Still undecided on a GPU

[Guest]

I'm getting close to buying a GPU, but I'm still undecided. I know this debate has beaten to death, so I'm really just looking for constructive, fact based pros and cons.

 

I have two GPU's on my mind:

 

Asus Strix GTX 970

 

XFX R9 390

 

Both of these cards are brands that I trust. They both have back plates which I like.

 

The 970 comes with a free game (that I might buy anyway) and has newer, more efficient architecture.

 

The 390 has more VRAM, and seems to have a slight FPS advantage on games that aren't "Nvidia biased".

 

I am currently only 1080p gaming, but the way games are going recently I really think that VRAM requirements are only going up. I really am worried that 3.5 GB is going to be a limitation for me before the GPU's processing power is outdated. I certainly feel the limitation of having the 2 GB version of the 760 rather than the 4 GB version, because I know my GPU has enough processing power and bandwidth to make use of more VRAM and now textures is usually my lowest setting. I don't want to make that mistake again.

 

I'm really stuck on this, please give me your thoughts.

[theereal]

Please use the search function, there are SOOOO many posts on this EXACT question.

[thekeemo]

My vote goes to the 390

[Tetters]

the popular opinion would be the 390 ..... a few more FPS etc. In your shoes I dont know what I would do, team Red cards have been the only ones that have died on me. I prefer stability and longevity over brief awesomeness!

[A Guy Eating Cereal]

I'm getting close to buying a GPU, but I'm still undecided. I know this debate has beaten to death, so I'm really just looking for constructive, fact based pros and cons.

 

I have two GPU's on my mind:

 

Asus Strix GTX 970

 

XFX R9 390

 

Both of these cards are brands that I trust. They both have back plates which I like.

 

The 970 comes with a free game (that I might buy anyway) and has newer, more efficient architecture.

 

The 390 has more VRAM, and seems to have a slight FPS advantage on games that aren't "Nvidia biased".

 

I am currently only 1080p gaming, but the way games are going recently I really think that VRAM requirements are only going up. I really am worried that 3.5 GB is going to be a limitation for me before the GPU's processing power is outdated. I certainly feel the limitation of having the 2 GB version of the 760 rather than the 4 GB version, because I know my GPU has enough processing power and bandwidth to make use of more VRAM and now textures is usually my lowest setting. I don't want to make that mistake again.

 

I'm really stuck on this, please give me your thoughts.

390 better price to performance

[Kobathor]

Actually, the 390 beats the 970 in a few select NVidia titles.

 

Not Witcher 3 or games with Gameworks, but other ones.

[Lord_Karango17]

Vram isnt too much of an issue right now, but may become a problem later on.

 

I still think 4gb is enough unless you are going to go dual gpu, because if you crank up the settings to a point where you need more than 4gb of vram, neither card will be getting acceptable fps.

 

the popular opinion on the forum is the 390, as its roughly the same price and has better performance, although you have to weigh the trade offs in your situation. If you have a smaller case with bad airflow, it might be better to go the the 970.

[App4that]

Actually, the 390 beats the 970 in a few select NVidia titles.

 

Not Witcher 3 or games with Gameworks, but other ones.

I have a Nitro 390 and it crushes Witcher 3 with ultra setting and Hairworks, so I at least lose nothing having AMD.

[Kobathor]

I have a Nitro 390 and it crushes Witcher 3 with ultra setting and Hairworks, so I at least lose nothing having AMD.

With hairworks ON???

 

INSANE POWER!!

[App4that]

With hairworks ON???

 

INSANE POWER!!

60fps in cut scenes, high 50's in the country (even in battle), and dips into the mid 40's in cities. Now I just have Geralt enabled with Hairworks but the rest of the settings are maxed.

[Guest]

I appreciate your replies. The other thing bothering me though is AMD's future as a company. It's kind of silly to base a purchase on a company's success, but when it comes down to it driver support for GPU's is critical. Is AMD going to be around in a couple years, still releasing drivers for the latest games?

[theereal]

I have a Nitro 390 and it crushes Witcher 3 with ultra setting and Hairworks, so I at least lose nothing having AMD.

Looking at the benchmarks I HIGHLY doubt your 390 CRUSHES the 970...

[App4that]

I appreciate your replies. The other thing bothering me though is AMD's future as a company. It's kind of silly to base a purchase on a company's success, but when it comes down to it driver support for GPU's is critical. Is AMD going to be around in a couple years, still releasing drivers for the latest games?

AMD is a separate company now. Radeon makes the GPU's, they split. They'll be around for at least as long as the 390 is relevant.

[Mohenjo]

I appreciate your replies. The other thing bothering me though is AMD's future as a company. It's kind of silly to base a purchase on a company's success, but when it comes down to it driver support for GPU's is critical. Is AMD going to be around in a couple years, still releasing drivers for the latest games?

Yea, they will. there not going anywhere especially since there new GPUs are killing it 

[App4that]

Looking at the benchmarks I HIGHLY doubt your 390 CRUSHES the 970...

[Mohenjo]

Crossfire right? 

[theereal]

60fps in cut scenes, high 50's in the country (even in battle), and dips into the mid 40's in cities. Now I just have Geralt enabled with Hairworks but the rest of the settings are maxed.

Maybe you shouldnt say the 390 crushes the 970 In that game before you watch the benchmarks?

[App4that]

Crossfire right? 

Reading is hard LOL? No that's just the 290, the 390 does even better. 5% better.

[App4that]

Maybe you shouldnt say the 390 crushes the 970 In that game before you watch the benchmarks?

Quote me saying the 390 crushes the 970. I said the 390 crushes a GAME! Oi

[Mohenjo]

Reading is hard LOL? No that's just the 290, the 390 does even better. 5% better.

no, i was just a bit confused on what the (1x) meant thinking it was crossfire or something 

[App4that]

no, i was just a bit confused on what the (1x) meant thinking it was crossfire or something 

No, that's just the 290. I don't have any of my 390 only scores loaded on Photobucket so used it. Lazy reasons.

 

I get over 16k in Crossfire at stock clocks.

[Jambu95]

390, not the 390x.
edit : @App4that, i was directly replying to the op, because sometimes when people go to the local hardware store they went with a wrong card.

[App4that]

390, not the 390x

Who said anything about the 390x? The 390x competes with the 980.

[Guest]

How about getting the Asus Strix? I've heard a couple mixed things about the Strix but from everything I can see it looks like a good card.

[VagabondWraith]

How about getting the Asus Strix? I've heard a couple mixed things about the Strix but from everything I can see it looks like a good card.

Its decent but certainly not the best. If going for nVidia get EVGA, MSI or Gigabyte. AMD: Sapphire, XFX, MSI are good options.