Trying to choose new graphics card

[W1981]

Hello all,

As per the recommendation of a forum member a while ago I built a PC with the following specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Toshiba 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer

It turned out to be a beast and has been stably overclocked for several months 🙂.

I am currently using an AMD graphics card of the HD series and thinking of upgrading since I want the PC handle games better (world of warcraft specifically with the upcoming expansion). I generally prefer Sapphire cards so I am thinking of either

Sapphire Dual-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5

or

Sapphire AMD R9 290 TRI-X OC Graphics Card

I realise WoW is mostly processor intensive with the graphics card playing a smaller role but with the rework for the new expansion this will apparently change.Would the R9 290 be wasted in my system? Any alternative card recommendations would also be appreciated.

 

[Undying89]

No, GPU power is never wasted. Get a Tri-X 290, its an amazing card and it will last you for a long time.

 

[Onus]

What graphics card do you have now?
Blizzard games (e.g. WoW) favor nVidia's architecture. You may wish to consider something like a GTX760 or GTX770.

 

[W1981]

No, GPU power is never wasted. Get a Tri-X 290, its an amazing card and it will last you for a long time.

I'm definetely considering the 290 as they seem awesome

 

[W1981]

What graphics card do you have now?
Blizzard games (e.g. WoW) favor nVidia's architecture. You may wish to consider something like a GTX760 or GTX770.

The thing with nVidia is that I haven't had a good attitude towards them since a previous one I had (came with my PC back then) just broke two months into buying the system. That said, if there is good reason to consider them I will, so I will compare equivalent AMD and nVidia ones at some point and base my choice on replies on the forum.

My current is an HD7700 series

 

[Onus]

The R9 270X is a substantial upgrade from a HD7770. If you have other uses for your money, you will be satisfied with the performance of the R9 270X (rebadged HD7870).
In general, R9 270X < GTX760 < GTX770 < R9 290.

 

[Embra]

You may also want to consider the R9 280. A good price/performance card.

 

[W1981]

The R9 270X is a substantial upgrade from a HD7770. If you have other uses for your money, you will be satisfied with the performance of the R9 270X (rebadged HD7870).
In general, R9 270X < GTX760 < GTX770 < R9 290.

I presume this would be in the order of increasing price and performance right?

It's a gift to myself for my new job contract 🙂 so I don't mind spending a little bit extra but if the performance difference between say the R9270 and the R9 290 is not huge (and even the 280 as Embra suggests) then it would make more sense to go for the lower value one.

I noticed that the GTX770 has 2GB memory but the R9 290 4GB and the difference on amazon is about £30.

I just had a look at another post comparing the R9 290 with the EVGA SuperClocked GTX770 (here http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2076603/290-gtx770.html)

The difference there (cost wise) is minimal. Thoughts?

 

[Onus]

There is a big difference between the R9 270X and R9 290, but on a single 1920x1080 monitor, it may not really be visible. If you plan to run multiple monitors, or a single 4K screen, then it will matter. The R9 280 or R9 280X would be good compromises.
The most demanding game I play is probably GW2. I have a HD7870 in my primary rig. I've not felt a need to install my HD7970 instead (that one is in a mostly idle system now).