Need help picking graphics card for 2560x1440p overclockable monitor

[dirovame]

Hello.

I am definitely in the market of getting rid of my AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series graphics card because its just pathetic.

I've done my research and evidently the right graphics card for the monitor I have is the GTX 980. Problem is, I don't have $550 sitting around my dorm room.

I'm thinking of grabbing either a GTX 970 (msi version) or a 780ti because their cost are identical, but I can't seem to figure out which one is truly better than the other.

The Radeon r9 290x looked appealing until I read about the power consumption and noise nuisances.

My predicament is straightforward: I have an overclockable monitor that I want to use to play Crysis 3 or Far Cry 4 on max settings and I have $350 (max) to spend. What should I buy?

 

[Danoded]

well both are beaten by the cheaper more efficient gtx 970~320$

so if you want to do 1440p go for the gtx 970 4g , i would suggest the asus strix

it is a decent GPU and suitable for 1440p and an overkill for 1080p

 

[Rit_86]

The 780 Ti is is slightly better than the 970
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1072?vs=1355
However, the 970 consumes much less power, is quieter and cooler. Also, let's not forget the 970's Maxwell architecture is still in its infancy and will get only better with driver updates while the 780Ti's Kepler architecture is quite mature and will not get significantly better.
So, I would suggest you to choose the 970, even though it is slightly inferior if you are not the type, who replaces their GPU every year (this I assumed after looking at your previous GPU ), because I think it will be better on the long run.
However, if you do replace it frequently, go for the 780 Ti, as it offers better immediate value.

 

[dirovame]

well both are beaten by the cheaper more efficient gtx 970~320$

so if you want to do 1440p go for the gtx 970 4g , i would suggest the asus strix

it is a decent GPU and suitable for 1440p and an overkill for 1080p

Thank you for the quick reply Danoded, I appreciate it.

Do you think I should get the asus strix instead of the MSI gtx 970 gaming?

If I can figure out which one is better at performance and durability then I will be set.

 

[dirovame]

The 780 Ti is is slightly better than the 970
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1072?vs=1355
However, the 970 consumes much less power, is quieter and cooler. Also, let's not forget the 970's Maxwell architecture is still in its infancy and will get only better with driver updates while the 780Ti's Kepler architecture is quite mature and will not get significantly better.
So, I would suggest you to choose the 970, even though it is slightly inferior if you are not the type, who replaces their GPU every year (this I assumed after looking at your previous GPU ), because I think it will be better on the long run.
However, if you do replace it frequently, go for the 780 Ti, as it offers better immediate value.

You are definitely not the last person I've heard say the 780ti is slightly better but as you pointed out, the 970 will be better down the line. So 970 it is.

PS. The last time I replaced anything on my computer it was around 6 years ago. If my computer can play the latest assassin creed, COD or Far Cry, then I consider myself truly set.

 

[Danoded]

well both are beaten by the cheaper more efficient gtx 970~320$

so if you want to do 1440p go for the gtx 970 4g , i would suggest the asus strix

it is a decent GPU and suitable for 1440p and an overkill for 1080p

Thank you for the quick reply Danoded, I appreciate it.

Do you think I should get the asus strix instead of the MSI gtx 970 gaming?

If I can figure out which one is better at performance and durability then I will be set.

Here's a good comparison of the two cards along with the Gigabyte G1 version:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1

Direct comparison:

http://techreport.com/review/27203/geforce-gtx-970-cards-from-msi-and-asus-reviewed

Personally I would go for the MSI version.