 780, but it comes pretty close.
I have a 760 and it struggles to play new games at high settings, and the 770 isn't much better.
I say go for the 290 3GB.

Ok, so need to get the 290 4gb?

 

[elk123]

Dual monitors would be nice but i'm not planning on it in the near future. Also, maybe i will have higher resolution in a few years, I don't know.

But how do I know about the core clock value? They all seem to be different on partspicker

Yes, because difference manufacturer's overclock them for you in the factory for you, the higher end models tend to have the highest base clock

but can getting a higher clock value shorten the life of it?

 

[Alex Kelly]

^ True. You shouldn't worry too much about that though, heat and noise is more important in my opinion.
If you want good performance for years to come, the 290 or even a 780 is the way to go.

 

[elk123]

^ True. You shouldn't worry too much about that though, heat and noise is more important in my opinion.
If you want good performance for years to come, the 290 or even a 780 is the way to go.

Shit, I meant: no need to get the r9 4gb?

 

[legend001523]

Eh, the 290 isn't as good as the 780, but it comes pretty close.
I have a 760 and it struggles to play new games at high settings, and the 770 isn't much better.
I say go for the 290 3GB.

Ok, so need to get the 290 4gb?

Dual monitors would be nice but i'm not planning on it in the near future. Also, maybe i will have higher resolution in a few years, I don't know.

But how do I know about the core clock value? They all seem to be different on partspicker

Yes, because difference manufacturer's overclock them for you in the factory for you, the higher end models tend to have the highest base clock

but can getting a higher clock value shorten the life of it?

Not really, that only happens if insufficient cooling is present or you overclock it way way higher than you're supposed to, but that probably won't happen, get a good model of it, like the sapphire r9 290 tri x, or vapour x, because I would seriously recommend you not get the stock model