R9 290 vs GTX 770

[p_monks33]

I would spend the extra and get a 780, I guess I am the only one with this opinion. I am returning my R9 290 tommorow for a refund, the cooler is rediculous, card immediatly goes too 95c under heavy load playing Bioshock Infinite. I made manual fan adjustments, the only way to get under 90c is to go all the way up to 75% fan, which sounds like my old GTX 470's. Great chip, horrendous cooler. I will be waiting for HIS to release a R9 290 ICE Qx2

 

[Gloomy]

It's crazy loud, lol. Like, comically loud. I run it at 55% fan speed.

That being said, the performance is great and I would buy it over again if given the chance. There's just no alternative at 400 dollars.

I'm gonna sound like I'm parroting everyone else, but I have to say aftermarket will definitely be worth it on this card. :thumbsup:

Reference... not unless you're really desperate for an upgrade right now, like I was (I went from a 6950@1440 to R9290@1440, so I'm extremely pleased).

I would spend the extra and get a 780, I guess I am the only one with this opinion. I am returning my R9 290 tommorow for a refund, the cooler is rediculous, card immediatly goes too 95c under heavy load playing Bioshock Infinite. I made manual fan adjustments, the only way to get under 90c is to go all the way up to 75% fan, which sounds like my old GTX 470's. Great chip, horrendous cooler. I will be waiting for HIS to release a R9 290 ICE Qx2

I totally understand.

 

[3DVagabond]

If you are prepared to void your warranty and give a 290 a decent thermal paste then fan noise and heat wouldn't be so much of an issue.

Most companies don't void your warranty for replacing the TIM.

I would spend the extra and get a 780, I guess I am the only one with this opinion. I am returning my R9 290 tommorow for a refund, the cooler is rediculous, card immediatly goes too 95c under heavy load playing Bioshock Infinite. I made manual fan adjustments, the only way to get under 90c is to go all the way up to 75% fan, which sounds like my old GTX 470's. Great chip, horrendous cooler. I will be waiting for HIS to release a R9 290 ICE Qx2

The card is designed to run @ 95°C. The turbo system actually adjusts fan speed for that target.

 

[selni]

If you mean a couple steps down from max, you're probably right but I think you'd notice the difference if you really mean maxed.

Techspot - 1080p 4xAA and HBAO

770 - 42.3fps
290 - 56.8fps

Bit-Tech - 4xAA and Ultra settings

770 - 42 min and 53 avg
290 - 55 min and 66 avg

HardOCP

770 was playable at 1080p with HBAO but only 2xAA (58.6 avg fps)
290 was playable at 1600p with HBAO and FXAA Low (64.2 avg fps)

No, I really do mean maxed - I haven't noticed any slowdown whatsoever in MP after the recent driver update on ultra and 4xMSAA. There's been multiple game and driver updates since these reviews (for what it's worth nvidia's recommended settings have increased quite a lot since release too).

 

[Childs]

Yep at stock settings its fine...remember its a very high performance processor you are talking about.
Plus with the new Mantle API update coming in December it may well increase its performance in BF4 to a whole new level.
Its the GPU of choice for BF4:thumbsup:

I have no faith in Dice to actually deliver on this. More than likely Mantle will make things worse.

 

[Piklar]

770 is not even in the same league as the 290, by the end of next year its very likely that 2GB wont cut it anymore and 4GB or higher will be norm..

 

[steve wilson]

770 is not even in the same league as the 290, by the end of next year its very likely that 2GB wont cut it anymore and 4GB or higher will be norm..

That all depends on what resolution you are planning on gaming at. At 1080 2GB is going to be fine.

 

[Gloomy]

Been playing BF4 all night, the 290 is fantastic. Maxed out, 4xAA, 1440p, haven't run into a single hiccup yet. If you pick one up, you're going to have a lot of fun. :thumbsup:

My CPU is a little beefier than yours though.

 

[guskline]

I would not take the GTX 770 for sure. Its the worst card price/performance on the market. On the other hand, the 290 is the best one. 🙂

KaRLiTos: With that "Drop dead" GORGEOUS rig of yours (folks do yourself a favor and look it up) I bow to a man with 4 (F O U R ) R9 290s!😀:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:. If anyone has experience with the "power" of the R9 290, KaRLiTos surely does.

 

[24601]

Why did no one ever ask the OP's CPU?

Going over 1x7970 in BF4 @ 1080p is a waste, you're going to be CPU limited in multiplayer anyways (with 4.5ghz 3570k).

<-==== Man with 4x crossfire.

Maybe 780 would be worth it because Nvidia gives higher frame rates when CPU limited, but I haven't had the chance to try it. It is what the numerous 64 player benchmarks show.

The Scoop from APU13 is that Mantle will not be implemented in BF4 before late December, so don't get your hopes up.

 

[guskline]

Communism: Excellent points in your post. Did the OP say what gpu he presently has? His Seasonic 620 PSU is plenty for either the 290 or 770.

If he already Owns an AMD 7950/7970 or Nvidia GTX 670/680 the upgrade probably won't be enough to really be noticeable.

 

[rtsurfer]

I am actually in the same boat as OP.

I can buy a new EVGA GTX770 4GB 3776 KR for 319$ instead of the regular 400$.

Should I get it or the 290..???

 

[Jacky60]

I would spend the extra and get a 780, I guess I am the only one with this opinion. I am returning my R9 290 tommorow for a refund, the cooler is rediculous, card immediatly goes too 95c under heavy load playing Bioshock Infinite. I made manual fan adjustments, the only way to get under 90c is to go all the way up to 75% fan, which sounds like my old GTX 470's. Great chip, horrendous cooler. I will be waiting for HIS to release a R9 290 ICE Qx2

I don't know if you bothered to read anything about your card but the chip is designed to run at 95c so trying to keep it below 95c is not the cleverest activity to get involved in. I can understand wanting the card to be quiet but wanting it to run out of spec so the chip stays below 90c to satisfy your preconceptions of what's a safe operating temperature is a bizarre reason to return it. Try googling Radeon 290 safe temps....ahh too late you returned the card lol :\. I agree the reference cooler clearly isn't the best design however. Waiting for a 290 with after market cooler is OP's best bet and cheaper than the 780.

 

[guskline]

I am actually in the same boat as OP.

I can buy a new EVGA GTX770 4GB 3776 KR for 319$ instead of the regular 400$.

Should I get it or the 290..???

Would you please post your computer specs, mb, cpu, gpu, psu and case? It really helps in formulating an opinion.

 

[rtsurfer]

Would you please post your computer specs, mb, cpu, gpu, psu and case? It really helps in formulating an opinion.

Cpu - I7 4770K
Mobo - Asus maximus vi Hero
Psu - Corsair HX 750 or 850(still debating, not purchased yet)
Case - Corsair Vengence C70

 

[96Firebird]

I am actually in the same boat as OP.

I can buy a new EVGA GTX770 4GB 3776 KR for 319$ instead of the regular 400$.

Should I get it or the 290..???

Seems you got the Microcenter cancellation dealio? If you don't want the 770 4GB, I'll buy it.

 

[rtsurfer]

Seems you got the Microcenter cancellation dealio? If you don't want the 770 4GB, I'll buy it.

Ditto

I am still debating to keep it or not.
As you can see.

 

[24601]

Cpu - I7 4770K
Mobo - Asus maximus vi Hero
Psu - Corsair HX 750 or 850(still debating, not purchased yet)
Case - Corsair Vengence C70

If the heaviest (on the GPU) game you plan on playing is BF4, then the 770 you listed would be fine (for 1080p).

If you are on a yearly or faster upgrade schedule, the 290 is 100% pointless.

So basically you have to be planning on using the GPU on a game that is more GPU intensive than BF4 (for 1080p) within 6 months to a year for the 290 to make sense.

If you plan on buying a PSU, I would plan on buying the largest capacity high quality one you can afford (if you can imagine yourself going SLI/Crossfire with high TDP cards anytime in the future), as I don't see 20nm or 16nm being big enough jumps for Nvidia and/or AMD to have them dropping their TDPs anytime soon.

If/when Mantle comes out for BF4, we can reevaluate the point of faster GPUs on 1080p as it would change the CPU limit most likely.

The main reason AMD is trying Mantle and Nvidia is planning an ARM CPU(s) in Maxwell is to tackle the CPU limit issue that is rearing it's head because of the effective CPU draw call limit in DirectX.

 

[guskline]

Thank you rtsurfer. First, excellent components. Go with the higher PSU if you can afford it. Your case has very good ventilation so the higher heat of the R9 290 won't be a factor. The problem is the reference fan design.

I like to experiment. I've delved into custom water cooling now with my 3930k rig but I've applied a number of aftermarket coolers to previous gpus.

I really like Nvidia cards but with the release of the R9 290, in particular, you get a VERY powerful card that probably needs a better cooler to be quieter. The 770 is really a hopped up 680. A strong video card but the R9 290 is stronger.

I would opt for the R9 290, play with the fan speeds but not "freak out about the temps" and then see how the aftermarket coolers pan out. No doubt the 770 is a mature card that is powerful but the R9 290 appears to have a leg up on power.

Sorry: Did not see the last 2 posts where you got the MicroCenter deal which included the 4Gb 770. Build the rig and run that sucker with the 770 and HAVE fun!

These debates about high end video cards brings back memories of the muscle car days of the late 60s and early 70s (I'm 62). We were either Chevy or Ford guys. It was 396 vs 427 and on and on. Truth was the better driver usually won regardless or unless a 426 Hemi showed up. Then you were in a World of trouble!:awe:

 

[rtsurfer]

If the heaviest (on the GPU) game you plan on playing is BF4, then the 770 you listed would be fine (for 1080p).

If you are on a yearly or faster upgrade schedule, the 290 is 100% pointless.

So basically you have to be planning on using the GPU on a game that is more GPU intensive than BF4 (for 1080p) within 6 months to a year for the 290 to make sense.

If you plan on buying a PSU, I would plan on buying the largest capacity high quality one you can afford, as I don't see 20nm or 16nm being big enough jumps for Nvidia and/or AMD to have them dropping their TDPs anytime soon.

If/when Mantle comes out for BF4, we can reevaluate the point of faster GPUs on 1080p as it would change the CPU limit most likely.

I intend to game at 1080P any yes I love BF4.

The thing is, since I am college student, it is hard for me to shell out money for upgrades every year.

Due to this, i am swaying towards the 290.

 

[24601]

I intend to game at 1080P any yes I love BF4.

The thing is, since I am college student, it is hard for me to shell out money for upgrades every year.

Due to this, i am swaying towards the 290.

Remember to try to run the 290 at a clock speed and fan speed combo that will never throttle in a game, as dynamic clock speed will mess with the consistency of frame times. Also, only the 99% minimum frame rate and momentary (or more) frame time spikes make up the determination of whether a game is playable or not. Your average FPS could be 6000 fps and your game would still be unplayable if it constantly dips to below 30 fps.

 

[Teizo]

No, I really do mean maxed - I haven't noticed any slowdown whatsoever in MP after the recent driver update on ultra and 4xMSAA. There's been multiple game and driver updates since these reviews (for what it's worth nvidia's recommended settings have increased quite a lot since release too).

The only way you ever notice is by running Fraps or Afterburner with the OSD enabled.

If you just simply play the game without monitoring FPS, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference.

Thing is, most enthusiast overclock and like to monitor temperature/performance in game to keep a check on things...so the Afterburner OSD can easily turn into the Afterburner OCD 😀

 

[24601]

The only way you ever notice is by running Fraps or Afterburner with the OSD enabled.

If you just simply play the game without monitoring FPS, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference.

Thing is, most enthusiast overclock and like to monitor temperature/performance in game to keep a check on things...so the Afterburner OSD can easily turn into the Afterburner OCD 😀

Actual competitive twitch FPS players can easily notice frame time issues (and by extension, 99% minimum FPS issues).

Twitch FPS players are Twitch FPS players for a reason 😀.

 

[p_monks33]

I don't know if you bothered to read anything about your card but the chip is designed to run at 95c so trying to keep it below 95c is not the cleverest activity to get involved in. I can understand wanting the card to be quiet but wanting it to run out of spec so the chip stays below 90c to satisfy your preconceptions of what's a safe operating temperature is a bizarre reason to return it. Try googling Radeon 290 safe temps....ahh too late you returned the card lol :\. I agree the reference cooler clearly isn't the best design however. Waiting for a 290 with after market cooler is OP's best bet and cheaper than the 780.

I didn't say I was returning it due to temps, its the 75% fan profile, I understand you about the cards being designed to run at 95c , but I am having trouble keeping the card above 875-900mhz without throttling, thus the fan profile that sounds like a hoover. You pay for a card thats advertised at 947mhz and are lucky to get 875mhz due to throttle. This also is not a case airflow issue.

 

[krumme]

Remember to add mantle with cgn gfx will give far better cpu utilization in bf4.