What GPU to buy..

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

Hello guys,

I'm going to upgrade my pc soon, I was wondering if I needed a new GPU too.

Currently I have the Asus r9 290 directcu ii oc, do I need a new GPU? I use my pc mostly for gaming, with games like Arma 3, GTA V, Elite: Dangerous,...

I don't have a big budget so I might not be able to get something like the GTX 1070 but more something like the GTX 980, but would the upgrade be still worth it?

jacksonbarr · Jun 29, 2016

Depends on what your playing. In most games, the 290 still performs greatly. The only reason I see to upgrade is for more VRAM so you can play at higher resolutions and max out modern games.

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

Alright, thanks for your answer!

jacksonbarr · Jun 29, 2016

BTW, the 480 just released with a great price of $239 USD for 8GB of VRAM which is great, and also is VR ready, if you're into that. If I were you, I would wait a couple weeks for 480 aftermarket coolers to come out.

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

jacksonbarr :

Aftermarket cooler? I use those with my cpu but how would you use them on a GPU?

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

And also, the 480 only has 1 HDMI and 3 Display ports but I have 2 monitors (will maybe buy third later) and they both don't have display port... Maybe I can buy a HDMI splitter?..

pete_101 · Jun 29, 2016

kempiedempie :

By aftermarket cooler, it means a better cooler than what the reference card comes with. In the case of graphics cards, each manufacture who releases their own version of the card buy the GPU from AMD but customize the board and the cooler used. The results are usually faster cards that run cooler and quieter.

pete_101 · Jun 29, 2016

kempiedempie :

You can get adaptors to go from display port to HDMI or DVI

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

oh like that, I understand now! So I will be able to play at high res on modern games with this card too?

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

and yeah i'll get those adaptors if I buy the 480

pete_101 · Jun 29, 2016

kempiedempie :

You might want to check out the benchmarks and other results for the 480 before deciding. At this stage it's a little disappointing and not much of an improvement over the 290, except for the 8GB of vram. It's possible with the better coolers and newer drivers it could improve a lot, but don't just go buy one thinking it's a large improvement, because it's not. What it is, is a very reasonable priced graphics card for it's performance.

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

oh, alright, I wasn't going to buy the parts now anyway, I'll see how that 480 turns out to be, But thanks for the help!

king3pj · Jun 29, 2016

As Pete said, the 480 is between the 290 and 390 in most games. It would be more of a side grade than an upgrade. Your only real upgrade options from a 290 right now are the GTX 1070 or to wait for the RX 490.

kempiedempie · Jun 29, 2016

hmm, I'll see. Would you by any chance know when the RX 490 is released? Thank you for the help!

king3pj · Jun 29, 2016

kempiedempie :

I have no idea. It hasn't actually been announced yet. AMD is starting with their lower to mid range cards like the 470 and 480 this generation.

pete_101 · Jun 29, 2016

kempiedempie :

The RX 490 (if it's called that) will be part of the Vaga family. Vaga was to be/might still be released some time next year. But there has been some talk of an early release this October, the problem with this date is the GPU may be ready but it's memory (HBM2) isn't. So maybe in October AMD will release a better card (possible with GDDR5X memory instead of HBM2), or maybe nothing will happen until next year, we just don't know.

pete_101 · Jun 30, 2016

I see Asus have announced the ROG Strix version of the 480, looks cool.

kempiedempie · Jun 30, 2016

That looks cool, yeah

What GPU to buy..

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