Please help me choose a GPU for my new PC build

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Comfortblynumb

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Nov 12, 2015
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Ok, so i just started a PC build, and in there right now i have

Intel Core i5 4690k
750w PSU
MSI Z97 Gaming 5
16 gb of DDR3 (Crucial)
512 SSD
2 tb HDD


Now the 2 GPUs i'm considering are the nVidia GTX 970, and the AMD 390x.

The conflicting opinions i've heard are, that the 970 has 3.5 gb of VRAM and the 390x has 8gb

But there is some problem with driver issues, and some power consumption issues as well.

Basically, i'd love someone to really lay down the good and bad of both cards,

I saw someone do a benchmark test on the 970, and it ran great, except for in Shadow of Mordor, in that game, everything on Ultra, he hit FPS issues when there were a lot of enemies on screen.

I have not seen a similar video of the 390x.

My usage is, heavily modded Skyrim, and heavily modded Fallout 4, and average use for most other games, AC Syndicate, XCOM 2, Battlefield 4, etc.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
bicycle_repair_man
Hz refers to the maximum refresh rate of the monitor, which is tied to the maximum frame rate of games. For example, a 60hz monitor won't display anything above 60 frames per second.

Skyrim isn't very demanding on VRAM, so a GTX 970 should provide ample amounts of it, even with mods installed. If you're referring to Fallout 4, I've not played it myself, but 2.7GB of VRAM usage seems about average from what I've read.

If you're gaming across both monitors, that gives you a resolution of 3840x1080, in which case, I'd opt for the 390X. If you're gaming on a single monitor, then the 970 is the one to buy.
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bicycle_repair_man

bicycle_repair_man

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Jan 10, 2014
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The major differences are:

1. The GTX 970 runs considerably cooler and quieter than the 390X.
2. The GTX 970 is considerably more power-efficient than the 390X.
3. The 390X will provide better performance than the GTX 970 at 2560x1440 resolution and above.

The 8GB of VRAM is unnecessary unless you have a 4K monitor.

If your monitor is 1920x1080 60hz, then the GTX 970 is the better all-rounder. You'll get 60 frames per second in the vast majority of games and the card will remain cool and quiet. If you have a 2560x1440 144hz monitor, then the 390X is the better choice.
 
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Comfortblynumb

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Nov 12, 2015
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I have dual monitors set up, ASUS VE276, 27"

Which has a 1920x1080 res
and 56-76 Hz

I'm unsure what Hz means, but i'm assuming then, that the 970 would be my better option?

I heard somewhere that using a lot of mods on games, Skyrim and Fallout, would require quite a bit of VRAM to be used to operate. Is this true? And should this be a concern for my GPU purchase?
 
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bicycle_repair_man

bicycle_repair_man

Splendid
Jan 10, 2014
5,752
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28,960
Hz refers to the maximum refresh rate of the monitor, which is tied to the maximum frame rate of games. For example, a 60hz monitor won't display anything above 60 frames per second.

Skyrim isn't very demanding on VRAM, so a GTX 970 should provide ample amounts of it, even with mods installed. If you're referring to Fallout 4, I've not played it myself, but 2.7GB of VRAM usage seems about average from what I've read.

If you're gaming across both monitors, that gives you a resolution of 3840x1080, in which case, I'd opt for the 390X. If you're gaming on a single monitor, then the 970 is the one to buy.
 
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