Please help select new video card, thinking R9 280x

cwescrab

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2014
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My 7950 died. Sapphire. Had to send it back to sapphire. But I can't wait a month, I use this pc for business, and photo editing, I have about $2,000 worth of photo shoots to edit in the next two weeks. So I will use my old 7950 as a spare when I get it back in case this happens again. I am thinking I would like to see an improvement since I have to buy a new one, something a little faster. I was looking at the 280x's and that seems to be the next bump up in speed. I am kind of scared to go with another sapphire, and I was looking at Gigabyte but they seem REALLY loud. Any recommendations on a decent one that isn't too hot/loud?
 

Ieat

Senior member
Jan 18, 2012
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I would not go with Asus or Gigabyte if you care about quick warranty service. Both companies usually try to "fix" your card before sending you a different one. Its usually a bad job and you will have to send it in again which just doubles your down time. A 280x is just a rebadged 7970. I would look for a r9 290 at least. If you don't mind used they can be found on ebay pretty cheap or post a wanted add on the F/S forums. I've seen them go for as little as $220 shipped. I would go with MSI. They have a 3 year transferable warranty like Asus and Gigabyte but they send out replacements not try to band-aid broke stuff.
 

abekl

Senior member
Jul 2, 2011
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I wouldn't write off Sapphire yet. They have a really good reputation, and everybody gets a bad card at some point. So I would give them another try if they have a products that interest you. An R9 290 would be a reasonable bump up and still keeps you at around $200.