Buying a New GPU

[Mohamed AkRam]

Hi Guys this is my first topic in linus tech tips
i want to ask you a question i'm going to buy a new graphics card and i'm confused between two ones Gigabyte GTX 970 / MSI R9 290x? 
i will run one of them on Thermaltake Smart SE 630W So i don't care about the sound and power consumption i want to know which one is better in the performance and last longer in the first i decided to buy the gigabyte gtx 970 but after i heard the problem of it in the VRAM i get confused :3 so help me guys  
Thanks   

[zappian]

The 290x is cheaper , has full 4 GB of VRAM and performs neck and neck.

 

I would go for that.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1059?vs=1355

[Imakuni]

For 1080p and even 1440p, the 970 is slightly stronger. However, it comes at a much higher price.

 

The benefits of it, over AMD are mainly lower power bills (which you said you didn't care for), compatibility with low wattage PSUs, and it generates a lot less heat. If you have poor airflow, or live in a hot place, that's pretty handy. Due to that, it also runs cooler at the same noise levels, or runs much quieter at the same temperatures.

 

Given the absurd price drops on the 290x side of things, I suppose that one is the best choice; keep in mind, though, the 970 also has some very nice perks.

[s3ns3]

go with the gigabyte gtx 970. you can`t get a better gpu for its price

 

http://www.thinkcomputers.org/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-970-g1-gaming-graphics-card-review/5/

[Imakuni]

go with the gigabyte gtx 970. you can`t get a better gpu for its price

 

http://www.thinkcomputers.org/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-970-g1-gaming-graphics-card-review/5/

Yes you can.

 

MSI Gaming 4g offers different perks that can be considered better, and the regular Gigabyte Windforce OC offers almost as much performance for a much lower price. Death to the G1 and the stupid amount of things they add, without actually boosting performance.

[Mohamed AkRam]

So gigabyte GTX 970 G1 will perform better than MSI R9 290x Lightning ? i need a final answer  

[SteveGrabowski]

They're both pretty awesome GPUs. I'd personally buy the MSI Lightning R9 290x today before that $300 price tag goes out the window, as that's a ridiculous price for a piece of hardware that strong. When I bought what made me choose Nvidia was that 290s had gone up $30 that month and Nvidia was offering a free game code for FC4/ACU/TheCrew while AMD was only offering CivBE (at least at newegg). If you buy a 970 you should probably spend the extra for the Gigabyte G1 Gaming since it's pretty much regarded the top overclocker. It seems like Nvidia might be on the verge of offering game codes again considering someone on Anandtech got a free Dying Light code when he told them he just missed the Pick Your Path promotion with the 970.

 

One side note with the Lightning though: it has three 8-pin connectors I think, but people here have told me you only need to connect two for normal usage; that the third is for extreme overclockers using liquid nitrogen cooling.

[Imakuni]

So gigabyte GTX 970 G1 will perform better than MSI R9 290x Lightning ? i need a final answer

If there WAS a final answer, you wouldn't even have started this discussion anyway.

1. In regards to raw performance, the 970 is stronger sometimes, and sometimes the 290x is. Draw.
2. In regards to power consumption, the 970 trounces over the 290x
3. In regards to noise and temps, the 970 is superior
4. In regards to price, the 290x is superior (right now)
5. There are also the exclusives. Shadowplay, G-sync, Mantle, True audio, all that crap.

[Mohamed AkRam]

so they are draw in the performance? 

[SteveGrabowski]

I just saw that power supply doesn't do close to 630W on the +12V rail. More like 540W (e.g., 45A on the +12V rail) from the specs on newegg. You should do some research as to whether it can actually put out the the 540W, as Thermaltake doesn't have the best reputation for power supplies. If so you could run the 290x. But if it's something that can really only do say 450W continuous power and 540W is just a peak value then you could be cutting things dangerously close with a 290x. So the power argument may matter for you, in which case the 970 is your best bet.

 

[s3ns3]

so they are draw in the performance? 

no. the best 290X is the vapor-X and a 970 stumps all over it http://www.thinkcomputers.org/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-970-g1-gaming-graphics-card-review/5/

[Imakuni]

no. the best 290X is the vapor-X and a 970 stumps all over it http://www.thinkcomputers.org/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-970-g1-gaming-graphics-card-review/5/

If by "stumps" you mean "has better performance in some games at 1080p, for a higher price", then yeah, it "stumps".

[Mohamed AkRam]

I just saw that power supply doesn't do close to 630W on the +12V rail. More like 540W (e.g., 45A on the +12V rail) from the specs on newegg. You should do some research as to whether it can actually put out the the 540W, as Thermaltake doesn't have the best reputation for power supplies. If so you could run the 290x. But if it's something that can really only do say 450W continuous power and 540W is just a peak value then you could be cutting things dangerously close with a 290x. So the power argument may matter for you, in which case the 970 is your best bet.

 

I didn't buy it yet 

what about the Cooler Master GM Series 650W? will run well on the MSI R9 290x Lightning?

[Mohamed AkRam]

Thanks Guys i will buy GTX 970

[SteveGrabowski]

I didn't buy it yet 

what about the Cooler Master GM Series 650W? will run well on the MSI R9 290x Lightning?

 

If you're in the US this is a nice deal on a really good semi-modular PSU:

 

http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=67325&vpn=HCG-620M&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1120

[SteveGrabowski]

This one is overkill, but it's a ridiculous deal on a top quality power supply with a ten year warranty

 

http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=94405&vpn=220-G2-0750-XR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1413

 

This one should be good to last you two or three video card upgrades, and you could easily run two 970s on it. Or probably two 290x, though the manufacturer would tell you to have 950W I think.