Is it a bad idea to get a R9 280x rather than a 380?

[Feliks]

I've been stuck between the NVIDIA Geforce 960 and the 380 and I think I've finally decided to go with the 280x which usually outperforms the 960 anyhow and is the same price *knock on wood*. My question here though is it a stupid decision to go with that one? It performs very well even if it's an "older" graphics card (it's basically just been repackaged into the "newer" ones from what I have read all over). I'm just worried it will be outdated and not able to run newer games soon after I get it.

Also, 2) other question: it has 3gb VRAM but some people say that's roughly equivalent to the 960's 2GB VRAM. Knowing that some of today's games (GTA V comes to mind) are wanting more than 2gb VRAM, can it utilize all 3gb vram or will it act as if it only has 2? Sorry if that sounds confusing

Thank you all for your help!

 

[P3ric]

You can also buy a 960 with 4gb vram. Benchmarks for GTA5 and other games have shown that this greatly improves FPS of the 960 in VRAM-hungry games. Personally, I'd go for the 960 4g because the 380 needs much more energy. Hope this helps!

 

[BerettaOnTheNightStand]

I'm in the same boat dude, so confused about VRAM utilization.

 

[Feliks]

I'm in the same boat dude, so confused about VRAM utilization.

Look up "How much VRAM Do I Really Need?" by Linustechtips on youtube. Also check out the benchmarks between cards, whichever one gets higher FPS on the settings you play (as in 1080p, 1440, 4k, etc) is the one you should probably get.

From my understanding of it, more VRAM is necessary to produce more. For instance if a game's graphics are really in-depth and EXTREMELY detailed, it will use more VRAM. For today's gaming, I'd recommend 3-4 GB VRAM at least, especially if you want to be able to play on Ultra settings.

In the long run, I ended up going with the 280x over the 960. If I could, I would have went with the GTX 970 which seems to be the best price/performance card out right now. Either way, just remember to look at the benchmarks and if you're still confused, pop up a question about it on here

 

[toshaga]

Get 280x if you want more RAW power over the other 2 options but know that it's very outdated and power hungry compared the other 2 options.

Get the 960 if you want more power efficiency, you will be gettting the 2GB version and you will be OCing it. 4 GB version of 960 just doesnt worth it compared to the 380 in my opinion becaus the bus of the 960 can't completely utilize all the 4GB but the 380 can.

Get the 380 4GB version not the 2GB because 960 2GB is better in that range if you will be needing more VRAM(I advice more VRAM for more futre proof) and you have enought power(although it doesnt really need so much more power than the 960 when both are OC).

I personaly would get the 380 4GB as the best of these 3. It has better features than the 280x and it is slighly more powerful and future proofed(DX12) than the 960.

 

[BerettaOnTheNightStand]

Get 280x if you want more RAW power over the other 2 options but know that it's very outdated and power hungry compared the other 2 options.

Get the 960 if you want more power efficiency, you will be gettting the 2GB version and you will be OCing it. 4 GB version of 960 just doesnt worth it compared to the 380 in my opinion becaus the bus of the 960 can't completely utilize all the 4GB but the 380 can.

Get the 380 4GB version not the 2GB because 960 2GB is better in that range if you will be needing more VRAM(I advice more VRAM for more futre proof) and you have enought power(although it doesnt really need so much more power than the 960 when both are OC).

I personaly would get the 380 4GB as the best of these 3. It has better features than the 280x and it is slighly more powerful and future proofed(DX12) than the 960.

Yeah, I'll probably end up going with the 4GB 380. It's $50 dollars (Canadian) more than the 2GB, which sorta makes me want to save up for the GTX 970, or did I mean the R9 390. See what I did there Anyway, what's another $200

 

[Feliks]

Get 280x if you want more RAW power over the other 2 options but know that it's very outdated and power hungry compared the other 2 options.

Get the 960 if you want more power efficiency, you will be gettting the 2GB version and you will be OCing it. 4 GB version of 960 just doesnt worth it compared to the 380 in my opinion becaus the bus of the 960 can't completely utilize all the 4GB but the 380 can.

Get the 380 4GB version not the 2GB because 960 2GB is better in that range if you will be needing more VRAM(I advice more VRAM for more futre proof) and you have enought power(although it doesnt really need so much more power than the 960 when both are OC).

I personaly would get the 380 4GB as the best of these 3. It has better features than the 280x and it is slighly more powerful and future proofed(DX12) than the 960.

Yeah, I'll probably end up going with the 4GB 380. It's $50 dollars (Canadian) more than the 2GB, which sorta makes me want to save up for the GTX 970, or did I mean the R9 390. See what I did there Anyway, what's another $200

if you're money happy go with the 980 XD But yeah the 4GB 380 seems like the card to go for.

 

[Feliks]

Get 280x if you want more RAW power over the other 2 options but know that it's very outdated and power hungry compared the other 2 options.

Welp, I went with this card yet I need it to last me the next few years unless I suddenly get an influx of money So how "outdated" are we talking about? Because really so far all the cards have been rebrands of eachother and the only real improvements are like 2fps and better cooling both of which I could care less about. basically my question is will this card still last me the next few years? I'm kind of expecting it to.

 

[P3ric]

The R9 280X only supports DirectX 11.2. While DirectX 12 is being used in modern games and increases performance greatly, I can definitely say that the card is not gonna last for years

 

[Feliks]

The R9 280X only supports DirectX 11.2. While DirectX 12 is being used in modern games and increases performance greatly, I can definitely say that the card is not gonna last for years

Not true. I see many people claiming this but have seen "AMD said all of its Graphics Core Next-based Radeon GPUs (i.e. Radeon HD 7000 series and newer) will work with the new API." (source) Also AMD's site lists the R9 280x as supporting DirectX12.

So if it IS compatible with DX12 (let's not fight over whether it is or isn't) will I be good to go?

 

[P3ric]

I'm really sorry, you're right. If you aim for 1080p@60fps then get the card. It is powerful enough and will likely stay powerful enough for upcoming games (e.g. Fallout).
http://media.bestofmicro.com/T/W/404132/original/crysis-fr.png

 

[Feliks]

I'm really sorry, you're right. If you aim for 1080p@60fps then get the card. It is powerful enough and will likely stay powerful enough for upcoming games (e.g. Fallout).
http://media.bestofmicro.com/T/W/404132/original/crysis-fr.png

Thank you. Only thing is those benchmarks are high, any idea how the card will (generally) play most games overclocked @ ultra?