Return GTX 970 for R9 290x?

[garagisti]

If you have a quiet, whine free card that is giving you good performance in your games at the resolution your currently play you'd need your head examined to return it for a side-grade (at your resolution) based on speculation and "what-ifs" from several years down the road. You can drive yourself crazy and waste a lot of money doing moves like that. Worry about it then when and if a new scenario occurs.

It is not as bad as you make it sound. Tri X 290 is quieter, and depending on how much you got your 970 for, you could get anywhere between $70-$100 in your pockets. How is that head examination worthy, unless you only play gameworks titles primarily?

 

[guskline]

I opted to return my GTX 970 in my 3770k rig for a Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290. Slightly slow GPU BUT has 4 Gigs of full speed Vram.

My 2 Sapphire Tri-X OC 290s in my rig below are now watercooled; however, even when air cooled they ran well AND cool.

 

[Plimogz]

^^ Mmmm... What I wouldn't do with those spare Tri-X HSF's of yours...

***

Just wanted to update the thread: the offer for 970 owners to switch to AMD is for 10% off on an XFX Double Dissipation R9 290x. It's a pretty nice deal when combined with a $30 rebate to make it $285 after rebate at newegg. I'm not sharing the coupon code, so don't ask. In the end I decided to keep my 970 though, as much as I like the 290x. I gotta say it's really tempting at that price though.

For single card 1080p, that 970 is still pretty much the great card it was a week ago. (except maybe for SoM -- what's up with that one game? )

The DD cooler isn't half bad; certainly quiet, and it keeps my bottom card nice and cool (say 65° - 80° C). The top one however ends up being something like 15°C hotter, which while not surprising, is annoying.

I've been wondering if the better non-reference coolers perform better in crossfire's close confines...

 

[garagisti]

I opted to return my GTX 970 in my 3770k rig for a Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290. Slightly slow GPU BUT has 4 Gigs of full speed Vram.

My 2 Sapphire Tri-X OC 290s in my rig below are now watercooled; however, even when air cooled they ran well AND cool.

They are tested to be cooler than a fair few 970's by Anandtech while playing Crysis 3, so yes, very good.

Watercooled? So did you do Kraken or something? Is there a thread where i could see this? I personally was so tempted by visiontek's 290's cryovenom (an oc tested 290, with EK block) being sold for 340 a pop. For 450, you could have 290x.

 

[guskline]

They are tested to be cooler than a fair few 970's by Anandtech while playing Crysis 3, so yes, very good.

Watercooled? So did you do Kraken or something? Is there a thread where i could see this? I personally was so tempted by visiontek's 290's cryovenom (an oc tested 290, with EK block) being sold for 340 a pop. For 450, you could have 290x.

No, I have a custom cooled system XSPC Twin D5 pumps in series with XSPC RX360 rad and MO RA 3-420 External rad. Swiftech ApogeeHD cpu block and 2 EK full waterblocks for the GPUs

 

[Magic Carpet]

I opted to return my GTX 970 in my 3770k rig for a Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290. Slightly slow GPU BUT has 4 Gigs of full speed Vram.

I'd say, this is one of the best models money can buy. Congrats :thumbsup:

 

[guskline]

I'd say, this is one of the best models money can buy. Congrats :thumbsup:

Funny thing is I bought both of mine used at the beginning of the mining collapse. Each was @$290. I knew I wanted to use them in my water cooled loop ( 3930k) and bought EK full blocks for each. The "bonus" is that the air cooler does a tremendous job of cooling the card also at a relatively quiet level.

This made my decision to return the GTX 970 and buy the Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290 for my 3770k rig which is not custom water cooled ( use a Kraken 60 for cpu) much easier. In addition I could always move the 3 rd R9 290 to my rig below and run Tri Fire:thumbsup:

 

[007ELmO]

How did you return it after so long, though?

 

[Leyawiin]

I opted to return my GTX 970 in my 3770k rig for a Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290. Slightly slow GPU BUT has 4 Gigs of full speed Vram.

My 2 Sapphire Tri-X OC 290s in my rig below are now watercooled; however, even when air cooled they ran well AND cool.

How did you return it to Newegg when they have a "VGA Replacement Only Return Policy" for the G1? Its been in place for almost all the 970s since November. Its kind of interesting - you've been gushing about how much you loved that card for weeks right up until a few days ago. How quickly things can change.

 

[guskline]

How did you return it to Newegg when they have a "VGA Replacement Only Return Policy" for the G1? Its been in place for almost all the 970s since November. Its kind of interesting - you've been gushing about how much you loved that card for weeks right up until a few days ago. How quickly things can change.

Talked to a rep. Still may be on the hook for a restocking fee. Yes it was a nice card BUT not a true full speed 4 G Vram one. I decided that since I was in my 30 day window I would opt to return it.

 

[007ELmO]

I'm not even in my 30 day window and I'm trying to return for a refund, I didn't open my cards yet. I said I would accept a NewEgg Credit because all I'll do is just order another set of cards.

 

[guskline]

How did you return it to Newegg when they have a "VGA Replacement Only Return Policy" for the G1? Its been in place for almost all the 970s since November. Its kind of interesting - you've been gushing about how much you loved that card for weeks right up until a few days ago. How quickly things can change.

To follow up on your point some more ( was out shopping with my wife so I was stuck typing on my I phone) you ARE correct that until the news broke I was very happy with the G1. If it had 64 ROPS with 4 FULL G of Vram like the 980 and like what I thought I did per the ads before this past weekend, I might still have it.

Suffice it to say I "cut my potential losses" within 30 days of buying it. I can't answer why Newegg decided to give me credit (the restocking fee is still in the air) but after making my argument they agreed. Note that I just bought it 1/4/15.

I've tried to answer your question the best I can.

 

[guskline]

I'm not even in my 30 day window and I'm trying to return for a refund, I didn't open my cards yet. I said I would accept a NewEgg Credit because all I'll do is just order another set of cards.

I hope they agree with you.

 

[007ELmO]

I hope so too, I'm a long time newegg customer, and that should matter to them. It's mattered to Amazon, I'll leave it at that.

 

[desprado]

I were in ur place than i would have never returned and why because most 2015 1H games are most likely Gamework

Nvidia 2015 1h

Dying Light ( has shown that GTX 770 has some what equal performance to R9 290X)
Evolve (Conform gameworks support)
Project Cars(Conform gameworks support)
GTA V (Using Nvidia 3D vision and Gamework most likely but gameworks is not conformed yet)
Witcher 3(Conform gameworks support)
MGS V(Conform gameworks support)
Batman Arkham Knight (Conform gameworks support)

AMD 2015 1h
Battlefield Hardline with Mantle support

 

[tential]

I were in ur place than i would have never returned and why because most 2015 1H games are most likely Gamework

Nvidia 2015 1h

Dying Light ( has shown that GTX 770 has some what equal performance to R9 290X)
Evolve (Conform gameworks support)
Project Cars(Conform gameworks support)
GTA V (Using Nvidia 3D vision and Gamework most likely but gameworks is not conformed yet)
Witcher 3(Conform gameworks support)
MGS V(Conform gameworks support)
Batman Arkham Knight (Conform gameworks support)

AMD 2015 1h
Battlefield Hardline with Mantle support

I really don't feel like support Nvidia just because of Gameworks though. For me, the R9 290x and GTX 970 are quite good competition but the GTX 970's major advantage is Gameworks. Which really just means much of nothing.

 

[desprado]

I really don't feel like support Nvidia just because of Gameworks though. For me, the R9 290x and GTX 970 are quite good competition but the GTX 970's major advantage is Gameworks. Which really just means much of nothing.

No which really means is that R9 290X will be mostly equal to GTX 770 in most of these games.

If op really can go without playing these on 1H 2015 than he is good to go but if he do not want to get frustrated than really R9 290X is horrable option.

Guys i have R9 290X lighting edition so i know what i am saying from my experience.Do not miss guide him because he is buying GPU to play games not just watching the card without any game support so plz advice him base on facts.

 

[guskline]

I have 2 R9 290s in CrossFire in rig 1 below and they are not "horrible". Surely you meant the R9 290X was equal to the GTX 780 NOT the 770!

I also own an EVGA GTX 780 Classified, a brute of a card. My 290s match up nicely to it with the advantage of a gig more Vram.

Nvidia drivers have been more polished but AMD really stepped up it's game with the Omega Drivers.

Again, the GTX 970 is a fine card for the price; I just opted to send mine back due to the misstatement of memory allocation and the potential of how that could affect me in future games.

The Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290 will tide me over just fine in the interim.

 

[desprado]

I have 2 R9 290s in CrossFire in rig 1 below and they are not "horrible". Surely you meant the R9 290X was equal to the GTX 780 NOT the 770!

I also own an EVGA GTX 780 Classified, a brute of a card. My 290s match up nicely to it with the advantage of a gig more Vram.

Nvidia drivers have been more polished but AMD really stepped up it's game with the Omega Drivers.

Again, the GTX 970 is a fine card for the price; I just opted to send mine back due to the misstatement of memory allocation and the potential of how that could affect me in future games.

The Sapphire Tri-X OC R9 290 will tide me over just fine in the interim.

No u totally get it wrong.I am talking about upcoming games.There is only upcoming game from AMD support which is Battlefield Hardline and other are all gameworks.So i want a better or best support for upcoming games.

yes i mean GTX 770 is equal to R9 290X in most gamework title because u should see Dying light or MGS V benchmark that shows R9 290X just nearly better than GTX 770.

 

[garagisti]

No which really means is that R9 290X will be mostly equal to GTX 770 in most of these games.

If op really can go without playing these on 1H 2015 than he is good to go but if he do not want to get frustrated than really R9 290X is horrable option.

Guys i have R9 290X lighting edition so i know what i am saying from my experience.Do not miss guide him because he is buying GPU to play games not just watching the card without any game support so plz advice him base on facts.

770gtx equals 290x eh? Lightning you say... LOL Surely you mean Nvidia Gameworks won't help much, but no game support? Who's misleading who?

 

[desprado]

770gtx equals 290x eh? Lightning you say... LOL Surely you mean Nvidia Gameworks won't help much, but no game support? Who's misleading who?

Lol?
I said R9 290X is performing same as GTX 770 in gameworks title example are MGS V or Dying light but not all.

plz dont show that u dont know anything that is why Google it or see the benchmark as simple is that can be.

 

[chimaxi83]

I were in ur place than i would have never returned and why because most 2015 1H games are most likely Gamework

Nvidia 2015 1h

Dying Light ( has shown that GTX 770 has some what equal performance to R9 290X)
Evolve (Conform gameworks support)
Project Cars(Conform gameworks support)
GTA V (Using Nvidia 3D vision and Gamework most likely but gameworks is not conformed yet)
Witcher 3(Conform gameworks support)
MGS V(Conform gameworks support)
Batman Arkham Knight (Conform gameworks support)

AMD 2015 1h
Battlefield Hardline with Mantle support

Can you list any real life benefits of any GameWorks game released so far? Not the marketing crap that they put on paper, something real and worthwhile.

 

[desprado]

Can you list any real life benefits of any GameWorks game released so far? Not the marketing crap that they put on paper, something real and worthwhile.

Dying Light and MGS V performed butter smooth on Nvidia GPUs and specially Dying light i was getting beyond 75fps average with everything max out.

Even DF said that

s it is, Dying Light is fairly scalable. On as close to console-level settings as we can get, a Core i3 PC with a GTX 750 Ti managed a console-like 30fps at 1080p

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-dying-light-face-off

again see what op said he wants best performance in games and longevity so plz advice him base on proper facts.Yes there are benefits such as Nvidia DOF,HABO+(one of the best) and MFAA.