R9 270x

[GeoffreyPope]

I have run into somewhat of an issue. It revolves around my old computer and wanting more power; it is that, as i am on a budget, i am wondering if i should wait to do a full system build before buying any parts or buy the psu and gpu to beef up ny current (dual core) system. I can see the advantages of doing the latter but was wondering if there were any significant disadvantages to this.

 

This is my first use of the linistechtips site, so my apologies if i have used it incorrectly, otherwise, thanks for your time!

[Shd0w2]

What are your current specs on that build?

 

Also, GEOFFREY SHALL DIE.

-Game of thrones

[AlwaysFSX]

Pro tip, get a 270 instead of a 270x, same card but it's cheaper

[GeoffreyPope]

Aha, we can but hope! My specs are: E4400, 2.0ghz. 4gb xms ddr2. G3M02 motherboard (yes it's an old Dell, but it was free so no complaints from me!) 2x 400gb drives. I understand the r9 270 & 270x perform similarly when overclocked, but as i do not intend to do overclocking is the difference worth it?

[GeoffreyPope]

Oh, as a footnote: I am planning to build a pc later, I'm just asking if mine provides a suitable stepping stone until such a time as i have the money to buy the rest of the components.

[Muttonchop]

Same predicament with my gtx 760

[ArrayGamer]

Oh, as a footnote: I am planning to build a pc later, I'm just asking if mine provides a suitable stepping stone until such a time as i have the money to buy the rest of the components.

If money is a major concern, look on ebay. r9 270x: $141 http://www.ebay.com/itm/HIS-IceQ-X-Boost-H270XQM2G2M-Radeon-R9-270X-with-all-accessories-and-retail-box-/261460124681?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3ce03ce409

r9 280x: $208 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280X-3-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-Ultimate-Gaming-Crypto-Mining-/271467892557?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3f34bf4f4d

[GeoffreyPope]

I don't think i explained fully, my apologies. I don't have the money for a full system build now, but i do have money for the GPU and PSU. I have a computer I can upgrade temporarily, the real questionis: should i?

If money is a major concern, look on ebay. r9 270x: $141 http://www.ebay.com/itm/HIS-IceQ-X-Boost-H270XQM2G2M-Radeon-R9-270X-with-all-accessories-and-retail-box-/261460124681?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3ce03ce409

r9 280x: $208 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280X-3-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-Ultimate-Gaming-Crypto-Mining-/271467892557?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3f34bf4f4d

[Sonefiler]

I don't think i explained fully, my apologies. I don't have the money for a full system build now, but i do have money for the GPU and PSU. I have a computer I can upgrade temporarily, the real questionis: should i?

Do NOT get a 280X or 290 on Ebay. They are 99% Miners and will die on you. Only get it if it comes with warranty.

[GeoffreyPope]

Do NOT get a 280X or 290 on Ebay. They are 99% Miners and will die on you. Only get it if it comes with warranty.

Thanks for the info! I do only buy hardware new, or from people i know anyway. Seems like a sensible policy.

[SkulD]

I have run into somewhat of an issue. It revolves around my old computer and wanting more power; it is that, as i am on a budget, i am wondering if i should wait to do a full system build before buying any parts or buy the psu and gpu to beef up ny current (dual core) system. I can see the advantages of doing the latter but was wondering if there were any significant disadvantages to this.

 

This is my first use of the linistechtips site, so my apologies if i have used it incorrectly, otherwise, thanks for your time!

I see nothing wrong with that you plan to do, my only concern is how much longer will it take before the next upgrade.

 

If you get a PSU and GPU now you will see more FPS specially in gpu bound games, CPU bound games not so much.

 

Later when you get the rest of the system EVERY game will benefit, so if you plan to finish your build in a couple of months from now i see no problem with your move, as long as you pick your parts wisely.

 

Thats my opinion though. anyone else would like to say something?

[GamerDude]

If you get an R9 270 and a new PSU, most definitely you would see an improvement in framerate in games held back by your present GPU. For games that are CPU bound, I'm afraid you may not see much, if any, improvement. I have a more powerful 3rd rig - C2Q X9650/8GB DDR2 1066 RAM,/HD7970 - and yes, perhaps my HD7970 is held back by the CPU in CPU intensive games, but as long as the game is playable, I don't fret over it. Games that weren't playable for you because your present GPU does not have the grunt for it, the R9 270 would help. Bear in mind, having the E4400 would severely bottleneck some games, so the sooner you upgrade to a new rig, the better it would be......obviously.

 

IF you do decide to go for the R9 270 and a new PSU, do look at Seasonic, Corsair, SilverStone, XFX, etc PSU's in the 500W range or a tad higher......assuming you aren't going CF and such.

[GeoffreyPope]

I see nothing wrong with that you plan to do, my only concern is how much longer will it take before the next upgrade.

 

If you get a PSU and GPU now you will see more FPS specially in gpu bound games, CPU bound games not so much.

 

Later when you get the rest of the system EVERY game will benefit, so if you plan to finish your build in a couple of months from now i see no problem with your move, as long as you pick your parts wisely.

 

Thats my opinion though. anyone else would like to say something?

Thanks for your reply. It will take another 2/3 months till the next upgrade, and I will then be building a whole new system to replace the old one! I would hope to see a performance boost, going from a petty GT 640 to an r9 270 series card should be quite interesting.  

[GeoffreyPope]

If you get an R9 270 and a new PSU, most definitely you would see an improvement in framerate in games held back by your present GPU. For games that are CPU bound, I'm afraid you may not see much, if any, improvement. I have a more powerful 3rd rig - C2Q X9650/8GB DDR2 1066 RAM,/HD7970 - and yes, perhaps my HD7970 is held back by the CPU in CPU intensive games, but as long as the game is playable, I don't fret over it. Games that weren't playable for you because your present GPU does not have the grunt for it, the R9 270 would help. Bear in mind, having the E4400 would severely bottleneck some games, so the sooner you upgrade to a new rig, the better it would be......obviously.

 

IF you do decide to go for the R9 270 and a new PSU, do look at Seasonic, Corsair, SilverStone, XFX, etc PSU's in the 500W range or a tad higher......assuming you aren't going CF and such.

I know the 270 performs similarly to the 270x when overclocked but, considering that I don't plan to do any overclocking with my computer, is the r9 270x worth it over the r9 270 for £10 extra - or am I better off going with the 270? Also I do plan to buy a decent power supply, I had to lend one to my friend yesterday because his blew up (thankfully not damaging the rest of his system) but it was the cheapest component in there! And he laughed at my wanting a good one..  

[GamerDude]

I know the 270 performs similarly to the 270x when overclocked but, considering that I don't plan to do any overclocking with my computer, is the r9 270x worth it over the r9 270 for £10 extra - or am I better off going with the 270? Also I do plan to buy a decent power supply, I had to lend one to my friend yesterday because his blew up (thankfully not damaging the rest of his system) but it was the cheapest component in there! And he laughed at my wanting a good one..

The PSU is the proverbial heart of a system, and is actually true.....it IS the heart of the system pumping out the necessary juice needed for your system to run well. NEVER scrimp on a PSU, pay till it hurts.....get an XFX Core PSU or the lower tier Corsair PSU like the GS or CX versions. I NEVER EVER scrimp on PSU's I buy for my rigs, I am using two Corsair HX series PSU's, a Seasonic and a SilverStone.....when it comes to PSU's, I paid it it hurt.......boy, it hurt a lot actually.

 

As for the R9 270X, since it costs just 10 pounds more than the 270, might as well go all the way then. The 270X is good enough for 1080P gaming, assuming that's the res you game at since I don't recall seeing anything about res mentioned earlier. It's a pretty good gaming card, just make sure you get one with a good 3rd party cooler for even better temps.

[SkulD]

I know the 270 performs similarly to the 270x when overclocked but, considering that I don't plan to do any overclocking with my computer, is the r9 270x worth it over the r9 270 for £10 extra - or am I better off going with the 270? Also I do plan to buy a decent power supply, I had to lend one to my friend yesterday because his blew up (thankfully not damaging the rest of his system) but it was the cheapest component in there! And he laughed at my wanting a good one..

i would suggest that you get the r9 270X because it should be higer binned and is faster out of the box, while still letting you OC it further if you feel like doing so in the future

[GeoffreyPope]

Brilliant - thanks y'all for your advice, 'specially Gamerdude and SkulD for your help. I will go for the r9 270x and a CX500, and upgrade the system in a couple of months. I might buy another one to crossfire with if I find I want more performance, and I can't buy a 280x or 290x outright and I don't want to wait much longer! As you may have guessed, patience is not really a strong point!