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280x or 770(4gb) or more? (performance, power consumption & psu)

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  • Performance Power
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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October 22, 2013 10:05:17 AM

The last time I asked a question here I received a lot of nice advice from everyone that replied so I thought I'd ask again. I'm pretty sure which way I'm leaning but maybe I missed something so it can't hurt to discuss.

First, I have no intention on spending the thousands of $$ that 4k TV's currently go for as I'd rather spend on other useful things or give charity to war torn poverty stricken lands etc which sometimes we forget are far more worthwhile as we focus on upgrading to the latest and greatest entertainment. So I will be content with 1080p until such time 4k becomes more comparable which I expect will be the next 2 years or so. Not sure it even makes a difference unless screen size is above 50" anyway which is too large for general computer use. With that in mind would there be any reason whatsoever to go for a 290x or 780Ti for 1080p use at max settings? Basically I'm trying to say are there any games that the cards below will not handle with max graphical settings at 1080p at a steady 60fps?

Now to my real questions.

1. The 280x(3gb top model Asus/Sapphire) and 770(4gb Gigabyte) are priced pretty much the same. However the gtx770 has an extra 1GB memory. Is this worth it or is the 280x going to perform significantly better. I heard it's almost gtx780 level but just wondering if a 4gb 770 would be better as most comparisons put it up against the 2gb version.

Tomb Raider (with all setting to max with TressFX on) would be a good title for comparing relative performance and basing recommendations on.

2. Also, the issue of power consumption. Are they comparable? I'd like to try get away with a 3/4 year old Antec 380ea if possible, but would this not be possible? (CPU takes 95w max, few HDD etc. I'm guessing should leave over 250w for a gpu)

Thanks.

More about : 280x 770 4gb performance power consumption psu

October 22, 2013 12:55:30 PM

A GTX 770 2GB would be better choice. 4GB VRAM will be an overkill if you even use dual or triple monitor setup. So 2GB VRAM is sufficient for you.

But you need a more powerful PSU. You can rely upon XFX, Corsair, Seasonic, and Antec.

Measured power consumption
1.System in IDLE = 119 W
2.System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 303 W
3.Difference (GPU load) = 187 W
4.Add average IDLE wattage ~10 W
5.Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 197 Watts

•GeForce GTX 770 - On your average system the card requires you to have a 550 Watt power supply unit.
•GeForce GTX 770 2-way SLI - On your average system the cards require you to have a 750 Watt power supply unit as minimum.
•GeForce GTX 770 3-way SLI - On your average system the cards require you to have a 1000 Watt power supply unit as minimum.
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October 23, 2013 7:30:21 AM

My use will be solely single monitor 1080p. As prices were roughly similar I thought the 4GB GTX770 might be a good alternative to the 280x due to the increased memory. If you're saying that 2GB is sufficient for gameplay with max settings at 1080p would not the 280x be a better option in terms of performance. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also do any of these new cards use system memory if gpu memory is used up? Here I'm thinking more in terms of next gen console ports and the architecture they use.

Thanks for the detailed reply regarding power consumption. Your values seem to indicate that the full system would take about 300W with the GPU pulling about 200W. Assuming these cards pull a max of 250W then an old 380W PSU would still leave a margin of over 100W for all other components. The reason I ask is that if I could get away without upgrading the PSU then I could get a slightly better GPU, say the 290x.

In terms of a good PSU is there an ultra quiet one that would be sufficient for these cards?

Thanks

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October 23, 2013 9:10:05 AM

I think GTX 770 is better in performance and a little faster too. http://www.hwcompare.com/15840/geforce-gtx-770-vs-radeo...

Perhaps, but what game pushes textures and draw distances like modded Skyrim with AA? Even the developers didn't bother putting that detailed textures into the game; it was the work of over dedicated fans with lots of free time.

To answer your questions, right now 2 GB is just about all you need for playing at 1080p and for the foreseeable future. If you had higher resolution or multiple monitors, the answer might be different, but really 2 GB is going to be more than enough. When textures get limited space, I believe they do get migrated to system RAM. System RAM is much, much slower than video RAM, so yes, it will effect framerates and make things slow down. Whether or not it judders depends on the game.

You can max out the memory bandwidth in some ways sometimes, especially with the use of filters (transparency multisampling for example)
I'd say it's unlikely though that you'll encounter one scenario in the foreseeable future that it will necessitate more than 2Gb especially at resolutions lower or equal to 1080p.

I wouldn't recommend a 380W PSU, it will be risky. What would happen if your PSU can't cope with the load:

•bad 3D performance
•crashing games
•spontaneous reset or imminent shutdown of the PC
•freezing during gameplay
•PSU overload can cause it to break down

Here you can see for PSU's : http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx


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October 23, 2013 3:47:01 PM

So long as my lower/borderline wattage PSU won't damage the GPU I'll probably try see if what I have is enough for a new card and get a new psu if needed.
As for the GPU I actually thought that the GTX 770 was slightly slower but it looks like it's slightly faster than a 280x.
Thanks for all that. It's much appreciated.
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October 23, 2013 7:44:13 PM

Not only its faster, the PhysX is better also. You are welcome.
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