R9 290X 8GB vs GTX 980 8GB

[__SEan]

First off, my PSU is 750 watts and I have a reference model of the R9 290x.

Now a bit of context:
I already did replace the cooler, so it isn't running as hot (except for VRAM1, but more on that later).

I then recently was running my copy of Skyrim (with 200+ mods and on 1440p) while watching my computer monitor. I then noticed that VRAM1 hit 114C, so I instantly closed the game, and then the temps dropped to what it should be.

When attaching the new heatsinks to the GPU I had to make a sacrifice with one heatsink: http://i.imgur.com/wUyUQ7r.jpg

It SHOULD (the one with a black square around it) have been the same size as all the others, but due to the plate I was forced to use a half size leaving the other half exposed after applying some thermal tape like the documentation said.

I'm thinking that one right there is related to my high temps on VRAM1 since the rest of the GPU peaks at 75 with my slight overclocking (core at 1100 and mem at 1250).
-----

So, now I am looking into the market of getting a brand new GPU.
One that is more up to date and has better cooling so I don't have to replace the heatsinks myself and then void the warranty.

I'm thinking about jumping ship to Nvidia with their 980s and then potentially get one that has 8GB of VRAM (my Skyrim goes up to about 3.5GB right now).

I only plan on spending about $500 to $650 on the new GPU, and I did see an 8GB Sapphire R9 290x on Amazon fitting nicely under that price range (and with far better cooling from what I can tell).



So, my question is should I just wait for the 8gb 980s or just go for the 290x?

 

[mr91]

The 8gb gtx 980 might never happen...

Your best option is the Titan X however that might be a little more power and vram than you need and almost double the price...

 

[RCFProd]

Do games support more than 4GB VRAM right now?

 

[Andres de Groot]

You can also go for 2 Gtx 970`s. It`s almost the same price and you are faster then 1 Gtx 980.
Or wait for the R9 390X witch is gonna be 8gb they say.

 

[hjj174]

Do games support more than 4GB VRAM right now?

Yeah they do, Shadow of Mordor can easily go over 4GB with the high resolution pack along with a higher resolution monitor. I was playing Thief at 1440p on my 980 and it got up to 3.8GB. If I was playing at 4k, it could have easily maxed out my VRAM. So yes, games do use more than 4GB.

 

[mr91]

Do games support more than 4GB VRAM right now?

Yeah they do, Shadow of Mordor can easily go over 4GB with the high resolution pack along with a higher resolution monitor. I was playing Thief at 1440p on my 980 and it got up to 3.8GB. If I was playing at 4k, it could have easily maxed out my VRAM. So yes, games do use more than 4GB.

I was playing with my Titan X @ 1440p swift and the game was using over 6 GB of Vram.
@ 1080p this game devours 6 gb of vram...

 

[__SEan]

The 8gb gtx 980 might never happen...

Yeah, that's what I'm worried on.
From what I've read the 8GB 980s were supposed to be out in Q1 of this year, but now I'm seeing things say Q2 without any official date.

Do games support more than 4GB VRAM right now?

10 min of Skyrim and I easily hit 3.5GB. I do have the .INIs tweaked a lot to help clear things out when needed though.

You can also go for 2 Gtx 970`s. It`s almost the same price and you are faster then 1 Gtx 980.
Or wait for the R9 390X witch is gonna be 8gb they say.

Made the dumb mistake of getting a mobo with only one slot.
I do expect to add another GPU of whatever I get now in about a year along with a new PSU and mobo though.

From what I'm seeing on the 300s is that they aren't due until Q4 '15 / Q1 '16.


Edit:
Looks like I was reading some outdated information.
Newer info claims June for the 300s, but I might even just hold off for the 980 Ti.
So, either the 390x or the 980 Ti then once a confirmed spec sheet is out there.

 

[mr91]

The 8gb gtx 980 might never happen...

Yeah, that's what I'm worried on.
From what I've read the 8GB 980s were supposed to be out in Q1 of this year, but now I'm seeing things say Q2 without any official date.

Do games support more than 4GB VRAM right now?

10 min of Skyrim and I easily hit 3.5GB. I do have the .INIs tweaked a lot to help clear things out when needed though.

You can also go for 2 Gtx 970`s. It`s almost the same price and you are faster then 1 Gtx 980.
Or wait for the R9 390X witch is gonna be 8gb they say.

Made the dumb mistake of getting a mobo with only one slot.
I do expect to add another GPU of whatever I get now in about a year along with a new PSU and mobo though.

From what I'm seeing on the 300s is that they aren't due until Q4 '15 / Q1 '16.


Edit:
Looks like I was reading some outdated information.
Newer info claims June for the 300s, but I might even just hold off for the 980 Ti.
So, either the 390x or the 980 Ti then once a confirmed spec sheet is out there.

Some rumors don't come true, I doubt the new rumor claiming the 980 ti will be faster than the Titan X and 300 dollars cheaper. My guess is it will have 6 gb of vram and 10% slower...

 

[__SEan]

Some rumors don't come true, I doubt the new rumor claiming the 980 ti will be faster than the Titan X and 300 dollars cheaper. My guess is it will have 6 gb of vram and 10% slower...

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised.

What I really want to see though is the real world comparison between the 390x and the 980 Ti since AMD is normally priced pretty decently, so I wouldn't mind spending a bit extra for the 390x if it really is as good as they say and with proper cooling.
I really hope that it isn't like the reference models for the R9 series with one little fan that keeps the thing at 80-90c when doing pretty much nothing.

 

[mr91]

lol I'm guessing the flagship 390x will come with a closed loop like the 295 x2...

My guess is the 980 ti or whatever they call it will be 5 or 10% faster than the 390x depending on the game...

 

[__SEan]

lol I'm guessing the flagship 390x will come with a closed loop like the 295 x2...

My guess is the 980 ti or whatever they call it will be 5 or 10% faster than the 390x depending on the game...

and if it does that then I can't get it, lol.
My case has nowhere to put any other fans as is, but most likely the Nvidia competitor will beat it and I'll get that one (as long as its in my price range and if it's a bit more than that's fine).

I guess for now I'll just go easy on my GPU and just ignore Skyrim for now (and with Win10 I would have to set up all the mods again anyways).