Is it worth getting a new PSU to get the R9 280X or just get the GTX 960?

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Joseph Locicero

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At the moment I have a PSU that can withstand the 960. But if so i would need a new PSU for the 280X..Which 1 should i get..I mean getting the New PSU would mean i'd be future proofed..buut yeah.
 
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assassin445522
get the gtx 960 or r9 280x if you have extra money to buy the new PSU both are great cards, the R9 280x will get slightly more fps in games but nothing crazy you will notice usually an average of 2 fps difference
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assassin445522

assassin445522

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get the gtx 960 or r9 280x if you have extra money to buy the new PSU both are great cards, the R9 280x will get slightly more fps in games but nothing crazy you will notice usually an average of 2 fps difference
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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The 960 GTX now comes with 4 GB VRAM. My Evga 960 FTW came out of the box clocked at 1480 MHz. It outperforms my stock R9-280 by a small, but noticeable amount according to the game benchmarks I have been able to run. So you won't be losing a whole lot if you stay with the existing PSU and grab the 4GB GTX 960. Here's the one I have but in 4GB. Sadly, mine is only 2GB.
http://www.evga.com/products/Product.aspx?pn=04G-P4-3968-KR
 
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Whateverworks_19

Whateverworks_19

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Even though its an Antec, its too small for the 280x. You should do one of the following:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $251.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-04 17:08 EDT-0400

I recommend this option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Tri-X Toxic Video Card ($279.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $341.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-04 17:09 EDT-0400

[strike]or if you feel confident:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($173.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $173.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-04 17:10 EDT-0400[/strike]

edit

clutchc made an excellent comment in getting the 4GB 960:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($224.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $224.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-04 17:13 EDT-0400
 
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MKarim

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I wactched several videos on youtube, R9 280x was available to provide 4-10+ fps more than GTX 960 in most games. Planning to get Gigabyte WF R9 280x for my upcoming build. Which psu will be best for R9 280x, Cooler Master G550M 80+ Bronze/CM Thunder 600W/Corsair CX600V2/Thermaltake 630 Smart? Sadly XFX & Seasonic isn't available in my country!
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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The Cooler Master G550M and the Corsair CX600V2 are both considered tier 3 PSUs and made by Channelwell http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html#xtor=EPR-8886
The Cooler Master Thunder, I'm not familiar with. Nor the Thermaltake Smart.

+12V specs:
CM CX600 V2: 40A @ 480W
CM Thunder: 47A @ 564W
CM G550M: 42A @ 504W
Thermaltake 630W Smart: 45A @ 540W

If those are the only choices you have, it's almost a coin flip. Check which has the best warranty.
 
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MKarim

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Thank you "clutchc"! But what if I wanted to overclock? What should be me best option among? In Metro:LL it consumed 299 watts! I personally liked the G550M (semi modular & 80+ bronze).
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Still a coin toss to me. Maybe some else has more info on the Thermaltake and Thunder. But just going by the +12V specs, they are nearly the same. Btw, Gold, Silver, Bronze don't necessarily have a bearing on quality. That is just an efficiency rating; i.e how much electrical power is lost to capacitive and inductive reactance, heat, etc.
 
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Whateverworks_19

Whateverworks_19

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The Thunder-series was first made by Channel Well and later by Enhance. The Enhance units (D3 are their product number on CM PSU) should be alright, the CWT (M3 for the thunder-series) not so alright.

I am not familiar with the Thermaltake, the only info I have is that the SMART-series are either CWT or HEC, which is not a favorable coin toss.

edit:

I did manage to find a review for the 630W SMART from Thermaltake: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-Smart-630-W-Power-Supply-Review/1481
 
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