R9 290x vs GTX780 Watercooled

[Learath2]

I am looking into buying a new gfx card I'll either go for a GTX780 or a R9 290x and both ways i'll watercool it. Wanted to know which one performs better. I play a lot of games and also do quite some video/photo editing. There is also a high probability that I might add a second identical card later so also Crossfire vs SLI perspective would be nice.

 

[Danbuscus25]

the 290X is faster and has more vram but the 780 Ti is about equal with 290X

 

[RandomTox]

Depends on the game(s) you want to play.

Here Something to read for yourself: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: April 2014
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899.html

And:All Benchmarks 2014 VGA Charts
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts/2014-vga-charts/benchmarks,175.html

Have fun

 

[Andy Kyselica]

The 290x performs better than the 780 in most games, depends if the game is AMD or Nvidia built, and which brand it favors more. Plus the 290x is also better in computing power, which i guess you will need when you are editing. a problem would be heat since the 290x runs pretty hot but since you will be watercooling i'd say go for it!

 

[Dblkk]

I agree, out of the two the 780 ti is more comparable to the 290x and usually beats it. The 780 is more loose than win against the 290x and is more comparable to the 290. Normally id say go 780 route, since its a lot quieter and runs way cooler than the 290x, take a bit of performance hit but overall better experience.

But since your watercooling the card, you essentially eliminating the only big downfall of the 290x, so its really a no brainer (if costs are similar). Id honestly pay up to $40 for the 290x, if its anymore than id go 780.

Also, remember when buying both card and block. Make sure card design fits block design. Some cards are reference, some cards are classified, some cards are brand specific. So to make things easier, find the card you want, then find the block that fits it. Then buy them, don't buy one without checking the other, otherwise it might be hard to find a block for the card.

 

[Arkydo]

If I remember right, air cooling was the only restriction that kept the 290x from matching the 780 Ti. Under water, it should actually be more or less the same performance since PowerTune won't be able to effectively throttle it or reach such high temperatures. If your resolution is around 4k, the 290x beings to shine there. Under is the 780 Ti on average.

If you would like to free up a slot, I would recommend the 295x2 with a waterblock, the scaling on that thing is insane. If it's outside your budget, 780 Ti SLI performs slightly better than the 290x Crossfire.

 

[Andy Kyselica]

If I remember right, air cooling was the only restriction that kept the 290x from matching the 780 Ti. Under water, it should actually be more or less the same performance since PowerTune won't be able to effectively throttle it or reach such high temperatures. If your resolution is around 4k, the 290x beings to shine there. Under is the 780 Ti on average.

If you would like to free up a slot, I would recommend the 295x2 with a waterblock, the scaling on that thing is insane. If it's outside your budget, 780 Ti SLI performs slightly better than the 290x Crossfire.

Yep, just like you said. Plus the Amd cards either the 290x or the 295x2 are better also for computing power, therefor they might be better for you since you plan on editing.

 

[Danbuscus25]

no, if doing any video editing, a gtx card is better.

 

[Maciek Fulton]

If you want to do video editing, rendering, or converting a GTX 780/ti is a good choice.
If you want to use less power, a GTX 780/ti is a good choicehttp://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/tweakipedia/3/9/39_02_gtx_780_sli_vs_r9_290x_cf_power_consumption_showdown.png)
If you want to Over clock, a 780/ti can overclock 6% more then a 290x (If you water cool it you will get amazing stable OC on GTX cards that out preofrm and use less power then a 290x.
If you want more stable drivers and better CF a 780/ti is a good choice.
If you want to record gameplay a 780/ti is a good choice

290x does better at stock clocks but leaves no room for OC even after water cooling.
290x has 1 GB more vram. great if your running tri moniotr system/
Buying a 290x gives you 3 games as a promo

 

[Andy Kyselica]

no, if doing any video editing, a gtx card is better.

Yeah you are right but it also depends on what program he uses. If its opencl in which the 290x should dominate or if its an Cuda program like photoshop for example

 

[Learath2]

Was going to get a 780ti but bumped into a old friend who was switching to a 780ti from a r9 290x. He gave me a sweet price on that 290x so 780ti no longer could compete Its a ASUS reference card which I am running with stock cooler until my waterblock is here. Temps seem to be around 70deg which I am fine with as the performance is just amazing.