mining / gaming GPU help?

[jameshumphries47]

okay guys I have £350, to spend on a gpu I want a gaming and mining balance because I want to get some money back to put towards upgrades and so on, so I was thinking a 770 but that's no good at mining so im stuck really a 280x or 290, HELP what would you choose I need one for mining and gaming balance

thanks in advance

~James

[SAV1OUR]

both are good but what you need to consider is how much is your power costs and are you ok with your parts degrading quicker  

[jameshumphries47]

power isn't an issue my parents aha lol , seriously though if I can make enough money of it to do yearly upgrades

[SAV1OUR]

power isn't an issue my parents aha lol , seriously though if I can make enough money of it to do yearly upgrades

then go for whatever fits your budget both are good gaming and mining cards side note please use the reply option gives the person a notification rather then having to come back and check  

[jameshumphries47]

@SAV1OUR I have IE and the reply button don't work

[SAV1OUR]

@SAV1OUR I have IE and the reply button don't work

ahh just mention them both just makes it allot easier  

[Prokart2000]

280x is good for gaming and I suppose mining not sure

[harrynowl]

The 280X or a R9 290 is a good bet, make sure it's non reference though!

[jameshumphries47]

@harrynowl what is the difference between reference and non reference??

[harrynowl]

@harrynowl what is the difference between reference and non reference??

Well in terms of the coolers the Reference AMD cooler is god awful with a single (80mm?) fan that can't keep the card under 95c without making Jet Engine sounds, whereas a non-reference cooled card like Windforce, Tri-X or Direct CU II are of much better design for vastly reduced acoustics and temperatures.

 

Reference vs non reference PCBs is kind of personal preference, usually reference PCBs are preferred by people doing custom loop watercooling because of the availability of waterblocks, whereas I tend to get non reference ASUS or EVGA designs as I don't custom cool my card and they have better power delivery and whatnot for overclocking.