GTX 970 vs R9 290?

[matthew4572]

I'm looking for a new graphics card around $300. I'm considering both a gtx 970:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832&cm_re=msi_gtx_970-_-14-127-832-_-Product

Or an R9 290:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127774


I am looking to play all current games (GTA V, Dying Light...) and most games for the next few years at 1080p and 60 FPS

Looking to know what card is better, and what make/model of each card is preferable
My PC specs:
Asus Sabertooth 990FX
AMD FX-8320 @ 3.7 ghz
MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC
8 GB DDR3 RAM
WD 1 TB HDD @ 7200 RPM
Thermaltake 750W PSU

 

[Brillis Wuce]

It depends on what you want, really...

The 290 will use more power and generate more heat, so avoid it if you have a case with bad airflow.

The 970 runs more efficiently and will give better frame rates, but costs more.

My vote is usually for the 970, and the model doesn't really matter.

Asus - quiet
Gigabyte - powerful
MSI - cool
EVGA - a mix of all the above

Can't go wrong with any of them. All great companies.

 

[Wisecracker]

GTX 970 -- 1080P

R9 290 -- Above 1080P

 

[neieus]

I agree with the previous poster but also keep in mind that the 290 has 4GB of vram while the 970 has 3.5+.5GB. So as long as you don't need more than 3.5GB you'll be fine and 1080p. The AMD cards right now perform better at higher resolutions.

 

[nucolos]

I agree with the previous poster but also keep in mind that the 290 has 4GB of vram while the 970 has 3.5+.5GB. So as long as you don't need more than 3.5GB you'll be fine and 1080p. The AMD cards right now perform better at higher resolutions.

No, it doesnt. The 970 is better than the 290, regardless of the resolution. Thats why the amd is about 50 bucks cheaper. The 970 and the 290x are the same in performance and there is where the resolution matters, but the 970 is one step ahead of the 290. It depends on how much money do you want to spend, The 290 is a really good option if you can only spend 300.

 

[Wisecracker]

In the over-whelming majority of games above 1080p, the R9 290 outperforms the GTX 970.

Feel free to spin that simple fact any way you wish in a 'relative' way.

 

[matthew4572]

So they're both pretty viable cards? I really would prefer to stay closer to 300 if possible. Is the extra $50 really worth it for the 970? I'm not somebody who thinks that 2 or 3 FPS is worth $50. I do like the idea of the 290 having 4 "complete" gb of VRAM, opposed to the 3.5 + .5 of the 970.

I live in New England, the heat of the card may be beneficial. But in all seriousness, I have a HAF 912 using 2 140mm intake fans and 1 140mm exhaust fan. I pretty much leave the graphics card to cool itself.

So, what is the best brand of R9 290?

Either way, I expect both cards to give me a jump in performance over my 660.

 

[jerdle]

Matt, the 290X is $10 more than the 290. Why would you even consider the 290?

Also- it beats both the 290 and GTX 970 in performance, and still comes in under $300 after rebate.

the 290X is the obvious choice in your scenario.

 

[matthew4572]

Matt, the 290X is $10 more than the 290. Why would you even consider the 290?

Also- it beats both the 290 and GTX 970 in performance, and still comes in under $300 after rebate.

the 290X is the obvious choice in your scenario.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127774

This one? From some reviews, it seems to have reliability problems...


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150696

This one also has multiple reported common defects...

I'd rather get a pretty good R9 290 than a rock bottom price tag 290x. I want to make sure I get a card with good reliability and quality.

 

[jerdle]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

All cards with lots of reviews will have multiple reported problems. Just look for cards that average 4 out of 5 or higher. Keep in mind, people are more likely to vent and post a 1 star review if it doesn't work than they are to go post a good review if they're happy with it.

 

[matthew4572]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

All cards with lots of reviews will have multiple reported problems. Just look for cards that average 4 out of 5 or higher. Keep in mind, people are more likely to vent and post a 1 star review if it doesn't work than they are to go post a good review if they're happy with it.

I thought it might be too long, I would just have to remove a drive bay. No big deal. It just seems like those cards have lots of issues. Even the positive reviews mention some sort of troubleshooting or return/exchange

 

[jerdle]

You're killin' me smalls.

Anyhoo, you know more about your options now.

 

[matthew4572]

You're killin' me smalls.

Anyhoo, you know more about your options now.

Yeah, I have some decision to make. Thanks for bringing up the 290x. I'll go research the three options. I like the Radeon cards for their higher VRAM and somewhat lower price. I like the Geforce cards for their reliability, power consumption, and temps.

 

[Wisecracker]

The R9 290/290X cards over the next month are likely to continue to fall in price. If you go that way, hang on to your $$$ as long as you can stand it.

Rumahs on the Internets have the Fiji XT (R9 390X ?!?!) and possible variants rolling out in the next 6-8 weeks

If you really like the GTX 970, it, too, should drop in price in response to AMD's new card(s).