Which GPU Should I pick?

Danny Moody

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Jun 25, 2014
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Here are My components

Motherboard: MSI Z97-Gaming 5 $147.99

Processor: Intel i5-4690k $239.99

Ram: G-skill 8 GB 2x4 $79.99

HHD: WD Black Series 1 TB 7200 RPM $79.99

SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 256 GB $144.99

Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 $139.99

Power Supply: Antec HCG 620M $79.99
Other Components: Coolermaster Evo 212 CPU Fan $34.99
DVD Drive: $19.99

I'm looking for a video card that is 500-600 dollars.

I'm looking at GTX 780s, GTX 780 ti (although it looks like I can't afford one), and a Radeon 290x. Can't decide between these because of price per performance.

Also: I know the Radeon 290x is a great card for it's performance, however, I am a nvidea fanboy, and I was wondering what the reliability of this card is compared to the GTX 780.

Ultimately I think its down between the 290x and the 780, unless there is a 780ti in my budget.
Please help with any information you have on these, and also, please provide a link with the one you think would be best for me.

 
Solution
The R9 290X will generally perform better than the non-TI GTX 780. Also, the R9 290X is generally just as reliable, unless you have a case with very poor cooling, in which case they rarely overheat. Considering your case, I don't think you'll have to worry about heat.

However, the GTX 780 supports proprietary Nvidia effects like PhysX (used natively in dozens of games), Shadowplay (video recording), Hairworks (used natively in at least 2 recent games), and HBAO+ (can be enabled in drivers in many games).

The GTX 780 also takes less power to run, which is important as you'll be nearing the limit if you use the R9 290X on your power supply.
 


He'd be fine for power on his current unit with the 290x even if he wanted to overclock. http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r9_290x_review_benchmarks,10.html

For the original poster. If you could grab a more powerful PSU, you could also consider 2 x 280x for crossfire and stay within budget. With the frame pacing improvements xfire works a lot better now for the most part. You may also be able to look at GTX770 x 2 for SLI if you'd prefer that and stay within your budget. For the SLI solution you would have to find a real good deal to get them in your budget under $600. Either of these solutions would easily beat the 290x/780ti in most games. The 280x crossfire and the GTX770 Sli setup are almost the same performance wise. Trading blows depending on the games tested.

PS: Here is a review of the 780ti with a 7990 included in the benches. The 7990 is the same as 2 x 280x since the 280x is just a rebrand of the 7970 anyway: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/asus_directcu_geforce_gtx_780_ti_oc_review,18.html Oh, and check out the resolution and game settings used. That's a lot of power there, lol. You would need a quality unit 850w power supply to run 2 of either cards. Here is a good one for the price: http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=63239&promoid=1264 Made by Seasonic, and on sale for a GREAT price. Even cheaper than the one you currently have selected :)

 


You haven't factored in the PSU efficiency or amperage. The PSU has a wattage of 576w on the 12v rail. It's only 80% efficient. This makes his real wattage 460w on that power supply, merely branded as 620w for sales. Like I said, he'll be near the edge.
 
Solution