Upgrading Graphics Card

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tikigod317

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Oct 25, 2012
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Hello, I'm struggling to figure out which GPU I want to upgrade to. I currently have a Sapphire R9 280. I've watched benchmarks and read up details on the R9 390 and 390x and GTX 970 and 980. I play on a 1080p BenQ monitor.

I need a GPU that can max games at 1080p 60fps for the next few years. My budget is $300-480ish.

I'm aware the 390 and 970 are similar in performance at 1080p and the 390 is generally $10-25 cheaper. But I don't want to invest in one of those if they wont stay as effective for the next 2-3 years.

The 390X and 980 are obviously better for performance and potential staying power for 3 years+. But they are much more expensive, especially considering that I would most like likely need to upgrade my PSU (I currently only have an Antec 550w).

I would love not to spend over $400 on a GPU, but it seems like it would pay for itself over time than if I was to buy a 390 or 970 and have to replace it the next year.

Has anyone else been in this situation.. if so any suggestions? Thanks!
 
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I've been on your situation for the past week and I came to this decision:
GTX 970 G1 Gaming

Amd's graphics cards are usually more power demanding and generate more heat. Plus, the 970 is a solid card for 1080p gaming and has good OC potential (depends on the variant but the Gigabyte one has the best I think).

The 980 is also a great card if you can afford one but I would not go with the R9 390X for one reason: 8Gb Ram atm is 100% overkill, it only makes the power demand rises and by the time games require that many vram the card's chip will be outdated, so NO.

You said you don't want to spend $400 on a GPU, the 980 is about $500 while the GTX 970 G1 Gaming from Gigabyte is around $380 I think. Also, if in the future you need a...
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Dragonic

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Jan 14, 2016
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I've been on your situation for the past week and I came to this decision:
GTX 970 G1 Gaming

Amd's graphics cards are usually more power demanding and generate more heat. Plus, the 970 is a solid card for 1080p gaming and has good OC potential (depends on the variant but the Gigabyte one has the best I think).

The 980 is also a great card if you can afford one but I would not go with the R9 390X for one reason: 8Gb Ram atm is 100% overkill, it only makes the power demand rises and by the time games require that many vram the card's chip will be outdated, so NO.

You said you don't want to spend $400 on a GPU, the 980 is about $500 while the GTX 970 G1 Gaming from Gigabyte is around $380 I think. Also, if in the future you need a graphics card upgrade just SLI 970's because in 2-3 the 970 will be way cheaper than atm and each day more games are being optimized for multiple GPU rigs.

About your PSU... Well, get a 600w just to be safe, specially if you get an AMD card. For 2-way SLI/CrossFire get a 750w or 850w.
 
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rcald2000

rcald2000

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Nov 3, 2009
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Is your BenQ display 60 or 144 Hz. If it's the former, than I'd limit my choices to the GTX 970 or R9 390. If the latter, then I'd purchase a 980 Ti.

! Buyer beware - MSI makes fantastic graphics cards. I previously owned their MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G card, and loved it. BUT their rebate process is the worse that I've seen of any company. They make the process so tiring, that I opted not to pursue my $10 rebate. That's saying a lot because I'm a very patient person. If you're predicating your purchased based on the rebate, then consider looking elsewhere. But they are great cards, which is why I listed them.

MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GD5T OC
$279.99 after $20.00 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127833&cm_re=gtx_970_msi-_-14-127-833-_-Product

MSI Radeon R9 390
$319.99 after $10.00 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127874&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=msi_r9_390-_-14-127-874-_-Product

EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti FTW
$609.99 after $20.00 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487160&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=evga_gtx_980_ti_classified-_-14-487-146-_-Product
 
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tikigod317

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Oct 25, 2012
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Do you think the Gtx970 and R9 390 will stay effective at 1080p (60hz) 60fps with high-ultra settings until.. lets say 2018ish?

The reason I ask is because I'm willing to invest in a more expensive GPU than those 2 if necessary, just so I don't have to worry about upgrading any time soon after I get it. Thanks for the reply btw.
 
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rcald2000

rcald2000

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Nov 3, 2009
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Short answer: No. But at 1080p @ 60 Hz, I don't think I'd upgrade above either of those two cards. The reason is when the Pascal version of the 970 is released, it may possibly have the performance of today's 980 Ti. I just think that a $600 GPU is a lot of money to pay for insurance against being antiquated. Also, if you install a 980 Ti in a 1080p 60 Hz display, you'll most like witness terrible screen tearing. The solution is simple enough, but I just thought that I should mention it. I'm sure that other fellow users will chime in on this issue, so lets see what they have to say.

Screen Tearing with 980ti at 1080p 60Hz
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2964498/screen-tearing-980ti-1080p-60hz.html#17459440
 
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Dragonic

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Well like I said the G1 Gaming has a nice OC potential that can almost reach the GTX 980 so maybe? I don't know what games you play but if you have any doubt, buy a decent 980 variation and overclock it.
 
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tikigod317

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Oct 25, 2012
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Cool.. I was conteplating getting a GTX 970 and SLI'ing them in the future (though I don't have much experience with dual GPUs, I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult).

That way, I could use the extra money to upgrade my PSU and possibly my case/tower for SLI in the future! Thanks!
 
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Dragonic

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Nope. Well, SLI you just need to have a mobo that supports it, the bridge that usually comes with the card and a case that fits both cards (I think all gaming cases support at least 2-way SLI). No dark magic stuff.
 
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tikigod317

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Oct 25, 2012
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Thanks for all the answers, I think i'll get a 970 for now and hope SLI will prolong the effectiveness for future gaming when I consider upgrading again.

MSI is still the most highly recommended for 970s aren't they? Id preferably want one that's has the best overclock out of the box.
 
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Dragonic

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Go with a GTX 970 Gigabyte G1 Gaming.
Good cooling system
Good stock overclock
Good if plan to overclock it even more!

Don't know much about the MSI one but if you think that one is the best, go with it but many PC gamers say that G1 Gaming is the way to go.
 
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tikigod317

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Oct 25, 2012
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Thanks, I will look into buying a good PSU such as the one you suggested :)!
 
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