GTX 970 vs R9 390 w/ 500w psu?

[IMPERIUS]

Hi guys!

 

I'm doing a build for my friend and I'm torn between 2 graphics cards- the 970 and the 390 (non x). 

Seeing some benchmarks, it seems to me that the 390 gets a bit more fps, across all resolutions in games. However, it is a powerhungry and a hot card compared to the 970 and I'm kinda worried about the drivers and game optimisations, seeing games getting "nvidia optimised"

 

The friend already has a psu, the EVGA 500b, 500w psu, airflow in his case won't be a problem but the wattage of the 390 may be. He wants to try oc'ing the gpu but I fear 500w isn't going to be enough. Also he plays on 1080p, said he might get a 1440p ultrawide monitor in the future, so I suggest we take it as the res is 1440p.

 

Which one to take? 

 

Thanks!

[Swndlr]

970, you would have more headroom, or at least a comfortable amount

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

i got a 4690k with a 970 i draw around 366-370watt maximum when gaming and prime95 + gaming i draw around 430watt ( small fft )  u could go with the 500watt on 970 but for the 390 it will be close call, ( i wouldnt dare to oc with that combo on a 390 with 500watt ), thats considering u dont overclock ur 970 ofc

[EarthboundHero]

That's tough, he probably won't have enough wattage, but the 390 will be better for 1440P. My build with a 390 and 4690K uses 521W according to PCPP.

[Castdeath97]

The 970 will still do fine.

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

That's tough, he probably won't have enough wattage, but the 390 will be better for 1440P. My build with a 390 and 4690K uses 521W according to PCPP.

with that draw already he wouldnt be able to run it on a 500watt

[EarthboundHero]

with that draw already he wouldnt be able to run it on a 500watt

Well, I also have a bunch of extra drives and stuff. So if he had an SSD and maybe a low power HDD he might get very close to 500W.

[ObeseWalrus]

[IMPERIUS]

Well, I also have a bunch of extra drives and stuff. So if he had an SSD and maybe a low power HDD he might get very close to 500W.

 

With ot without an overclock? He will get an ssd with a wd green/ blue and his cpu is non ocable

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

With ot without an overclock? He will get an ssd with a wd green/ blue and his cpu is non ocable

keep in mind a 500watt powersupply has a peak of around 450-470watt, even without overclock it would probably to close to call on a 390, with the 970 it will already be quite close

[EarthboundHero]

With ot without an overclock? He will get an ssd with a wd green/ blue and his cpu is non ocable

I wouldn't recommend an OC at all on 500W (For 390) I think the best answer is to have him save for a 600-750W PSU and get the 390.

[EarthboundHero]

keep in mind a 500watt powersupply has a peak of around 450-470watt, even without overclock it would probably to close to call on a 390, with the 970 it will already be quite close

Any good PSU manufacture (EVGA is) will rate their PSU's in contrinous not peak. So, the EVGA B series, will be able to output at least 500W continuously, possible more if needed.

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

Any good PSU manufacture (EVGA is) will rate their PSU's in contrinous not peak. So, the EVGA B series, will be able to output at least 500W continuously, possible more if needed.

not always though, seen plenty of good manufactured psus that also have a lower peak then their rated watts,  but even if it is 500w continuously... i dont think it would be smart to push a powersupply no matter the quality the 390 would be pushing a 500watt ( with oc maybe pushing it even too far @_@ )

 

most psu,s arent made to run at 100% full load 24/7   ^^   just saying hehe   either 550watt-650watt with 390 or 500 with 970 is doable ( if he doesnt oc ofc and wanna be safe )

[PineappleHolidays]

Get the R9 390.

 

500w is fine, and the 8gb of ram will be better for ultrawide 1440

 

But I would not OC anything,

and make sure that he isn't running with a power hungry cpu ( counting a 90w cpuy and a 320w gpu, then you should be fine, don't forget that while gaming, the cpu and gpu won't always be at max load )

[Nena Trinity]

Should work fine on 500W and a i5. (do not OC)

[Arvizal]

Get the R9 390.

 

500w is fine, and the 8gb of ram will be better for ultrawide 1440

 

But I would not OC anything,

and make sure that he isn't running with a power hungry cpu ( counting a 90w cpuy and a 320w gpu, then you should be fine, don't forget that while gaming, the cpu and gpu won't always be at max load )

I though the recommended for the R9 390 was 650W?

 

If you're only on 1080p, the 970 is just fine. 

[Tacitus]

500W is plenty.

My 2 over clocked 290xs and 4670k use less than 700W from the wall, which means the system is using even less.

[PineappleHolidays]

I though the recommended for the R9 390 was 650W?

 

If you're only on 1080p, the 970 is just fine. 

Recommended is 650w, 500w is fine if you don't have a 120w FX 9320 or something in that range.

[Monarch]

 

A 500W PSU will be at almost full load and the wattage will be enough, but only just. OC is out of the question.