Can't decide: MSI r9 290x Lightning or MSI 970 GTX 4g Gaming

EddieEdit

Reputable
Dec 17, 2014
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4,510
I'm looking to upgrade my GPU. These are the two cards that are on my list right now, and they are both priced around the $350~. I currently have 1080p and don't have any interest in going higher in resolutions. I will be mainly playing games such as Far Cry 4, AC:U, BF4, etc. Also what will the performance difference be with overclock.

Sorry if this question has been asked a million times, I just need an updated answer because I've spent all week reading reviews on these 2 cards and they seem pretty much neck and neck.

**One of the things that concern me is that I have a CM 690 II Advanced, and I'm not sure if the 290x Lightning will fit in my case. I'm able to remove the hard drive slots on the bottom, but unsure if that is enough.

Thanks!

Rig
CM 690 II Advanced
P8P67 Deluxe
i5 2500k 4.2ghz oc
HD 6950 2gb Toxic
8gb ram vengeance
1 TB seagate
750wTX Corsair
 
Solution
At 1080p. the gtx 970 is a little better, about 8%. And even if the performance were exactly the same, i would still recommend it, the 290x is a very hot and power hungry card, and the lightning is very noisy as well. With the msi you even have silent operation at idle. The only downside with the 970 is the coil whine, wich for some users can be very annoying, specially if you with without headphones.

nucolos

Honorable
Jul 5, 2013
415
0
10,960
At 1080p. the gtx 970 is a little better, about 8%. And even if the performance were exactly the same, i would still recommend it, the 290x is a very hot and power hungry card, and the lightning is very noisy as well. With the msi you even have silent operation at idle. The only downside with the 970 is the coil whine, wich for some users can be very annoying, specially if you with without headphones.
 
Solution

mrhippo900

Distinguished
Aug 11, 2013
620
2
19,065


You're right but not right. Almost all of the 970 are reported to have coil whines but that could just be a factory problem.