New GPU on a budget

[Jimmy2k9]

So I've been out of the loop for a while, last time I paid any attention to hardware the 660ti had just launched (when I bought mine). I sold my 660ti a couple months later when I got behind on bills, after catching back up, I bought two 7700's off a buddy that I currently run in xfire.

I'm now once again interested in PC gaming, problem is I'm not satisfied with my current GPU's. I've been trying to catch up, reading about the latest offerings from nvidia and amd. I'm have a little extra holiday money at the moment (not much, about $300) and was wondering what you guys would suggest in that price range.

Games I currently play include Chivalry, BF3/4, WoW, LoL, Skyrim, Arma 3 and a few others.

I was looking at the r9 270x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131529 as it has a nice price, or would the jump up to the 280x be worth the extra $100? How does Nvidia compare at this price point? I was looking at GTX770's but they seem to vary greatly in price, not sure why some 770's are so much more than others?

 

[DarkOCean]

270x is just a rebranded, more expensive 7870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

From nv http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121707

 

[AlienIsGOD]

270x is just a rebranded, more expensive 7870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

From nv http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121707

yes but with 6000mhz ddr5 instead of a 7870s 4800mhz

 

[Jimmy2k9]

270x is just a rebranded, more expensive 7870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

From nv http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121707

Interesting... I could go to $300 or slightly higher (350ish) if the performance gained is large enough.

 

[newtekie1]

I think the 770 is probably one of the best options right now in that price range. However, the one thing that might become an issue down the road is the 2GB of memory. So if you do go with a 770, I'd definitely go with a 4GB version. It will probably put them slightly past the $350 point, but it will be worth it down the line.

The 670 is also a beastly card, basically a 770 but with about 12% less shaders, but that really only amounts to about a 10% performance hit. Again, the 2GB memory size might become an issue though.

This card might be a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130983

Yes, it is refurbished, but eVGA gives a year warranty on their refurbished cards now, so it isn't as big of a worry. Plus this particular card is based on the GTX680 PCB, so it should overclock pretty well.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

I think the 770 is probably one of the best options right now in that price range. However, the one thing that might become an issue down the road is the 2GB of memory. So if you do go with a 770, I'd definitely go with a 4GB version. It will probably put them slightly past the $350 point, but it will be worth it down the line.

The 670 is also a beastly card, basically a 770 but with about 12% less shaders, but that really only amounts to about a 10% performance hit. Again, the 2GB memory size might become an issue though.

This card might be a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130983

Yes, it is refurbished, but eVGA gives a year warranty on their refurbished cards now, so it isn't as big of a worry. Plus this particular card is based on the GTX680 PCB, so it should overclock pretty well.

Only thing about those 670's is I'm weird about buying older tech, granted it isn't that old, I'm just weird. Like even if I buy the newest of the new, it seems like it so quickly becomes "old", so buying something with some age to it would only make that happen even faster, if that makes sense? lol.

I may just bite the bullet and take some flack from the wife, go with something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127747. If I sell my two 7770's that could take some of the sting off the price...

Decisions, decisions...

 

[DarkOCean]

yes but with 6000mhz ddr5 instead of a 7870s 4800mhz

I haven't seen yet a 7870 that cannot reach and surpass those clocks; and btw is 5600 not 6000.

Interesting... I could go to $300 or slightly higher (350ish) if the performance gained is large enough.

290 non x ? ...is $400 , from what I've seen is as fast as crossfired 270x's.

 

[newtekie1]

Only thing about those 670's is I'm weird about buying older tech, granted it isn't that old, I'm just weird. Like even if I buy the newest of the new, it seems like it so quickly becomes "old", so buying something with some age to it would only make that happen even faster, if that makes sense? lol.

I may just bite the bullet and take some flack from the wife, go with something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127747. If I sell my two 7770's that could take some of the sting off the price...

Decisions, decisions...

The GTX670 and GTX770 are based on the same GPU. Both cards are GK104 based, the GTX770 just has an extra 192 shaders enabled. Tech wise, the GTX770 is just as old as the GTX670.

 

[MadMan007]

In terms of the chip, yes, but NVidia does segment them by added features which may or may not matter to a particular person, for example the game stream encoding capabilities.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

What about the r9 280x, how does it compare at the $300 price point?

 

[newtekie1]

In terms of the chip, yes, but NVidia does segment them by added features which may or may not matter to a particular person, for example the game stream encoding capabilities.

If you're talking about Shadowplay, both the GTX670 and GTX770 support that. The only thing extra the GTX770 supports is GPUBoost2.0, but that doesn't really make much of a difference if you are overclocking the card yourself.

What about the r9 280x, how does it compare at the $300 price point?

About the same performance as a GTX770, and about 10% better than a GTX670.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

About the same performance as a GTX770, and about 10% better than a GTX670.

The R9 280x being $100 cheaper than the 770, seems to me its a much better value? lol, I'm confused.

Am I missing something, or is the R9 280x the best bang for the buck at $300 bucks?

 

[buildzoid]

The R9 280x being $100 cheaper than the 770, seems to me its a much better value? lol, I'm confused.

Am I missing something, or is the R9 280x the best bang for the buck at $300 bucks?

you aren't missing anything the R9 280X is a rebranded HD 7970 at lower price where a GTX770 is a rebranded GTX 680. The R9 280X is the biggest bang for buck. But if you are considering a GTX 770 then you'd be better of getting an R9 290 for the same price because it's just a bit behind the GTX TITAN in terms of performance.

 

[newtekie1]

I'm not quite sure where you're getting that GTX770s are $100 more than a 280X. The cheapest GTX770 right now is $10 cheaper than the cheapest 280X on newegg, its $25 cheaper if you include the $15 MIR as well.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

you aren't missing anything the R9 280X is a rebranded HD 7970 at lower price where a GTX770 is a rebranded GTX 680. The R9 280X is the biggest bang for buck. But if you are considering a GTX 770 then you'd be better of getting an R9 290 for the same price because it's just a bit behind the GTX TITAN in terms of performance.

While I could technically afford a more expensive card, I would be much more comfortable staying close to my $300 price point as possible the more I think about it. My wallet is taking a pretty heavy hit already with my daughters birthday coming up the day before Christmas, plus I'm sure the wife wants something too lol.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

I'm not quite sure where you're getting that GTX770s are $100 more than a 280X. The cheapest GTX770 right now is $10 cheaper than the cheapest 280X on newegg, its $25 cheaper if you include the $15 MIR as well.

Talking about the 4gb 770's, as I decided somewhere in this thread I wanted more than the 2gb version, the 280x being a 3gb card. Sorry if I'm being confusing, I'm not the most tech savvy member of these forums, plus its late and I've been reading way to many reviews/watching to many videos on GPU's.

 

[buildzoid]

If you want a 4GB card go with the R9 290 because that's 20-30% faster than a GTX 770 and cost the same.

 

[RCoon]

Talking about the 4gb 770's, as I decided somewhere in this thread I wanted more than the 2gb version, the 280x being a 3gb card. Sorry if I'm being confusing, I'm not the most tech savvy member of these forums, plus its late and I've been reading way to many reviews/watching to many videos on GPU's.

Don't screw around beating around the bush with your choices because of money. Stick to your $300 budget and just get the best card available. 2GB is OK now but isn't going to cut it soon enough, that means you either want 3 or 4GB. As the 4GB solutions are too costly, just get a 3GB card from AMD, ergo buy the damn 280X and then your budget wont get it's balls busted.

You say you can stretch to $350, but don't bother. This season is a bitch, don't sell yourself short, stick to your original budget. 280X is a very capable card by all means, and you won't be disappointed. I think a few people in this thread could maybe learn a thing or two about what the word budget means.

 

[lowrider_05]

The R9 280X is the best Value option for your Budget.

 

[newtekie1]

Talking about the 4gb 770's, as I decided somewhere in this thread I wanted more than the 2gb version, the 280x being a 3gb card. Sorry if I'm being confusing, I'm not the most tech savvy member of these forums, plus its late and I've been reading way to many reviews/watching to many videos on GPU's.

Oh, yeah if you want more than 2GB then the 280X is the way to go for your budget.

 

[alwayssts]

While I certainly agree that budgets are important things to stick to, it's a really tough call to make at the moment in giving a recommendation. amd has purposely gamed the market for the big-time up-sell.

I think many, many, people with around your old (660ti/7870) level of performance and budget (myself included) are having this internal debate crossed with the external realization that money for a video card is indeed not the most important expense in their lives.

This is because while a 7870/660ti/270x (overclocked) will usually 'just' net you 30fps-60 mins or avgs (playable) in 1080p with generally high settings (ie similar to slightly better than a new console), and 'good-enough' for an average joe, it's price (if you figure 270x is replacing 7870) has been stagnant for a long time, which decreases it's appeal (granted the 7870 prices are a steal if you're comfy with that reality). The 7970 (280x) used to be a price-inflated performance grail for a budget-oriented fellow, and while it's higher-end longevity is not going to be what it was two years on, the new price is a smaller mental hurdle for some reassurance you can get that same level of performance for some time to come without resorting to lots of ramen meals or even overclocking if you don't want (although in some games that will help cross thresholds of playability). It sits firmly in the best 'stock' buy....no muss, no fuss, good gaming.

Then there is the 800lb gorilla with the wrench firmly stuck in the cog.

The 290 not only delivers what was until recently a highly-overpriced level of performance for a very realistic and justifiable price (which rarely happens in that segment), but has the added tangle benefits of (stock-to-overclocked) giving you 60fps minimums in games maxed out (or scaled up levels of aa, resolution, or even 120-240hz depending on game). I would suggest looking at wiz' review for those numbers and their relation to those thresholds. That is a huge deal for lots of geeky reasons (60fps v-sync is a beautiful thing). Also, when compared relatively to the jump from a 280x, the percentage more $ is obviously lower.

The fact of the matter is a 280x is going to be what most people want/need, but in the world of good, better, best, amd has made a hell of a case for best...even though there really is no bad option at this time. They have an excellent line-up that coincides with playable settings across the board for 1080p, justifiable across each market. You simply can't make a bad choice...just be comfortable with what it will give you.

 

[TheGoat Eater]

That 770 Gaming card that you linked to would definitely be a great choice. 770s are great bang for the buck, I tested that one's big brother - the 770 Lightning. At standard 770 speeds it tore through all my games with ease, and that one will be able to OC a ways while staying cool ( those coolers are amazing)

 

[Crap Daddy]

Both the 770 and the 280x are old tech, one is an overclocked gtx680 and the other is the former 7970GE. 2GB on the 770 is just fine if you stick with 1080p but nobody can guarantee to you it will be enough in 2 years time on particular games. If you are fine with AMD, the 280x seems a better choice. But remember that, maybe more than ever, games seem to be optimized either for NV or AMD. For example if you play BF4 AMD is the way to go.

 

[Jimmy2k9]

I appreciate all the responses, I've decided to get the R9 280x, only problem is I don't get paid till dec 3rd and newegg is all sold out? lol... Everywhere else seems to charge to much.

 

[Aithos]

I would look at an EVGA 770 4gb card, it might stretch your budget a little but it's very powerful and you'll get the better software and drivers. I'm personally pretty excited about streaming through Shadowplay as soon as they enable it (currently you can record gameplay but not stream).