Can't decide which GFX card to buy...

[Greg99456]

Hey everyone!

 

So I'm going to be building a new gaming PC just after the New Year and I'm trying to plan everything now. However I've had a hard time determining which graphics card I should go with. 

 

Let me explain my plan! I want to go with a solid 1440p build that will play games like BF4 and future games at a reasonable frame rate maxed out. My budget is $3500 CDN and this is the build I've put together so far (exception being the graphics card which is interchangeable for X). http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/hYZkqs

 

Ideally, I'd like something that will allow me to upgrade to an SLI configuration in a few years to run 4K maxed out. But that's where I'm running into the problem. The new 980 seems to be the logical choice, but I'm not sure if it makes sense to spend the additional $300 over a 780 when I can almost SLI 780's today for almost the same price. 

 

I know that the new 980 uses new architecture and technology but is it really worth the price for future proofing? 

 

I've watched a lot of benchmark videos and read up on the stickies in this section of the forums but I'm still not sure. 

 

What do you think would be the best solution?

 

Thanks in advance!!

[CameronDSetty]

Id either go with a 980 or two 970's in sli.

[AlwaysFSX]

That build is a lot of wasted money..

[Greg99456]

That build is a lot of wasted money..

 

Suggestions?

[AlwaysFSX]

Suggestions?

Hold on, working on it.

[Cheese4395]

Scrap the i7 unless u really want to spend that kind of money but I suggest an i5 because it is cheaper and an i7 has no real gain over an i5 in games. Secondly that motherboard is way overboard and with the stuff your putting on it you don't need all the features. 

[Guest]

Suggestions?

 

A cheaper motherboard, less ram, a 240GB SSD and a 2 or 1TB HDD (if you don't need all that storage). You could probably get a second 980 or at least 2 970s then. You can add ram or another HDD later if you need it.

[MEC-777]

I would wait just a little longer and see what AMD comes out with early next year. If you go with the 980 only to find out AMD released a beast that performs better and costs less a month or two later, you'll kick yourself. 

 

Then there is also the rumored 980Ti that may be released later this year or early next year...

 

Can't wait for every new release though, or you'll be waiting forever. lol. If there's a new release in a month or so from when you plan to purchase, i would say wait. If said release is 3-4 months or more away, then just go for it and buy something on sale now. 

[felixbearpig]

That build is a lot of wasted money..

the only waste i see is the MB

[AlwaysFSX]

Suggestions?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($358.95 @ DirectCanada)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($109.99 @ Canada Computers)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($174.56 @ DirectCanada)

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($172.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($255.71 @ DirectCanada)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($102.98 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($409.99 @ Memory Express)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($409.99 @ Memory Express)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon Canada)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ DirectCanada)

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)

Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($449.99 @ Amazon Canada)

Total: $2669.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-01 10:52 EDT-0400

[MEC-777]

the only waste i see is the MB

This.

 

The rest isn't bad. If you have a higher budget and want to build a nice high-end rig, there's nothing wrong with these parts, really. 

[Greg99456]

Scrap the i7 unless u really want to spend that kind of money but I suggest an i5 because it is cheaper and an i7 has no real gain over an i5 in games. Secondly that motherboard is way overboard and with the stuff your putting on it you don't need all the features. 

 

I forgot to mention that I do light video editing for personal use as well - hence the extra RAM and i7.

 

A cheaper motherboard, less ram, a 240GB SSD and a 2 or 1TB HDD (if you don't need all that storage). You could probably get a second 980 or at least 2 970s then. You can add ram or another HDD later if you need it.

 

3 TB is what I need with regards to video editing

 

I would wait just a little longer and see what AMD comes out with early next year. If you go with the 980 only to find out AMD released a beast that performs better and costs less a month or two later, you'll kick yourself. 

 

Then there is also the rumored 980Ti that may be released later this year or early next year...

 

Can't wait for every new release though, or you'll be waiting forever. lol. If there's a new release in a month or so from when you plan to purchase, i would say wait. If said release is 3-4 months or more away, then just go for it and buy something on sale now. 

 

I figured they would. That's why I'm not going to pull the trigger on anything until they inevitably come back with something else. I was leaning towards the AMD side before the 980.

 

This.

 

The rest isn't bad. If you have a higher budget and want to build a nice high-end rig, there's nothing wrong with these parts, really. 

 

I prefer Asus and Corsair, I like the companies and their products. I know the ROG board is overkill but why not?

[Face2Face]

Like others have said, I would scale down you MB selection. I would personally go with two GTX 970's if buying new and grab this monitor - 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0JC-0007-00009&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-LCD+%2f+LED+Monitors-_-0JC-0007-00009&gclid=CPytraDdi8ECFW0V7AodQxEAqQ

 

No reason to go 1440p, when 2160p isn't much more...

[MEC-777]

 

I prefer Asus and Corsair, I like the companies and their products. I know the ROG board is overkill but why not?

 

Well, ultimately it's up to you. It's your money. We're just making the point that you can get a motherboard that has most of the features of that ROG board (and probably still more than you'd ever need) for FAR less money (closer to $200). With the ROG stuff, you're paying for the branding, for the most part. 

[Greg99456]

Well, ultimately it's up to you. It's your money. We're just making the point that you can get a motherboard that has most of the features of that ROG board (and probably still more than you'd ever need) for FAR less money (closer to $200). With the ROG stuff, you're paying for the branding, for the most part. 

 

Can you recommend an Asus board? The big selling feature for me was onboard audio as well as wifi. I've never bothered to look at sound cards and prefer to have PCI slots saved for graphics cards instead of a wireless card. Anything you can recommend? I know this isn't the build planning section so thanks for your input!

[Greg99456]

Like others have said, I would scale down you MB selection. I would personally go with two GTX 970's if buying new and grab this monitor - 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0JC-0007-00009&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-LCD+%2f+LED+Monitors-_-0JC-0007-00009&gclid=CPytraDdi8ECFW0V7AodQxEAqQ

 

No reason to go 1440p, when 2160p isn't much more...

 

Never even considered this option! And 4K ready! Thank you!

[MEC-777]

Can you recommend an Asus board? The big selling feature for me was onboard audio as well as wifi. I've never bothered to look at sound cards and prefer to have PCI slots saved for graphics cards instead of a wireless card. Anything you can recommend? I know this isn't the build planning section so thanks for your input!

Give this board a look: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-maximusviihero

 

Only thing it doesn't have is built-in wifi, but that's an easy fix if you absolutely must have it.

[Greg99456]

Give this board a look: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-maximusviihero

 

Only thing it doesn't have is built-in wifi, but that's an easy fix if you absolutely must have it.

 

Awesome, thanks for the input!

 

So the general consensus so far seems to be SLI 970's or wait for a 980ti/AMD rebuttal.

[menendez1293]

Personally the reason I would go with the 980 is because you can a second one down the road for future games. With the 970s you already have two and adding a third is usually stupid. 

[Greg99456]

Personally the reason I would go with the 980 is because you can a second one down the road for future games. With the 970s you already have two and adding a third is usually stupid. 

 

And that's what I was worried about. I tried to search for 970 SLI benchmarks on 4K. But this doesn't help me at all in 3 years time. Would you still choose a 980 over a 780 considering the price tag difference? Does the 980 justify the future proofing or am I okay with the 780. (Many questions that have open-ended answers, I know, sorry).

[menendez1293]

And that's what I was worried about. I tried to search for 970 SLI benchmarks on 4K. But this doesn't help me at all in 3 years time. Would you still choose a 980 over a 780 considering the price tag difference? Does the 980 justify the future proofing or am I okay with the 780. (Many questions that have open-ended answers, I know, sorry).

Would I choose a 980 over a 780, yes. The 980 competes more with the 780ti. According to Tom's Hardware, the 980 got an average of 47 FPS in Theif at 3840X2160 on high. I would tell you battlefields FPS but the picture on their site is not loading.

[Greg99456]

Would I choose a 980 over a 780, yes. The 980 competes more with the 780ti. According to Tom's Hardware, the 980 got an average of 47 FPS in Theif at 3840X2160 on high. I would tell you battlefields FPS but the picture on their site is not loading.

 

Awesome! I can take a look at their website. I know the 780 isn't going to perform like the 980. So I guess maybe the 980 is the best way to go at the moment. Unless there's a 980ti/AMD solution before the New Year. Unless anyone else has a different perspective other than the SLI 970's.

[MEC-777]

+1 for single more powerful card now and add a 2nd later on. Whether it be a 980, 980ti or AMD equivalent/competitor.

[VulsaviiK]

I prefer Asus and Corsair, I like the companies and their products. I know the ROG board is overkill but why not?

 

At least buy the one with the cool thermal armour

 

 

Personally the reason I would go with the 980 is because you can a second one down the road for future games. With the 970s you already have two and adding a third is usually stupid. 

 

The flip side of that coin is that down the track you could just replace the cards with the nest one up in the series for not much more. As far as "future games" goes, unless you've a crystal ball, it's not a valid point. The graphics market could stagnate, or we could get a whole bunch of "system-crushers". Who knows? I don't, and neither do you

[menendez1293]

The flip side of that coin is that down the track you could just replace the cards with the nest one up in the series for not much more. As far as "future games" goes, unless you've a crystal ball, it's not a valid point. The graphics market could stagnate, or we could get a whole bunch of "system-crushers". Who knows? I don't, and neither do you

Oh don't get me wrong, I agree with you that it is a poor argument as current trends for new games can only give us so much insight as to what the future will be. And you also do bring up a valid point how you could just upgrade next series as well.