Best value video card for 1080 gaming?

[ponyo]

Hi, I finally built a PC. It's my first new custom build in like 9 years. Now I need to buy a gaming video card for this computer. I'm connecting this to the living room TV so everything will be 1080p. I'm having difficulty choosing a videocard. I'm looking for the best bang/buck and right now that seems to be AMD Radeon. Mainly R9 280 and 290. Will this $200AR MSI R9 280 be enough for maxed 1080p gaming? Or should I spend the extra $150 for this $350AR Gigabyte R9 290 to be safe? I'm looking to play games like Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider, Crysis 3, BioShock Infinite, Batman Arkham City, and Skyrim on maxed setting at 1080p. My current computer is Dell Vostro 460 i5 2500 with Radeon 5670.

new computer spec: AsRock Z97, i5 4690K, 8gb ram, 620W Antec NeoECO. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Leyawiin]

R9 280X would be just about right for what you want to do.

 

[3DVagabond]

If you plan on not upgrading for a while take the 290. For right now the 280 is fine, but the 290 has AMD's latest feature set, more powerful, more RAM, and higher bandwidth. It will likely age better than the 280 (which is already a pretty old design).

 

[DarkKnightDude]

770 or R290 is my recommendation.

 

[RussianSensation]

The MSI Gaming R9 280 is the best budget videocard at the moment hands down. If you don't mind overclocking, it will beat both the R9 280X and an aftermarket 770 once overclocked at 1080p. Check out this review:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/msi-r9-280-gaming-3g_5.html#sect3

It also manages to run cool and quiet even when overclocked to 1170mhz. If you don't plan in overclocking, and can find a deal in An R9 280X for $250 it could be worth it, although overclocking in MSI AB is really easy. I wouldn't consider a 770 since 4GB versions cost $350 and I have a hard time recommending a $300 card with 2GB.

Especially if you are going to be overclocking, you could save that $150 buy the 280 now+OC it, resell it in 2 years for $80 and invest in 2 years into a next gen $250 GPU that will cost you very little ($80 resale + $150 saved today). Sure, both the 280X and 770 will be a bit faster once you overclock them but not by much. I also don't advise buying a card and keeping it for 5 years in case you were thinking of investing more into the 290 and keeping it much longer.

 

[Attic]

Being a gamer who likes to max at 1080P and having used the Asus 280x DCII and as well as 290 and 290x, I'd reccomend the 290 and buy used for ~$300.

The 280x is great and especially if you get the core to 1100mhz and ram to 1500-1600mhz it's completely capable for modern games at 1080p. But if you want to keep the card for 2-3 years I think the 290 is going to let you be much more capable at 1080p through that time span. You can not worry so much about should I upgrade or should I not if you get the 290 now.

 

[jacktesterson]

I'm playing Arkham City right now with a 7850 @ 1200/1375 clocks and running it on Max settings @ 1080p without issue.

I have no reason to upgrade as I mostly play console ports and it does everything I need. I paid $120 for it.

 

[Pinstripe]

I've yet to find a reason to upgrade from my R9 270X. It runs everything flawlessly in 1080p minus MSAA.

 

[weevilone]

I grabbed a pair of the MSI 280s today as a middle ground while waiting for new GPUs. I moved up to a 3440x1440 display and need something that can drive it.

I've got a Steam box that'll eventually inherit one, and the other will ultimately replace the kids' 5770.

Looking forward to tinkering with Crossfire also.

 

[ponyo]

Thanks for everyone's input. I went ahead and ordered the MSI R9 280. From the Xbitlabs review, it looks plenty sufficient for my needs. I just didn't want to order a card and be disappointed with the lack of power at 1080p with a new build.

 

[dn7309]

GTX 660 (non ti)

I can play to any game and average close to 60 fps on high to ultra (except Crysis 3 and Metro Last Light) on 1080p

 

[Attic]

Thanks for everyone's input. I went ahead and ordered the MSI R9 280. From the Xbitlabs review, it looks plenty sufficient for my needs. I just didn't want to order a card and be disappointed with the lack of power at 1080p with a new build.

That card is one of the best. Hopefully it gets OC'd!

 

[RaulF]

If you like eye candy and want 60 fps or so 290 is the one.

 

[Kenmitch]

Thanks for everyone's input. I went ahead and ordered the MSI R9 280. From the Xbitlabs review, it looks plenty sufficient for my needs. I just didn't want to order a card and be disappointed with the lack of power at 1080p with a new build.

Looks like a nice card I'm sure you'll enjoy it

 

[mistersprinkles]

Thanks for everyone's input. I went ahead and ordered the MSI R9 280. From the Xbitlabs review, it looks plenty sufficient for my needs. I just didn't want to order a card and be disappointed with the lack of power at 1080p with a new build.

Good choice. Make sure you overclock it! If you know how to move some sliders up and down you know how to overclock a GPU. Use MSi's overclocking software. It's super easy. That GPU was only suggested to you on the basis that it could be overclocked to 280X>> levels so make sure you do it! Enjoy your new card.

 

[tweakboy]

Youll need a 760 or 660 ti . enjoy.