Torn between these cards- help please in deciding

[Arman567]

Hello

I'm currently in the market to buy a new graphics card. I should note that i'm from Australia and prices can get extremely high/ absolute rip offs.

I'm looking for a high performance card that is mainly a choice between the R9 290, GTX 780 and finally GTX 970. I know that the 970 is considered to be the superior card, but im wary of the aftermarket gainward 970 and its quality. This is opposed to a Sapphire 290 tri x/ XFX , and EVGA 770.

All these cards are priced similarly, but i'm simply torn between each of these cards and has since been a very hard choice to make. It would be greatly appreciated if someone can steer me in the right direction. Other options are also welcome.

evga 770 http://www.msy.com.au/viconline/pc-...4-kr-4g-gtx-770-db-sc-acx-pci-e-vga-card.html

tri x http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1575&products_id=26373

xfx http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1575&products_id=26347

gainward 970 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1692&products_id=29359

 

[ShintaiDK]

GTX970.

And absolutely forget the 770, specially at that price.

But why not look at a different GTX970? The one you link is a blower type. While the other cards dump the heat in the case.

20-30$ more and you can get these with higher clocks as well.
http://www.msy.com.au/viconline/pc-...g-3361-4g-gtx-970-phantom-pci-e-vga-card.html
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1692&products_id=29119

 

[Arman567]

Ah actually that galax one is pretty sweet aesthetically, i simply picked that 970 as it is the cheapest.

Do you really think an extra 30 dollar would be worth it?, and how much extra performance can be attained from that particular model?

Thanks

 

[ShintaiDK]

Ah actually that galaxy one is pretty sweet aesthetically, i simply picked that 970 as it is the cheapest.

Do you really think an extra 30 dollar would be worth it?, and how much extra performance can be attained from that particular model?

Thanks

Performance/$ wise its absolutely worth it considering they are factory OCed. Also the cooler is better and less noise. The blower cooler looks like the GTX670 blower. And that one, while working and doing its job. Was pretty plastic and awful to listen to.

 

[Arman567]

Ok, thankyou, I'll definitely be considering that 970 you linked.

But one last question, how does that card compare to the 290 tri x or XFX? , in this case im looking at a potential $50-60 savings. Again i would like to know by how much does this 970 beat the tri x/ XFX?. I can barely find reviews pitting these two cards together.

Thanks

 

[ShintaiDK]

The GTX970 is alittle faster. Consumes ~100W less and also support newer DX versions like DX11.2 and DX11.3.

The Gainward Phantom for example got same specs as the Jetstream.

 

[Silverforce11]

Shin is spot on, the reference 970 has a half PCB similar/identical to the reference 670 and I have one, its absolute trash.

In Australia the prices on NV is crazy high.

Custom 970s, in particular twin fan models are ~$500.

970 MSI Gaming $519
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1692&products_id=29086

R290 MSI Gaming $399
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1575&products_id=26611

The price difference is $120, a big chunk. Note that R290 at those clocks is ~= a R290X you see in reviews since they use reference cards.

I would not spend that much more for the 970, not at $519!

You save some $ on power though.

 

[Arman567]

Thanks, and yeah in Australia nv prices are crazy especially the top tier card like evga.

However shintai did show me this
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1692&products_id=29119 how reliable is this card model?

Im not prepared to pay above 500, thats basically a no go. The power difference isn't a big issue for me, just a small factor i guess.

So i guess its pretty much the 290 v 970 (although im only considering the one model)

 

[Silverforce11]

Thanks, and yeah in Australia nv prices are crazy especially the top tier card like evga.

However shintai did show me this
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1692&products_id=29119 how reliable is this card model?

Im not prepared to pay above 500, thats basically a no go. The power difference isn't a big issue for me, just a small factor i guess.

So i guess its pretty much the 290 v 970 (although im only considering the one model)

I've used Galaxy cards in the past, have no issue with it but this particular model, you should try to find a review before spending that much $.

It's a good price if the cooler isn't noisy, definitely go for it.

 

[Arman567]

Ok, well with this particular model its very hard to find comprehensive and articulated review.

the pricing is good (considering its in Australia)

I think i'm going to take a punt and just go for it, hopefully it will work perfectly.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

It should be a good card based off past Galaxy cards. Also, shintaiDK I think that the 290x also supports 11.2, though maybe not 11.3. I was also under the impression that they could be updated to DX12 anyways.

 

[Arman567]

Thanks for all the help guys,

But i decided to buy a used 280x off ebay for only 200 bucks +postage. It was completely an impulse decision but coming from a 7770 all these cards would of been a significant upgrade. I really wanted to get that 970 or 290, but i think saving the 250 dollars is worth it.

perhaps when the next gen cards 390x or big maxwell are right around the corner (too far for me to wait) so this card may be just a temp.