Debating switching fanboyism....

[N3rot0xin]

As the title might suggest, I'm pondering an upgrade in the next couple of months, around the holidays. In particular, I'm upgrading my graphics card. I was considering upgrading my CPU, but I want to wait until we know more about AMD's Zen architecture before i make that call.

 

I've pretty much decided I'm getting something good, as im tired of buying 'just good enough'. Currently, I have an MSI 270X slight overclock. Had it for about a year. 

 

I've got a roughly $500 budget for this, so TI editions are out of the question, as are most of the Fury cards. I've narrowed it down to:

R9 390X - Price between $400-$450 (USD)

GTX 980 - Price between $450-$550 (USD)

 

I'm pretty much in the middle on this, and here's why. Performance wise, the 980 comes out on top pretty much across the board. But the 390x isn't that far behind, and the prices kinda reflect that. My initial reaction was "just buy a 390x you fanboy; RED TEAM OR GTFO". But then i started looking into it, and was slightly less compelled. While yes, the performance was behind that of a 980, it was ultimately cheaper and would last me quite a while playing games without struggle. Then I started looking into how it would affect the rest of system(read: power supplies). Ive seen varrying reports on this, but the avg load is 275-300w, and some had  TDP of 375w. I currently have a 500w CX500, and an FX6350 (slight overclock). Currently, I dont think i pull more then 350w under load, So im right in that sweet spot. But with a 390x, id be pushing close to 450 and my 500w wouldn't cut it. So I would have to upgrade that. At that point, i was like "welp, i dont want to upgrade that yet. So, 980 it is!". Until an hour later. When i was thinking about it more, i realized that maybe buying a gpu and PSU would suit me better in the long run, because I'd be getting two upgrades at the price of (roughly) a 980. So here I am, stuck pondering all this. I know its all a personal decision, but I still dont want it to be a dumb uneducated one out of haste. 

 

I haven't really compared against any of the Fury cards either. Maybe there's a beast in there within my budget I'm missing? I'm just looking for suggestions or other directions to investigate while i have time. Any input would be super-coo. 

 

* all price "comparisons" are estimates; as prices on things vary by brand, its hard to say which will make it to the cart. 

[PlayStation 2]

Go R9 390X, and get https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1

[don_svetlio]

R9 Fury is 550$ and is 15-20% faster than a 980

[Fulgrim]

I'd say get an R9 390 (Sapphire Nitro model ofc), as it's a nice sweet spot for price vs performance. You can even throw in a quality 650W/750W PSU in. Something like a Cooler Master VSM 750w unit.

[ZetZet]

R9 Fury is 550$ and is 15-20% faster than a 980

and exactly even after overclocking is done. but at stock yes, it's faster.

[Mohenjo]

390x is pretty good 

[don_svetlio]

with a CX500 you NEED a new PSU regardless of card - the 980 draws about 220W-250W and the 390X draws around 300-340W

[Samfisher]

Either get a 970 and OC that to 980 lvls, or a 390 if you want to be on AMD's side.  I personally cannot live without ShadowPlay.

[Castdeath97]

Some fury's sell for 500 dollars like this one

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100379sr

 

if you can't find one that sells for 500 wherever you buy it from just get the 980 since you can afford it, but if you aim to use anything more than 1440p just get the r9 390x since it generally performs in the same level at 4K.

[Lawliet93]

If you have a fx 6350... upgrade to some h81 and i5 4460 and get the r9 380x thats going to be released this weak, it will give about 35% more graphics performance and the cpu will aid your gameplay as well.

[don_svetlio]

and exactly even after overclocking is done. but at stock yes, it's faster.

Yep - though you have to admit not every 980 reaches 1550MHz

[don_svetlio]

Some fury's sell for 500 dollars like this one

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100379sr

 

if you can't find one that sells for 500 wherever you buy it from just get the 980 since you can afford it, but if you aim to use anything more than 1440p just get the r9 390x since it generally performs in the same level at 4K.

Holy shit - that's 50$ less than MSRP and a Sapphire as well - best for him imo

[Biggerboot]

You should just give up fanboyism.

[XTankSlayerX]

I've had a CX500 for... About 3 years, and 2 of those years my system has been left on 24/7.

I haven't had any issues that weren't caused by human error.

I'd say get the 980, I feel like at this point you should consider the features of each.

Gamestream can be very useful, Shadowplay is great, GeForce Experience is great as well, and you'll be able to play a local co-op game with your friends with Nvidias game share thing.

I'd definitely would go green, especially if you're wanting to get a Steam link; I'd go for the SHIELD Console. Android gaming isn't that bad, neither is the console.

EDIT: Raw Performance isn't what I'm trying to get at here, I'm trying to get something that has a lot of different features. Which at this level is more important imo.

[don_svetlio]

I've had a CX500 for... About 3 years, and 2 of those years my system has been left on 24/7.

I haven't had any issues that weren't caused by human error.

I'd say get the 980, I feel like at this point you should consider the features of each.

Gamestream can be very useful, Shadowplay is great, GeForce Experience is great as well, and you'll be able to play a local co-op game with your friends with Nvidias game share thing.

I'd definitely would go green, especially if you're wanting to get a Steam link; I'd go for the SHIELD Console. Android gaming isn't that bad, neither is the console.

EDIT: Raw Performance isn't what I'm trying to get at here, I'm trying to get something that has a lot of different features. Which at this level is more important imo.

Those "features" are also 95% present on the 390X/Fury but with a Red color accent

[XTankSlayerX]

Those "features" are also 95% present on the 390X/Fury but with a Red color accent

AMD has gamesteam? Since when?

[N3rot0xin]

Wow, lots of good response so fast. I didn't see that $499 Fury... compelling. I'm still equally torn, but with that EVGA power supply that might be the way to go. Features aren't really something im concerned with a whole lot, as most of them are shared between cards in some form or another. I dont really plan to stream my games to any other device, or play local co-op either. 

 

Also, i should've put this in the OP but i dont think i'll be going beyond 1440p anytime soon. I'm not even *at* 1440p yet. 

[don_svetlio]

Wow, lots of good response so fast. I didn't see that $499 Fury... compelling. I'm still equally torn, but with that EVGA power supply that might be the way to go. Features aren't really something im concerned with a whole lot, as most of them are shared between cards in some form or another. I dont really plan to stream my games to any other device, or play local co-op either. 

 

Also, i should've put this in the OP but i dont think i'll be going beyond 1440p anytime soon. I'm not even *at* 1440p yet. 

EVGA GS 550W/EVGA B2 550W is all you need for a new GPU

If those are too expensive - XFX TS 550W or Antec High Current Gamer 520W

If that's not good - SeaSonic M12II Evo 520W/S12G 550W

Also - FSP Aurum Pro is a decent PSU if it's somehow cheaper (doubt it)

@STRMfrmXMN and @Aniallation have quite the thorough lists on the topic

 

AMD has gamesteam? Since when?

95%

[STRMfrmXMN]

@STRMfrmXMN and @Aniallation have quite the thorough lists on the topic

 

Yup, PSU whitelist in sig

[PlayStation 2]

I've had a CX500 for... About 3 years, and 2 of those years my system has been left on 24/7.

I haven't had any issues that weren't caused by human error.

I'd say get the 980, I feel like at this point you should consider the features of each.

Gamestream can be very useful, Shadowplay is great, GeForce Experience is great as well, and you'll be able to play a local co-op game with your friends with Nvidias game share thing.

I'd definitely would go green, especially if you're wanting to get a Steam link; I'd go for the SHIELD Console. Android gaming isn't that bad, neither is the console.

EDIT: Raw Performance isn't what I'm trying to get at here, I'm trying to get something that has a lot of different features. Which at this level is more important imo.

390X can pretty much do the similar.

 

Gamestream is kinda eh. IMO OBS is better, and Shadowplay falls under this.

 

Okay, you know damn well that both GFE and GE suck arse and broken.

[Lawliet93]

AMD has gamesteam? Since when?

Since raptr...

[N3rot0xin]

EVGA GS 550W/EVGA B2 550W is all you need for a new GPU

If those are too expensive - XFX TS 550W or Antec High Current Gamer 520W

If that's not good - SeaSonic M12II Evo 520W/S12G 550W

Also - FSP Aurum Pro is a decent PSU if it's somehow cheaper (doubt it)

@STRMfrmXMN and @Aniallation have quite the thorough lists on the topic

 

95%

 

I like how the EVGA is modular(havent looked at the other ones yet). And, 550-600w is really what i would be jumping to. I know i dont need more then that yet. I'll give those lists a look. 

[Morgan MLGman]

If you have a fx 6350... upgrade to some h81 and i5 4460 and get the r9 380x thats going to be released this weak, it will give about 35% more graphics performance and the cpu will aid your gameplay as well.

I would disagree. No point in doing that. 6350 + Fury/980/390X >>>> 4460 + 380X.

He can get the GPU and upgrade his CPU as the next thing in a few months and get more performance overall.

[TheCaptain53]

Gamestream can be very useful, Shadowplay is great, GeForce Experience is great as well, and you'll be able to play a local co-op game with your friends with Nvidias game share thing.

Fucking seriously? GeForce Experience is garbage.

[Lawliet93]

OP... you do know, that the fx 6350 is not enough to feed a r9 390x or the gtx 980... well even the gtx 970 and r9 380x would be bottlenecked. That´s why I have suggested the a locked i5 and the  R9 380x (when it´s out)... a 500W PSU will be plenty for that combo, your power consumption will be actually lover.