R9 280X realiable?

[Iron couch]

So im thinking about replacing my weak 260x with a 280x and it seemed like a really legit card. But after some research i came across this "artifact issue" with the 280x...now it could be complete BS but ive seen alot of vids of people having that problem with the 280x and i found a list of most returned pc components here in the forums and the 280x seemed to have a big percentage there. I really want this card since the gtx 760 seems to be a bit less powerful but if the 280x isnt 99% reliable then im propably not gonna take the risk.

[Archangel1994]

The R9 280X has a fairly high failure rate when it comes to overclocking, however if you leave it on the factory OC or just go slightly higher there is no issue. Otherwise if it artifacts real soon just send it back to the store and get a different card

 

@Iron couch

 

Something you might want to look at though: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003622sr

Not that much more than an R9 280X but significantly more powerful

[Laputacake]

I haven't heard about any problems. Also it will depend on the OEM. For example, XFX will use a different PCB design compared to Sapphire so they will be completly different apart from the ram and chip. For OEMs i'd say Sapphire

[CJHGunner]

When I was looking a year ago it depended on the aftermarket dealer you pick (Your Gigabytes and XFX's) I found ASUS and some MSI cards had issues with artifacting as they had some of the higher clockrates on the market. I would say the 280x is a solid card and if you pick the right dealer you should be fine.

[Iron couch]

The R9 280X has a fairly high failure rate when it comes to overclocking, however if you leave it on the factory OC or just go slightly higher there is no issue. Otherwise if it artifacts real soon just send it back to the store and get a different card

 

@Iron couch

 

Something you might want to look at though: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003622sr

Not that much more than an R9 280X but significantly more powerful

I would buy the 290 but im on a tight budget and cant really go over 300 euros.

 

I haven't heard about any problems. Also it will depend on the OEM. For example, XFX will use a different PCB design compared to Sapphire so they will be completly different apart from the ram and chip. For OEMs i'd say Sapphire

Most of the complaints have been about sapphire but other OEMs have been mentioned too...

 

When I was looking a year ago it depended on the aftermarket dealer you pick (Your Gigabytes and XFX's) I found ASUS and some MSI cards had issues with artifacting as they had some of the higher clockrates on the market. I would say the 280x is a solid card and if you pick the right dealer you should be fine.

Right now the gigabyte version seems to be the best bang for the buck but i can go with xfx too. Cant really decide, ive watched the non reference comparison video by Linus but still not sure.

[dalekphalm]

So im thinking about replacing my weak 260x with a 280x and it seemed like a really legit card. But after some research i came across this "artifact issue" with the 280x...now it could be complete BS but ive seen alot of vids of people having that problem with the 280x and i found a list of most returned pc components here in the forums and the 280x seemed to have a big percentage there. I really want this card since the gtx 760 seems to be a bit less powerful but if the 280x isnt 99% reliable then im propably not gonna take the risk.

Personally, I HIGHLY recommend the Gigabyte Windforce version of ANY GPU. It's my absolute favourite* Aftermarket cooler.

 

So the Gigabyte R9 280X would be a great option. I have the Gigabyte HD 7950 (Basically an R9 280) which has been a total beast. It survived through what, 6-9 months of 24/7 Cryptocurrency mining, and I stopped mining around a year ago. Still doing great.

 

Basically, anyone who is getting artifacts, most likely OC'd their card wrong, or pushed it too high. Odds are, you'll get a decent card, that can OC decently. Just make sure to THOROUGHLY stress test your GPU after each OC tweak, and then once you've got the sweet spot nailed down, stress test the GPU for at LEAST 4+ hours - preferably all night (8+ hours).

 

As @LinusTech says: There's no such thing as "Stable Enough". It either IS stable, or it ISN'T. I personally love this OC/Stress Testing philosophy.

 

*Not counting crazy shit like the EVGA cards that come with a pre-installed Waterblock

[Iron couch]

Personally, I HIGHLY recommend the Gigabyte Windforce version of ANY GPU. It's my absolute favourite* Aftermarket cooler.

 

So the Gigabyte R9 280X would be a great option. I have the Gigabyte HD 7950 (Basically an R9 280) which has been a total beast. It survived through what, 6-9 months of 24/7 Cryptocurrency mining, and I stopped mining around a year ago. Still doing great.

 

Basically, anyone who is getting artifacts, most likely OC'd their card wrong, or pushed it too high. Odds are, you'll get a decent card, that can OC decently. Just make sure to THOROUGHLY stress test your GPU after each OC tweak, and then once you've got the sweet spot nailed down, stress test the GPU for at LEAST 4+ hours - preferably all night (8+ hours).

 

As @LinusTech says: There's no such thing as "Stable Enough". It either IS stable, or it ISN'T. I personally love this OC/Stress Testing philosophy.

 

*Not counting crazy shit like the EVGA cards that come with a pre-installed Waterblock

Thanks for the advice, the gigabyte 280x seemed like a really good GPU in my eyes as well. I propably wont overclock the GPU at all at least not anytime soon. Im pretty new to PC gaming and dont want to take risks now, i cant afford another GPU if i mess up this one and theres no warranty if i overclock it. I just want to run most of the games on ultra/high/medium-high mix (if necessary) and this card seems to do the job.