GTX 980 upgrade or wait for r9 3xx?

Major_Headache

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Aug 30, 2014
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Hi all, I currently have a sapphire tri-x r9 290 and am displeased with the performance I am getting in games like warthunder and even planetside 2, with the former dropping down to high twenties on ultra (only 1080p too). I know that everything is optimized for nvidia, and I was considering an upgrade to the new gtx 980. Recently, however, I heard of the new r9 300 series of gpu's from amd, rumored to be released in February. I really could use some help deciding, any help appreciated. Also, if anyone thinks they can help me get better performance out of my build without a new card, that would also be great.

My build:
CPU: i5 4670K (unoverclocked)
Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Hero
RAM: 8gb G. Skill sniper series 1866hz
GPU: Sapphire Tri-x OC r9 290 (overclocked to 1100 MHz)
PSU: Corsair CX750 (bronze rated I think)

- Also, my gpu is not new, I bought it from a bitcoin miner for what at the time was a great deal. All fans work and nothing seems obviously wrong, any thoughts?
 
Solution
I would hang on to the R9-290. and wait another generation then upgrade, Cause the performance boost you will see from a R9-290 to a GTX 980 will be pretty much negligible.
http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/41081/20140930/gtx-980-vs-gtx-780-ti-vs-r9-290x.htm.

R9-290 in my humble opinion is the sweet spot in price and performance. There is nothing out right now that could cripple your card, So honestly I see no reason to upgrade. If I was to upgrade I would wait for Nvidia to Unveil the heavy hitter card in the Maxwell series, right now what is out there isn't the "Titan" or "780Ti" of Maxwell based cards yet, but it will be.

Adam Schneider

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Oct 13, 2013
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I would hang on to the R9-290. and wait another generation then upgrade, Cause the performance boost you will see from a R9-290 to a GTX 980 will be pretty much negligible.
http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/41081/20140930/gtx-980-vs-gtx-780-ti-vs-r9-290x.htm.

R9-290 in my humble opinion is the sweet spot in price and performance. There is nothing out right now that could cripple your card, So honestly I see no reason to upgrade. If I was to upgrade I would wait for Nvidia to Unveil the heavy hitter card in the Maxwell series, right now what is out there isn't the "Titan" or "780Ti" of Maxwell based cards yet, but it will be.
 
Solution
If you are thinking of upgrading the graphics card to the GTX 980, I wouldn't wait. Two reasons, the price of the GTX 980 is likely to go up if it hasn't already. The other reason is that I think AMD is going to have problems replicating the efficiency of the NVIDIA maxwell cards.
 

Major_Headache

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Aug 30, 2014
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Okay then, I might stick with the 290 a bit longer then. Still, it does not explain why warthunder is such a dog to run. Anything else I could do? Higher overclock?
 

Adam Schneider

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Oct 13, 2013
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Well you might be experiencing your card throttling down because of heat? Check the Ventilation in your case, make sure fresh air is getting in. Knock out some dust, also if it was used by a Bitcoin miner that card has been through hell. Maybe take off the heatsink clean off the thermal paste and apply some fresh thermal paste.