Does longevity scale like performance?

orcinhell · May 3, 2015

Hi guys.

So this could be the world’s dumbest question and I have been debating even asking it for a day now. But figured I might as well. I am a single GPU gamer and without question the 970 offers great performance vs price. I am tempted to go this card but am also looking at the 980 at the moment while I have loved my 7970 I would much prefer a NVidia card for multiple reason… So the 970 is the king of performance vs price but does that change when considering longevity.

What got me thinking about this is Linus build logs for his holiday recommendations. Breaking each category up. He briefly explained it as the 1st being an entry level gaming rig for today. The 2nd a good gaming rig for today and the 3rd as a good gaming rig for today and tomorrow.

So for a user who wants great performance per dollar but also looking for longevity, an example wanting to upgrade every three years instead of the standard two. Is it as simple as looking at the charts and recommendations for the best price vs performance card such as the 970 or do higher end cards like the 980 become more worthwhile the longer you intend to keep them.

DarrenP · May 3, 2015

Hi guys.

So this could be the world’s dumbest question and I have been debating even asking it for a day now. But figured I might as well. I am a single GPU gamer and without question the 970 offers great performance vs price. I am tempted to go this card but am also looking at the 980 at the moment while I have loved my 7970 I would much prefer a NVidia card for multiple reason… So the 970 is the king of performance vs price but what about when considering longevity.

What got me thinking about this is Linus build logs for his holiday recommendations. Breaking each category up. He briefly explained it as the 1st being an entry level gaming rig for today. The 2nd a good gaming rig for today and the 3rd as a good gaming rig for today and tomorrow.

So for a user who wants great performance per dollar but also looking for longevity, an example wanting to upgrade every three years instead of the standard two. Is it as simple as looking at the charts and recommendations for the best price vs performance card such as the 970 or do higher end cards like the 980 become more worthwhile the longer you intend to keep them.

There's not a whole lot we can say as to if the card will stand the test of time, For example they could have some brand new technology come out tomorrow that is leaps and bounds faster. However if trends continue you should be fine for at least 3 years. If you look back three years at top end cards from then, most of them still run extremely. well. For example, my GPU is coming up on his third birthday, and he still preforms like a beast. Yes it was an enthusiast edition back then, but still.

I have a GTX 690.

orcinhell · May 3, 2015

There's not a whole lot we can say as to if the card will stand the test of time, For example they could have some brand new technology come out tomorrow that is leaps and bounds faster. However if trends continue you should be fine for at least 3 years. If you look back three years at top end cards from then, most of them still run extremely. well. For example, my GPU is coming up on his third birthday, and he still preforms like a beast. Yes it was an enthusiast edition back then, but still.

I have a GTX 690.

That is very true. The other thing holding me back from buying one right now is while the 970 is great no debate there holding on another 10 months give or take will see me to the next generation. With the 900 series being 8 months old now do you that detracts from it? or should I just grow some balls and pull the trigger. I've saved and ready to go but some of those NVidia talks about the next gen seems like they made some leaps and bounds.

xnoobftw · May 3, 2015

That is very true. The other thing holding me back from buying one right now is while the 970 is great no debate there holding on another 10 months give or take will see me to the next generation. With the 900 series being 8 months old now do you that detracts from it? or should I just grow some balls and pull the trigger. I've saved and ready to go but some of those NVidia talks about the next gen seems like they made some leaps and bounds.

Wait for 300 series before deciding

I bought the 290x before the 900 series came out

+ i am in a country where prices are jacked AF LOL

i got my 290x for 700SGD so yeah.... (around 550USD)