Graphic card recommendation

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade the graphic card in the rig listed in my signature. The 6870 has served me well but it is 3 years old and I'd like to upgrade to something faster. I was looking at the R9-280X and the 770 GTX and am leaning towards the 770 at first glance, but wanted to make sure I am not missing anything. Here are a few notes:

1. Gaming resolution: 1920 x 1200
2. Games played: ArmA III and maybe some BF3 and possibly BF4
3. Cost: $400, but I might go to $500 if there is a very good justification.
4. Will be purchased from Amazon due to reward points.

If the 770 GTX is the right choice, which edition? I'd lean towards EVGA in all likelihood but they have a bazillion different editions. Is it worth going for 4 GB over 2 GB, for example?
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,900
74
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At current prices the 280X is a much better pick in general. The 770 is 30% more expensive but what do you get in return?

Arma III is quite NVIDIA biased though, so if you literally just play that and nothing else, maybe the GTX 760 is the best bang for buck option.

Gigabyte 280X $310 or Sapphire 280X $300

edit if you're willing to swing $500, gtx 760 SLI would get you closest to smooth 60fps in Arma III. You do need a decent PSU for that though
 
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Majcric

Golden Member
May 3, 2011
1,369
37
91
If I was purchasing today I would get a 3 or 4 GB card. You'd save quite a bit by going with AMDs offerings, however, if you prefer Nvidia 770GTX is a good card just overpriced.
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,900
74
91
@KentState he's buying from Amazon so those options are moot
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
To be clear, I'm not a fanboy of either brand. I happen to have a 6870 now, but I've owned many nVidia cards too, along with other ATI cards like the 9800 Pro and 9600 XT. The 280X was something I definitely considered as well and may research that a little more. It is just a rebranded and tweaked 7970 Ghz Edition, right?

@Erenhardt: I did plan on waiting to hear the news on the 290X, but I'd be surprised if it is under $500. If I am wrong and it is, I will definitely get it. :)

EDIT: Is XFX a good brand for the 280X? I'm seeing that the Gigabyte model has higher clocks though.
 
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Majcric

Golden Member
May 3, 2011
1,369
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There will be a 290 as well rumored to be around the $500 mark, which is what I think Eernhardt was refering to.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
There will be a 290 as well rumored to be around the $500 mark, which is what I think Eernhardt was refering to.

Good catch -- I saw his post and just assumed it was the 290X. Any rumors on the 290's performance? Are we looking at GTX 780 level performance?
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,177
622
126
These are a great price for someone that doesn't have a 7970ghz. If I would have waited this would probably what I would get. Or probably a 290.
 

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
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I would think so. Just rough estimate below but that's with everything at full force.

100w CPU
350w GPU
5-10w SSD
20w HDD
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,177
622
126
Do you guys think that a 600 W power supply will handle an R9-290X in the rig in my sig?

I'm getting a 290x once the non reference cards come out. I have a 750w powersupply. Assuming all the other parts aren't so power hungry you should be ok. But I would maybe bump it up later
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
The online power supply calculators say I'm up to roughly 475 W with my 6870. I think the 6870 is 150 W to 170 W and a R9-290X is around 300. Looks like it might be pretty close. Newegg has the HX850 for $120 after rebate, so maybe I'll go ahead and grab one in preparation.

EDIT: I think I have a ModXStream 600 now, so maybe I can just upgrade to a ModXStream 700 and make the swap easier.
 
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sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,177
622
126
The online power supply calculators say I'm up to roughly 475 W with my 6870. I think the 6870 is 150 W to 170 W and a R9-290X is around 300. Looks like it might be pretty close. Newegg has the HX850 for $120 after rebate, so maybe I'll go ahead and grab one in preparation.

EDIT: I think I have a ModXStream 600 now, so maybe I can just upgrade to a ModXStream 700 and make the swap easier.

If you are upgrading the psu go and get a modular one. One thing I wish I would have done. My case is nice enough to allow me to route the cables so you can't see most of them.
 

MrK6

Diamond Member
Aug 9, 2004
4,458
4
81
The online power supply calculators say I'm up to roughly 475 W with my 6870. I think the 6870 is 150 W to 170 W and a R9-290X is around 300. Looks like it might be pretty close. Newegg has the HX850 for $120 after rebate, so maybe I'll go ahead and grab one in preparation.

EDIT: I think I have a ModXStream 600 now, so maybe I can just upgrade to a ModXStream 700 and make the swap easier.
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article/2008/11/12/ocz_700w_modxstream_pro_power_supply/1

Don't get a 700W ModXStream, in fact, I wouldn't recommend OCZ PSU's in general. Since you have one currently, it isn't a problem as you aren't really stressing it terribly. If what you listed in your sig is all you have in your rig, there's no way you're pulling close to 475W, even at full load. Heck, my heavily overclocked 7970 doesn't even reach 500W from the wall (probably less <450W actual load). So you're good with a 7970 and definitely your 6870. That said, a Seasonic PSU in the future wouldn't be a bad investment.

Brief aside - online calculators greatly overestimate power usage so anyone who uses it can go out and buy a POS generic PSU and probably not blow up their computer (and therefore the site cuts down on angry emails coming to them).

Anywho, GTX 770, 7970 GE, and 280X are all within your range. If you want to spring the $500 for the 290 (which we're guessing is going to be the MSRP) next week, that's something as well although you won't see the full potential of the card at 1080p. Considering the competition from AMD, the 770 at its current pricing is a pretty poor value. This is even worse if you look at 4GB card. The 7970 GE is a good deal if you get games, but I think it's a little power inefficient (reference design is too aggressive with the voltage), so I'd actually recommend the 280X unless you really want those games. Here's how everything lines up at 1080p:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_290X/27.html
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article/2008/11/12/ocz_700w_modxstream_pro_power_supply/1

Don't get a 700W ModXStream, in fact, I wouldn't recommend OCZ PSU's in general. Since you have one currently, it isn't a problem as you aren't really stressing it terribly. If what you listed in your sig is all you have in your rig, there's no way you're pulling close to 475W, even at full load. Heck, my heavily overclocked 7970 doesn't even reach 500W from the wall (probably less <450W actual load). So you're good with a 7970 and definitely your 6870. That said, a Seasonic PSU in the future wouldn't be a bad investment.

Brief aside - online calculators greatly overestimate power usage so anyone who uses it can go out and buy a POS generic PSU and probably not blow up their computer (and therefore the site cuts down on angry emails coming to them).

Anywho, GTX 770, 7970 GE, and 280X are all within your range. If you want to spring the $500 for the 290 (which we're guessing is going to be the MSRP) next week, that's something as well although you won't see the full potential of the card at 1080p. Considering the competition from AMD, the 770 at its current pricing is a pretty poor value. This is even worse if you look at 4GB card. The 7970 GE is a good deal if you get games, but I think it's a little power inefficient (reference design is too aggressive with the voltage), so I'd actually recommend the 280X unless you really want those games. Here's how everything lines up at 1080p:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_290X/27.html

Thanks. Yeah, I'm one of the few who have had great luck with OCZ power supplies though I do prefer Corsair. I'm thinking about the 290x because it will likely go in my next rig as well.
 
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