Please help selecting a new video card.... thinking R9 280x

[cwescrab]

My 7950 died. Sapphire. Had to send it back to sapphire. But I can't wait a month, I use this pc for business, and photo editing, I have about $2,000 worth of photo shoots to edit in the next two weeks. So I will use my old 7950 as a spare when I get it back in case this happens again. I am thinking I would like to see an improvement since I have to buy a new one, something a little faster. I was looking at the 280x's and that seems to be the next bump up in speed. I am kind of scared to go with another sapphire, and I was looking at Gigabyte but they seem REALLY loud. Any recommendations on a decent one that isn't too hot/loud?

 

[Byte70]

Asus makes good 280x cards. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9280xdc2t3gd5 but I don't know your budget.

 

[theonerm2]

If you have the money I'd suggest an R9 290. It's a good upgrade from the 7950 while the 280x isn't very much of an upgrade. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131549

 

[Mouldread]

I agree completely with theonerm2 but would recommend as Byte 70 says an Asus card or MSI (the Twin Frozr II are cool coolers).

 

[cwescrab]

I only have about $320 max to work with. The 280x Asus seems like a good one for my. My Antec TP 550w power supply says it has a 6 pin PCIE plug, and a 6+2 pin,, the Asus card requires a 6 and an 8, will that work. Probably a dumb question but is the 6+2 pin the same as an 8?

 

[cwescrab]

Trust me guys, if I had the money, 290x all the way, but this is breaking me to even have to spend for the 280x.

 

[cwescrab]

I am reading A LOT of people on newegg and amazon saying the Asus 280x has artifacting problems. Man, I wish this was simpler.

 

[Mouldread]

Welcome to the world of PC hardware.

It could be very frustrating upgrading your PC. Just when you think you have taken the right decision and here comes the ifs and the buts.

My advise - pick a card from a reputable brand and even more reputable and reliable vendor - the one that won't waste your time when comes to replacement if this is needed. Other than that there isn't much you can do. If you start reading all the complaints coming from random people you would never gather enough courage to make an actual purchase.

Pick a card, buy it, install it and forget about it

I speak from experience, it sometimes takes me months to commit and buy something and only a week after the purchase I don't even remember it anymore. So it's pointless to get stressed out

Edited: The artifacting usually comes from badly installed drivers or overheating which is in most cases related to poor cable management and poor case ventilation.

 

[nyxanna]

Pick the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X or if you can afford it the Vapor-X.

I've upgraded recently as well and my budget was quite tight but the R9 290 definitely is giving you the most performance for the money.

 

[theonerm2]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sapphire-R9-290-4GB-DDR5-Video-Card-BF4-Edition-/321485938347?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item4ada0e1eab That's what I'd get.

 

[cwescrab]

Mouldread you make some good points man. . I am thinking about getting the HIS R9 280X iPower IceQ X Turbo Boost Clock 3GB GDDR5 PCI-E. Good reviews, quiet and cool.

 

[T3PShooter]

I would have to agree with getting the Sapphire R9 290 TRI-X OC http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJOXUKC. I've had both the 7950 and the R9 280X and though the upgrade is noticeable, it's not a very big one.

The R9 290 is a great bargain when you look at the price to performance ratio and will be a significant upgrade for you.

 

[cwescrab]

Actually, looking more at this one too. SAPPHIRE TRI-X 100363-2SR Radeon R9 280X

 

[cwescrab]

It's $150 more though and I just don't have the money or I would.

 

[theonerm2]

You can get the R9 290 on ebay for $250 but it's used. I don't know if sapphire would honor a warranty on a used part just in case it ever needs RMA'd. Some companies will let you RMA a used part though.

 

[T3PShooter]

Actually, looking more at this one too. SAPPHIRE TRI-X 100363-2SR Radeon R9 280X

This is the Sapphire R9 280X Vapor-X http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPZW686 which is an excellent choice and it's only $339.

 

[Mouldread]

Personally not a big fan of HIS as I had a card die on me a while ago. Sapphire on the other hand is a well regarded brand. The cooler on it looks really nice too.

 

[yhm85]

Even consider another 280(7950)at ~$220 and crossfire it when you get your old one back? Use the extra money for a beefier PSU.