280x? Or should I splurge and just get a 290? or some other alternative?

qwertyqwerty9 · Mar 16, 2014

Hello

Seems like GPU prices have skyrocketed recently. Back in the day my friend bought a 7970 for $280. Now a R9 280x is $350 minimum but looks like ones with great clock speed and 3gb of ram is closer to $450.

Then you can get a cheaper R9 290 for like $470.

I want to run at least 2 monitor (1920x1200) (With the intention of getting a 3rd down the road).
Now I'd be willing to go one monitor (if it is necessary) when playing games but still would like to play games on ultra.

Because of the monitors I think I would need the 3gb version. But do I need the 290? Or can the 280x do this?

Or is there an alternative card I should consider?

Thanks again!

Azn Cracker · Mar 16, 2014

I would wait it out until the prices come back down. It's because of the revival of mining. The 7970 ghz was as low as $220. So unless you really need it now, wait. Also consider nvidia's offerings

ingtar33 · Mar 16, 2014

qwertyqwerty9 :

the prices of AMD gpus is because of bitcoin/litecoin miners.

it won't come down for a while. I would look at an nvidia option. something like 2 780s would handle the "2" to "3" monitors you're looking to get.

ingtar33 · Mar 16, 2014

lackysami :

you're underestimating the resolution you're talking about.
4k monitors = 8,294,400 pixels = 100%
3 1920x1200 monitors = 6,912,000 pixels = 83%
3 1080p monitors = 6,220,800 pixels = 75%

yes, one 780 could game on 3 1920x1200 monitors.... so could a 760 or 770 or r9-280 or r9-280x... but it would be at reduced settings. To hit 60fps in a top of the line game at 6912000 pixels the op will need 2 780s in SLi

qwertyqwerty9 · Mar 16, 2014

lackysami :

ingtar33 :

Is it possible to use just two (not three) monitors for gaming?
two 780's are out of my price range. Maybe I could get one and buy another one down the road.

I was originally only going to get a r9 280x. But if I do spend the $500+ (if I did get a 780 it would have to be one of the ones in the $500 range) just on a graphics card would the 780 be the best choice?

Would an amd 8350 be a bottleneck for the 780, r9 290 or r9 290x?

Looks like the the 780 only has 3gbs or ram. This is enough for the long term? Even if I end up running these large resolutions?

Oh and once again thanks for all the comments.

ingtar33 · Mar 16, 2014

the fx8350 won't be a bottleneck for any of those cards... not a significant one anyway.

and yeah... you can use 2 monitors.

qwertyqwerty9 · Mar 18, 2014

lackysami :

qwertyqwerty9 :

it wont bottleneck any of those cards but if you have good airflow in case get r9 290x otherwise get 780. it runs bit cooler and does about same performance. and dual monitor should be fine. but at playing 4/3K you would need slam another 780 for gaming on 3 monitors all maxed out.

Honestly I cannot justify the price for these cards to myself at these prices. Hopefully they will all go down the in next few months. I really think the amd cards will be better for me. Seems like they beat the 770 780 at a lot of games (at least at higher resolutions) and seems like tons of games have issues with nvidia cards in general.

Why aren't nvidia cards effected by this mining phase? Isn't that the type of thing cuda is for?

Someday I'll get a gaming PC

Jonathan Cave · Mar 18, 2014

i have 2 x 280x's and a triple 24" monitor set up @ 1920 x 1080 and it runs every game superbly well. e.g. Metro last light @ 83 FPS @ 5760 x 1080 on ultra settings.

in 3dmark fire strike extreme 1.1 my 2 x 280x's in crossfire out performs a single 780 ti or titan and costs less, however you need a 800W psu and it will increase the electricity bill ever so slightly.

given your situation a 290 is the best value for money at the moment , what will you be running a double monitor set up for ? for gaming i.e. FPS you need a triple monitor set up otherwise the cross-hair is split on the bezel.

qwertyqwerty9 · Mar 18, 2014

Jonathan Cave :

Ah I never thought of that! i guess ill be gaming on one monitor until i get three. Thank you.

I've been looking on ebay. Parts don't wear out right? So I could get used one that looks clean and it should last a long time?

Googling it it seemed people bought new just for the warranty.

But what if I got one where the model had a lifetime warranty? Does the warranty only apply to the original owner or would they just fix it?

Thanks again.

Jonathan Cave · Mar 18, 2014

I bought my 2nd 280x for £180 on ebay and haven't had any problems at all. just make sure you buy off someone who will accept returns if it doesn't work.

the beauty of the R9 series of cards is you don't need an active display port adaptor so you can use a HDMI , DVI , DVI connections. previous versions of these cards i.e. 7970 needed a at least 1 displayport connection to run eyefinity.

as for GB, if you crossfire you don't get 6GB of memory just 3GB. read this article. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/graphics-card-myths,review-32882-5.html

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