Confused about which GPU, help please.

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630
Hi,

So with these new graphics cards that have come out recently, everything has been churned up including prices and performance/price etc. So I need some help deciding which GPU to go for. I'm in the UK by the way, so the import tax imposed on us is extortionate. I will be gaming at 1080p but want to leave options open for 1440p and SLI in the future.

Build: http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/abea5cd892fc4a0ab6888d79f471710d

So basically, I need to choose between these cards, while bearing cost in mind.

Zotac Gtx 780Ti AMP! edition
Zotac Gtx 970 AMP! Omega
Gigabyte Windforce 780Ti
MSi R9 290X
Asus Strix Gtx 970

I have absolutely no idea which to go for, they're all in the same sort of price range, so now I just need to choose one.
 
Solution


The ASUS 970 is beast right now.
 

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630
I thought the Strix 970 would be a good option, but in a couple of benchmarks I saw on Linus's channel, it seemed to slot right in between the 770 and 780? I was expecting better performance from it to be honest?
 


Interesting. And I have seen that the EVGA and MSI versions can run slightly faster than a stock 780.
 

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630


It is indeed interesting. Especially because Linus overclocks all the GPUs that he benchmarks and I thought these new Maxwell chips were outstanding in terms of overclock. I guess I am leaning towards the Gigabyte 780Ti more than the others but I'll have to wait and see.
 

spat55

Distinguished


Less VRAM for 1440p with the GTX 780ti and that extra 1GB makes alot of difference, with my R9 290 I hit 3.5GB often @1440p.
 

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630


I guess that is a cosideration. Out of interest, what sort of VRAM do you hit if/when you play on 1080p resolution?
 


2 GB - 4 GB, depending on the game. Watch Dogs maxes out at 4 GB.
 

spat55

Distinguished


At 1080p I say no more than 2.5GB normally but in some circumstances like Watch Dogs or Skyrim Modded it can go over 4GB.
 

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630


What actually happens if you go over the Vram limit, does the card just throttle? Sorry guys, I'm a newb, this is my first build.
 

spat55

Distinguished


If you go over the VRAM limit you get stutter and slowdown, so quite big FPS drops. Best to go with either a R9 290/x or a GTX 970 tbh, only point to go with a GTX 780ti at this moment is if you already have one and want to SLI.
 
Solution

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630


Yeah, I'm going to go with the Strix Gtx 970 and then SLI it with another down the line :)
 

spat55

Distinguished


Perfectly thought out, if you get one you might think you don't need more or if you do it will be cheaper later on :)

 

WillJohnsXD

Reputable
Jul 19, 2014
70
0
4,630
Hi guys,

I'm going to go for the Gigabyte G1 Gaming Gtx 970, it seems to be the best all-rounder, and the fact that people have been getting 1600-1700 MHz overclocks just seals the deal.