I just can't decide what video card to get...

[ZGR]

Performance between 290/390 and 970 is a wash for the most part. Power consumption is lower on the 970, but it isn't a big deal unless you are seriously power limited.

Buy the card that performs best on the games you like to play and make sure it has a well reviewed cooler. All variants of the 970/390 have different fan/cooling characteristics that may affect your purchasing decision; so go with whatever brand that you think will fit best in your rig.

Either GPU will run cool and quiet so it really comes down to feature set, supported/sponsored games, and cost. Some would argue the GTX 970's efficiency is well worth the premium; some not. It really comes down to your build.

The new R9 380X review has good examples of performance, power consumption, noise, and heat:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/9784/the-amd-radeon-r9-380x-review/13
http://www.anandtech.com/show/9784/the-amd-radeon-r9-380x-review/5

The extra 4.5 GB of VRAM on the R9 390 is kinda gimmicky right now @ 1080p.
I would buy the cheapest GPU with a good cooler.

 

[SpacemanSpiffVT]

I bought the zotac 970 bc I got a good deal at $230... I should have waited for a similar deal on a R9 390.... They will be coming soon.

oh well. I don't plan on going to 4k gaming anytime soon. I am too CPU limited in my current rig.

 

[Headfoot]

That HIS 290@ $230 is an absolutely ridiculously smoking deal. I'd do that. If the reviews scare you off, I'd switch to that $280 390 Sapphire Nitro. The Nitro cooler is up there as one of the best aftermarket GPU coolers. Don't get a 380x.

 

[tential]

I bought the zotac 970 bc I got a good deal at $230... I should have waited for a similar deal on a R9 390.... They will be coming soon.

oh well. I don't plan on going to 4k gaming anytime soon. I am too CPU limited in my current rig.

The reason I went with the 290 (and why I would DEFINITELY go with the 390 now that I see how fast they've dropped in price I wish I had just waited a little more), is for 4K gaming. I figured, I'd just drop a second GPU in and go 4k.

But that's not for everyone. And if you don't have that plan/desire to game at high resolutions, then either card works. For me personally, I'd 8k VSR/DSR onto a 4K resolution monitor if it was financially feasible. I love 4K, and I just like downsampling. But I'll settle for 4K resolution.

 

[funboy6942]

You can always pick up a used 290x under $300 easily, check the fs/ft forum...or a 390x bnib for $30 more....

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2452282

 

[RussianSensation]

You can always pick up a used 290x under $300 easily, check the fs/ft forum...or a 390x bnib for $30 more....

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2452282

XFX R9 390 for $235 using $25 off AMEX or $25 off Visa Checkout.

 

[ZGR]

Would you guys say the Sapphire stock cooler r9 290 is worth its current price? My friend is looking at the 380x but i see the 290 for the same price on newegg uk.

Sorry if I am derailing the thread.

 

[RussianSensation]

Would you guys say the Sapphire stock cooler r9 290 is worth its current price? My friend is looking at the 380x but i see the 290 for the same price on newegg uk.

Sorry if I am derailing the thread.

I'd go for the HIS IceQ 290 over either of those in the UK. It costs barely more than 150 pounds. Way better deal than any 380X or a reference 290. I bet most of the issues with this card from user reviews are related to low 2D idle voltage. If your friend has issues, all you need to do is create him a separate 2D fan profile by bumping the 2D voltage slightly.

This thread has the fix in case it applies."What is the fix? Increase your core voltage, it doesn't need to be a lot, probably just be +10mV or +20mV."

 

[Mondozei]

The extra 4.5 GB of VRAM on the R9 390 is kinda gimmicky right now @ 1080p.
I would buy the cheapest GPU with a good cooler.

Not if you're going to play Fallout 4 with a ton of mods down the line at ultra settings.

 

[Madpacket]

I have both cards (970 and 390) and prefer the 390 overall but it's basically a wash with most games performance wise. Radeons have traditionally held up better than over time so I think the 390 is probably more future proof whatever that means. If both cards are equal price grab the 390. Also the extra VRAM can't be overlooked if you ever plan on going crossfire.

 

[subtraction]

Well I ordered a few parts for the build today but held off on the GPU.
I was going to go for mitx but got a good deal on a Gigabyte z170 ud5, Fractal Design Define S, and EVGA 550w G2 power supply. I figure its not the small form factor htpc I was initially planning but it wont bother me having a mid tower sitting next to my entertainment center and I am sure it'll be a whole lot easier to build/work on.

That being said with the 550w psu running an i5 6600k with a mild overclock and 1 ssd I should still be good to power pretty much any single gpu correct?

The more Ive researched I think I am just going to keep my eyes out for a good deal on an R9 390 and if nothing comes along in the next few weeks ill get a b stock EVGA gtx 970.

 

[RussianSensation]

That being said with the 550w psu running an i5 6600k with a mild overclock and 1 ssd I should still be good to power pretty much any single gpu correct?

Yes, it's fine.

The more Ive researched I think I am just going to keep my eyes out for a good deal on an R9 390 and if nothing comes along in the next few weeks ill get a b stock EVGA gtx 970.

What's a good deal on the 390 since we already posted you one for $235? $199? I doubt that's going to happen this year.

 

[subtraction]

Yes, it's fine.



What's a good deal on the 390 since we already posted you one for $235? $199? I doubt that's going to happen this year.

I know I know. I would rather not buy an HIS card. Not that I have had personally negative experience but I would rather just hold out for an XFX or Sapphire.
I would have hopped on this but sold out before I found it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...50729&cm_re=xfx_r9_390-_-14-150-729-_-Product


Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[RussianSensation]

I know I know. I would rather not buy an HIS card. Not that I have had personally negative experience but I would rather just hold out for an XFX or Sapphire.
I would have hopped on this but sold out before I found it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...50729&cm_re=xfx_r9_390-_-14-150-729-_-Product


Thanks for the help everyone.

Check out this MSI GTX970 for $260. With $25 off via AMEX/VISA, that's $235. That's a good deal.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Check out this MSI GTX970 for $260. With $25 off via AMEX/VISA, that's $235. That's a good deal.

That is a pretty good deal, even cheaper if you sell the game code.

 

[Headfoot]

That 970 for $235 is a good deal. I'm sure there will be more good deals Friday too for Black Friday

 

[RussianSensation]

That is a pretty good deal, even cheaper if you sell the game code.

Looks like I made a mistake. It might only work with charging it to AMEX for the $25 off but it won't allow to combine a gift (enclosed game) with the Visa Checkout. Should still be able to get it for $260 or lower which is better than a $250 EVGA B-stock 970.