I can't make up my mind! GTX 960 or R9 380

[Joseph Jelly Elmajian]

There have to be pros and cons for each but I'm a NEW PC GAMER and I don't know every single detail and I also am lost with the high settings or ultra settings terms when people write about them.

I have:
i5 4690K
Z97 G45 Gaming Motherboard
550 W Gold Rated Power Supply
Spec-01 Case
8 GB Corsair Vengeance Gaming Ram


I'm new to this so I'd be expecting a card that would not give me problems that other people can simply fix through settings. Is there a big difference between the 2?

Can you send me links on Newegg because there are thousands of models and I don't know which one to get! I plan to order December 15 so I have some time to make up my mind.

 

[Ximerous]

The 380 will out preform the 960, although it will draw slightly more power.

What power supply do you have exactly though, 550w gold isn't enough info.

 

[Darkseiders]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150755&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202166&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Either one of these will be good, but the sapphire card has a backplate, so it's a bit better.

 

[Mousemonkey]

A 960 uses a lot less power and performs on par with the 380, the difference is literally about 3-5 fps.

 

[Darkseiders]

A 960 uses a lot less power and performs on par with the 380, the difference is literally about 3-5 fps.

A few fps now may be 10-15 FPS now, and the r9 380 has 4GB of vRAM.

 

[Finkledbody]

They trade blows. the R9 380 is a better card for most games. Just not all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTpNZEW31G0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqKPne44RVA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxRd0JEcXcQ

Seriously though, they are rarely more then 2-5fps apart.

I would either get this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127878&cm_re=r9_380-_-14-127-878-_-Product

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125793&cm_re=r9_380-_-14-125-793-_-Product

because they have a backplate included. The backplate helps prevent the GPU from sagging while in the PCI-E slot and gives the added bonus of helping to dissipate heat

 

[Mousemonkey]

A 960 uses a lot less power and performs on par with the 380, the difference is literally about 3-5 fps.

A few fps now may be 10-15 FPS now, and the r9 380 has 4GB of vRAM.

What? A bit of an AMD fan eh?

 

[Ximerous]

The 380 preforms BETTER than the 960 and for the same price. He won't need the 4gb of Vram for 1080p gaming but still...

 

[Mousemonkey]

The 380 preforms BETTER than the 960 and for the same price. He won't need the 4gb of Vram for 1080p gaming but still...

2-5 fps for an extra 70w is "better"? Really?

 

[Ximerous]

If he couldn't support the 70w(which could be the case we never got PSU info besides 550w, but really 70w isn't jack). If you can handle the power/money-over-time then it's better. They are the same price. Sure I like Nvidia more just because I do. But I can see objectively and if I was getting a budget card I would go for the BEST one I could!

 

[Mousemonkey]

If he couldn't support the 70w(which could be the case we never got PSU info besides 550w, but really 70w isn't jack). If you can handle the power/money-over-time then it's better. They are the same price. Sure I like Nvidia more just because I do. But I can see objectively and if I was getting a budget card I would go for the BEST one I could!

Agreed, and in this case it's not the 380 and I know that for a fact.

 

[Ximerous]

Ok, the fact is the 380 preforms better. They are in the same price range, it just depends on models and stuff. But it's not big enough to have such an argument about. If he want's less power draw for MINIMAL differences in performance GO 960. If He doesn't care about power draw, then go 380.

They are both great budget cards, but on stats the 960 is a close contender but for gaming the 960 falls behind. If it's 1080p 60hz it won't really be an issue but the R9 380 still wins.
And be honest it won't max at 5fps more. Some games you will average 10+ fps over the 960.

 

[Karadjgne]

It wasn't but 18 months ago that it was common knowledge that a 2Gb card was all you needed for 1080p gaming, and the 'big' cards were the 780/780ti with 3Gb and we're enough. I have a couple of games that drive my gtx970 to 99% usage and broach 3.5Gb of ram. At 1080p.

Considering current ram usage on games and availability of 4Gb+ gpus, I'd not be surprised to see games use more ram if it's available in the future. And this is before any HBM considerations.

The 380 outperforms the 960 in any game not tailored for nvidia cards. For this price range/performance range, the r9 380 4Gb is going to be worth the extra few $ over the 2Gb. It's much better to have it, and not need it, than get throttled if you do have need.

 

[Ximerous]

It wasn't but 18 months ago that it was common knowledge that a 2Gb card was all you needed for 1080p gaming, and the 'big' cards were the 780/780ti with 3Gb and we're enough. I have a couple of games that drive my gtx970 to 99% usage and broach 3.5Gb of ram. At 1080p.

Considering current ram usage on games and availability of 4Gb+ gpus, I'd not be surprised to see games use more ram if it's available in the future. And this is before any HBM considerations.

The 380 outperforms the 960 in any game not tailored for nvidia cards. For this price range/performance range, the r9 380 4Gb is going to be worth the extra few $ over the 2Gb. It's much better to have it, and not need it, than get throttled if you do have need.

Agreed, If the 960 was 3Gb or he got the 4gb version it would be better, but at that point just get the 380.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Hands up those on this thread recommending the 380 who ACTUALLY have one?

 

[Ximerous]

Here are benchmarks from them.
gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-960-vs-AMD-R9-380/3165vs3482
As well as those with it getting better fps over 960 in ACTUAL gaming tests

 

[Mousemonkey]

Here are benchmarks from them.
gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-960-vs-AMD-R9-380/3165vs3482
As well as those with it getting better fps over 960 in ACTUAL gaming tests

Quoting obscure websites does not impress me, show me a screenshot of the 380 and 960 you own.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This is sad. So to help someone I have to use the 960 and 380 I own? That's not even a good example, that site shows ACTUAL PEOPLES benchmarks and puts them together for averages. And that's not the only place showing the 380 is better, real tests show the 380 wins as well. You are literally taking data and people's experience(although not my own) and saying no it's not real. I am very sorry you got a shitty 380 you should have returned it.

Actually the 380 I have runs on par with all the others out there as do the 960's I have which is why I know the 960 is the better choice out of the two.

 

[Ximerous]

I'm done arguing, I made my point, you made yours(I'm guessing). Let's see what other have to say and then OP can decide haha.
I deleted my post, because well if you own these GPUs you should definitely tell us your perspective, sorry. Glad you quoted it in your reply so your reply makes sense though.

 

[Joseph Jelly Elmajian]

The 380 will out preform the 960, although it will draw slightly more power.

What power supply do you have exactly though, 550w gold isn't enough info.

It is a Corsair CS550M

 

[Mousemonkey]

The 380 will out preform the 960, although it will draw slightly more power.

What power supply do you have exactly though, 550w gold isn't enough info.

It is a Corsair CS550M

That should be able to run either of the cards.