AMD Radeon GPU for Q1, 2014

[Rangan Das]

Planning for a system upgrade during Q4 '13 or Q1 '14. Keeping $220-240 aside for GPU. As for the CPU, I might get the AMD FX-8300 or a better one with 95W TDP.

Now, my question is, should I wait for the AMD Radeon HD 8000 series or buy an existing HD7850 or better, given I'm not upgrading again in the next 5 years or so?

FYI, I play at 1600x900, usually maxed out, 2xAA. and I got a 500W Cooler Master PSU which I don't intend to change.

 

[Kari]

hd8000 series should be launching at late q4 13 or early q1 14 anyways so you'd better wait for that to happen and see what comes out before you make any sort of buying decisions in one way or the other...

 

[Rangan Das]

hd8000 series should be launching at late q4 13 or early q1 14 anyways so you'd better wait for that to happen and see what comes out before you make any sort of buying decisions in one way or the other...

At launch, the prices do remain pretty high compared to the perf. and a large part of the internet says 8xxx is a rebrand of 7xxx. It's really confusing.

 

[Kari]

either way, just wait and see how it all turns out. Byuing stuff like 6-9 months in advance is just silly.

edit the desktop 8000 series will not be a rebrand, by the rumoured launch date the 7000 series will be 2 years old already, so new manuf process and arch will be ready. The OEM market got their annuall rebranding some time ago so they are happy for another year.

 

[Kingbob]

I have a 7870 1GHz and it cost $230.
Basically youd be fine with a 7870 but if you are fine with waiting, the 8000 series will be much better (20% ish). Plus the price of the 7000 series will go down as it gets closer to Q4.