Graphics Card Value Advice

ProspectiveDarkness on 18/11/2013 - 01:06

So I'm looking to buy a new graphics card and monitor for myself as a bit of a Christmas present, but I'm a bit torn over what to get. For my current intents and purposes, the graphics card will only need to push 1080p at 60Hz. I was planning on nabbing a 280X at around $350, but I'm concerned it'll be overkill for my needs (and hence won't be the best value). Add in the whole Never Settle (79xx) versus the Battlefield 4 (R9 270+) bundle (the latter of which is currently a bit of a wildcard), and I'm even more torn .

So, my two choices:

  • Sapphire 7950 Vapor-X OC (PCCG) $279 + shipping

or something like:

  • Sapphire R9 280X 3GB Dual-X (PCCG) $369 + shipping

I'd prefer to keep to Sapphire or XFX, as these are brands I've known and trusted in the past.
Technically speaking, I know what the difference is - but the way I see, that isn't a whole lot of difference for $90 (and I'm a bit biased, as the buyer ;-). I'm leaning towards the 7950 for now (3 games versus 1, for $90 less), so (overall) I'll be saving for an upgrade a couple of years down the track.

Normally I'd be perfectly happy to wait for a sale on a 280X, but I just threw a new build together, and can't be bothered moving my current 6870 across if I'm only going to replace it soon anyway.

Opinions and advice would be appreciated

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2013 - 01:09

    Currently (and have been for over a year I'd say) using a HIS 7950.

    No dramas with it at all. Runs everything med/high depending on the game - ran CDO Ghosts on the highest settings without issues.

    I personally use either Sapphire or HIS cards as I've never had issues with either.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/11/2013 - 15:56

      Good to hear. How much longer do you think it'll last before you feel like upgrading?

      • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2013 - 18:38
        +1

        There's never a point where you can't "feel" like upgrading as soon as a new model releases. There's the point where logic kicks in to it as well. So "want to" =/= "need to" :P

        I think this will last a few years at least. There isn't really much more that they can do with games that I feel would stress it too much (although ATI magically being allowed physix would be cool) The CPU (2500k) would bottleneck before the GFX card did in my setup.

  • _Bruce_ on 18/11/2013 - 07:02

    Technically speaking, I know what the difference is - but the way I see, that isn't a whole lot of difference for $90

    This is your answer.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/11/2013 - 15:57

      Thanks for the input. I might wait a week to see if any specials pop up, and then go for the 7950 if not.

  • ethereal88 on 18/11/2013 - 07:10

    A 280X can't max out Crysis 3 @ 1080p with no AA. BF4 is certainly doable with the odd dip to the 40's. There is your answer, the 280X will give you more breathing room come next year. Nothing more.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/11/2013 - 16:00

      Fair enough. I'm not incredibly worried about top-notch graphics settings anyway, so the 7950 is looking to be better value.

  • s00107546 on 18/11/2013 - 15:24

    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…

    I would go for this as for the OC version up to 1100MHz compare to others 1050 1070.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/11/2013 - 16:13

      Hmmm, it does have a 3 year warranty and reviews seem favourable, but I have a few friends that've had faulty units from Gigabyte - so generally, I'd prefer to keep to Sapphire or XFX. A few extra MHz don't really bother me that much, but I'll consider it.

  • exit on 18/11/2013 - 22:15

    Dont forget you probably can find a 2nd hand one for much cheaper. (people upgrading and want to get rid of their card)

  • s00107546 on 18/11/2013 - 23:13

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-280x-third-par…

    a good review from Tom's Hardware.

  • donkeydoc on 27/11/2013 - 00:00
    +1

    You can play bf4 in ultra with a 280x or a hd7970 Ghz edition and get at least 60 frames average @ 1080p, you'd have to lower the settings for the 7950 but it's still a decent gaming experience.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 27/11/2013 - 00:56

      Thanks for the advice. I ended up getting the 7950 and though I've installed it, I'm yet to put it through it's paces.

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