390 vs 980

[Semli]

Hi everyone, I know there are a ton of threads about the 970 vs the 390 which is to be expected given that they are more direct competitors in terms of performance and price. Initially I wanted a 970 but have decided to go with a 390 instead for the VRAM.

 

My biggest concern is the reported heat output of the 390 as I'm trying to keep my system as quiet as possible at idle and don't want my case fans or CPU fan ramping up in order to get rid of the extra heat generated. I am looking at either the MSI Twin Frozr or the Sapphire Nitro (choosing which is another internal debate).

 

I understand that the return on investment for a 980 is not really worth it in terms of performance at this resolution but I absolutely don't see the need to go with a 980 Ti for 1080. The 980 itself is overkill. It's just that I plan to play Skyrim and Shadow of Mordor and I understand that with mods, the last 0.5 GB of slower VRAM on the 970 can sometimes be problematic. Plus who knows what the future will hold.

 

So I'm left with the 8 GB on the 390 or the full 4 GB on a 980. Ideally I would just go with the 390 but, again, I am concerned with the heat indirectly leading to extra noise due to heat. I understand that both the Sapphire and the MSI cards will not spin their fans at idle but given the reviews online indicate that the 390s run hot, that heat has to go somewhere and it is my thought that this will lead to hotter internal case temperatures so my case (and CPU?) fans will ramp up. I'm not sure that's how it will work though.

 

Relative cost in USD after tax and any applicable discounts:

• EVGA GTX 980 SC ACX 2.0 $477.50
  
• MSI GTX 980 GAMING 4G GeForce GTX 980 $464.82 (have a credit with the vendor)
  
• ZOTAC GeForce GTX 980 AMP Edition $458.39
  
• Sapphire Radeon NITRO R9 390 $332.33
  
• MSI R9 390 GAMING $313.49
  

Thank you for any advice!

 

Note: This is cross-posted to a couple of different sites so I'm sure some of you may have seen this, or even replied, before.

[Aniallation]

Both the 390 and 980 will ramp up under load, to the point where the difference won't really be noticeable. 

 

Out of that list I'd go for the Nitro 390 considering those prices, but overall I'd go for the PowerColor PCS+ 390 which is more then likely cheaper then both the Nitro and the MSI

[Tedol]

[Dr_Curry_MONSTER]

Yeah, Nitro 390 looks sweg.

[Mao_Zedong]

Well first off you don't really need more than the 3.5gb vram for 1080p. Secondly, the 980 is much better than the 390, which is why it costs more.

[miagisan]

390. It's close to the performance of the 980 but a lot cheaper.

[JohnnyCorporalTech]

my 980 completely wrecks my friends 390,

 

keep in mind I have Overclocked.

[MrHenry]

GTX 980 after overclocking it. 

[Semli]

Thanks all for the replies. I think I'm leaning towards just going with the 390 for now. I can get it cheaper at Newegg but will go with Amazon since they, at least, allow returns rather than just exchanges.

[Semli]

Well, the saga has come to an end. Just grabbed the EVGA GTX 980 SC from their b-stock refurbished program for $375 shipped. Comes with only 1 year warranty but bought with my Amex for 1 year extended as they will offer that on refurbished products unlike some other card companies. I believe Visa will as well. MC and Discover do not.

[thekeemo]

390x

[RobTapps]

I'll be getting an 39 390 for sure was going to go with the 380 but $100 for an extra 4gb is worth it in my mind, plus I'm going to be running multiple ultrawide monitors.. will have crossfire 390's by November/December > : )

[Zackfoo]

980 is definitely more powerful but it comes with a price. 1080p most probably your card foes not ram up much too.

If you have the money go for 980 for future compatibility. But 390 is the best bang for the buck for 1080p now.

[RobTapps]

980 is definitely more powerful but it comes with a price. 1080p most probably your card foes not ram up much too.

If you have the money go for 980 for future compatibility. But 390 is the best bang for the buck for 1080p now.

You do know that the 390 will drive 4k right... And that the card preforms better on 1440 than 1080.. From what I have read any way I could be wrong though.