Should I go Economic, or Future Resistant?

[Mr Aceman]

So, I am deciding between an EVGA GeForce GTX 660 SUPERCLOCKED 3GB, OR, SAPPHIRE Radeon R9 280X 3GB.
I am just trying to make up my mind between these two great cards. I would like to have a future proof system that will last me a couple of years at least, but I don't want to break the bank on my first gaming build.

Here are some links to the Cards:

Sapphire R9 280X: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202044

EVGA GTX 660 Superclocked: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130835

Something to keep in mind is obviously the price difference, the R9 280x is $380 and the GTX 660 is only $235, that is a $145 difference.

I would like to have multiple monitors and run games on ultra if possible.
Here is a description of my to be build:

Case: Corsair C70 Mil. Green
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k
Graphics card: ???
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth z77
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16gb 1600mhz
Storage: 2TB WD HDD Caviar Black
Power Supply: Corsair RM 850

Any Input would be greatly appreciated guys and gals!

Thanks

 

[Live Wyre]

There is no future proof. Future resistant is the proper phrase. You can get the best, most powerful tech today and get a more power component in the future. get an ssd and a 280x and you should be set until the maxwell revsion comes out.

 

[Mr Aceman]

Well, I fixed the title. and thanks for that, but do you have any good reasons why?

 

[huilun02]

This is cheaper than the 280x Toxic but performs about the same. Is not out of stock. Free games. SLI is better the Crossfire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127742&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Mr Aceman]

Haha, and thats where I get stubborn, I am looking at getting the sapphire r9 280x. Thats it. not an other one. I know it seems kinda childish but I like the look and i would like to mod it changing the orange plastic to green, by painting it...

 

[huilun02]

If you want it that much, just go for it...

It's a blazing fast card, though you will have to wait for it to be restocked.

You can still place an order it at NCIX.com, it's a little cheaper there and they deliver free.
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=91072&vpn=11221-01-40G&manufacture=SAPPHIRE&promoid=1233

Be careful when painting, not to break a fan fin or whatnot.
Good luck!

 

[Mr Aceman]

Do they ship to Australia though? Or APO Box?

 

[huilun02]

Hmm I dunno about shipping arrangements to Australia.

If you ship from the US it's going to add to the cost.

I know you can get it locally.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1559&products_id=26097

At the current exchange rate, it's equivalent to USD $389.53

Rates change all the time, you can monitor it here:
http://tinyurl.com/mn7whpm

 

[RobCrezz]

Both of them cards with struggle with 3x monitor gaming

 

[Mr Aceman]

Really, cos it says on the R9 280x that it can handle up to 5x monitors. Though that could be with Xfire... Not sure

 

[RobCrezz]

Really, cos it says on the R9 280x that it can handle up to 5x monitors. Though that could be with Xfire... Not sure

I can do 5 monitors, in windows...

It will do 3 monitor gaming in games from a while back that dont need much power.

Try Battlefield 4 on 3x screens on one of them cards and watch it fall to its knees.

 

[Mahisse]

If you're planning to play games on multiple monitors you need to reconsider your options I think. If you're only planning to play on a single screen with other monitors having other applications running then... Well it's really a no brainer either way because the 280x is not that expensive compared to the 660 performance. In the long run it will be money thrown out the window if you buy a 660 instead of a 280x in my opinion.

 

[huilun02]

You'll have to be specific about what you mean with 'multiple monitors'

If you going to have your game on just one screen, then you won't have a problem with either card. But if you want your game across like, 3 monitors, then the 660 is out of the picture. And whether a 280x is sufficient, will depend on the monitors' resolution and the game you playing.

 

[Mr Aceman]

Well the Sapphire R9 280x just jumped up in price to $399.99, so it is quickly sliding out of the question. What about SLI 660's or 670's. Do you think they would be able to handle 3 monitors at 1920x1080 EACH? I would have the game across all three monitors.

 

[huilun02]

I don't think you can get any graphics card solution that does particularly well in triple monitor gaming, for under $400.

If you're not getting the Sapphire Toxic anymore might as well get another model of R9 280x. You're better off avoiding a Crossfire/SLI solution with that budget, as it will limit you to 2gb of effective vram, which does not bode well for very high resolution gaming. You will have to throw both 2gb cards to make another upgrade, not to mention there are games that don't like or support multi-gpu.

At least with a single 280x you have 3gb and you can add another in the future to guarantee good triple monitor performance. AMD is better at triple-monitor gaming. If somehow you unreasonably want to avoid the 280x because you feel betrayed by that price hike, you can get the Nvidia alternative which I suggested a few posts ago ^

 

[Mr Aceman]

So i have been thinking and I am leaning towards just sucking it up and buying the Toxic. It has great features, 3gb and great stock clocks. it may be pricey but i should be able to afford it in a couple of days. I work casually so it is kind of on and off. Also I am 16 so i wanted to get some more experienced opinions on this.

 

[huilun02]

We all learn. Being 16 doesn't mean you can't know a lot about these stuff.

Also don't forget to consider buying it locally from that link I posted.
I'll put it here again. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1559&products_id=26097

AUD $429 is less than USD $400, unless you mean to get it for less than AUD $400. If you buy from the US it will have to be shipped to your country, incurring additional costs for transportation and import tax/duties.

 

[Mr Aceman]

Thankyou Huilin, I have made my mind up and WILL be getting the Toxic. Again though, it is sold out on PCCaseGear too. So it will be a waiting game I guess. Also considering the Asus VG248QE monitor, any thoughts?

 

[huilun02]

The VG248QE is a nice fast monitor, and will give you ultra smooth gameplay, assuming you're only gaming on one monitor.

Unfortunately the same monitor at PCCaseGear is severely overpriced...
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1210&products_id=22711

So you are probably better off buying from the US and have it shipped to you.

If beautiful colors is more important to you than lightning fast response speed, consider getting an IPS monitor instead. In case you're wondering, there are no IPS monitors that officially run at 120Hz or faster.

 

[Mr Aceman]

I would probably start off with the one, and if/when I get three then I will either sell it and buy other monitors (???) or just get 2 more.

I definitely would not be buying it from PCCG, Amazon maybe or Ebay if there is a good one going. I have seen IPS monitors and like them but I probably wouldn't use one for gaming.