best GPU for next 3 months

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

I'm building a new PC. Here's what I've decided on so far: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/skTYVn

Feel free to comment on any component, but my main conundrum is what to do with my video card. To preface my question, my primary objective is to be able to run Black Desert Online seamlessly on ultra settings with spell effects in sieges/raids with 50+ players on screen.

Initially I started researching the 980s, 980 ti's, r9 390x's, and fury x's. $600+ is doable, but then I began reading about the new Polaris and Pascal GPUs that will be coming out in a few months. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just buy a $250-$300 card for now. Maybe an R9 390 and wait a few months, or if everyone doesn't think that's worth it and a 980 or 980 ti will be just fine for the next 2-3 years. To boil it down:

Option 1: 390 or 970 and wait for Polaris/Pascal GPUs, or
Option 2: Cannibalize my GTX 760 for a few months and wait for Polaris/Pascal GPUs
Option 3: 980 ti

What would you all do? Any other suggestions that will get me by on the cheap for a few months? 280x? 960? Keep in mind that I'll still want to run Black Desert on 1080p max settings at the very least.

Andrei-Florin Gogan · Feb 27, 2016

the very good GPUs that are right now available will still play games for years to come so it may or may not be worth to change it when Pascal and Polaris arrive on the market.

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

So maybe a better question would be what do you guys think the best/cheapest plan would be for the next 3-4 years running every new game (I prefer MMOs) at max settings while never dipping below, say 40fps.

$400 R9 390x now and upgrade in a year or two?

Andrei-Florin Gogan · Feb 27, 2016

I honestly dont see MMOs requiring R9 390x in the next 5 years. That is just pure overkill but a very good GPU for any other game.

photonboy · Feb 27, 2016

Gunshow :

There's no way to answer your question exactly, so I'll put down some info.

GTX980Ti is at stock 27% faster than an R9-390X though it should overclock better. And of course, there are some features you miss with AMD so a lot of pros and cons.
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_390X_Gaming/30.html

FPS vs Dollar:
This should never be compared between GPU's directly if building a new system. You should compare the TOTAL build cost of System A to System B (even if GPU is the only difference). For example, if a card cost 50% more, and the total build cost was now 20% more than getting 30% higher FPS is a better value (yes, I'm making up numbers).

So...
It's not my money, so you'll have to decide. Where did $400 come from for the R9-390X?
(Your link is Canadian and they start at $500. Unfortunately the GTX980Ti is over $800)

*If you really force me to choose for you then I'd say look at any specific NVidia/AMD issues. PhysX, Gameworks for NVidia. Better drivers for NVidia IMO.

AMD may benefit from asynch compute in some future DX12 titles, and for cheaper cards the 8GB may be worth it to future proof. Those for me aren't top priorities though.

**All things considered ANY of these cards will give you a really great experience. I'd suggest tweaking the game. getting 40FPS with screen tearing just to achieve "ultra" settings may not be ideal.

60FPS VSYNC'd on 60Hz monitor is a better idea IMO for most games, or best a FreeSync/GSync monitor.

Final answer?
I'd get a GTX970 or R9-390 and put the difference towards a good asynchronous monitor (i.e. 2560x1440, IPS, 144Hz, 4ms..).

Other:
Freesync monitor should have an asynch ratio of at least 2.5X (i.e. 30Hz to 75Hz range is good. 30Hz to 60Hz is bad. 30/40Hz to 144Hz is better). This is because the driver has to resent the created frame to keep low FPS in the asynchronous mode. So for example, 29FPS frames are sent twice so it's "58FPS" to stay in asynchronous mode.

It's still only 29 frames viewed twice each but if you drop below the supported range then you'll get screen tearing because asynch mode gets disabled.

rcald2000 · Feb 27, 2016

I love your build, except for the EVGA NEX 650.

You could do the following:

buy: b-stock EVGA GTX 970 OR new R9 390 (cheapest one on NewEgg).
buy: EVGA GS 650 OR EVGA P2 850; The 650 watt model is sufficient for GTX 970 (500 watt req.), R9 390 and GTX 980 Ti. The 850 watt model would future-proof you for up to two 980 Ti's (and hopefully two 1080 Ti's). Why the platinum edition instead of just gold? Because of PCPartPicker CA, they are currently the same price. Might-as-well get the higher efficiency model.

sell: GTX 760 on Ebay; you could make $100 - $140.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_nkw=gtx%20760&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

If it were me: I'd buy the b-stock GTX 970. The only downside is that you have to be dedicated to buy one before they sell out. Up to 3 days ago, they were selling a b-stock GTX 970 FTW for $249.99 (plus $16.73 s&h). I would also buy the EVGA P2 850 because I like to SLI the top tier titanium GPUs. However, if I was considering CrossFiring two AMD cards in the future, then I would opt for a 1,000 watt PSU that fit within my budget.

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

First off, awesome answer. Thanks for taking the time to write all that out (thanks to Andrei, too).

I'm in the states, I just followed a link to the pc part picker site. So 390s are $300, 390x's are $400, 970 = $300, 980 = $475, 980 ti = $650. All rough prices.

And great, now you've got me shopping for a new monitor as well, haha.

maxalge · Feb 27, 2016

Gunshow :

I'm building a new PC. Here's what I've decided on so far: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/skTYVn

Feel free to comment on any component, but my main conundrum is what to do with my video card. To preface my question, my primary objective is to be able to run Black Desert Online seamlessly on ultra settings with spell effects in sieges/raids with 50+ players on screen.

Initially I started researching the 980s, 980 ti's, r9 390x's, and fury x's. $600+ is doable, but then I began reading about the new Polaris and Pascal GPUs that will be coming out in a few months. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just buy a $250-$300 card for now. Maybe an R9 390 and wait a few months, or if everyone doesn't think that's worth it and a 980 or 980 ti will be just fine for the next 2-3 years. To boil it down:

Option 1: 390 or 970 and wait for Polaris/Pascal GPUs, or
Option 2: Cannibalize my GTX 760 for a few months and wait for Polaris/Pascal GPUs
Option 3: 980 ti

What would you all do? Any other suggestions that will get me by on the cheap for a few months? 280x? 960? Keep in mind that I'll still want to run Black Desert on 1080p max settings at the very least.

that mobo has a full speed m.2 slot

get a samsung 950

MMO's dont take much gpu to max out, they are extremely cpu heavy though, so you made a very good choice there

i suggest just using the 760 for now, and wait for pascal

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

Hmm, here's the actual PSU I was looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438048

Guess I clicked on the wrong one on the pc builder site.

maxalge · Feb 27, 2016

Gunshow :

yeah, make sure it is not the NEX

that GS is top notch, a very good psu

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

Ok, taking all your guys' awesome feedback, this may be my best bet: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bJpBNG ? That has my current GPU in it.

I just want to make sure I can run Black Desert with spell effects from 50+ players all going off at the same time and not take an FPS hit at all.

rcald2000 · Feb 27, 2016

@Gunshow, I like the Samsung 950 Pro. Matter-of-fact I own one. But I don't suggest buying it if your budget is so tight that all you can afford is 256 GB of storage. If that's the case then I suggest you go for the 850 EVO 500 GB, and add an inexpensive 1 TB hard drive for your steam library.

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

@rcald2000, I already have a Samsung 850 EVO 250gb in my current setup, and 1TB of network attached storage, so the extra room really isn't a concern. My budget isn't really that big of a concern, I just don't want to spend money frivolously. 250gb have lasted me for 3+ years and I don't foresee needing extra storage any time soon.

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

Just want to say huge thanks to every contributor here, btw. Really valuable hearing your feedback and making me consider things I hadn't before. I feel like I'll for sure be happy with my final build.

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

@rcald2000, Btw, thanks for the b-stock tip. I'll definitely keep an eye there. Never knew about that. Do other manufacturers have that available?

Gunshow · Feb 27, 2016

photonboy :

Gunshow :

There's no way to answer your question exactly, so I'll put down some info.

GTX980Ti is at stock 27% faster than an R9-390X though it should overclock better. And of course, there are some features you miss with AMD so a lot of pros and cons.
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_390X_Gaming/30.html

FPS vs Dollar:
This should never be compared between GPU's directly if building a new system. You should compare the TOTAL build cost of System A to System B (even if GPU is the only difference). For example, if a card cost 50% more, and the total build cost was now 20% more than getting 30% higher FPS is a better value (yes, I'm making up numbers).

So...
It's not my money, so you'll have to decide. Where did $400 come from for the R9-390X?
(Your link is Canadian and they start at $500. Unfortunately the GTX980Ti is over $800)

*If you really force me to choose for you then I'd say look at any specific NVidia/AMD issues. PhysX, Gameworks for NVidia. Better drivers for NVidia IMO.

AMD may benefit from asynch compute in some future DX12 titles, and for cheaper cards the 8GB may be worth it to future proof. Those for me aren't top priorities though.

**All things considered ANY of these cards will give you a really great experience. I'd suggest tweaking the game. getting 40FPS with screen tearing just to achieve "ultra" settings may not be ideal.

60FPS VSYNC'd on 60Hz monitor is a better idea IMO for most games, or best a FreeSync/GSync monitor.

Final answer?
I'd get a GTX970 or R9-390 and put the difference towards a good asynchronous monitor (i.e. 2560x1440, IPS, 144Hz, 4ms..).

Other:
Freesync monitor should have an asynch ratio of at least 2.5X (i.e. 30Hz to 75Hz range is good. 30Hz to 60Hz is bad. 30/40Hz to 144Hz is better). This is because the driver has to resent the created frame to keep low FPS in the asynchronous mode. So for example, 29FPS frames are sent twice so it's "58FPS" to stay in asynchronous mode.

It's still only 29 frames viewed twice each but if you drop below the supported range then you'll get screen tearing because asynch mode gets disabled.

So you've got me looking around for a new display. I'm currently using a 40" Sony LED TV (1080p, 60hz) as my main display, but just cuz I had an extra one sitting around after a move.

I saw on the monitor sticky here on tom's hardware them talking about QNIX, Yamakasi, and CROSSOVER displays. Searching around a bit, something like this seems pretty reasonable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-YAMAKASI-CATLEAP-Q270-MULTI-27-LED-2560X1440-S-IPS-HDMI-Computer-Monitor-/121569235712?hash=item1c4e175300:g:aCoAAOSw6EhUMe7h

Anyone know if these would work with G Sync or Freesync? Anyone have any experience with these? Worth the bargain price?

rcald2000 · Feb 27, 2016

I know that MSI does, although I only found it when someone bookmarked it to me. I was never able to find the page on their site again. I'm a big EVGA fan, so I never tried that hard to find any others.

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best GPU for next 3 months

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