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!

 

[Alex Kelly]

Yeah the stock 290 is horrible.
If you do get a 290, make sure you can afford an XFX Double Dissipation or Sapphire Tri-X, as I said before.
If you can't afford these cards, go for a 770.

 

[elk123]

I think I can afford them but if I can't, does 770 stock also suck?

 

[Alex Kelly]

Nope, but the EVGA and Gigabyte 770's are a lot better.

 

[elk123]

Thanks so much guys! You've been very helpful.

 

[legend001523]

evga, asus ,gigabyte

In that order, try to get the evga but if you can't, get asus etc.

 

[Alex Kelly]

I don't like the Asus 770, a lot of people have issues with the right side of the card drooping.
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/7479/img0721mo.jpg
And no worries, elk!