Gpu Shopping!

[joelthezombie15]

So i am in the market for a new GPU around $350, I want to make the right choice and i need some outside opinions.  I have a few Options.  So i will put my +'s and -'s of each option. 

 

 

280x -  +'s; More Vram. Option for coin mining. (Maybe mantle but im not going to Make the decision based solely on a software that has had no real testing.)

            -'s; Lower Fps. Rarely in stock. Costs a bit more $.  (Maybe mantle but im not going to Make the decision based solely on a software that has had no real testing.)

 

770 - +'s; Higher FPS. Better cooling. Shadowplay. Shield support. Free games. In stock. Cheaper. 

         -'s; Less Vram. Bad for coin mining. (Maybe mantle but im not going to Make the decision based solely on a software that has had no real testing.)

 

I plan on waiting until like February to see if new GPU's are coming and i might get one of them if they are good. and i might have a little more money by then but probably not much. 

 

(Alternate 770) 

 

I am leaning towards the 770 but i like it only slightly more than i do the 280x. The vram is the thing that scares me the most. 

 

Any reasonable opinions are appreciated. thanks. 

[TheRuke]

I would get the 280X especially if you're gaming at 1440p.

I also think Mantle is promising.

[defunkt]

I thought you were better than this Joel..

[joelthezombie15]

I would get the 280X especially if you're gaming at 1440p.

I also think Mantle is promising.

Ya im thinking that way but i want to see mantle before i go buying a gpu for it. 

 

I thought you were better than this Joel..

What do you mean? The double post was on accident. 

[defunkt]

What do you mean? The double post was on accident. 

[TheRuke]

Ya im thinking that way but i want to see mantle before i go buying a gpu for it. 

 

What do you mean? The double post was on accident. 

The posts are like minutes apart...

[joelthezombie15]

The posts are like minutes apart...

I know. I was writing it then my internet crashed so i had to re make it and i didnt know the first one was posted. 

[Kuzma]

I say 280x and one may so "Oh of course Kuzma would recommend the AMD GPU" - yes I would recommend the AMD GPU after the bad experiences I've had with the Nvidia drivers (killed a GPU), the 280x is also a better choice with the larger amount of VRAM. Feel free to go with the 770 but you'll end up just like the 1.5GB 580 users, so close yet so far thanks to the VRAM limitations.

[Imabigmac]

780

[calarahil]

Both AMD and Nvidia have had Driver mishaps so I'm not going to boycott one GPU maker because of a bad experience with a driver.

 

Bit mining is something that I wouldn't have dictate my choice either. It's difficult to say what will happen with the currency or if it will be worth anything in the future.

 

The GTX770 is essentially a supped up 680 the 280x is essentially a 7970. The 680 was stronger then the 7970 but cost more. I personally would go with the GTX770 but would have buyers remorse because the 290 is really the bargain of the top tier gaming.

 

And I'm kind of on the edge with mantle show me real differences in FPS, and not just FPS but FPS latency to something that AMD isn't nearly as strong at. I have BF4 Gaming on a GTX670 works just fine for me. However Star Wars Battlefront has my eye and if we do see a bigger impact with Mantle I may swing towards the AMD cards.

[joelthezombie15]

I say 280x and one may so "Oh of course Kuzma would recommend the AMD GPU" - yes I would recommend the AMD GPU after the bad experiences I've had with the Nvidia drivers (killed a GPU), the 280x is also a better choice with the larger amount of VRAM. Feel free to go with the 770 but you'll end up just like the 1.5GB 580 users, so close yet so far thanks to the VRAM limitations.

Ya that is a major concern of mine. 

 

780

Where would i get a $350780?

Both AMD and Nvidia have had Driver mishaps so I'm not going to boycott one GPU maker because of a bad experience with a driver.

 

Bit mining is something that I wouldn't have dictate my choice either. It's difficult to say what will happen with the currency or if it will be worth anything in the future.

 

The GTX770 is essentially a supped up 680 the 280x is essentially a 7970. The 680 was stronger then the 7970 but cost more. I personally would go with the GTX770 but would have buyers remorse because the 290 is really the bargain of the top tier gaming.

 

And I'm kind of on the edge with mantle show me real differences in FPS, and not just FPS but FPS latency to something that AMD isn't nearly as strong at. I have BF4 Gaming on a GTX670 works just fine for me. However Star Wars Battlefront has my eye and if we do see a bigger impact with Mantle I may swing towards the AMD cards.

Mining is on the same boat as mantle its nice to have but not needed.

 

290 is SO MUCH more than what im wanting to spend though. I would love one but so much $.

 

Ya mantle could be good but i dont want to buy a card for mantle without knowing more. And the lack of vram with 770 concerns me as well. If mantle doesnt screw everything up i will go 280x. 

[Kuzma]

Ya that is a major concern of mine. 

 

Where would i get a $350780?

Mining is on the same boat as mantle its nice to have but not needed.

 

290 is SO MUCH more than what im wanting to spend though. I would love one but so much $.

 

Ya mantle could be good but i dont want to buy a card for mantle without knowing more. And the lack of vram with 770 concerns me as well. If mantle doesnt screw everything up i will go 280x. 

To be honest after purchasing an R9 290, even if it means waiting for a little while longer (like myself) I would strongly recommend it.

[Imabigmac]

Ya that is a major concern of mine. 

 

Where would i get a $350780?

Mining is on the same boat as mantle its nice to have but not needed.

 

290 is SO MUCH more than what im wanting to spend though. I would love one but so much $.

 

Ya mantle could be good but i dont want to buy a card for mantle without knowing more. And the lack of vram with 770 concerns me as well. If mantle doesnt screw everything up i will go 280x. 

When maxwell is out. your concerns with vram, and the performance difference of mantle, availability and extra cost problems would be solved. I realise its more money but it would seem to be the compromise. 

[Vitalius]

I'm just saying. The 7970 GHz edition had higher minimum FPS (on average) than the Titan. And that's basically what the 280X is. 

Graphs from here.

 

If you can't read those graphs or don't understand what they mean, they are basically saying "amount of time under XXFPS" where XX is translated from 50ms, 33ms, and 16.7ms. Or 20, 30, and 60 FPS respectively.

So those graphs are saying that the Titan spent the least amount of time under 60 FPS. So it has the highest average FPS. Which is right.

But it's also saying that the 7970 and 7950 spent more time over 20 (and 30) FPS than the Titan. Meaning the Titan was under 20FPS longer than the 7970 or 7950 were under 20 (or 30) FPS. i.e. the minimum FPS for the AMD GPUs don't last as long or happen as often.

And in my personal opinion, when it comes to top tier GPUs (7970 was top tier then), minimum FPS is what matters. As your average and the maximum is most likely going to be over your refresh rate anyway (making it irrelevant). Or you will use VSync (making it irrelevant as well). 

It's up to you. But the above graphs are why I chose the 290X over the GTX 780 (along with it being cheaper when it released).

To summarize the above (note all numbers are arbitrary to explain the concept):

The graphs are basically saying a 7970 GHz edition will get 45 FPS on average with a minimum of 15 that it very rarely hits and spends little time at and a maximum of 65 that it also rarely goes to. It's more consistent. 

The Titan has an average FPS of 65 with a minimum of 15 that it goes to often and stays at for a while and a maximum of 90 that it also goes to often and stays at for a while.

Between the two, I prefer consistency. 

[UnderADyingSun]

Opt into a  280x, it'll also be more sustainable in the future.

 

Adding, I don't think many people realize how awesome Mantle is going to be ( if it works as advertised ).

 

Oh and to OP, please don't be another turd floating on a sea of mediocrity. IGNORE shadowplay, we don't need any more twitch streaming and I'm sure you can validate yourself in other ways. If this was not your intention, then ignore this last bit. 

[joelthezombie15]

To be honest after purchasing an R9 290, even if it means waiting for a little while longer (like myself) I would strongly recommend it.

For me it would mean waiting 6+months. I dont think it would be worth waiting 6 months for a 290. 

 

When maxwell is out. your concerns with vram, and the performance difference of mantle, availability and extra cost problems would be solved. I realise its more money but it would seem to be the compromise. 

When is maxwell coming out supposedly?

 

I'm just saying. The 7970 GHz edition had higher minimum FPS (on average) than the Titan. And that's basically what the 280X is. 

Graphs from here.

If you can't read those graphs or don't understand what they mean, they are basically saying "amount of time under XXFPS" where XX is translated from 50ms, 33ms, and 16.7ms. Or 20, 30, and 60 FPS respectively.

So those graphs are saying that the Titan spent the least amount of time under 60 FPS. So it has the highest average FPS. Which is right.

But it's also saying that the 7970 and 7950 spent more time over 20 (and 30) FPS than the Titan. Meaning the Titan was under 20FPS longer than the 7970 or 7950 were under 20 (or 30) FPS. i.e. the minimum FPS for the AMD GPUs don't last as long or happen as often.

And in my personal opinion, when it comes to top tier GPUs (7970 was top tier then), minimum FPS is what matters. As your average and the maximum is most likely going to be over your refresh rate anyway (making it irrelevant). Or you will use VSync (making it irrelevant as well). 

It's up to you. But the above graphs are why I chose the 290X over the GTX 780 (along with it being cheaper when it released).

To summarize the above (note all numbers are arbitrary to explain the concept):

The graphs are basically saying a 7970 GHz edition will get 45 FPS on average with a minimum of 15 that it very rarely hits and spends little time at and a maximum of 65 that it also rarely goes to. It's more consistent. 

The Titan has an average FPS of 65 with a minimum of 15 that it goes to often and stays at for a while and a maximum of 90 that it also goes to often and stays at for a while.

Between the two, I prefer consistency. 

Ya i agree but 7970 ghz edition is around $450, while not impossible for me to get that money it sure is difficult. I could get a 7970 and that would have everything i want but its ~10-20 fps slower but idk about the lowest fps as you said. 

 

Opt into a  280x, it'll also be more sustainable in the future.

 

Adding, I don't think many people realize how awesome Mantle is going to be ( if it works as advertised ).

 

Oh and to OP, please don't be another turd floating on a sea of mediocrity. IGNORE shadowplay, we don't need any more twitch streaming and I'm sure you can validate yourself in other ways. If this was not your intention, then ignore this last bit. 

I just dont trust mantle until i see what its like. I dont trust the word of the company making it. 

[Vitalius]

Ya i agree but 7970 ghz edition is around $450, while not impossible for me to get that money it sure is difficult. I could get a 7970 and that would have everything i want but its ~10-20 fps slower but idk about the lowest fps as you said. 

No no no. My point was, a 280X is effectively a 7970 GHz edition (once you overclock it). So you can just swap out the terms there.

[joelthezombie15]

No no no. My point was, a 280X is effectively a 7970 GHz edition (once you overclock it). So you can just swap out the terms there.

Oh okay. so you are saying i should just oc my 280x if i were to ever get it. 

[Imabigmac]

When is maxwell coming out supposedly?

 

 

Probably in 3 months. But know one knows. 

[Vitalius]

Oh okay. so you are saying i should just oc my 280x if i were to ever get it. 

Yeah. And a Titan is better than a 770, but all Nvidia GPUs pretty much perform like the Titan in the case I mentioned.

It's just a matter of which you prefer. Consistent decent FPS, or High FPS most of the time with noticeable dips that occur often. So if FPS dips are things you hate, I would get the AMD. But up to you.

[joelthezombie15]

Yeah. And a Titan is better than a 770, but all Nvidia GPUs pretty much perform like the Titan in the case I mentioned.

It's just a matter of which you prefer. Consistent decent FPS, or High FPS most of the time with noticeable dips that occur often. So if FPS dips are things you hate, I would get the AMD. But up to you.

Ya. AMD it is. but i have a question. Do i HAVE to use mantle when it comes out or can i opt out if its bad?

[Vitalius]

Ya. AMD it is. but i have a question. Do i HAVE to use mantle when it comes out or can i opt out if its bad?

I'm pretty sure you can opt out. It will probably be an option in CCC or in the game options themselves. 

However, I haven't heard about anything concrete in regards to this. I mean, it's not like the game itself will be gone. Nvidia GPUs will have to have something to play, so I'm sure you can choose between both the normal game and Mantle's version. 

Hmm, I'll research it. That's an interesting thought.

[joelthezombie15]

I'm pretty sure you can opt out. It will probably be an option in CCC or in the game options themselves. 

However, I haven't heard about anything concrete in regards to this. I mean, it's not like the game itself will be gone. Nvidia GPUs will have to have something to play, so I'm sure you can choose between both the normal game and Mantle's version. 

Hmm, I'll research it. That's an interesting thought.

OK sweet thanks. Now i just need to get the store to have them instock. 

[martinrox1568]

Oh okay. so you are saying i should just oc my 280x if i were to ever get it. 

a 280x might be even get you more fps, as those graphs are dated and new drivers should have done performance increases in games

[Rasmuff]

I mean you could get this..... http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn770oc4gd