Why Have Graphics cards Skyrocketed?

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

I was looking to buy the "Sapphire Radeon HD 7970" and at the time it was about $340... I though, hey maybe if I wait until black Friday, the price will go down a bit. So I waited and waited, and when the day finally came, there I am so excited to find out the new price, and BLAM... it had almost doubled in price... anyone know why?

smeezekitty · Nov 30, 2013

It was replaced with the Radeon R9-280X which is based on the same chip.

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

The 7xxx series is being phased out. The 7970 has been rebranded to the R9 280X, with a slight clock boost: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-R9-28X3&c=CJ

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

So is the R9 280x Better then the 7970? BTW thank you got all the help.

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

Slightly better, slightly cheaper.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Are you able to link me to the best model of it under $450? I am sorry to ask of so much, I just have only been looking at the 7000 series, and have no understanding of the new one. I would be really grateful, and again, thank you for the help

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

Wait a few weeks until they release the R9 290 with custom coolers - should set you back about $400.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

So when the R9 290 comes out, order the R9 280X? What do you estimate the R90 will cost? Thank you again.

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

Sorry, I meant that when you can get a 290 with a custom cooler (because the reference ones are pretty hopeless), get one. They'll cost about $400-420.

The R9 280X costs about $300. I'd suggest getting the faster 290 though.

Sorry, I changed my recommendations when you said up to $450.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

So wait for the 290 to come out (Because it has a better cooler)? And that will cost about 420? Or The card will cost 420, then I also should also look for a cooler for that...

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

The R9 280X is out now with both reference and custom coolers, and costs about $300.

The R9 290 is out now, but only with reference cooler. It costs about $400.

I suggest you wait until the R9 290 with custom coolers comes out, then get that. They should cost about $400-$420.

A custom cooler makes a large difference to performance and noise levels.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

What do you mean by costume cooler for a graphics card? Can you link me an example for the 280x?

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

Custom. Designed by someone other than AMD.

This is a reference 280X:

These are custom 280Xs:

radeon-r9-280x-partner-board-hawaii,Z-H-404333-13.jpg

radeon-r9-280x-partner-board-hawaii,Z-P-404341-13.jpg

radeon-r9-280x-partner-board-hawaii,Z-1-404317-13.jpg

Plus many others.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Oh... thats what you mean... I see. I am most interested in the sapphire ones... That is what I have been looking into. Do you think they are well worth it?

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Wow.. you have made this very clear to me. So I am thinking about getting the sapphire 290x when it comes out, do you think this would be wise? Thank you for all the help.

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

I'd go for the 290 not the 290X - the 290X won't be in your budget. But yes, the Sapphire should be a good card.

rhylton88 · Nov 30, 2013

It would be wise to wait a few weeks and get any non-reference version of the R9 290 or R9 290x. Should be some of the strongest cards for the money. Don't worry too much about which specific brand/cooler to get; as long as it isn't the reference card. They will all be better than the reference design.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Does the x stand for Vapor X? Because I wouldn't mind waiting a few months to get the 290x, if it meant better cooling

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

I see what you mean: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CJ3V2f_-jbsCFe5j7AodIhAAEg&Item=N82E16814202042&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Desktop+Graphics+Cards-_-N82E16814202042&ef_id=UoBKJwAABBOf@B0S:20131201023658:s

smeezekitty · Nov 30, 2013

X is higher performance not vapor X
They adopted a NVidiaish naming scheme with the suffix making a significant performance difference.

290X>290>280X>7970

What do you mean by costume cooler for a graphics card? Can you link me an example for the 280x?

I lol'd at that

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

Yeah, the 290X is a different card to the 290, like 780Ti vs 780.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Looking back at it... I lol'd too. Right now custome 290'x are about $600 are you saying, in a few weeks it will be around $420? Thank you for clarifying everything.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

Do you think the 290x will be in budget? Also... I am gratful even for the 280x as it is cheaper then the 7970, and better.

Someone Somewhere · Nov 30, 2013

First, it's 'custom', as in 'not standard', not 'custome'.

I was talking about the ~$400 R9 290, not the ~$550 R9 290X. They are different cards.

I can't find any R9 290X cards with custom coolers, either.

mesiapk · Nov 30, 2013

alright thankyou, so are you suggesting I wait untill the 290 comes out with custom coolers?

Why Have Graphics cards Skyrocketed?

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