Can't decide between AMD or NVIDIA

[Meijilol]

Hey,

 

I am going to buy a new computer for programming, gaming and casual stuff.

 

I've made my build, it suits perfectly my needs except the graphics card. I can't decide.

 

I can only afford a GTX 770 or a R9 280X maximum.

 

I've had a HD 4870 Vapor-X for more than 5 years now and I can't play recent games so any of these two would be a huge upgrade but I am looking for the most future-proof. 

 

I'd pick the 770 if it had 3Go VRAM because there are really few complaints about this one and the performance are enough for me.

 

The 280X looks more future proof with its 3Go but so many black screen and artifacts issues...

 

So, should I go with safety or risk? Is the risk taken with a 280x really worth it?

 

Could someone tell me about the usage of VRAM in actual games? I've been playing with a now really old GPU for years so I don't care if I can't play with FXAA8 or whatever but I really don't want to spend 300€ on something that will not last long.

 

I'll be playing on a 1080p monitor and there is also another monitor wired, a 720p one (only for browsing or whatever).

[CoronaBlue]

VRAM becomes more important for multiple monitors/higher resolution. It is also important for loading in high resolution textures (ala modded Skyrim). In my experience, VRAM doesn't really make a performance difference unless you run out. I can't say whether or not future games will use more than 2GB of VRAM. Most likely, but I have yet to see any system requirements calling for that (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

I prefer NVIDIA, and most of the stuff I've read about AMD cards suggests that they tend to run hotter and louder. I have a GTX 770 in my build right now, and it performs beautifully. I use it with a single 1080p monitor.

 

You might also want to double check your motherboard to see if it supports SLI or Crossfire. Kind of silly to have an NVIDIA card with a Crossfire only board. Trust me, I made that mistake.

[CJPowell27]

There's someone in the classified section of the forums selling a R9 290 for 300 bucks I would take that 

[FuriousFing]

VRAM becomes more important for multiple monitors/higher resolution. It is also important for loading in high resolution textures (ala modded Skyrim). In my experience, VRAM doesn't really make a performance difference unless you run out. I can't say whether or not future games will use more than 2GB of VRAM. Most likely, but I have yet to see any system requirements calling for that (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

I prefer NVIDIA, and most of the stuff I've read about AMD cards suggests that they tend to run hotter and louder. I have a GTX 770 in my build right now, and it performs beautifully. I use it with a single 1080p monitor.

 

You might also want to double check your motherboard to see if it supports SLI or Crossfire. Kind of silly to have an NVIDIA card with a Crossfire only board. Trust me, I made that mistake.

Watch_Dogs takes 3GB of Graphics card RAM to run on the highest graphics settings.

[CoronaBlue]

Watch_Dogs takes 3GB of Graphics card RAM to run on the highest graphics settings.

Thanks. I haven't looked at the requirements for that one because I hadn't planned on getting it. I've heard stories of it using more just because it has issues.

[hadesjoy72]

Easy pick....take a quarter...heads AMD, tails AMD....whichever side you land on...choose that GPU manufacturer....   FuriousFing is correct in advising to check your mobo for support for either Crossfire/SLI or both....some only support one or the other..

[Noilliz]

Like ForiousFing said, Check your mobo for SLI or Crossfire support. Some games run better on a Nvidea card and some run better on a AMD card. So it really pendents on the game you wan't to play as well. Like the GTX 770 will run better at battlefield 3 and the R9 280X will run better at BF4.

 

Overall it are 2 great cards it it really shouldn't matter what card you pick. the R9 280X is slightly cheaper so that is something to think about as well.

A lot of people say that VRam won't effect your FPS that much but with the next gen games you are going start seeing that games are using more Vram duo bigger texture's. so i would recommend getting a 3gb Vram card to be sure you don't start having any trouble with that. For example Watch Dogs takes a huge amount of Vram if you turn up the texture settings. Linus even recommends a 6gb Vram card for ultra! Thats insane and i hope thats a bug inside the game they will fix.

 

I would say look up a lot of benchmarks. youtube has plenty of them. and google are your best friend!

 

And very important as well do you need a PSU upgrade, you wouldn't want your new card to arrive just to see that your PSU can't handle a big GPU.

[xAcid9]

I prefer NVIDIA, and most of the stuff I've read about AMD cards suggests that they tend to run hotter and louder. I have a GTX 770 in my build right now, and it performs beautifully. I use it with a single 1080p monitor.

 

Wrong mindset, only apply to the 290/290x. My 7950 runs cooler than most non-ref Kepler. It's barely audible too.

[-iSynthesis]

Theres not much risk going with amd... also, where are you living? Where i livethe r9 290 costs about the same as a 770 so you may take a look at that

[GloriousPain]

4GB 770? They do make those Linus even reviewed a couple!

[Meijilol]

Hey,

Thanks for your answers.

I live in France so I cant buy on this forum. The 770 is 270€ for the msi twin frozr and 300€ for a 4gb version. The R9 290 is 350€, I really cant go this far.

I'm think I am going to buy the sapphire 280x tri x vapor x OC. Worst case scenario, I rma it and buy a 770. I'll also look for a 4gb 770 but I dont like zotac and the EVGA one is a bit too much.