Best GPU under $300

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buckyalt

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Nov 13, 2013
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I recently started moving towards building a gaming pc and found the vast selection of GPUs to be quite daunting. I think 3GB of ram is what I want but I am confused as to what truly matters in a GPU (clock speed, bus width, ram, etc.). I intend to play on a 1080p monitor so what is the best GPU under $300 and if someone would explain what matters that would be lovely.
 
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BlankInsanity
MSI N760 Hawk : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127750
MSI N760 Gaming OC TF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127745
EVGA w/ ACX Cooler GTX 760: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130932
Gigabyte GTX 760 w/ 3x Windforce: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125466

If you can find a R9 280X instead then get that.

The GTX 760 is roughly the best card you can get, I didn't say any AMD cards for several reasons

~Nvidia has better drivers
~Purchase the card you get 3 of the newest games(AMD gives you games but they're from 2011-2012)

I'd suggest the MSI N760 Hawk because it's the best 760 out there(the Zotac Amp! is close in terms of clock speed)...
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BlankInsanity

BlankInsanity

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Oct 14, 2013
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MSI N760 Hawk : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127750
MSI N760 Gaming OC TF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127745
EVGA w/ ACX Cooler GTX 760: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130932
Gigabyte GTX 760 w/ 3x Windforce: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125466

If you can find a R9 280X instead then get that.

The GTX 760 is roughly the best card you can get, I didn't say any AMD cards for several reasons

~Nvidia has better drivers
~Purchase the card you get 3 of the newest games(AMD gives you games but they're from 2011-2012)

I'd suggest the MSI N760 Hawk because it's the best 760 out there(the Zotac Amp! is close in terms of clock speed), Very good cooling, quieter than the Gigabyte 3x. 5 heat pipes(no other 760 has this) to dissipate heat. A Backplate for dissipation and durability. Not to mention this card has immensely powerful OCing capabilities up 1400Mhz by one review and it still stayed cool without the use of another form of cooling.

So MSI n760 Hawk + Assassins creed IV, Splinter Cell Blaklist and Nvidia Shield(all three free)
for $289.00 it's a great bargain(I'm getting the card myself)
 
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buckyalt

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Nov 13, 2013
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Now what about the 4GB versions of the GTX 760, how do those compare to the R9 280X? Is 4GB complete overkill in this situation?
 
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BlankInsanity

BlankInsanity

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Oct 14, 2013
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4GB isn't overkill it's just unnecessary to pay for, you could get it but it won't be put to use fully until the next year or so

If your going to get the 4GB version it'd be better to just get the R9 280X since they're roughly the same price but.. your still going to a company with not the best GPU drivers and free games that aren't worthwhile as much as what Nvidia has to offer in terms of free games.

If you want something equivalent to the R9 280x get the GTX 770 but those are $330+

*Edit

Btw the GTX 760 was built for 1080p gaming rather than surround gaming
 
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ParkerD5

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BlankInsanity

BlankInsanity

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Oct 14, 2013
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yea maybe he'll get a better card but its terms of stability AMD aren't the best at making drivers as much as Nvidia has put effort into. Buying that card doesn't come with anything free, not even a voucher when howerver if you buy the 760 you get 2 games free and a $100 discount on the Nvidia Shield.

The R9 280x is alot more powerful but in terms of goodies it falls terribly. The 760 is still a great card to get for the price. Even I myself have considered the R9 280X but I want those goodies.

The GTX 770 is the R9 280X's rival. Thought the 770 is roughly $20-$40 more but it comes with those goodies :D
 
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buckyalt

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Honestly I care little about the games that are included so which in the end is better, the GTX 760 4GB or the R9 280X 3GB, both are the same price so which is better?
 
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ParkerD5

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Nov 13, 2013
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The GTX 760 can't even utilize the 4GB because it doesn't have the bandwidth to do so. It's a marketing gimmick and will give you no better performance. You're comparing a 256 bit card to a 384 bit card. The 760 only has the 256 and 4GB VRAM is more than can be used.

Remember, I have a 760 and though it's a great card, I'm telling you from an owner that I would go with the R9 280X. I've had AMD cards in the past and never had driver problems. I'm not a fanboy of either company, I'm a fan of my money and performance.
 
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BlankInsanity

BlankInsanity

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Don't assume I'm a fanboy.

Get the R9 280x as long as you can power it.

I'd suggest the the Asus R9 280x or Gigabyte 3x but thats longer and probably louder it cools very well though.

The Sapphire R9 280x is also a great candidate
 
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nikie110

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May 26, 2014
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The 4 GBs of Vram only matter when playing on a higher res, so it's useless if you're playing on 1080p ( it will have the same performance as 2GB version,but at a higher price ).
 
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