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Thread: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

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    Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Hi there,

    I'm planning on building a new gaming rig shortly as my current one is getting a little outdated and nothing has changed hardware wise in 4 years.

    I think overall I'm looking to spend around £1000, only thing holding up the process is picking a GPU. Pretty much decided on a 4670k and just need to find the final Mobo, RAM and PSU I want.

    So the options I'm trying to choose from for GPU at the moment are (I've specifically targetted the Gigabyte Windforce versions of these, as I've read that the coolers are quite a bit better than stock and I know that they have decent Customer Service if it comes to an RMA):

    280X or 770 - £230 and £250 respectively (think I'd call these even as AMD is giving 3 games which I already have most of, whilst Novatech product comes with Watch Dogs which I don't yet own)
    290 - £320
    290X or 780 - £390 and £380 respectively

    (all above prices found on Novatech as this is where I've found the Gigabyte versions cheapest so far)

    My thoughts are that the 280X tier may not be powerful enough and might become outdated (plan to keep this build for a while) - have considered Crossfire if this happens but I've heard that the heat might be too much.
    Also I feel that the 290X tier, whilst it could be worked into my budget, is a little too expensive.

    So I think the question is - is the £70-90 premium worth it for the performance gained from a 290, and is there much difference between the 280X and 770?

    I've had a look around - 770 seems lighter on the power and heat, so might be quieter as there's less cooling required (my current 5850 is very loud and I'd like this build to be fairly quiet).

    Thanks in advance for the help - also if anyone knows of any good deals on UK products or somewhere with lower prices that I've missed, that'd be appreciated.
    Last edited by Vykall; 08-06-2014 at 08:40 AM.

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    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    The GTX770 not massively lower on power consumption,if you look at card measurements,and is basically an overclocked GTX680. The R9 280X is basically a slightly underclocked HD7970GE with a fancier Turbo implementation.

    TBH,I would look at one of the R9 290 cards if you can afford it,although the R9 280X and GTX770 should be fine at 1920X1080 TBH.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    I'd say a 770 or a 280X would be more than enough if you're not aiming higher than 1080p. Plus, as you mentioned, in the future you could potentially add another one and the result would be far superior to a single 290X/780 (or even a 780 Ti). You'd probably need to plan ahead and get an 850W PSU though in that case.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Going to be using either 1920x1080 or 1920x1200, once I upgrade my monitor from the current 1680x1050 one (shortly after building) - so atm I'm leaning towards the 280x.

    There's potential for 2 cards in Crossfire down the line, just concerned about the Windforce coolers as from what I've seen there can be issues with high temps in Crossfire - though I believe this is solved via a case with good airflow, specifically side exhaust fan(s).

    850W PSU shouldn't be an issue within budget. Would this definitely be needed over a 750W for dual 280X?

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    I bought a Windforce 290 a couple of months ago, & ended up sending it back because if was actually a bit too noisy for me. The noise of the fans changed in pitch quite a lot depending on the GPU load, & even when I set the fan speed in software, I couldn't eradicate the noise completely. I went back to my Asus 670 in the end (DirectCUII). The Windforce 290 is quite a long card, so you need to be a bit careful about the case you choose. If I were to try another 290, I'd either go for the Asus DirectCU, or the Sapphire Vapor X OC.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Decided to go with a 770, since its better value than the 280X considering I'd like Watch Dogs that comes with it. Will get a 750W PSU and SLI another 770 sometime in the future.

    Thanks for the help!

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Personally I think the R9 280X will have a longer lifespan as time progresses,but thats my opinion OFC. I would never pay more for a GTX770 and remember its easy to ditch the games with the R9 280X on Ebay and get the game you want.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Well I haven't yet ordered the GPU, got most of the other components as they were cheapest on Amazon so got free delivery, whilst GPU had a delivery charge so want to make sure I don't need anything else from the same place.

    Although the 770 is £20 more than the 280X, the R9 offer gives me 3 games that were all released a while ago, so probably only go for ~£5 each. Watch Dogs is a recent release so still a £45 game. Then again if WD wasn't in this deal I likely wouldn't buy it for a few months and grab it at a sale price so the deal isn't really worth £45 to me - got plenty of unfinished games to play through already. On the fence again...

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Watch Dogs Nvidia gamecodes are going for around £20 on Ebay.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Watch Dogs Nvidia gamecodes are going for around £20 on Ebay.
    Great shout, didn't think about looking for those on ebay, since its such a new game. That puts the 280X cheaper than the 770 as I can save £20, buy WD and I'm even, with the 280X games still left to sell on ebay.

    I was originally leaning towards the 280X due to 3GB memory - apparently this is better for higher resolutions or multi-monitor, if I ever do either. Regarding multi-monitor - does having 2 or 3 monitors but only gaming on one (using others for other things in the background) have any effect on the game's performance?

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    In the past high VRAM has only been used for high resolutions / multi-monitor.....but that is changing rapidly.
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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Quote Originally Posted by Vykall View Post
    Great shout, didn't think about looking for those on ebay, since its such a new game. That puts the 280X cheaper than the 770 as I can save £20, buy WD and I'm even, with the 280X games still left to sell on ebay.

    I was originally leaning towards the 280X due to 3GB memory - apparently this is better for higher resolutions or multi-monitor, if I ever do either. Regarding multi-monitor - does having 2 or 3 monitors but only gaming on one (using others for other things in the background) have any effect on the game's performance?
    Generally to game on one monitor you have two choices; in fullscreen the other monitors are normally blanked, or you run the game in windowed mode on your chosen monitor. The latter can have an impact on performance, with some games worse than others, but it generally isn't much AFAIK.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    Generally to game on one monitor you have two choices; in fullscreen the other monitors are normally blanked,
    I dont have that on mine

    I have 2 x 1680x1050's and when gaming one is gaming and the other carries on doing what it was doing.. so running CPU clock speed moitor or email page or whatever

    granted.. I cant GET to the software running as the game TENDS to hold the mouse in the gaming monitor.. but it does carry on

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-TRI...dp/B00HFA44YQ/

    How does this version of the 290 perform? Looked at a few reviews and seems relatively cool and quiet. Looks like a good price to me, much more willing to pay that than the £320 for the Gigabyte WF 290 - just not had any experience with Sapphire but hear they are reliable.

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    Only issue would be it will be orange on a red motherboard!

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    Re: Choosing a GPU for new Gaming Build

    I just brought a MSI 280X on ebay that is only 3 months old.

    Alot on ebay for around £150 - some are used for mining, but some aren't.

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