GPU upgrade advice.

[dr.grimm]

Hi all,
So it is time for me to upgrade my GPU next month and for the past 3 months I have been struggling to make a decision. I have narrowed it down to two choices:

Sapphire Vapor-X R9-290 OC

http://www.sapphiretech.com/present...d=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2167&psn=000101&lid=1

Or

Evga GTX 780 SC w/ACX 6GB

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=06G-P4-3787-KR

My current system specs are as follows

Intel 2500k
Corsair 8GB 1866mhz (2x4GB)
Seagate 500g HDD SATA
Asus P8P67-M Pro
Seasonic M12II 850w PSU
Sapphire 4850 ref

Price Difference between the two cards is about R870 (sapphire being the cheaper one). On Amazon.com the GTX is R7304-+ and the sapphire is R6432-+.

Sapphire
Like:
- New semi-custom PCB
- Vapor chamber (I live in Oudtshoorn, get real hot)
- 4GB Vram on 512bit bandwidth @5600mhz effective
- Overclocking capabilities
- Cheaper
- Mantle

Dislike:
- Huge Card (2.5 PCI slot)
- likes to run hot
- Apparently limited warranty due to the custom work (can’t confirm)
- no physicX

Evga
Like:
- it is Nvidia !
- 6GB vram on 384bit @ 6008 MHz effective
- Runs cool
- ACX cooler
- PhysicX and all the other nice tech that nvidia offers
- elegant look
- great warranty and support
- 3D from Nvidia

Dislike:
- 384 bit Vram Bandwidth (scared this will be a limit in 2015)
- can’t really overclock (limited) especially the vram speed

Guess my biggest question is, does it matter that the GTX only have 384bit lane compared to the R9 which is 512bit… will the GTX be able to use all the 6 GB ( if the situation call for it) or will the card run out of horse power before he can use all the vram? I like to use heavy AA and AF and all the eye candy turned to max (I am thinking GTA V and watch_dogs).

And given that the R9 has 512bit lane is there hidden potential for extra performance with more overclocking for future gaming where the GTX with 384 bit is limited and will not stand the test of time as much as a 512bit card. What bothers me is the that the R9 vram is only 5600 MHz (has overclocking potential) were the GTX is 6008 MHz (which seems can’t be overclocked)

Reason I want to go for the 6GB is more for future proofing (although many people suggest that would be unwise finically) but what I am planning for is future games (2015) that might require much more vram? (Planning on getting a 1440p monitor)

Which one will last me longer? (next upgrade will be GTX980 20nm lol)
is Nvidia tech really a deal breaker?
do I care about Vram size and speed in 2015?
Does Nvidia offer any higher image quality or eye candy above AMD?

any advice? (not on my spelling and grammar please)

Thanks in advance !
(excuse the bad English)

 

[EmileS]

I'll go with Radeon and I'll buy locally if I were you (it's cheaper and less waiting time). <--- "What?! No?! Did he say cheaper?! But, he's buying from Amazon?!"

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=11673

The best value for money and option:
http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...rd-includes-3-free-games-amd-golden-tier.html

The R9 290 you listed has slight better performance though.

Best advise is to go read reviews and comparisons between the GTX780 and R9 290.

 

[sybertiger]

i will go with the gtx 780
the 2 are actually close ,but my votes on the 780

and nividia and intel just fits

 

[EmileS]

i will go with the gtx 780
the 2 are actually close ,but my votes on the 780

and nividia and intel just fits

Close? The R9 290 is a grand cheaper?

 

[Nether]

i will go with the gtx 780
the 2 are actually close ,but my votes on the 780

and nividia and intel just fits

Until we dont get anymore radeons here because of choices like yours

Or we get people who complain there is no competition anymore, or why there is higher prices : /

 

[sybertiger]

for 1k less

i will say the 290 then

but me personaly just like nividia better

that 1k saving can go into into a ssd for the OP,he didnt say he had one ,so will give the pc a nice boost in general use loadtimes boot etc

 

[Fox1]

Certain games do have extra eye-candy on Nvidia cards that you'll only notice if you're running on such a high-end card like the 780.

 

[sybertiger]

then again nividia have physics
and amd have mantle

so games that use physics will run better on the 780
but games that use mantle like BF the 290 will have the lead

 

[CataclysmZA]

Just off the bat, if you're playing at 1440p, either card will be a fantastic buy. I usually tell people to flip a coin, see if they like the outcome and carry on.

Guess my biggest question is, does it matter that the GTX only have 384bit lane compared to the R9 which is 512bit… will the GTX be able to use all the 6 GB ( if the situation call for it) or will the card run out of horse power before he can use all the vram? I like to use heavy AA and AF and all the eye candy turned to max (I am thinking GTA V and watch_dogs).

At 1440p, 4GB is plenty of space for the next three year's worth of games with eye candy. The bus width differences are more easily noticed at 4K. If you ever intend to dabble in super sampling or game mods that chow bandwidth, the R9 290 is the way to go because of the raw power available.

If you ever decide to get a 120Hz Lightboost monitor without G-Sync, AMD is the better choice because their drivers break the Lightboost hacks much less frequently. If you're planning on eyeing a G-Sync monitor at some point, the GTX780 is the natural choice and will hold on to perceived performance for a longer period of time.

Which one will last me longer? (next upgrade will be GTX980 20nm lol)
is Nvidia tech really a deal breaker?
do I care about Vram size and speed in 2015?
Does Nvidia offer any higher image quality or eye candy above AMD?

1) The R9 290 by a hair's breadth if HSA takes off like AMD expects it to. If gaming is your primary concern, Nvidia supports their modern architectures for a longer period than AMD does.
2) No, Physx still isn't the deal-breaker that it was promised to be. Some games use it well, most don't.
3) Well you're paying over R6k for a GPU alone, so yes you should. Either card will be fine.
4) Not particularly, although some games use CUDA and Physx for particle effects which can look very pretty and distracting.

 

[dr.grimm]

I usually tell people to flip a coin, see if they like the outcome and carry on.

So best out of 3 with a special R2 sees AMD as the winner. ha-ha

 

[dr.grimm]

If you ever intend to dabble in super sampling or game mods that chow bandwidth, the R9 290 is the way to go because of the raw power available.

Yes I definitely would not be able to restrain my self from modding and adding as much extras as possible. like skyrim.

If you're planning on eyeing a G-Sync monitor at some point, the GTX780 is the natural choice and will hold on to perceived performance for a longer period of time.

I am planning on getting a G-sync monitor, but as I understand they are few and very expensive (didn't see one in the 1440p division) basically waiting for Benq of Asus to bring out a proper g-sync monitor with 144hz refresh rate and 1ms lag. this will be my next upgrade for 2015. but as I see it, for now g-sync is not a big thing yet and not really mainstream ? so my plan was to get the AMD now for 1k-+ less and start saving for a g-sync monitor, which by my guess will be more available around mid 2015? which after I start saving for start 2016 for Nvidia new 20nm GPU's. so seeing the amd upgrade as a mid way upgrade.

 

[UsernameLadiesMan217]

My vote is for the AMD Radeon R9 290x

 

[CataclysmZA]

so my plan was to get the AMD now for 1k-+ less and start saving for a g-sync monitor, which by my guess will be more available around mid 2015? which after I start saving for start 2016 for Nvidia new 20nm GPU's. so seeing the amd upgrade as a mid way upgrade.

By the time you are ready for a monitor upgrade, newer models with Displayport 1.3 and built-in variable refresh rate features will be available, so you won't have to buy into the more expensive G-Sync setup. So don't worry too much about monitors for now, because things in that market are always in a constant state of change. Flip your coin, make the choice and have fun!

 

[dr.grimm]

I'll go with Radeon and I'll buy locally if I were you (it's cheaper and less waiting time). <--- "What?! No?! Did he say cheaper?! But, he's buying from Amazon?!"

The best value for money and option:
http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...rd-includes-3-free-games-amd-golden-tier.html

This is actually a very good deal! but I dont know the brand Powercolor?! slightly higher clock than sapphire too.

 

[dr.grimm]

PowerColor AXR9 290 4GBD5-PPDHE R9 290 PCS+ OC 4GB:

- Video Memory: 4GB GDDR5
- Engine Clock: 1040MHz
- Memory Clock: 1350MHz (5.4 Gbps)
- Memory Interface: 512bit
- Enthusiast-Design: Black PCB, Metal Heat-Sink Shroud & Full-Metal Back-Plate
- Hardcore-Cooling: Triple-Fan, 5x Heat-Pipe, 2.5 Slot Cooler For The Ultimate in Cooling and Quiet Operation - Same Award-Winning Cooler as Used in the R9 290X PCS+ Reviewed Here
- Maximum Performance and Stability: Digital PWMs, DirectFET and 7-Phase Board Power Design Enhances Power Efficiency and Stability

Seems to have all the tweaks and extras one would want. almost same as the sapphire vapor-x , but MUCH cheaper and it is local. Does anyone have any experience with Powercolor and wootware?

 

[Rickster]

I would go for this

Yes, it has 3GB less Vram but its the Ti version.

 

[CataclysmZA]

PowerColor AXR9 290 4GBD5-PPDHE R9 290 PCS+ OC 4GB:

- Video Memory: 4GB GDDR5
- Engine Clock: 1040MHz
- Memory Clock: 1350MHz (5.4 Gbps)
- Memory Interface: 512bit
- Enthusiast-Design: Black PCB, Metal Heat-Sink Shroud & Full-Metal Back-Plate
- Hardcore-Cooling: Triple-Fan, 5x Heat-Pipe, 2.5 Slot Cooler For The Ultimate in Cooling and Quiet Operation - Same Award-Winning Cooler as Used in the R9 290X PCS+ Reviewed Here
- Maximum Performance and Stability: Digital PWMs, DirectFET and 7-Phase Board Power Design Enhances Power Efficiency and Stability

Seems to have all the tweaks and extras one would want. almost same as the sapphire vapor-x , but MUCH cheaper and it is local. Does anyone have any experience with Powercolor and wootware?

Powercolor's PCS+ variants are usually custom boards equipped with coolers designed in-house by PowerColor. They're a part of the TUL corporation which also includes Club3D and VTX3D and like Sapphire they are very close board partners with AMD. I own a VTX3D Radeon HD6870 which was identical to PowerColor's design at the time, only it was sold cheaper.

Electrically, their designs are on par with MSI's Hawk line. Their Devil R9 270X is one of the best variants out there, even besting MSI's Hawk version.

The PCS+ R9 290 was very well received by Tom's Hardware. Wootware handles the local warranties themselves so I'm pretty sure you won't have much troubles with them should anything bad happen.

 

[Nameite]

Used powercolor before (HD3850 AGP)

Havent had the need to take it back yet, almost 8 years now...

I would say its on-par with Sapphire

 

[EmileS]

PowerColor AXR9 290 4GBD5-PPDHE R9 290 PCS+ OC 4GB:

- Video Memory: 4GB GDDR5
- Engine Clock: 1040MHz
- Memory Clock: 1350MHz (5.4 Gbps)
- Memory Interface: 512bit
- Enthusiast-Design: Black PCB, Metal Heat-Sink Shroud & Full-Metal Back-Plate
- Hardcore-Cooling: Triple-Fan, 5x Heat-Pipe, 2.5 Slot Cooler For The Ultimate in Cooling and Quiet Operation - Same Award-Winning Cooler as Used in the R9 290X PCS+ Reviewed Here
- Maximum Performance and Stability: Digital PWMs, DirectFET and 7-Phase Board Power Design Enhances Power Efficiency and Stability

Seems to have all the tweaks and extras one would want. almost same as the sapphire vapor-x , but MUCH cheaper and it is local. Does anyone have any experience with Powercolor and wootware?

I bought my PowerColor AX7870 LE Myst from Wootware. Great company and great card. Nothing wrong with PowerColor.

 

[dr.grimm]

Thats great news... was so impressed with some of wootwares prices I bought a new cooler, PSU and some fans.

BUT....

Still very conflicted with my choice between Nvidia 780 and AMD R9.

watched a few clips on physX and othe Nvidia Tech, and I must say seeing that effects in Batman and assassins creed it is quite impressive. The Best price I could get on the GTX780 was R7304 on Amazon (shipping and watch_dogs incl) Thats a R1500+- difference between the two card, very difficult to justify (especially when one can get VAT back on the AMD). my flip of the coin has completely gone south.

My logic for the GTX780:

so I definitely not going to wait for the GTX880 (which in my understanding will be 28nm for end of 2014 and is more for power saving that X power output) I was thinking that the GTX780 with 6gb vram will at least last me till start 2016 running everything maxed out, reason I want the 6GB is because I am thinking about huge games coming like witcher 3 and GTA V that has open world that MIGHT require more frame buffer and I love AA and AF (rather have 6GB and not use it than being with out when games actually do start to consume lager vram as it is more available and game dev are tempted to utilize it).

But now...does the GTX780 have the horsepower to fill that 6gb with its 384bit lanes? and will the 384bit not be a limit when games start getting really big (speculating for 2015 )? and lets say the GTX drops price and of year meaning there is a opportunity to SLI which I am sure the 6GB will come in handy.

I cant get to much reading info on how AMD handles things like fog and lighting and shadows compared to Nvidia. some clips I saw on youtube the AMD test just did not have the fog that surrounds the characters in such way that it is visually impressive, I mean physX the fog moves with the characters. but is that R1500+- worth? the reason we get stronger GPUs is to experience that type of effects?

The R9 is more power for less bucks...but the eye candy!?

Guess all the reading is making me OCD about GPUs