What Graphics Card Should I Choose?

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

I recently got an Intel Xeon E5-2470v2 out of an old server box that I got from a bin (Score), and I need a graphics card. I intend on using the computer for gaming, and if possible, recording. The type of games I would like to play are DayZ and Battlefield 4. As cheap as possible but also with good performance (I don't mind if it's something like $500, just as long as it's worth the money).

Thanks,
wertie

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

Asus R9 290 DirectCU II 4GB 512-Bit, great card, great performance, good value.

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

No overclocking might I add...

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

still a great choice, that card needs a very good cooler, otherwise your going into the 90 degrees Celsius under load, this stays under 75. This card isn't even a good overclocking card, so I still strongly suggest it.

Embra · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

+1

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

Code:

unknownofprob :

How is it compared to the GTX 550? (I'm more a NVIDIA and INTEL supporter than AMD). So I'm a bit reluctant about it... How does it go playing DayZ and Battlefield 4?

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

compare....There is no comparison. The R9 290 will crush the GTX 550. BF4, you won't get much better, BF4 uses AMD Mantle engine so this card has huge advantages over Nvidia, it can play it extremely well as well as DayZ. It can max out any game 1080p. With this card you get BF4 free with purchase.

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

Your estimation on frames per second on ultra settings with it? Also is it compatible with the Intel Xeon I have? Is it compatible with the Altos G530 case I have?

photonboy · May 21, 2014

The GTX550 isn't remotely in the same ballpark.

For $500 and NVidia you should get the EVGA GTX780 967MHz card.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42784kr

The STOCK R9-290 and stock GTX780 both get almost exactly the same performance:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_290/26.html

Not sure about the R9-290 discussed above, but the EVGA model I recommend is above stock by about 10% (100/91). http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_780_SC_ACX_Cooler/26.html

Having said that, a few games have had DX11 enhancements now and run a bit better on the NVidia card.

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

above 60FPS easily. It is compatible, yes. Not sure about the case, just measure from rear of case to edge of HDD bay, if over 28.5CM, your set.

cdrkf · May 21, 2014

wertie8297 :

Code:

unknownofprob :

How is it compared to the GTX 550? (I'm more a NVIDIA and INTEL supporter than AMD). So I'm a bit reluctant about it... How does it go playing DayZ and Battlefield 4?

What resolution do you want to play at?

If it's 1920 x 1080p you can go quite a few rungs below the R9 290 and still get great performance. The 290 is level with the GTX 780 (but that cost allot more for slightly less performance, the 290 is a great deal in its segment). For 1080p the R9 270X or GTX 760 are the sweet spot cards imo.

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

How much RAM do you recommend purchasing? Also my currency is Australian, so how much would it cost? (In AUS)

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

cdrkf :

wertie8297 :

Code:

unknownofprob :

How is it compared to the GTX 550? (I'm more a NVIDIA and INTEL supporter than AMD). So I'm a bit reluctant about it... How does it go playing DayZ and Battlefield 4?

What resolution do you want to play at?

If it's 1920 x 1080p you can go quite a few rungs below the R9 290 and still get great performance. The 290 is level with the GTX 780 (but that cost allot more for slightly less performance, the 290 is a great deal in its segment). For 1080p the R9 270X or GTX 760 are the sweet spot cards imo.

I was thinking 1920x1080. That is 1080p correct?

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

yes 1920x1080 is 1080p.

1600MHz 16GB (2x8GB) of ram is a good amount to have right now, later on, 8GB won't be enough for gaming.

I live in Australia and it'll be around $200 for a good set, G-Skill Trident-X 1600Mhz 2x8GB from MSY.

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

Ok. So how much am I looking at for the graphics card, and what monitor do you recommend?

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

Monitor Samsung Series 7 24"-27" 1920x1080p, offer great viewing experience and quality products.

Graphics card, under $500, Monitor Under $390.

photonboy · May 21, 2014

BF4 and Mantle:
1) AMD does not "crush" NVidia. It varies quite a bit and basically works better when the CPU is relatively weak. Some of the numbers I saw were as low as 10% improvement (same AMD setup not compared to NVidia).

2) There were also some problems with MANTLE and I'm not sure what the state of this is now.

3) Finally, NVidia has been doing DX11 optimizations and getting better performance out of some games including BF4.
http://www.maximumpc.com/nvidia_takes_mantle_enhanced_dx11_driver_2014

"It then provided these specific numbers comparing a GeForce 780 Ti vs. an R9 290X on Mantle:

StarSwarm - 16% faster

Battlefield 4 - 12% faster

Thief - 7% faster"

wertie8297 · May 21, 2014

unknownofprob :

Ok thankyou. I have to go now, thankyou for your help

photonboy · May 21, 2014

Good one.

BTW, 8GB is plenty for now and it is likely to be YEARS before a game will benefit more considering Windows can use as little as 1GB and very few games use more than 3GB.

Plus, you can always buy more in two years if you do and it should be cheaper by then.

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

" AMD does not "crush" NVidia"

Changing my words, I said the R9 290 crushes the GTX 550.

unknownofprob · May 21, 2014

photonboy :

depends on what you do, 8GB will not be enough (Gaming to extent) But other tasks (if you do any others?), no.

Embra · May 21, 2014

Linked is a review of the 290 Asus stated above. A good read. Also take note of conclusions:
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/asus_radeon_r9_290_directcuii_oc_review,1.html

slimething · May 23, 2014

photonboy :

Probably closer to the truth: http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/180088-nvidias-questionable-geforce-337-50-driver-or-why-you-shouldnt-trust-manufacturer-provided-numbers A motley crew of deceivers they are and some of the extra performance in 337.5 is coming from the fact that nvidia has upped the boost frequency in drivers for all their cards... again, and increased the gpu max temps before it will throttle, which people are reporting as overheating and higher running temperatures for their cards.

I don't believe for one second those supposed "benchmarks" especially if they aren't using 64 player multiplayer servers. I've compared multiple BF4 videos I've made to those with nVidia cards. Running Mantle, even the 780ti has a hard time beating my $300 280x.

Not impressed.
GTX 780ti 337.50 drivers w/comparable pc hardware, BF4 Golmud Railway "Optimal settings" (assumed to be Ultra)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEUa3PEEI-I

My 280x BF4 Golmud Railway Ultra Settings Mantle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpUGy6vMAjo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Code:

Battlefield 4 Frame Time Analyzer Results:
File imported: C:\Users\****\Documents\Battlefield 4\FrameTimeLog005.csv
Branch #1 executed.
Imported 31349 points of data.
Frames: 0 points of bad data tossed.
CPU Frames: 0 points of bad data tossed.
GPU Frames: 0 points of bad data tossed.

Frame Time Avg		CPU Frame Avg		GPU Frame Avg
88.32 FPS		88.292 FPS		92.276 FPS

Max FPS			Max FPS (CPU)		Max FPS (GPU)
182.149 FPS		200.401 FPS			182.482 FPS

Min FPS			Min FPS (CPU)		Min FPS (GPU)
49.826 FPS		32.404 FPS		53.533 FPS

Time Spent:		FPS %:		FPS %(CPU):	FPS %(GPU):
Above 200 FPS:		0 %		0.19 %		0 %
Above 144 FPS:		1.43 %		1.87 %		1.95 %
Above 120 FPS:		5.14 %		5.4 %		7.91 %
Above 100 FPS:		20.58 %		21.06 %		27.57 %
Above 90 FPS:		41.79 %		40.35 %		53.06 %
Above 60 FPS:		99.86 %		99.77 %		99.93 %
Above 45 FPS:		100 %		99.98 %		100 %
Above 30 FPS:		100 %		100 %		100 %

What Graphics Card Should I Choose?

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