Worth picking up a R9 280x?

So my system will be 4 years old this month and the only upgrade I've done in that time is going from 4GB to 8GB of memory. I've been thinking about upgrading my graphics card for a while now, I currently have a HD 5850 and I'm looking at picking up one of these R9 280x (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/3gb-m...048-streams-hd) over the holidays or in the new year, it seems to fit the bill pretty well for what I'm after, top end of my price range, I think it'll be ok in my current system/my PSU should be ok with it (current specs below to make sure), etc. My worry is, is it worth getting though? Most of the reading I've done on it points out how it's basically a cheaper, rebranded 7970 GE, so is it worth picking up what's really an "older" card, or waiting/looking for something newer?

Current system:
MB: MSI P55 - GD65
CPU: Intel i7 860 OC'd to 3.8
GPU: 1GB HD 5850
PSU: 650w Corsair HX series
RAM: 8GB (4x2GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
OS: Win 7 64bit
Plus a 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD

Thanks for any input.

You won't be seeing anything significantly 'newer' (apart from the 290) for a while, so if you need a graphics card the 280X is a pretty nice blend of performance and value. If you want to splash out on something more premium, wait for the 290 release.

Despite being rebranded, it's still a very solid card. Almost every card in this cycle is rebranded with the exception of the top tier cards, the 290/290x and the upcoming 780Ti. So no point waiting as it will be only more expensive cards on the horizon and a refresh won't be coming quite so soon after this one.

It is a very good upgrade over your current card (in performance) and I wouldn't worry about the age as it is still solid technology.

If you can, try grabbing a 7970 as they currently still should be shipping with the 3 free games which puts them at better value.

There are supposed to be revised 280x's later in the year, with better efficiency and maybe better overclocking headroom.

IMO I'd try to find a cheap 7970 and run that over a 280x.

Get a nice 7970 - you'll get the same performance but cheaper. You can get some really good deals on 7970s at the moment - take a look on Scan's Today Only page: http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/index.aspx

My only problem with looking at picking up a 7970 are the power requirements compared to the 280x. Looking at the XFX 7970 Scan have on offer today (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/3gb-x...roductId=52445) and the review for it, compared to the 280x it draws a bit more power, and I'm not sure how my 650w Corsair HX series PSU will handle it after reading the Sapphire 280x's require a 750w PSU.

650w is more than plenty to run a 7970. In fact it's probably the optimal power supply. I'd make sure you get a half decent cooler - look up some reviews on each one first.

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Originally Posted by Ragamuffin86

My only problem with looking at picking up a 7970 are the power requirements compared to the 280x. Looking at the XFX 7970 Scan have on offer today (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/3gb-x...roductId=52445) and the review for it, compared to the 280x it draws a bit more power, and I'm not sure how my 650w Corsair HX series PSU will handle it after reading the Sapphire 280x's require a 750w PSU.

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It doesn't require a 750W PSU. That's just to cover themselves from people using terrible brand PSUs that can't safely provide half the rated wattage. Look at the whole system power draw figures from the reviews - Hexus measured 275W at the mains for the XFX 7970 DD edition. If that's a 87% efficient power supply then for max draw while playing Crysis 3 you only need a power supply to provide 240W for a similar system that hexus used. Even if you double that to take account of differences and OCing etc. that's still more than comfortably covered by a 500W supply.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

It doesn't require a 750W PSU. That's just to cover themselves from people using terrible brand PSUs that can't safely provide half the rated wattage. Look at the whole system power draw figures from the reviews - Hexus measured 275W at the mains for the XFX 7970 DD edition. If that's a 87% efficient power supply then for max draw while playing Crysis 3 you only need a power supply to provide 240W for a similar system that hexus used. Even if you double that to take account of differences and OCing etc. that's still more than comfortably covered by a 500W supply.

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I am like confused which to take, whether the Sapphire version or MSI or Gigabyte and I have a 500W PSU so which should I take ? (Also using a FX-4100 will upgrade after new GPU)

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Originally Posted by abychristy

I am like confused which to take, whether the Sapphire version or MSI or Gigabyte and I have a 500W PSU so which should I take ? (Also using a FX-4100 will upgrade after new GPU)

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If you have a good quality 500W PSU then it doesn't matter which 7970 you buy. Check you have the right connectors though (although a retail GPU should come with an adaptor if needed) - some oc'd cards now have 2x8pin power connectors.

I have an i7 920 OC'd to 3.8 and just upgraded from a HD5850 to a 7970 and am happy. I can run BF4 on Ultra no problem and they are currently being sold off at good prices to shift stock for the R9 series. Keep an eye on the Today only section on Scan -I got an ASUS Matrix plat for 240 -it varies between 240 and 255 on TO so keep watching and you can get a good deal, plus 3 free games.

Why not go for the R9 290? The cheapest model is only about £20 more than the Asus Matrix version, and the 290 has identical performance to its older brother, the 290X.

i'd buy it. but then again Nvidias Holiday bundle has me :drool: