Which GPU is better? Which would you take?

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96Firebird

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
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According to the latest TPU GPU review, the 770 has a slight edge over the 280X at both 1600p and 1080p. In reality, you probably wouldn't tell the difference.

I have a 2GB SC 770 with the ACX cooler, and it is great. Temps never get above 60°C, but I have decent case airflow. Plus, EVGA warranty is top notch. I hope to never have to use it, but its nice to know its there.

I have no experience with the DCII cooler, nor the ASUS warranty.

With all that said, crazy how the price of the 770 has actually gone up since I got mine late last year. I paid $310AR.
 
Termie

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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96Firebird said:
According to the latest TPU GPU review, the 770 has a slight edge over the 280X at both 1600p and 1080p. In reality, you probably wouldn't tell the difference.

I have a 2GB SC 770 with the ACX cooler, and it is great. Temps never get above 60°C, but I have decent case airflow. Plus, EVGA warranty is top notch. I hope to never have to use it, but its nice to know its there.

I have no experience with the DCII cooler, nor the ASUS warranty.

With all that said, crazy how the price of the 770 has actually gone up since I got mine late last year. I paid $310AR.
Click to expand...

TPU doesn't look at minimums. That's where you see the issue with 2GB of VRAM on the 770 at >1080p.

I benched a 780 versus an OC'd GTX 670 at both 1080p and 1440p: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2357336

I wouldn't recommend a 2GB card based on my findings for 1440p. And while the OP said take price out of consideration, in reality, it's always in consideration. The 280x has dropped in price while the 770 has gone, getting very close to the obviously superior 290, which is really the card to get in this price range for 1440p.
 
blastingcap

blastingcap

Diamond Member
Sep 16, 2010
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S

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
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blastingcap said:
Get the 3GB card. It's a no brainer, when everything else is so similar (perf/noise/temp).
Click to expand...

Yup, the current AMD GPU's seem to scale a bit better in performance as resolution goes up than the current Nvidia line up. The 280X has 50% more memory than the 770. It doesn't hurt that it comes with a three game bundle either (though I'm not familiar with the game the Nvidia card comes with, it could be a good one). In this case, the 280X seems like the obvious choice to me.
 
9

96Firebird

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
5,738
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Termie said:
And while the OP said take price out of consideration, in reality, it's always in consideration. The 280x has dropped in price while the 770 has gone, getting very close to the obviously superior 290, which is really the card to get in this price range for 1440p.
Click to expand...

Uhh, the 280X linked in the OP is more expensive than the 770 linked in the OP...

Either way, there is probably a reason he said to neglect pricing. Maybe he has one already and was offered a straight trade. Who knows.
 
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D

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. The reason I state price is out of the equation is the fact that I can pick up a complete system for a great price and choose which card to get.
 
n0x1ous

n0x1ous

Platinum Member
Sep 9, 2010
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dmoney1980 said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. The reason I state price is out of the equation is the fact that I can pick up a complete system for a great price and choose which card to get.
Click to expand...

in that case, 280X
 
B

blackened23

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2011
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Flip a coin? Personally I like the 770 better for NV's software. That's me though. You should ignore performance because both cards are generally the same, with certain sides having strengths in certain titles. NV in ubisoft, blizzard, activision, etc. AMD with square and BF4, but NV's newest driver increased performance a lot for Squeenix titles.

So i'd say take performance out of the equation. They're roughly the same. You also don't need more than 2gb for 1440 unless you plan on playing games at 4X SSAA, which you obviously can't do because you'd run out of GPU grunt well before VRAM is an issue.

So, performance wise, consider both cards the same. Research which card has the better software and features that you care about. Personally I much prefer nvidia in this respect as they add a ton of features over time that I use a lot - but that may not matter to you, and if so, the 280X would be a good contender as well.

If you do want a larger frame buffer, this card is getting good reviews on the 770 side. I think it is better than EVGA's ACX cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125462

TL'DR: I'd prefer 770, but you can't go wrong either way really. Performance, noise, temps (if both cards are aftermarketing) and longevity will be comparable between the 280X and 770. You don't need more than 2GB for 1440p. Performance wise, both cards are similar, you can't go wrong with either choice. But there are rather stark differences in software and features, yet that may or may not matter to you. It's something to consider in your purchase decision, though.
 
Termie

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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dmoney1980 said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. The reason I state price is out of the equation is the fact that I can pick up a complete system for a great price and choose which card to get.
Click to expand...

OK, that's helpful. Are you sure you can't get an R9 290 in that system for a small upcharge? It might be worth it.

As for the two cards you linked, they are both great. EVGA is fantastic on the Nvidia side, Asus is fantastic on both sides, and its DC2 cooler is excellent. As I said earlier, I have found that VRAM is an issue at 1440p in at least a few games (but not at 1080p), and for that reason I would not get a 2GB card for 1440p.
 
K

kawi6rr

Senior member
Oct 17, 2013
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I purchased that exact card and it plays everything I have at high settings and looks great. Granted I don't play BF4 but Mechwarrior online looks great!
 
toyota

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
0
to be honest neither card will be playing games smoothly at settings that "need" more than 2gb of vram anyway. all going to 2560x1440 means is that you will be turning down more settings so really the extra vram will not even matter. of course things could change but at this point it wont make any difference especially if the goal is to use settings that get you 60 fps.
 
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DooKey

DooKey

Golden Member
Nov 9, 2005
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Buy whichever card has your preferred ecosystem. At 1440p they are basically equal from a performance perspective. 3gb vs 2gb is overblown in this class card at 1440p.
 
nitromullet

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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