Help choosing GPU for upcoming build.

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tangene

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Mar 12, 2015
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I'm thinking of upgrading my desktop while recycling some existing parts.

Tentative specs:

CPU : Intel i5-4460
MB : Asrock H81M-HDS
GPU : GTX-960 2GB or R9-380 4GB
HDD1 : Crucial MX100 256GB*
HDD2 : WD Green 3TB*
RAM : 4GB Kingston Value RAM 1333MHz PC3-10600 DDR3* x 2
PSU : Seasonic M12II EVO 520W*

*Items recycled from existing desktop

Here is what I need to know:

1) GTX-960 2GB vs R9-380 4GB. Which graphics card is better for on/off gamer wanting to play the occasional AAA title at 1080p? Couple years future proofing would be nice.

To give you guys a little pricing info to base your advice off of, the cheapest 3year warranty card I could find for each option is : Palit GTX960 JetStream 2GB GDDR5 - $279 / MSI R9-380 Gaming 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 - $350. (All prices in Singapore dollars)

It is my understanding that the R9-380 is the better performing GPU. However, would you say that it's worth the price difference to given my usage needs?

2) Is my existing PSU enough to run both the 960/380 GPU given the above tentative specs?

3) Non-GPU query: What wattage UPS to get for the above rig + Synology 414J NAS?

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Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Creme
Of all those cards, the 290 is the best bang for the buck.

The difference from the 960 2GB to 380 4GB is not worth it, but if you can find a 380 2GB for the same price or cheaper it's a better option, or a R9 280 3GB (non X).

The 380 4GB and 280X are not worth it in that scenario because they sit too close to the 290, which murders them, but it's too much for that PSU.

If the 380 2GB is not an option, the 960 is a better choice.
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Joking Turnip

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Aug 1, 2015
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1) Both Of These Gpu Will Handle Most AAA Game Titles At High With A FPS Counter Of About 60FPS (Depending On The Game) And As For Future Proofing Its Hard To Know What Will Happen In Regards To Drivers And Such.

As We Have Seen In The Past Nvidia Likes To Shoot Old Nvidia GPU Owners In The Foot By Release Drivers That Will Often Affect The Performence Of An Older Nvidia GPU.

2) Yes It'll Be Abe To Handle Both Cards However I Would Recommend Getting A 600W ish PSU To Be On The Safe Side, And 700W If Your Planning To Over-clock Your GPU.

3) I Cant Help You With.
 
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Creme

Creme

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Aug 4, 2014
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The PSU will be sufficient.

As for the GPU, the R9 380 is slightly faster than the 960 in most games, whether it's the 2GB or 4GB version; if you can find a 380 2GB for the same price as the 960, it's a better deal because, although it can benefit from it, the extra 2GB premium is too much and puts it in R9 290/GTX 970 territory price-wise.

The R9 280X is a great card, faster than both and has 3GBs of VRAM, and will still run on your PSU, though it's slowly disappearing from stores.
 
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tangene

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Cheapest 970 here : MSI GTX970 4GD5T OC 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 @ $459. Not sure that can be considered similar territory at +$100.

280x's are a tough find and I was under the impression it had high heat / power consumption issues?
 
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Creme

Creme

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Well I don't know where "here" is so I'm just guessing on a general basis, which has the 4GB versions of the 960 and 380 sitting close to the discontinued 290. Telling us where you are makes it easier.

The 280X has higher power consumption than a 380 or 970, but it's not that crazy. As for heat, try getting a custom cooled one instead of reference model.
 
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tangene

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Mar 12, 2015
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My bad. I thought I mentioned in it my opening post, but reading back now I realize I only vaguely hinted towards it. Anyway, I'm from Singapore. I've managed to find some retail R9-2xx cards still available and have included the prices for comparison.

When I started looking at my options I must say I didn't really consider those as a possibility but i'm starting to change my mind. That being said though, I do have concerns over power (since I'm reluctant to get a new PSU), heat (Singapore is warm enough as it is without leaking more hot air into my already not well ventilated room) and warranty (only PowerColor available for R9-2xx cards and it has one year less warranty).

Palit GTX960 JetStream 2GB GDDR5 - $279
MSI R9-380 Gaming 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 - $350
PowerColor R9-280x TurboDuo 3GB GDDR5 - $362
PowerColor R9-290 TurboDuo 4GB GDDR5 OC - $389
MSI GTX970 4GD5T OC 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 - $459
 
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Creme

Creme

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Of all those cards, the 290 is the best bang for the buck.

The difference from the 960 2GB to 380 4GB is not worth it, but if you can find a 380 2GB for the same price or cheaper it's a better option, or a R9 280 3GB (non X).

The 380 4GB and 280X are not worth it in that scenario because they sit too close to the 290, which murders them, but it's too much for that PSU.

If the 380 2GB is not an option, the 960 is a better choice.
 
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