What GPU should I get?

[Constipated Crow]

Hi there,

 

Before I start my question, here's my current build:

 

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i7 i7-4790K CPU (Quad Core 4GHz, Socket H3 LGA-1150)

-Asrock Z97M ANNIVERSARY MATX Motherboard Socket 1150 (Intel Z97, 4x DDR3, 4x SATA III)

-HyperX FURY Series 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz CL10 DIMM Memory Module Kit - Black

-EVGA 500B 500W 80+ BRONZE PC Power Supply

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

 

As you can probably tell, my PC is severely bottlenecked, with my GPU not being up-to-date with my CPU. I'm thinking o upgrading my current GPU to a new, more modern graphics card, but I don't know which one to get. I was thinking about getting the GTX 970 (probably the G1 Gaming, or the EVGA SSC), but recently, people have told me that I'd be better off getting the r9 390, which would allegedly give me more performance, with its 8gb of VRAM, as opposed to the GTX 970's 4gb (3.5gb actually ). I have a very strict budget, with nothing over £300. I would preferably not spend any more than £250 though.

 

I currently play games like GTA 5, The Witcher 3, Empire: Total War, Total War: Attila, Cities Skylines, War Thunder, Battlefield Hardline, and a couple of other medium-resource intensive games. I would like to get at least high settings on these games (if not ultra) at 1080p (single monitor), and get 60 fps. Lastly, I don't really want any fanboys or fangirls on here, arguing that AMD is superior, or Nvidia is superior. Both have their pros and cons, and I'd appreciate it if you'd state the advantages AND disadvantages for going with your chosen GPU.

 

I will also probably not be overclocking any time soon (until I get better cooling, perhaps water-cooling), so a high stock speed would be preferable, as opposed to 'High overclock-ability'.

 

Thanks to anyone who replies.

 

Cheers!

[Paytend01]

Use pcpartpicker please...

[Sir Asvald]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  (£264.97 @ Aria PC) 

Total: £264.97

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-26 13:50 GMT+0000

[HumbleMobo]

 

No, do not get the 970, for around the same price you can get the R9 390X, it's waaayyy better.

[Elapo]

Not sure about pricing, but the R9 390 would indeed be the best option, unless you can't deal with AMD for some reason.

 

970 Ain't half bad either, and if you're gaming on 1080p, the lower VRAM is a non-issue. Also, 0% fan mode on some models is very nice.

 

Do remember to look out for cards bundled with games, free stuff is always nice.

No, do not get the 970, for around the same price you can get the R9 390X, it's waaayyy better.

*marginally, at 1080p

Higher res for sure.

[don_svetlio]

Get a better PSU - that thing can't hold even a 970 safely.

[shanmu54321]

The 390 would be a solid choice.

[Constipated Crow]

Get a better PSU - that thing can't hold even a 970 safely.

Why would that be?

[The Official Czex]

No, do not get the 970, for around the same price you can get the R9 390X, it's waaayyy better.

 

390. Not 390X. The 390X is in between the 390 and GTX 980 @ 1080p.

[Zackfoo]

Not sure about pricing, but the R9 390 would indeed be the best option, unless you can't deal with AMD for some reason.

 

970 Ain't half bad either, and if you're gaming on 1080p, the lower VRAM is a non-issue. Also, 0% fan mode on some models is very nice.

 

Do remember to look out for cards bundled with games, free stuff is always nice.

*marginally, at 1080p

Higher res for sure.

390x is not marginally better at 1080p. 390 is.

[The Official Czex]

Why would that be?

 

B-series PSUs aren't meant for gaming rigs with constantly fluctuating power needs. It does have enough wattage, though.

[don_svetlio]

Why would that be?

EVGA B1. G1 and NEX are crappy.

[Zackfoo]

get a 390. i will recommend the sapphire one the one with backplate. i personally tried asus dc3 r9 390 it sucks so bad. Msi 390x is good for overclocking and low temp but with the sacrifice of it being a 3 slot card. i will recommend a sapphire one as it looks a bit more eligent and easy colour matching. powercolour will be a solid option too. not to say xfx too actually.

[KenLeeJL]

i would go for a GTX 970

[thekeemo]

Not sure about pricing, but the R9 390 would indeed be the best option, unless you can't deal with AMD for some reason. 970 Ain't half bad either, and if you're gaming on 1080p, the lower VRAM is a non-issue. Also, 0% fan mode on some models is very nice. Do remember to look out for cards bundled with games, free stuff is always nice.*marginally, at 1080pHigher res for sure.

the 390x is closer to a 980

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

Checking prices on pcpp, it seems that the lowest priced card there is the PCS+ 390 and XFX DD 390. While the ones for the 970 are the low end Gigabyte models. 

 

 

I'd go with the 390 with prices like this. The PCS+ and DD are good models. You'd want to save a little here and go with a better PSU like this: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20650y1

[Elapo]

390x is not marginally better at 1080p. 390 is.

the 390x is closer to a 980

My bad, misread.

390x is not within OP's budget though.

[Benji_w]

I love my EVGA 970, going to bios overclock it soon enough to get max out of the card. At your price range I'd get the AMD cards for raw muscle but if you want features then 970 all the way.