Should I get a GTX 780 ti Kingpin or a R9 290x?

[themasterpiece1]

My computer currently does not have a graphics card. I am able to get a GTX 780 ti kingpin edition for $375. I am also able to get a R9 290x for $260 after rebate.

My rig runs a 4k monitor. I am looking for a single card solution so I don't want CF nor SLI. I am going to get one of those cards and probably upgrade to the next gen AMD or Nvidia card. I am assuming next gen cards will be able to run 4k better. For now I will get one of those cards and turn down my settings. Also, would be nice to get at least some of my money back when I resell my card in the next 6 months.

 

[Elfear]

For the extra 10% performance boost (thinking about overclocking potential here) over the 290X I don't think it's worth the extra $115. 10% isn't really noticeable in gameplay. I would get the 290X, pocket the cash, and save it for the next gen cards.

 

[n0x1ous]

save the money and get the 290x to hold you over.

 

[RussianSensation]

- What kind of R9 290X card is available for $260?
- Do you plan on max overclocking? That's where the KINGPIN edition shines.
- Do you play a lot of GameWorks titles?
- How important are features like TXAA or PhysX to you?

If you are looking at a used 780Ti, might as well consider a used R9 290X such as the XFX R9 290X for $245. This XFX card seems to be in a very good condition. 4K performance is top notch for the price. I don't think you can find much better.

 

[n0x1ous]

- What kind of R9 290X card is available for $260?
- Do you plan on max overclocking? That's where the KINGPIN edition shines.
- Do you play a lot of GameWorks titles?
- How important are features like TXAA or PhysX to you?

Have you considered Gigabyte 970 for $330?

Good questions at the beginning, but suggesting any 970 for a 4k user seems like a bad idea. Almost guaranteed to hit VRAM issues right away dont you think? I guess it would depend on if hes playing AAA titles or older stuff or indie stuff....

Either way OP, if you are set on getting 390x/GM200 flagship. Save the cash and get the 290x and pocket the different towards 390x/gm200 upgrade

EDIT: RS you sly dog - you ninja'd that 970 reference didnt you

 

[RussianSensation]

I was only looking at it from a point of view of a stop-gap card for 6 months as the OP described. I don't think he would have lost too much $ on a 970 given that it would have been brand new compared to the used 780Ti. However, I then found that $245 XFX 290X on eBay and I think that's the smarter buy.

 

[96Firebird]

The 970 could have better resale value, though. eBay prices show used 970s going for ~$290 (looking at sold listings), with aftermarket used 290Xs selling for $215. Ironically, there are a lot of reference 290Xs selling for more...

The MSI Gaming 290X is $280AR with a $20 GC at Newegg, maybe that is the model? From what I remember, a lot of people didn't like that cooler on the 290(X) cards.

Unless you plan on doing some major overclocking, I wouldn't spend the money on the 780Ti.

 

[themasterpiece1]

- What kind of R9 290X card is available for $260?
- Do you plan on max overclocking? That's where the KINGPIN edition shines.
- Do you play a lot of GameWorks titles?
- How important are features like TXAA or PhysX to you?

If you are looking at a used 780Ti, might as well consider a used R9 290X such as the XFX R9 290X for $245. This XFX card seems to be in a very good condition. 4K performance is top notch for the price. I don't think you can find much better.

The R9 290x I am looking at is the Asus DCU II. I will overclock whatever card I get but only on air.

Main games I currently play are CS:GO, Battlefield 4, Total War, Marvel Heroes, Diablo 3, Borderlands, and a bunch others.

The XFX card seems like a good deal. Know what the warranty is like? Both cards I am looking at now have warranty tied to the serial number.

I like PhysX but I would not pay $100 just for it.

Since I know no single card can max out 4K now I did not want to spend too much money on a current card. However, I know the 780 ti should have a higher resale value.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

R9 290/X for sure, or Maxwell.

nVIDIA has us Kepler users bent over a barrel :
http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/2one2z/discussion_has_nvidia_forsaken_kepler_cards_has/

 

[Evilviking]

Where can I get a 780ti classified kingpin for $375? If you go the 290x route I want the kingpin

Unless you have gysnc or an nvidia shield a 290x is a better deal

 

[Z15CAM]

Ironically, there are a lot of reference 290Xs selling for more..

That's because you can put EK or XSPC water blocks on them and easily run them quietly at 1180/1500 in CF and below 68C. Great for playing 1440p with a cheap Korean IPS display clocked between 60 to 120Hz.s.

 

[Aikouka]

aftermarket used 290Xs selling for $215. Ironically, there are a lot of reference 290Xs selling for more...

I'm not terribly surprised by that. Aftermarket cards have their place, but there's one severe limitation that they tend to have: water cooling compatibility. In my experience, it's usually far easier to get a water block for a reference card than it is for some company's random layout. At least in my opinion, 290Xs are a good candidate for water cooling, so it makes sense that there would be more demand for compatible units.

 

[RussianSensation]

CS:GO,

Plays on anything > $200.

Battlefield 4

290X is better at playable settings (Medium)

Total War,

Plays better on 290X.

Marvel Heroes,

Plays on anything > $200.

Diablo 3

AMD cards have a big advantage in Blizzard titles at 4K, although it's not as if the performance is low on NV.

Sounds like other than PhysX in Borderlands titles, you provided no games at all where 780Ti would be actually faster. The fact that you have to pay so much more for the 780Ti and get less performance in the games you listed makes it a bad buy for the games you listed.

I keep getting floored at how poorly the 780Ti has aged 14 months since launch. $375 for a used card that gets beaten by a brand new 290X is bad, real bad. Don't forget in games like Watch Dogs and Shadow of Mordor, 4GB on the 290X will make a big difference over 3GB on the 780Ti.

While not playable frame rates, 780Ti typically bombs at 4K against 290X.

FC4 --> 780Ti's average = 290X's minimums!

Anyway, generally speaking you'll want dual 290s or dual 780Tis or dual 970s for 4K. In that case, might as well save some $ and get the 290X as a stop-gap card for $260 because 780Ti definitely won't be any faster as I have already shown you.

 

[tweakboy]

Wow that 780 is a great deal. Jump on it guys.

 

[themasterpiece1]

great thanks for the help. Going to try and get a 290x at the cheapest price possible.

 

[Danyune]

I was in the same boat as you, I went with a R9 270 to hold me over until I was able to find a 980 classified

Probably should get a R9 until next gen GPUs or you find a great deal on a 980

 

[Jhatfie]

I would personally get the 290X between the two. The 290X really seems to perform pretty well at 4k resolutions and the used 780ti is NOT worth the near 50% premium.

 

[Silverforce11]

4K is definitely an advantage of R290X over Kepler. Especially since Maxwell's launch, we've seen R290X come from behind and overtake the 780ti.

Paying more for less performance makes no sense.

 

[lavaheadache]

290X

NVidia has mostly ignored Kepler since Maxwell hit the shelves

 

[themasterpiece1]

Ended up getting a 290x for $240 after rebate. Still bought the GTX 780 ti Kingpin for $375 and flipped it for $500.

The 290x should hold me over until the new AMD cards or Nvidia's 980 ti or whatever it will be. Hopefully those cards will run 4k monitors better. As for now, I will just turn a couple of settings down.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Would have easily picked the 290x without even thinking about it,anything with 4gb is what you are wanting for any newer games that may interest you.

 

[Smoblikat]

Get an HD7970 for $130$ and save your money for a 390X.

 

[alexruiz]

Get an HD7970 for $130$ and save your money for a 390X.

Care sharing a link for those hd7970s at 130?