considering R9 280x

[knows_something]

Should I get the R9 280x graphics card?

 

It's not as simple as that. My current specs:

-intel core 2 quad q8300 @2,5GHz

-mobo: gigabyte ga-ep45-ud3l

-Kingston DDR2 2x2GB 

-Nvidia 9800GT 1GB

-Chieftec 550w aps 550s

 

I could buy:

1. 

Radeon R9 280X, 3GB GDDR5 PowerColor (140€)

2. 

Vapor-x sapphire 280x (145€)

3.

Sapphire Radeon R9 280x (150€)

but for either one of those cards, i'd have to buy a new psu.

i know everything would bottleneck it but that wouldn't be a big problen sibce i intend to have this card for a lot time and considering upgrading the whole thing in the summer 2015. 

My friends recommend me to buy this card since it's about 140€ (that's how much i have). they are all used but for as much as half a year and i could probably get the price down a little bit. 

I would really like to know what you recommend me and i will take into considertaions every one of your replies.

thank you in advance

[79wjd]

Well, you should get a new psu regardless as youre is.....well, crap. But a 550w psu is enough for any current single gpu.

 

And the Vapor-X 280x is pretty much the best 280x, so I'd go for that since its basically the same price. 

 

I would be hesitant buying a used card though. 

[knows_something]

Well, you should get a new psu regardless as youre is.....well, crap. 

 

But a 550w psu is enough for any current single gpu.

 

And the Vapor-X 280x is pretty much the best 280x, so I'd go for that since its basically the same price. 

on every one of those gpus' sites show that i need atleats 750w for it (1000w for CF)

[79wjd]

on every one of those gpus' sites show that i need atleats 750w for it (1000w for CF)

Not at all. 

 

A 550w is plenty for a 280x (even a 290x); but your psu is still a piece of crap :unsure: 

[typographie]

on every one of those gpus' sites show that i need atleats 750w for it (1000w for CF)

 

550 Watts is "enough," mathematically speaking. The question is whether or not a Chieftec PSU is trustworthy enough to power a card that as demanding as an R9 280X. Chieftec has a pretty poor reputation for reliability.

[knows_something]

so which affordable psu would you recommend to be "trustworthy" for this rig and for possible upgrade

[Creepz]

on every one of those gpus' sites show that i need atleats 750w for it (1000w for CF)

550 watts is good enough if the power supply is efficient and a reputable brand. If it's >80 plus I would upgrade.

[79wjd]

so which affordable psu would you recommend to be "trustworthy" for this rig and for possible upgrade

Location and budget and define possible upgrades. 

 

If you want it to be able to power two 280x's in Crossfire, then you'd want 750w+, for just a single gpu then 550w+. 

 

EVGA G2 750 (one of the best PSUs)

Corsair CX550, CX600/m, CX750m, EVGA B1 500 (more budget PSUs)

 

But most stuff from Corsair, Cooler Master, EVGA, NZXT, Fractal Design, and Be Quiet are good. 

[knows_something]

so the only problem here is the psu?

[79wjd]

so the only problem here is the psu?

Well, your cpu will be a bottleneck in SOME (not all) games; so it depends what games you intend to play. 

 

4gb of RAM also isn't really ideal, but its manageable. 

[knows_something]

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

[knows_something]

Well, you should get a new psu regardless as youre is.....well, crap. But a 550w psu is enough for any current single gpu.

 

And the Vapor-X 280x is pretty much the best 280x, so I'd go for that since its basically the same price. 

 

I would be hesitant buying a used card though. 

all three of them have active warranty for atleats 18 months so i don't think that would be a problem. and as i said they weren't used a lot