About to upgrade to the R9 series of gpu's. But not really sure about a few things

[techswede]

Hello LTT members

I know that there are probably millions of similar topics.. But im asking this anyway.

 

After much pondering and concideration i've decided to go for AMD gpu's (yes. Plural) for my next upgrade.

I'll still get a G-sync monitor so i can benefit from that when i decide to defect to the green team.

 

However.. Right now im having a hard time choosing which R9 card to go for..

I'll buy ASUS no matter which card i choose (since i've only had good experiences with their Products so far)

 

There's the R9 280x with the Direct CUII cooler

Gpu Clock:1000mhz

Memory: 3gig GDDR5 at 6000mhz

And a 384bit bus.

Price 2690kr.(413$ usd) 5380kr for two. (826$ usd)

 

Or the R9 290x with the reference cooler.

Gpu Clock: 1000mhz

Memory: 4gig GDDR5 at 5000mhz

And a 512bit  Bus

Price 4790kr.(735$ usd) 9580kr for two. (1470$ usd)

 

First question:

Does the extra memory and bus make the 290x Worth 2100kr extra? (in terms of performace increase)

Second question:

Since i am planning to watercool the cards the coolers don't really matter too much.

But since the 280x is a non-reference card i wonder if there are any major benefits to the non reference design?

Beefier Power delivery? Higher overclocking capabilities? or anything else like that? over the 290x's reference design.

Third question:

Would there be any Point in waiting a bit to see if there will be any Non-reference R9 290x's?

(I am upgrading from a pair of asus 2gig V2 7850's that are clocked to 1050 and have a 256bit bus)

 

I'll mostly use the cards for 1080p gaming and some video editing. Preferably on High-Ultra settings in newer titles.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

(my motto is usually "overkill is underrated" but i'll have to hold my wallet a bit tighter on this one)

[brownninja97]

If your watercooling then reference is best, you will save a bunch of money compared to getting a custom pcb watercooler which costs a ton and offers 3% benefit on a good day. The 7970 or the 280x are your best bet in my opinion.

[TheRoss0411]

The 7970, or if you just want the newer cards then go for the 280x

[SpenceSouth]

I'd say that the 290X is certainly worth it. That card would do great watercooled.

[Npc_Hydra3]

The 280X will run everything on High-Ultra settings, but the 290X for just 1080p is kinda pointless unless you are running multiple monitors. If you are running multiple monitors like 3 with 1080p on each monitor I would suggest the 290X, but if you are running one just get the 280X.

[7850OC]

jumping from a 7850 to a R9 280x

 

you will win two times you actual power

 

and on "Cossfire R9 280x" you will be "four times" your power (this is awesome by the way)

 

 

 

the R9 290x in the other hand have full 4GB vram (your CF have 3GB vram)

 

is a 512 bits power card (this is trully awesome friend)

 

True AUDIO (+1 for the R9 290x)

 

and three times your actual power, on a single card (+1)

 

 

 

the true friend (for me at least), the R9 290x is your best choice 

 

(i just see now that you have two 7850 and not one)

[techswede]

I Think i might go for 2 280x's to start with then. if star Citizen ends up being too much for the cards i might sell the 280's and get dual 290s.

Thanks for the help guys. much appreciated