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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Badwrench on Tue, 01 March 2016, 19:54:50

Title: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out? (Solved)
Post by: Badwrench on Tue, 01 March 2016, 19:54:50: I have really been wanting to upgrade my current gpu (R9 280X), but am having a hard time pulling the trigger. I finally have about $300 saved, but now it is getting close to the next generation. 970 is still performing well and R9 390 is just updated 290, so the question is, do I go with one of these or wait to see what comes out next? My current gpu is running fine for the games I play (Diablo, Borderlands, Witcher 3) @ 1440p with high/ultra settings, so I don't really need to upgrade. I just want to be able to turn up some AA and get my physX back in Borderlands.

Edit: Solved
Picked up a 970 for $200 on CL. Card looked brand new. I installed it this morning and did a clean sweep of all the Radeon drivers, and install the newest Nvidia driver. Quick restart and I was up and running. Card runs great. I ran it through my normal array of benches to confirm functionality and to monitor the temps and usage. Followed up with an hour of Fallout 4 and all is good. :thumb:
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: whmeltonjr on Tue, 01 March 2016, 19:56:22: Out of those two I would get the 390. The extra vram is nice for higher resolution.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: hkf on Tue, 01 March 2016, 20:00:32: Wait, pascal will obliterate current cards $/performance.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 01 March 2016, 20:01:19: at this point.. wait..
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 01 March 2016, 20:01:46: Wait for it. I'm still doing more than fine with my 7950. The "upgrades" available are only worth it if you're in it for the power savings and slightly lower temps.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 01 March 2016, 20:24:08: I snagged duel 970s last black friday and like them for gaming, but they really cause a ton of screen tearing during browser media playback for some unknown reason. I RMA'd both, tried every fix under the sun related to the issue, and now just live with Netflix looking like it's gone through a paper shredder. Does it in all my browsers, when I switch out the card for a non-970 it goes away, when I put my card into my friends rig it caused tearing as well with both cards. But for gaming they are pretty much the best bang for your buck since the price jump to the 980 is stupidly large.

For reference I paid $260 each for both cards, about as low as I've seen them give or take $20
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: chroness on Tue, 01 March 2016, 20:31:14: At this point, I would wait. Newer is always better (hence empty wallets)
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Jokrik on Wed, 02 March 2016, 16:15:24: I would definitely wait, that since I see you have no urge to upgrade and just wanna step the games up a bit

or even snug a deal along the wait
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19: For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: xJudas on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:27:24: Quote from: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19
For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).

I've been waiting for new stuff to come out and 970/980 prices to come down as well. I've got a GTX660, which for whatever reason runs most stuff on high, some on ultra. Still trying to tell myself the upgrade will be worth it.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: cmadrid on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:45:47: Definitely wait for the new stuff, it shouldn't be very long now
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Geroximo on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:53:06: I bought a R9 390 some months ago, because I needed it to run Triple monitors.
So waiting was not an option. The 390 is a great card and outperforms the gtx 970.
But if you don't absolutly need it, wait.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Waateva on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:56:02: The performance difference between the 280X and the 970/390 isn't enough to justify dropping $300+ on a new video card, at least to me. I would definitely wait it out at least one more generation, maybe even two if you aren't having any problems running stuff.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:29:35: Quote from: xJudas on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:27:24
Quote from: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19
For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).

I've been waiting for new stuff to come out and 970/980 prices to come down as well. I've got a GTX660, which for whatever reason runs most stuff on high, some on ultra. Still trying to tell myself the upgrade will be worth it.

I had a 660Ti before this card. Decent upgrade, especially @1440p, but not huge. Only reason I am on the R9 280X is that Sent gifted it to me. I think I will just wait it out and see what the next generation puts out. I am hoping for more ITX options, as I really want to go into a smaller case than my 250D. The current card (Asus DCII Top) leaves nearly a cm of space to the front and top of the case (pci cables are bent at a hard 90 deg. and push against the roof). The main reason I wanted the 970 was to go with one of the smaller cards (Asus ITX, Gigabyte ITX, Zotac, or Galax OC ITX), and go into a truly small case. My current plan is to now wait it out, and see if the new stuff is smaller, or if too expensive, hopefully the 980/980Ti drops a bit and just keep my current case, but with a much smaller and more power efficient card.

(http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1899415/width/350/height/700/flags/LL)
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:43:52: Quote from: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:29:35
Quote from: xJudas on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:27:24
Quote from: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19
For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).

I've been waiting for new stuff to come out and 970/980 prices to come down as well. I've got a GTX660, which for whatever reason runs most stuff on high, some on ultra. Still trying to tell myself the upgrade will be worth it.

I had a 660Ti before this card. Decent upgrade, especially @1440p, but not huge. Only reason I am on the R9 280X is that Sent gifted it to me. I think I will just wait it out and see what the next generation puts out. I am hoping for more ITX options, as I really want to go into a smaller case than my 250D. The current card (Asus DCII Top) leaves nearly a cm of space to the front and top of the case (pci cables are bent at a hard 90 deg. and push against the roof). The main reason I wanted the 970 was to go with one of the smaller cards (Asus ITX, Gigabyte ITX, Zotac, or Galax OC ITX), and go into a truly small case. My current plan is to now wait it out, and see if the new stuff is smaller, or if too expensive, hopefully the 980/980Ti drops a bit and just keep my current case, but with a much smaller and more power efficient card.

Show Image
(http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1899415/width/350/height/700/flags/LL)

what naughty thing did you agree to for a 280x gift.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:45:15: Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:43:52
Quote from: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:29:35
Quote from: xJudas on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:27:24
Quote from: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19
For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).

I've been waiting for new stuff to come out and 970/980 prices to come down as well. I've got a GTX660, which for whatever reason runs most stuff on high, some on ultra. Still trying to tell myself the upgrade will be worth it.

I had a 660Ti before this card. Decent upgrade, especially @1440p, but not huge. Only reason I am on the R9 280X is that Sent gifted it to me. I think I will just wait it out and see what the next generation puts out. I am hoping for more ITX options, as I really want to go into a smaller case than my 250D. The current card (Asus DCII Top) leaves nearly a cm of space to the front and top of the case (pci cables are bent at a hard 90 deg. and push against the roof). The main reason I wanted the 970 was to go with one of the smaller cards (Asus ITX, Gigabyte ITX, Zotac, or Galax OC ITX), and go into a truly small case. My current plan is to now wait it out, and see if the new stuff is smaller, or if too expensive, hopefully the 980/980Ti drops a bit and just keep my current case, but with a much smaller and more power efficient card.

Show Image
(http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1899415/width/350/height/700/flags/LL)

what naughty thing did you agree to for a 280x gift.

Nothing, Sent is just awesome :thumb:
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 02 March 2016, 20:23:06: Quote from: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:45:15
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:43:52
Quote from: Badwrench on Wed, 02 March 2016, 19:29:35
Quote from: xJudas on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:27:24
Quote from: swagpiratex on Wed, 02 March 2016, 18:10:19
For the reasons you listed, I'd just wait for the newer cards to come out, and pick up a 980Ti after the price drops.

I only play FFXIV in 1920 x 1200, so my 7970 from 3 years ago still pumps out 60 fps at 1155/1600 undervolted. (sounds like a jet engine after overclocking, but I just wear headphones and deal with it).

I've been waiting for new stuff to come out and 970/980 prices to come down as well. I've got a GTX660, which for whatever reason runs most stuff on high, some on ultra. Still trying to tell myself the upgrade will be worth it.

I had a 660Ti before this card. Decent upgrade, especially @1440p, but not huge. Only reason I am on the R9 280X is that Sent gifted it to me. I think I will just wait it out and see what the next generation puts out. I am hoping for more ITX options, as I really want to go into a smaller case than my 250D. The current card (Asus DCII Top) leaves nearly a cm of space to the front and top of the case (pci cables are bent at a hard 90 deg. and push against the roof). The main reason I wanted the 970 was to go with one of the smaller cards (Asus ITX, Gigabyte ITX, Zotac, or Galax OC ITX), and go into a truly small case. My current plan is to now wait it out, and see if the new stuff is smaller, or if too expensive, hopefully the 980/980Ti drops a bit and just keep my current case, but with a much smaller and more power efficient card.

Show Image
(http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1899415/width/350/height/700/flags/LL)

what naughty thing did you agree to for a 280x gift.

Nothing, Sent is just awesome :thumb:

Tp4 = suspicious
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: xJudas on Wed, 09 March 2016, 21:43:13: My graphics card died today :-[ Who knows any good deals on a 970?
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: toxicdrift on Wed, 09 March 2016, 21:45:02: 390x for the price right now, if not wait.. do not i repeat do not spend on a 980ti right now, pascal should launch soon.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Waateva on Wed, 09 March 2016, 23:00:59: Quote from: toxicdrift on Wed, 09 March 2016, 21:45:02
390x for the price right now, if not wait.. do not i repeat do not spend on a 980ti right now, pascal should launch soon.

Price difference between the 390 and 390X isn't worth the slight performance gain IMO
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: toxicdrift on Wed, 09 March 2016, 23:20:03: True, the 390 /390x both r great bang for the buck on par with the 970 and cheaper
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: xJudas on Fri, 11 March 2016, 10:09:53: Yay, it's under warranty. Now I can keep using my crap 660 while I wait for prices to drop. :))
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: tullyvivi on Sun, 13 March 2016, 13:00:23: I would wait for a bit longer unless there is some game you want to play really bad right now.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Badwrench on Wed, 23 March 2016, 21:45:42: Well, found a killer deal and went for it. Local comp. business shutting down and had a few display 970s for $200 ea. Got the last one. Card only has a couple hours of light use and looks brand new.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160324/71614c073f7653bc76224879ffa78218.jpg)
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Waateva on Wed, 23 March 2016, 21:47:28: Quote from: Badwrench on Wed, 23 March 2016, 21:45:42
Well, found a killer deal and went for it. Local comp. business shutting down and had a few display 970s for $200 ea. Got the last one. Card only has a couple hours of light use and looks brand new.
Show Image
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160324/71614c073f7653bc76224879ffa78218.jpg)

Wow, great deal! If I could have snagged a 970 for $200 I would've bought one too
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:30:05: This thread is killing me. I have a OC tri-x 290 and am debating between a new graphics card or a new tattoo..
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:31:46: Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:30:05
This thread is killing me. I have a OC tri-x 290 and am debating between a new graphics card or a new tattoo..

Tattoo, I have the Tri-X 290X and it runs everything I throw at it so I imagine your's pretty much does as well.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: metalliqaz on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:32:58: If you have a 970 it seems like the best action is to wait for the next generation. Either you can get one of the newer boards or you can get one of the many GTX 980-Ti that will go on ebay for cheaps as everyone upgrades.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:39:45: Quote from: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:31:46
Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:30:05
This thread is killing me. I have a OC tri-x 290 and am debating between a new graphics card or a new tattoo..

Tattoo, I have the Tri-X 290X and it runs everything I throw at it so I imagine your's pretty much does as well.

What do you play? My latest is the new tomb raider and I have to lower a good number of settings I normally don't to get a stable 60 fps.
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:44:17: Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:39:45
Quote from: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:31:46
Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:30:05
This thread is killing me. I have a OC tri-x 290 and am debating between a new graphics card or a new tattoo..

Tattoo, I have the Tri-X 290X and it runs everything I throw at it so I imagine your's pretty much does as well.

What do you play? My latest is the new tomb raider and I have to lower a good number of settings I normally don't to get a stable 60 fps.

I play GTAV and Shadows of Mordor maxed except for AA at 8x but I haven't tried the new Tomb Raider
Title: Re: GTX 970, R9 390, or wait it out?
Post by: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:56:27: Quote from: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:44:17
Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:39:45
Quote from: Waateva on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:31:46
Quote from: Kompanion on Thu, 24 March 2016, 20:30:05
This thread is killing me. I have a OC tri-x 290 and am debating between a new graphics card or a new tattoo..

Tattoo, I have the Tri-X 290X and it runs everything I throw at it so I imagine your's pretty much does as well.

What do you play? My latest is the new tomb raider and I have to lower a good number of settings I normally don't to get a stable 60 fps.

I play GTAV and Shadows of Mordor maxed except for AA at 8x but I haven't tried the new Tomb Raider

Maybe it's the game? I was expecting if I turned off hairworks and shadow quality I would be good, but I still struggle to maintain 60 FPS. I'm usually usually averaging around 40-55 FPS. I'm sitting on HBAO+ so I'm not sure what else I can do. I've tweeked a lot over setting but nothing really helps..