Need help choosing Graphics Card for my new build. Your opinions???

dark_arts_DA · Nov 7, 2014

I need help picking a Graphics Card for my new build. While I will be using my computer for gaming, I'm not a heavy gamer nor going to be playing on ultra high settings nor will I be overclocking. I just need something that can perform well and deliver relatively smooth graphics.

My choices are:

Asus R9 290 DirectCU-ii-OC
Asus R9 285 Strix DirectCU-ii-OC
Asus R9 280X DirectCU-ii
Asus GTX760 DirectCU-ii-OC
Asus GTX770 DirectCU-ii-OC
Asus GTX970 Strix DirectCU-ii-OC

The rest of my specs will be:

Either AMD FX-9590 or Intel i7-4790K Processor
Either Sabertooth 990FX or Sabertooth Z97
G.Skill RipjawsZ 16GB (2x8GB or 4x4GB) @1866
Single 23/24" monitor (1920 x 1080P)

Thanks.

Gmr_Girl · Nov 7, 2014

If you're not a heavy gamer, nor demand ultra settings or overclocking in general, then I suggest skipping the 4790K - the K Intel's are unlocked and really only good for those that are into heavy overclocking. If you don't overclock at all nor ever plan to, that CPU isn't needed at all. And an FX 9590? Seriously? That's about as useless as getting an i7-4790K if you don't plan on overclocking. Plus, they're seriously overpriced and generate WAY too much heat (220 TDP I think) so think about that as well. I don't think you even mentioned whether or not you plan to overclock your CPU? If you're not, save yourself some big money and skip both of those CPUs and get something like, say, an i5-4670 or an FX-6300.

As for the GPU, everyone is in love with the new GTX 970 as of late. And I won't BS you: it's probably the BEST card you can get for $350 at this point. However, two things - 1, you didn't specify a budget and 2, the 970's are still hard to find in stock on etailers like newegg and such. Though, I was browsing newegg the other day and a couple of the various 970's out there were in stock; this changes rapidly, however.

I would skip the r9 285 at the moment as it doesn't really offer much over the r9 280 it is to replace or the 280x, save for lower power consumption and a few features found on cards like the 290x. Not to mention at its current $250 price point, you could get a decidedly more powerful 280x for about the same price.

Back to the 970 for a moment. It has basically rendered the 770 obsolete - now that it's out, Nvidia has discontinued both it and the GTX 780, which the 980 now replaces. The jury is still out over the GTX 760, but I'm pretty sure there will be a 960 in the future to replace it as well. The 760 is still a great little card however and can be had for cheaps. But because you didn't specify what you're willing to spend, I can't really help with a recommendation at this point.

Novuake · Nov 7, 2014

dark_arts_DA? Dumbledoors Army or a different reference?

Anyway. Gaming does not benefit from an I7.
I5 CPUs compare to the FX 8xxx and FX9xxx in gaming.
So gettting an I5 4690K is more than good enough. BUt since you will not overclock, stick to a I5 4670.

Asus GTX970 Strix DirectCU-ii-OC
Best card option between the ones you provided.

8GB of RAM is also more than enough for gaming.

dark_arts_DA · Nov 7, 2014

Gmr_Girl :

I had an Acer laptop (2nd hand, bought in 2008) with God knows what intel processor, 2GB RAM, and whatever generic audio system it came with + Windows XP. It wasn't anything fancy nor top of the line. I used that computer to record & make music. Things were smooth. In 2011, the hard drive crashed. I got another Acer laptop. This time, i3 @2.4GHz with 6GB RAM with Windows 7. The thing can't record without cutting out & sudden noise bursts. So, I am going to go overkill on the processor & RAM this time around. Also, no, I don't plan to overclock but I will overkill where I can as long as it can fit in my budget.

Btw, my budget for VGA is 400$.

dark_arts_DA · Nov 7, 2014

Novuake :

Lol. No, just short for Dark Arts. Most forums already have that name taken, so I just add the DA at the end. Also, like I said in my reply to Gmr_Girl, I will overkill on most fronts so that I can record & make music without problems. My old laptop with a pre-i3/i5/i7 era processor with only 2GB of RAM recorded music with no problems, my 2nd laptop with i3 (2.4GHz) with 6GB of RAM can't match the performance. So, I am going to go for overkill.

Novuake · Nov 7, 2014

Well an I3 only has 2 cores and on a laptop it would have a lot less horsepower than an I5 class desktop CPU.

I do not think you would benefit form either 16GB of RAM or an I7, but if you have the money, go for.

You can slo drop cost of the motherboard, the Sabertooth boards are very overpriced.

dark_arts_DA · Nov 7, 2014

Novuake :

I have the money for it and I can't take any risks this time. I don't want my recording process going kaput again.

Besides, I won't have to worry about upgrades for the next 5 years considering how rapidly technology is changing

.

Gmr_Girl · Nov 7, 2014

Well then, now that you've given a bit more info as to what you want to use your build for, for the CPU I'd suggest something like an FX-8370. I know you mentioned the 9590, but I think the next one down, the 9370 would be just as good if you MUST feel the need to go overkill on the AMD side. Keep in mind though that not all AM3+ boards will even support either the 9590 or 9370 due to their insanely high TDPs - the only three compatible motherboards listed on the newegg specs page include the ASUS Crosshair V Formula Z, GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD7 and ASRock 990FX Extreme9. I don't think that's a definite list of the boards compatible with either of those CPUs, so it's up to you to check and see if the boards you are interested in will even work with either of the 9xxx series FX chips. Plus, in either case, the CPU NEEDS to have liquid cooling - air cooling just won't cut it. That's how hot these things get. That's why I think you're just better off with an FX-8370 or an i5 or i7 non K CPU.

$400 for a single GPU is unecessary, especially since your monitor is regular HD (1080) when you get up into the $400 range for GPUs, they're targeted more at multi monitor setups. And since you said you're not a heavy gamer, I think spending that much on a GPU for a single monitor setup is totally unnecessary. You'd be just fine with $250 card, honestly. It's your money though.

dark_arts_DA · Nov 7, 2014

Gmr_Girl :

Well then, now that you've given a bit more info as to what you want to use your build for, for the CPU I'd suggest something like an FX-8370. I know you mentioned the 9590, but I think the next one down, the 9370 would be just as good if you MUST feel the need to go overkill on the AMD side. Keep in mind though that not all AM3+ boards will even support either the 9590 or 9370 due to their insanely high TDPs - the only three compatible motherboards listed on the newegg specs page include the ASUS Crosshair V Formula Z, GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD7 and ASRock 990FX Extreme9. I don't think that's a definite list of the boards compatible with either of those CPUs, so it's up to you to check and see if the boards you are interested in will even work with either of the 9xxx series FX chips. Plus, in either case, the CPU NEEDS to have liquid cooling - air cooling just won't cut it. That's how hot these things get. That's why I think you're just better off with an FX-8370 or an i5 or i7 non K CPU.

$400 for a single GPU is unecessary, especially since your monitor is regular HD (1080) when you get up into the $400 range for GPUs, they're targeted more at multi monitor setups. And since you said you're not a heavy gamer, I think spending that much on a GPU for a single monitor setup is totally unnecessary. You'd be just fine with $250 card, honestly. It's your money though.

Hmmmm. Well, what GPU would you suggest in the 250$ range? Also, wouldn't a Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD3 do the trick?

You're like a bottomless bag of information. Sadly, I can not select all your answers as Best Solutions.

Gmr_Girl · Nov 7, 2014

Hehe, thanks for that! I just try to help because I know how overwhelming it can be to pick the right parts. I mean, there's SO MUCH stuff out there a person can be quickly overwhelmed.

At any rate, at $250, you really can't go wrong with an R9 280x or even an r9 290, as they have fell a great deal in price recently. Plus you get free games with Radeon cards (depending on which 'level' card you buy - like the R9 series for example is considered the Gold level and as such, you get 3 free games to pick from) so that may be something to consider as well.

dark_arts_DA · Nov 8, 2014

Gmr_Girl :

I decided to reassess my build after you told me that a non-clocked i5/i7 would suit my needs. I'm also going to drop the Sabertooth Z97 in favour of a Z87 Asus Plus Mobo. The Z87 series Mobos from all manufacturers are being handed out like doughnuts from my local PC Hardware store. I also downgraded the water-cooler from a 240mm radiator to a 120mm. The build price along with peripherals has come down to 1800$ from 2100$ (tax not included).

I thank you!

Gmr_Girl · Nov 9, 2014

You're very welcome! Glad I could help!

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