Should I return GTX 970 and wait for AMD 390/X

smush

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2011
104
0
18,680
Hi

My situation is that I took delivery of a MSI GTX 970 the other day which I have been too busy to open and install but planned on installing it temporarily in a full sized ATX tower which has a i7 930 2.8Ghz and 6GB DDR3 with future plans to put it in a new Mini ITX build when Intel release Skylake later this year. However with the talk of AMD releasing the 390 and 390X end of this month/next with 8GB memory and didn't realise the 980Ti is out shortly too would I be better returning the GTX 970?

I am running at 1080P at the moment but I may go up in resolution in a year or two and the 980Ti and AMD 390/x cards seem to offer better reassurances for a good few more years to come unlike the limited 970 and 980 (I didn't get the 980 due to it simply being not worth the extra cash for the meagre performance boost over 970) the only thing is, with my plans for new build to be mini ATX will the 980Ti or 390/x cards be suitable due to size and temps as the old 290 were not very good with cooling
 

manmeetpaul

Honorable
Sep 2, 2012
183
0
10,760
Better cards will always be launched with the competition. If you are looking 2 years ahead, better cards will be available in the coming years. Though, technically speaking, if you'll be able to afford a 500$ card( 390x), then it is highly recommended you do so. The 390x is just amazing. 8GB RAM is not an over sell. It is way better than gddr5, the 390x will not only be better than 290x and 970 but it'll be better than 980ti in certain cases and titan in almost every. DX12 will also help it work better considering it was specifically designed keeping dx12 in mind.
 

smush

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2011
104
0
18,680


Is that confirmed $500? so in UK it will be slightly under £400 judging that the 980Ti is $659 in US and £549 in UK. My main concern is over the ability to fit it in a mini ITX case and remain fairly cool under load which I guess we wont know until it comes out in a few weeks. I guess I really should wait for the cards to come out as I can then do a full and proper evaluation on the situation as I am likely to kick myself for not being patient for a couple extra weeks. I don't mind paying good money for the GPU I just didn't get the 980 as I felt it really didn't offer a great deal over the cheaper 970 but now the 390 and 390X they may change the market maybe even lead to 970 price drops
 

manmeetpaul

Honorable
Sep 2, 2012
183
0
10,760


Cost is pretty sure but I can't vouch for the heating thing. AMD has a bad reputation there. There's nothing wrong with waiting another 10 days mate.
 

smush

Distinguished
Nov 21, 2011
104
0
18,680
Will it just be reference cards that come out in the next couple of weeks or will we see the whole 3rd party line up too? Do you know?