Which GPU to go for

[StevenGibson1994]

Hi,

 

I am going to be building this system with my Fiancee, we are unsure on which graphics card we should go for. We have narrowed it down to the GTX 970 or the R9 290x. The system will be getting used for gaming, programming, web design and running virtual machines.

 

This is the system we have chosen:

PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/yGbHsY

Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/yGbHsY/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£205.82 @ More Computers) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  (£25.70 @ Amazon UK) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£88.99 @ Dabs) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£54.98 @ Novatech) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (£39.95 @ CCL Computers) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  (£290.99 @ Dabs) 

Case: Corsair Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case  (£101.98 @ Dabs) 

Power Supply: XFX XTR 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  (£106.22 @ More Computers) 

Total: £914.63

 

I like that with AMD when gaming you have Mantle as an option. What would you all suggest graphics card wise.

 

I will check back in the morning to the replies.

[Atmos]

The 970 is cheaper than most 290X in europe for some reason atm. I'd go for that since it is slightly faster than the 290X.

 

If you were in the states than the 290X would be a better option, as you can find then for about 50$ cheaper

http://www.dabs.com/products/evga-geforce-gtx-970-1165mhz-4gb-pci-e-3-0-hdmi-acx-cooling-2-0-9WGM.html?utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_content=AW00&awc=3044_1424124251_d5e8a978d662b904eae194cc96916005&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_content=AW00

[Guest]

At this point i would suggest the 290x.

[PandaCopyRight]

The 970 is cheaper than most 290X in europe for some reason atm. I'd go for that since it is slightly faster than the 290X.

 

If you were in the states than the 290X would be a better option, as you can find then for about 50$ cheaper

Just like he said.... in europe get the GTX 970 but in us take the R9 290x

[AverageHardware]

The 290X will run a bit hotter and use considerably more power depending on which model you get, but if that doesn't bother you, than get the 290X. It also has twice the memory bus at 512 bit vs the 970's 256 bit. You also get mantle.

 

The 970 has is newer, more power efficient, and offers a slight increase in performance all around.

 

Personally, I'd get the 970.

[StevenGibson1994]

I can get the Gigabyte r9 290x for the same price as the MSI 970 Twin Frozr over here.