36 replies to this topic

[Golrar]

OK, I ask you guys because the response will be quick and accurate and cuts down on a lot of my quibbling. I have done a lot of research via tomshardware.com, HardOCP, and others but I can't pull the trigger myself. I need a new GPU. Currently using the GTX 650 Ti 1GB. This is my new bottleneck. Now, I get 60fps with DX9 or DX11 with shadows and particles set to low and everything else on high. This is 60fps initial, and it will go down to around 40fps as I play, scaling up and down. I have a pretty good user.cfg already with the help of many on this forum. Temps on the GPU in DX9 get to around 56C in game, idle at 34C. Now this is very playable and by no means does it make me feel inadequate. However, I want a bit more eye candy.

Budget wise, I would like to not spend more than around $250 US. I know to stay away from the 750 Ti. I would love a 780 Ti or a 290X, but it just isn't in the stars. Right now, this is the only game I play that is current because frankly I find a lot of the games on offer these days just simply suck (Re: Watchdogs, CoD). However, Star Citizen seems to be in my future. I do occasionally go back to Skyrim and Metro 2033.

I have no preference between NVidia or AMD, but a future SLI/XFire compatibility would be a bonus. I have an EVGA Supernova NEX750W PSU, and the rest of my build is in the sig. I don't want to give any ideas to influence suggestions, but I am looking at a single card right now.

Also, my case is a Rosewill Challenger mid tower, so take into account card size. Power requirements, if the PSU is adequate, are not an issue. I could care less about my electric bill as it is pretty cheap here in the midwest. A new case will be in the works down the road, so if I need to upgrade early I might be able to swing it if the card (and price) is just that good. Also, is now a good time to buy? Something I should hold off for like a price drop upcoming? Summer sale?

Thanks in advance.

[Goose]

Golrar, on 09 June 2014 - 06:40 PM, said:

… I have done a lot of research via tomshardware.com, HardOCP, and others … Rosewill Challenger …

Don't know what to add …

[Golrar]

Well, I have had my eye on that Thor 2 (http://www.newegg.co...7-053-_-Product), but it is a beast and don't know if I can fit it with my desk without using the power saw. I need a bigger case anyway, so let's just take that part out of there, shall we? No size restrictions.

[Catamount]

Pretty good deal on a 280x if you don't mind MiRs, $245 total. Even if you didn't bother with the MiR, it's still only $265.

http://www.newegg.co...1-440-_-Product

The competing Nvidia product is the 770, but the cheapest 770 right now is $310.

[Lord Letto]

Catamount, on 10 June 2014 - 05:03 AM, said:

Pretty good deal on a 280x if you don't mind MiRs, $245 total. Even if you didn't bother with the MiR, it's still only $265.

http://www.newegg.co...1-440-_-Product

The competing Nvidia product is the 770, but the cheapest 770 right now is $310.

must have been a 1 day thing, just checked and shows price at $350, $330 with MIR, add the promo code for $15 off and that brings it down to $315.

Currently looking at PcPartPicker, for a good GPU (From a good brand aka ASUS, EVGA,Gigabyte, MSI, Sapphire) with a price listed@ $250 and under, there's the GTX 760 on the Nvidia side and the R9 280 on the ATI/AMD side. the 760 prices go between $216 on the low end (MSI N760-2GD5/OC) up to $325 on the High end (MSI N760 HAWK), closest to your $250 budget is 2 Gigabyte, 2 EVGA and a ASUS card within .01-.05 Cents under the $250 Mark. there are 2 R9 280 available under $250, there's the MSI R9 280 Gaming 3G TWIN FROZER and the Asus R9289-DC2T-3GD5 DirectCU II

R7 280 got a extra GB of VRAM over the >$264 760 however the 760 got a slightly higher Core clock speed (Fastest R9 280 is 950MHz, Slowest 760 is 2 at 980 MHz, the rest are 1GHz+)

if brand name don't matter, there's a HIS H280QC3G2M IceQ OC (R9 280) for $190

Edited by Lord Letto, 11 June 2014 - 07:42 AM.

[Bullseye69]

Here is what newegg has in the readeon r9 270X to r9 280 line follow the link.


http://www.newegg.co...deon%20R9%20280

As far as the HIS company have owned one of those card ran for many years was 3870 changed it out about 6months after the HD 7770 came out. I would have no problem buying that since it a rebrand of the 7950 and that was and still is a decent card.


Here the link.

http://www.amazon.co...8&condition=new

[Odins Fist]

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130945

If it takes a week to save $40.00 to get it, then save a week longer..

Saving $40.00 and getting something (right now) that you don't really want, makes no sense.

Edited by Odins Fist, 11 June 2014 - 03:24 PM.

[Catamount]

Indeed, Letto, that's one hell of a price jump.

It doesnt' matter too much though, the 280x is still the best deal by far. There are plenty of others in the $250-$260 range (give or take)

http://pcpartpicker..../#c=148&sort=a8

Personally I'd get the XFX model, here. If that goes off sale, another will pop up to replace it.

(GTX 770s have droped to $290, but that's still more, and with less VRAM as those are only 2GB models. PNY does have 4GB model for $310, fwiw though, maybe worth considering)

Edited by Catamount, 11 June 2014 - 04:40 PM.

[Smokeyjedi]

Odins Fist, on 11 June 2014 - 03:22 PM, said:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130945

If it takes a week to save $40.00 to get it, then save a week longer..

Saving $40.00 and getting something (right now) that you don't really want, makes no sense.

^ THIS^ I would go no less than a very very OC able GTX 760 2gb. Which may be able to reach stock reference 770's but is one day going to feel the 2 GB limit. 3+GB will allow for triple screens or 1200P+ resolutions....

[Goose]

Golrar, on 09 June 2014 - 07:20 PM, said:

Well, I have had my eye on that Thor 2 (http://www.newegg.co...7-053-_-Product), but it is a beast and don't know if I can fit it with my desk without using the power saw. I need a bigger case anyway, so let's just take that part out of there, shall we? No size restrictions.

I don't think you need a new case: http://www.tomshardw...ision,2723.html

[NRP]

The game is CPU bound, so if you don't have a top of the line Intel CPU, a GPU upgrade won't bring you the FPS jump you're looking for. If you really need a GPU anyway, get the fastest one you can afford. But otherwise, I'd recommend a CPU upgrade instead.

[lostcause]

Im using the msi version of the gtx 660ti with an old 2600k cpu and on dx11 the game runs fine no fx lag nothing. i know gudget and all but you might have been better of put the extra to it and gone with the 660ti instead of the 650ti its basicly a 670 with a lower memory bus its also a beast when overclocked even with stock fans and you wouldnt be looking at getting a new card right now plus the msi cards run quite cool,but thats just my prefernce You go with what you feel is best for what you want out of your machine.

[FORGE88]

i use EVGA GTX TITAN SC and i get 150-160 fps ingame. i suggest something like that.

[Diablobo]

FORGE88, on 11 June 2014 - 06:18 PM, said:

i use EVGA GTX TITAN SC and i get 150-160 fps ingame. i suggest something like that.

LMAO!! That costs more than my entire computer.

[Smokeyjedi]

FORGE88, on 11 June 2014 - 06:18 PM, said:

i use EVGA GTX TITAN SC and i get 150-160 fps ingame. i suggest something like that.

What CPU@what clockspeed?

[Golrar]

The current GPU was an emergency buy as my Radeon 5670HD went kaput.

I am leaning toward the R9 280X. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150690

After Goose's link, I don't really need the new case right now so I can budget more to the GPU. I'll just deal with my ugly top plate i had to drill for the 240mm radiator. Nobody is ever going to see it anyway.

[p8ragon]

FORGE88, on 11 June 2014 - 06:18 PM, said:

i use EVGA GTX TITAN SC and i get 150-160 fps ingame. i suggest something like that.

Please learn to read before you whip out your e-peen.
As to the OP's request, I also suggest the 280x/gtx 770. i THINK the 770 is slightly faster but it's also more expensive.

if you come upon a 7970/7970ghz those are essentially the same GPU as the 280x (rebranded)

Edited by p8ragon, 13 June 2014 - 02:38 PM.

[Golrar]

Just an update. Haven't dropped the coin on a card yet, but still reading a lot. I have heard some grumbling about reliability on the R9 280x. A lot of people are saying these cards are becoming hit or miss with artifacting. I am currently now more engaged with the GTX 770. Price is just about right as well since I don't need a case right now. Below is what I am considering the most due to the $20 rebate. I could care less about Watchdogs.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130946

Edited by Golrar, 19 June 2014 - 05:57 PM.

[Stephen Hawking]

If you do decide on a new case, check out Corsair's new budget entries.

http://www.newegg.co...9-041-_-Product

You'll be happy with the 770. Always opt to save for another week or two to get something you really want, rather than cave due to impatience. Trust me.

[Golrar]

I actually put the GTX770 on price alerts so if it drops to $299.

I really like Corsair cases. I love this one, but would like it black so I can see my ASUS TUF stickers:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811139010