AMD or nVidia

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 25, 2014

Hello,

I have aquired some new hardware and I think that a new GPU will fit just well so I started searching. Here is what i found and the problem is that i don't know what to chose.

SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X R9 280X with 3Gb GDDR5,384bit,6200Mhz,950Mhz about 250 dollars
OR
Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 WINDFORCE 2X with 2Gb GDDR5,192bit,6008Mhz,960 Mhz about 230

My components are low/average:

Mobo: Gigabyte B85-HD3
CPU: Intel Pentium G3220
RAM: 8Gb DDR3 1333
Current GPU(that i want to replace): nVidia GeForce GT630
HDD: 500Gb 7200 rpm Sata 2
PSU: 500 Watts average quality

I want to know what would you pick and if the GPU will work . Thank you.

Calnin · Jul 25, 2014

The r9 280x is a stronger card, but without knowing the exact make of the psu, the gtx 660 would be the safer choice.

Eduello · Jul 25, 2014

Well this is a tricky question...
The R9 280X is equal to the GTX 680, but your PSU won't handle it. Either upgrade your PSU and get the better card, or get the much weaker GTX 660 to save a bit of money. I'd personally go the more expensive route.

6R1M01R3 · Jul 25, 2014

The Nvidia 6xx series are old, the 280X is more recent.
AMD GPUs use more power and therefore produce more heat than Nvidia's, but in performance both are good.
I wouldn't recommend Sapphire GPUs as they use reference builds with only the cooler by their design, manufacturers like Asus or MSI have their own custom builds with brand components + good cooling solutions.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 26, 2014

Well, I've done some research and this is what I found about my PSU: Gembird CCC-PSU6 500W,low noise, dual fan

Link: http://www.gembird.com/item.aspx?id=2596

What do you think? Will it handle that SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X R9 280X ?

Suztera · Jul 26, 2014

You want to upgrade your power supply first before getting a gpu.
If you have the psu you linked, it doesn't have any PCIE cables required for both GTX 660 or R9 280X.

See if you can get a XFX 550W power supply:http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

6R1M01R3 · Jul 26, 2014

il0v3tw1cS :

The 280X will make that PSU go dead with a bang..
But I doubt you can even power the GPU due to the lack of the cable 8+6 pin for that GPU.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 26, 2014

Well, the GPU comes with 2 adaptors from molex .

Eduello · Jul 26, 2014

il0v3tw1cS :

Doesn't really matter, bad quality is bad quality even though the wattage might theoretically be sufficient.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 27, 2014

Thank you. So, I'll have to upgrade my PSU and than get the GPU. One more question: will a 650 watt PSu be enought for R9 and maybe 2 (crossfired) in the future ? I was thinking to get a corsair PSU since they are good.

Calnin · Jul 27, 2014

A good 750w psu is suggested for a crossfire system. XFX 650w is a high quality PSU for ~70USD.

If you're looking to crossfire in the future, check out the EVGA supernova 750B2.

Corsair's psu aren't the best choices for their prices. The quality corsair psus are the AX/HX/TX series I believe, someone can correct me on that, but they're all more expensive than alternatives that are just as effective at lower prices.

Zaza101 · Jul 27, 2014

Here are some real world results..
i have a 4770k (not overcolocked ), 2x R9 290 running at 1030clock and 1400 memory.

I use a Corsair AX 860i.

Playing Bioshock Infinite (Max settings, 2560x1920):
~550-600W max
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6b_N7sDgjmvWkM1dWNPSWx3dzA

Worst case scenario (Runing Prime95, Furmark, 2560x1920):
~600-760W
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6b_N7sDgjmvMnZwMWZ0YlREZUE

How does this relate to your question? A 650w PSU is more than good enough for 2 x R9 280X, regardless of what might be said on official websites.

Gaidax · Jul 27, 2014

You don't need a better PSU, 500W should be enough to handle it, people really overestimate the power usage.

Only buy PSU if you see actual issues, don't try to solve an imaginary issue.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 27, 2014

So, I've decided that i won't upgrade my PSU and I'd like to know what you're suggetsing as GPu. I want AMD cards cause my mobo supports only Crossfire. Any ideas?

smeezekitty · Jul 27, 2014

That PSU looks like utter junk. Just for kicks how many 12V amps does it have?

Eduello · Jul 27, 2014

Gaidax :

Running an R9 280X on that PSU might make it fail and take half of the system with it, so I'd just get a better PSU.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 27, 2014

PSU:
+5V up to 38A
+12V up to 17A
-5V up to 0,5A
-12V up to 0,8A
+3,3V up to 28A
5V standby, up to 2A
Output power: +5V&+3,3V, up to 280W
Total output Power: 500w
Input: 230VAC at 10/5A or 50Hz

ATX/BTX motherboard

This is what I found on the box.

Rationale · Jul 27, 2014

Gaidax :

You must not know much/anything about power supplies. The listed wattage here is irrelevant, because the power supply is such low quality that it'll likely explode if it even gets near its rated wattage. In reality, that power supply can only output just over 200w to high-energy hardware. 17A on the 12v rail.

To the OP:
Either a GTX 660 or an R9 280X would each certainly cause that PSU to fail, most likely damaging or destroying your PC in the process, since I doubt the surge protection is any better than the abysmal components. That PSU would max at a GTX 750, and even then it'd be running at, or beyond, its limit and might break.

You'll need to replace the power supply for any worthwhile safe upgrade. And for a video card, I'd recommend the R9 270X. It's a bit stronger than a GTX 660 and should be either the same cost or cheaper.

Eduello · Jul 27, 2014

il0v3tw1cS :

Pretty much what Rationale said, I would replace that unit ASAP.

smeezekitty · Jul 27, 2014

With only 17A on +12 they have no business calling that a 500w PSU. Perhaps 300w.

It would definitely blow up if you put a high end GPU on it

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 28, 2014

Thank you guys. I found a nice PSU and I'd like to know what you think. Corsair CX750

Link: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx750-80-plus-bronze-certified-power-supply

Eduello · Jul 28, 2014

il0v3tw1cS :

That unit would be enough, but it's not great either; You're better off with a 600W+ unit from XFX, Antec, Seasonic, Corsair (AX, TX, and HX units only), or EVGA (B2, G2, and P2 units only).

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 28, 2014

Guys, I don't have a big pocket.......all I need is something that will handle 2 GPUs in Crossfire and maybe an i5. I'll get the CPU and the 2nd GPu next year.

Calnin · Jul 28, 2014

If you don't have a big pocket, I suggest just getting a 650w and cutting out the crossfire/SLI options. A single strong gpu can last a while as long as you're willing to sacrifice on the quality.

il0v3tw1cS · Jul 29, 2014

Thank you for everything guys. I'll go with a 650 w PSu and Single Powerful GPu.

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