I need help with choosing a good graphics card..

[PCMasterRaceDude]

So, I've figured out what I want to get and I'm almost done... only problem is I'm new to building computers and do not know if this is all compatible and will work together well, as well as I am missing a graphics card. No specific price, just not crazy expensive. Aiming to get around 850-900 max for the computer in all, here is the amazon wish list:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/19YLPT9ECEJOU/ref=topnav_lists_1

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[PCMasterRaceDude]

I don't know your geographic location to search the correct amazon, and you are quite capable of taking the part number off the site and searching amazon your self.

With a name like PCMasterRaceDude you would think basic internet searches would be in your wheel house.

The problem is I have no idea how much wattage I should be looking for to power everything in my bundle.

 

[Simon Ayres]

I don't know your geographic location to search the correct amazon, and you are quite capable of taking the part number off the site and searching amazon your self.

With a name like PCMasterRaceDude you would think basic internet searches would be in your wheel house.

The problem is I have no idea how much wattage I should be looking for to power everything in my bundle.

with a 970 under full load you will sit around 300w, maybe a little over.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/15

 

[PCMasterRaceDude]

I don't know your geographic location to search the correct amazon, and you are quite capable of taking the part number off the site and searching amazon your self.

With a name like PCMasterRaceDude you would think basic internet searches would be in your wheel house.

The problem is I have no idea how much wattage I should be looking for to power everything in my bundle.

with a 970 under full load you will sit around 300w, maybe a little over.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/15

Okay, well how about the rest of the set up?

 

[Simon Ayres]

personally i would get g.skill memory MSI gaming series motherboard and video card and at the very least a hybrid drive or even better a 120gb SSD and the 1TB

But that would likely bring your cost up.

 

[Sig2525]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

 

[Simon Ayres]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

he is looking at getting a 970 not a 280x so even less power
you forgot enermax

 

[Sig2525]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

he is looking at getting a 970 not a 280x so even less power
you forgot enermax

i just used the r9 280x for comparison - in the amd website they require the 280x to be run with a 750 watts powersupply but you can run it on a 500 watts. what more for a gtx 970 which consumes significantly less than the 280x.

 

[PCMasterRaceDude]

How about the gtx 760 instead of a 980?

 

[Sig2525]

How about the gtx 760 instead of a 980?

the gtx 760 performance is just slightly above the r9 270x - they are comparable in real gaming. (but the 270x is cheaper)

even if you sli a gtx 760 the gtx 980 will still outperform it but the gtx 760 is really cheap compared to the 980.

 

[Simon Ayres]

How about the gtx 760 instead of a 980?

I am guessing you are talking about the 970 not the 980 as that's what you have listed in your build.
but there is no comparison between the 760 and 970, the 970 blows it out of the water.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Modular under 100 dollars is not hard to find. You simply need to not look on Amazon. I don't know why anybody would order from Amazon exclusively anyhow, unless they are in another country, in which case there are probably better options like regional online vendors that won't charge international shipping rates. Amazon is fine if one of their retail sources has the item you want at a better price, or offering free shipping causes it to be a better deal.


This is fully modular and a well respected unit of more than enough capacity for 90% of single cards.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $54.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-12 14:48 EST-0500


I would also never recommend using a PSU calculator. They are rarely even close to real world use and usually don't account for all conditions. Instead, use one of the following references that are a result of significant testing and include the rest of the systems requirements as well as the GPU. Any overclocking that may be done needs to be considered as well, whether it be the CPU or the GPU, as this will significantly drive the required capacity to a higher level. As a general rule I assume to add an additional 100w each to the PSU minimum capacity, assuming a Tier 2B or higher unit, for overclocking the CPU and again for the GPU. So if you plan to significantly overclock both, add 200w to the total.

This should allow a little breathing room as you really don't want a unit that "just" covers the minimum requirements or you'll find that you're running near capacity under full loads which is going to severely stress the PSU and probably shorten it's useful lifespan.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDFAQs&op=FAQ_Question&ndfaq_id=3


PSU requirements:

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards


PSU Tier list: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[Darkbreeze]

Actually it looks like Amazon or their vendor offering that price is out of stock right now on that item so you could choose to wait for it to come back in stock, or go this way:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $73.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-12 15:00 EST-0500

 

[Simon Ayres]

http://www.amazon.com/Enermax-Revolution-Power-Supply-ERX530AWT/dp/B00HAF12FK/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1421092789&sr=1-10&keywords=modular+psu

 

[Darkbreeze]

No offense Simon, really, but why would you pay more for a unit that has a lower capacity and is tiered lower?

It's not a good choice:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Enermax/ERX630AWT/11.html

 

[Simon Ayres]

No offense Simon, really, but why would you pay more for a unit that has a lower capacity and is tiered lower?

It's not a good choice:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Enermax/ERX630AWT/11.html

because the seasonic isn't in stock
why would i take offence to a legitimate question?

 

[wblack0711]

If I were you I would get the msi 970 for $350 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832&cm_re=msi_970-_-14-127-832-_-Product even though the out of the box performance isn't as good as some of the third part gpu's it is extremely overclockable and it will blow the other cards away after overclocking it.
If you plan on watercooling your card i would get the reference 970. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-4gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-silver-black/9855169.p?id=1219441201895&skuId=9855169

 

[MADD617]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

 

[Sig2525]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

did you check the link? you could try to ask here about running a r9 280x on a 500 watts PSU and you'll be surprised to be answered by many with a yes. as long as it is a quality brand psu with a good 12v rail.

 

[MADD617]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

did you check the link? you could try to ask here about running a r9 280x on a 500 watts PSU and you'll be surprised to be answered by many with a yes. as long as it is a quality brand psu with a good 12v rail.

It will work, but it's always best to have a bit more, as the manufacturer suggests.

 

[Darkbreeze]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

550w is MORE than enough for any R9 280 that's not manually overclocked significantly. Same for the 970. Of course, the 280 doesn't compete with the 970 except in power consumption.

Considering the price difference of most 550w units compared to the S12II and M12II 620w units, or the EVGA B2 series 750w units, I don't see a point is getting anything less than one of those anyhow.

 

[MADD617]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

550w is MORE than enough for any R9 280 that's not manually overclocked significantly. Same for the 970. Of course, the 280 doesn't compete with the 970 except in power consumption.

Considering the price difference of most 550w units compared to the S12II and M12II 620w units, or the EVGA B2 series 750w units, I don't see a point is getting anything less than one of those anyhow.

Even a Gigabyte R9 280 WF3? Overclocked 244 mhz...
Why would a manufacturer recommend a minimum of 600W?

 

[Sig2525]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

550w is MORE than enough for any R9 280 that's not manually overclocked significantly. Same for the 970. Of course, the 280 doesn't compete with the 970 except in power consumption.

Considering the price difference of most 550w units compared to the S12II and M12II 620w units, or the EVGA B2 series 750w units, I don't see a point is getting anything less than one of those anyhow.

Even a Gigabyte R9 280 WF3? Overclocked 244 mhz...
Why would a manufacturer recommend a minimum of 600W?

even r9 290 would run at 500 watts.. just check the link i provided it is a trusted psu calculator suggested by linus techtips. you just have to make sure the 12v rail is strong enough. - as for the manufacturer side its kind of a marketing and excuse for warranty.

 

[MADD617]

use this to calculate your needed wattage

http://coolermaster.outervision.com/poc.jsp

mostly a 500 watts powersupply is more than enough even for a 280x, just make sure you get a quality one even if it is non modular.
corsair, xfx, evga, seasonic, thermaltake - these brands i hear so much about.

An R9 280 needs 600W Minimum and the card uses 200W. R9 280X uses 250W, so you would need at least a good 650W PSU.
500W minimum for a GTX 970.

550w is MORE than enough for any R9 280 that's not manually overclocked significantly. Same for the 970. Of course, the 280 doesn't compete with the 970 except in power consumption.

Considering the price difference of most 550w units compared to the S12II and M12II 620w units, or the EVGA B2 series 750w units, I don't see a point is getting anything less than one of those anyhow.

Even a Gigabyte R9 280 WF3? Overclocked 244 mhz...
Why would a manufacturer recommend a minimum of 600W?

even r9 290 would run at 500 watts.. just check the link i provided it is a trusted psu calculator suggested by linus techtips. you just have to make sure the 12v rail is strong enough. - as for the manufacturer side its kind of a marketing and excuse for warranty.

Oh...ok then.
I watched Linus' video about PSUs where he suggests Cooler Master's PSU calculator, but it looks like the eXtreme Power Supply calculator. Did they update it to make it more simple? Because it won't be that accurate if you're using a heavy gaming rig with water pumps/cooling and overclocking.

 

[Darkbreeze]

No, what it IS is that 75% of builders are noobs and will choose the cheapest F'king PSU they can get, or one that looks "shiny" like the Raidmax units, and install that POS into their rig along with a two to four hundred dollar card and in at least SOME of those cases, even with with a crap unit, if it's WAY over what's necessary, maybe some of them will actually live to see the second boot sequence.

Considering that if they only said 550w, and knowing most novice builders aren't going to use a 550w or better EVGA, XFX, Seasonic or other quality unit, but will slap a POS Corsair CX or builder series, or worse, a Thermaltake Smart series or TR2 unit, they hope by exaggerating the spec to keep their RMA's down when it's really the PSU and not the card.

 

[Sig2525]

No, what it IS is that 75% of builders are noobs and will choose the cheapest F'king PSU they can get, or one that looks "shiny" like the Raidmax units, and install that POS into their rig along with a two to four hundred dollar card and in at least SOME of those cases, even with with a crap unit, if it's WAY over what's necessary, maybe some of them will actually live to see the second boot sequence.

Considering that if they only said 550w, and knowing most novice builders aren't going to use a 550w or better EVGA, XFX, Seasonic or other quality unit, but will slap a POS Corsair CX or builder series, or worse, a Thermaltake Smart series or TR2 unit, they hope by exaggerating the spec to keep their RMA's down when it's really the PSU and not the card.

that is what i meant for warranty excuse, just could not elaborate it. - i agree to this..