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660 SLI vs R9 280?

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Power Consumption
  • SLI
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 4, 2014 6:45:40 AM

I have been thinking of upgrading my GPU, and these are two choices that came to mind. I don't mind about power consumption, and another 660 costs ~60 USD less than the 280.

More about : 660 sli 280

September 4, 2014 6:48:43 AM

If the GTX 660 SLI is only slightly better then if it is compared with the R9 280 then it is a clear winner.

If you plan to get the GTX 660 SLI keep in mind 650W is recommended. If you go with the R9 280 then get at least 400W-450W.
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September 4, 2014 6:48:59 AM

GTX 660 SLI will sabotage a GTX 280.
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September 4, 2014 6:51:28 AM

GTX 660 SLI and XFX Core 650W as a PSU.
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September 4, 2014 6:54:08 AM

Joseph DeGarmo said:
GTX 660 SLI will sabotage a GTX 280.


haha thats what i thought he was asking at first too im not used to seeing 280 without an R9 in front of it.
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September 4, 2014 6:54:28 AM

Joseph DeGarmo said:
GTX 660 SLI will sabotage a GTX 280.


Lol. He should have mentioned the R9 280.
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September 4, 2014 8:03:49 AM

Fixed. Thanks for all your responses!
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September 4, 2014 8:07:57 AM

Checked my PSU- 520W. Is SLI still an option?
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September 4, 2014 8:12:06 AM

Not really.
A 620W PSU would be a great choice.
Seasonic S12II or Antec HCG,both are really high quality and you should get one of those.And they are 620W PSUs.
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September 4, 2014 8:22:28 AM

Alright, thanks. Just looked at GPU's at my local computer store (btw I don't live in the U.S. -here, a GTX 780 will cost ~650$), and within my price range there are 2 (non SLI) options:
As mentioned the *R9* ( looking at you Joeteoh99) 280, and GTX 760- they both cost ~330$. Which would be the better choice?
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Best solution

September 4, 2014 8:23:46 AM

R9 280 would be slightly better choice.
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September 4, 2014 8:28:43 AM

Thanks so much everyone! Just one final question- does the improvement in performance of the R9 280 over the GTX 660 justify the 330$? Just your two cents.
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September 4, 2014 8:31:12 AM

Not much,to be honest.
But I think if you already have the GTX 660 than getting another one and a new PSU would be a better choice.
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September 4, 2014 8:32:19 AM

Thanks!
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September 4, 2014 8:32:36 AM

No problem,have fun. :) 
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September 4, 2014 8:33:06 AM

The R9-280 is roughly equivalent to a GTX 670, so you will not get much of a performance boost. You're better off getting an R9-280X or GTX 770.
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September 4, 2014 8:33:59 AM

Another thing- it's funny, I checked the store and the GTX 660 costs 40$ less than the R9 280...
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September 4, 2014 8:34:31 AM

Then get another GTX 660 and an Antec HCG 620M. :) 
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September 4, 2014 8:35:51 AM

Joseph DeGarmo said:
The R9-280 is roughly equivalent to a GTX 670, so you will not get much of a performance boost. You're better off getting an R9-280X or GTX 770.


Will SLI GTX 660s have better (or equal) performance to/than the R9 280X or the GTX 770?
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September 4, 2014 8:38:28 AM

Little bit less performance than the R9 280X.
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September 4, 2014 8:39:08 AM

Great, thanks a lot!
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September 4, 2014 9:00:53 AM

No problem.
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September 4, 2014 9:14:57 AM

Nadav Erez said:
Joseph DeGarmo said:
The R9-280 is roughly equivalent to a GTX 670, so you will not get much of a performance boost. You're better off getting an R9-280X or GTX 770.


Will SLI GTX 660s have better (or equal) performance to/than the R9 280X or the GTX 770?


660 SLI will perform better I would say.
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September 4, 2014 10:00:40 AM

How about the R9 285? Costs less than a 280 (where I'm buying from) and should be better performance-wise.
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September 4, 2014 11:00:06 AM

Not a bad option. :) 
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September 4, 2014 11:05:16 AM

The R9-285 is basically a slimmer version of the R9-280. It has a lower bus rating (256-bit) and fewer stream processors, but a lower TDP. Either get another GTX 660 for SLI or a GTX 770 or R9-280X.
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September 4, 2014 11:37:18 AM

Joseph DeGarmo said:
The R9-285 is basically a slimmer version of the R9-280. It has a lower bus rating (256-bit) and fewer stream processors, but a lower TDP. Either get another GTX 660 for SLI or a GTX 770 or R9-280X.


So performance-wise SLI 660 >= GTX 770 >= R9 280X > R9 280 >= R9 285?
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September 4, 2014 11:43:56 AM

Nadav Erez said:
Joseph DeGarmo said:
The R9-285 is basically a slimmer version of the R9-280. It has a lower bus rating (256-bit) and fewer stream processors, but a lower TDP. Either get another GTX 660 for SLI or a GTX 770 or R9-280X.


So performance-wise SLI 660 >= GTX 770 >= R9 280X > R9 280 >= R9 285?


More like GTX 770>R9 280X>GTX 660 SLI>R9 280>R9 285.
All are really close in terms of performance.
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September 4, 2014 12:04:59 PM

Out of all of these, the 280 is the cheapest. Also considering price, would it be the best option?
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September 4, 2014 12:07:27 PM

Yes,it's an excellent option.
But if there's a little bit of difference between the GTX 660 SLI and R9 280,while the GTX 660 is $40 cheaper,why not get another 660 and a better PSU,like Antec HCG 620M,Seasonic S12II Bronze 620W or XFX Core 650W?
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September 4, 2014 12:16:14 PM

LukaBoki said:
Yes,it's an excellent option.
But if there's a little bit of difference between the GTX 660 SLI and R9 280,while the GTX 660 is $40 cheaper,why not get another 660 and a better PSU,like Antec HCG 620M,Seasonic S12II Bronze 620W or XFX Core 650W?


Because the PSU costs 100$, and if the SLI 660s are around the same performance, slightly less reliable and more expensive I'd prefer the 280.

Also, a friend of mine might be getting a new PC, and SLI 660s are fine with him- I offered him to buy my card for cheap, that way we both win ( my expenses are lower, he gets one half of an SLI setup.
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September 4, 2014 12:19:33 PM

That's a great option too.
You will need a new PSU if you want to get the 280X or GTX 770. ;) 
520W is enough for the R9 280.
What is the exact model of your PSU?
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September 4, 2014 12:23:14 PM

LukaBoki said:
That's a great option too.
You will need a new PSU if you want to get the 280X or GTX 770. ;) 
520W is enough for the R9 280.
What is the exact model of your PSU?


Apparently, it's a pretty good one: Seasonic S12II Bronze 520W. I'm guessing it's the same series as your recommendation?
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September 4, 2014 12:27:53 PM

Yes,it's an excellent quality unit and you definitely won't need a new one for the R9 280. ;) 
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September 4, 2014 12:46:40 PM

LukaBoki said:
Yes,it's an excellent quality unit and you definitely won't need a new one for the R9 280. ;) 


But I would need a new one for the 280X, right?

I just want to thank you personally, you've been a great help for a relatively-noob like me.
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September 4, 2014 1:26:28 PM

Yea,a new one for the 280X.
620W is recommended.
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September 4, 2014 1:33:36 PM

I think the 280 is a good option- especially for its price. Just two questions:
1)If I sell the 660 and buy a 280 my expenses will be just 130$. Is the performance difference worth the money?
2)The exact model of the 280 I'm looking at is: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 DUAL-X BOOST OC. What is the OC potential, and what kind of performance increase does it give?
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September 5, 2014 4:20:52 AM

It's the best possible R9 280 you could've chosen. ;) 
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September 5, 2014 4:53:21 AM

LukaBoki said:
It's the best possible R9 280 you could've chosen. ;) 


Alright, I have checked prices: 280X costs ~415$, the 285 costs ~360$ and the 280 costs ~315$. Considering these prices, which would be the best choice? I might be able to stretch to the 280X, but then I should upgrade my PSU which will add another 100$ to the price.

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September 5, 2014 5:33:15 AM

Listen to me,mate.
The 280X is the best choice,of course.
But you can get the R9 280,save $100 and OC it. That would be a lot better choice.
You just need to raise the clock speed by 100 MHz and you will reach the 280X clock speed.
Tier 1,Tier 2 Class A and Class B PSUs are recommended:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1804779/power-...
This is how much watts you need for any GPU:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
One more time,get the 280,OC it and save $100 that way. ;) 
What mobo do you have?
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September 5, 2014 5:57:03 AM

LukaBoki said:
Listen to me,mate.
The 280X is the best choice,of course.
But you can get the R9 280,save $100 and OC it. That would be a lot better choice.
You just need to raise the clock speed by 100 MHz and you will reach the 280X clock speed.
Tier 1,Tier 2 Class A and Class B PSUs are recommended:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1804779/power-...
This is how much watts you need for any GPU:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
One more time,get the 280,OC it and save $100 that way. ;) 
What mobo do you have?


Sorry if I'm infuriating, or asking too many questions- I just want to be absolutely sure of my course of action.

My mobo is a Gigabyte H77-DS3H.
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September 5, 2014 6:03:35 AM

You don't have to be sorry. ;) 
It's a good mobo.
I think that your best bet is to get the 280 and OC it. You save $100 like that. ;) 
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September 5, 2014 7:14:34 AM

Alright, thanks! Mods, feel free to close this thread.

Everyone, thank you so much for helping a clueless noob out!

LukaBoki, I want to thank you personally.
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September 5, 2014 7:21:28 AM

No problem. ;) 
PM me if you have any other questions/problems. ;) 
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!