I am between 2 GPU cards, please help pick the right one (the best for

[AceGoober]

The OP mentioned, and I quote, "But I love mods."

 

The recommendation I gave was based upon the notion the OP may install multiple high resolution world terrain mods (landscape, grass, water, objects, etc) into Skyrim. In that event, considering the player is outside the majority of the time, larger size VRAM will come into play especially if Draw Distance, Grids Loading and FOV (to name a few) are altered from stock settings.

 

If an example of VRAM usage is needed, please do the following:

 

1. Download and install Microsoft Windows Process Explorer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653?siteID=rGMTN56tf_w-g7ZCHLQ3xtxodegLi.tovg

2. Run Process Explorer

3. On the top menu bar choose: View then System Information

4. Click on the far left tab labeled GPU

5. Run Skyrim and run around outside for about 15 minutes.

6. Exit to Desktop

7. Check the GPU Graph in System Internals

 

The graph will show how much VRAM is being used consistently by Skyrim with the graphical enhancement mods installed; or, any game for that matter - with or without cleanup.

[Thor.]

I remember the gtx460, that has be the hottest card i ever owned in my life time, I read some rumors of the temps getting to almost the same point as the gtx460. Which in itself had a fault in the card itself. It nearly reached the melting point lol.

Edited November 2, 2013 by Thor.

[Miguelr23]

The reason I want to see the 290 reviews, is not the performance, because is going to be better than gtx770... But the temps.

 

It has less spus and that makes it a bit cooler, but time will tell. If its around 75-79, is going to be OK for me, but more than that (no way). I dont like amd more than nvidia, the opposite. My only consideration is the "feature proof" idea. Nothing more.

 

My problem with r9 280x is the built quality. My distributor offers only Gigabyte and Asus... Gigabyte is about 290euros and the cooler is cheap and noisy, because they used a cheaper version of windforce cooler. I avoid cheap built qualitys. So my only option for 280x, is Asus AMD Radeon R9 280X DirectCU II Top (3GB, DDR5, 384bit) with dual fan (here is a video for it

)

 

The card I turned in, due to temp faults, is gtx480... Something happened to it and it gave me 120c and BSODS in games and 80c in windows environment! Thankfully my card was still in warranty. So, I will try to avoid hot cards this time around... i REALLY enjoyed my gtx480, amazing card. But I hate that NVIDIA cut almost the whole computing power of their gpus, just be able to sell some quadros, that NOBODY buys anymore.

 

I am not keen of OC ing my cards, but I am very positive of buying dual cards... (sli or cf)

 

I already use an TX850watt by corsair psu and I also have one brand new (havent even opened it yet) AX850w by corsair (fully modular) for my new system. So I am covered for feature sli or cf

there is a "leaked" benchmarks of the r9 290:

http://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-r9-290-hawaii-pro-gaming-performance-framerating-unveiled/

if this are true well its another lava spitter...

[ermacos]

The OP mentioned, and I quote, "But I love mods."

 

The recommendation I gave was based upon the notion the OP may install multiple high resolution world terrain mods (landscape, grass, water, objects, etc) into Skyrim. In that event, considering the player is outside the majority of the time, larger size VRAM will come into play especially if Draw Distance, Grids Loading and FOV (to name a few) are altered from stock settings.

 

If an example of VRAM usage is needed, please do the following:

 

1. Download and install Microsoft Windows Process Explorer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653?siteID=rGMTN56tf_w-g7ZCHLQ3xtxodegLi.tovg

2. Run Process Explorer

3. On the top menu bar choose: View then System Information

4. Click on the far left tab labeled GPU

5. Run Skyrim and run around outside for about 15 minutes.

6. Exit to Desktop

7. Check the GPU Graph in System Internals

 

The graph will show how much VRAM is being used consistently by Skyrim with the graphical enhancement mods installed; or, any game for that matter - with or without cleanup.

 

Yes thats very important, I mostly buy games that support modding! I just love it, its something that makes me spend my time extra pleasurable. And I really thank nexus community for that. So yes, my gpu is going to be 4 gigs for nvidia or 3 gigs for amd.. If r9 290 is a lava card, I will avoid it, even if it performs good.

 

So the battle will be, between r9 280x and Nvidia GTX770 . The official reviews will be out the following tuesday.

 

The only + that r9 280x has in my country, is the price... It is 150 euro less! It costs 320 euro and the 770 costs 469. (They havent reduce the prices here). So its much much easier to buy a second 280x for cf, than dual 770.

Edited November 2, 2013 by ermacos

[Thor.]

Good to know Asus makes solid fans. I was considering going gigabyte with the 780 ti, but this might change my mind.

[FMod]

The only + that r9 280x has in my country, is the price... It is 150 euro less! It costs 320 euro and the 770 costs 469. (They havent reduce the prices here). So its much much easier to buy a second 280x for cf, than dual 770.

I don't see what the holdup is then. It's a lot of price difference for very similar products.

 

280X has 3GB of RAM, which is plenty more than you need. Skyrim can't use more anyway (you can make it break 2GB, if you try on purpose, but its DX9 engine doesn't address 3+ right; really you only need 3GB if you're modding with the explicit purpose of using as much VRAM as possible, else 2GB is well enough), nothing is realistically going to need more at playable settings. And it's almost on par with 770 in performance, a bit behind stock and about even in OC.

 

If you don't think much about dropping 150 euros on brand preference - then you're not short on cash, so why bother with 770 at all and not get a 780? Especially as they should drop in price with 290X unseating the Titan and 780Ti coming out.

[ermacos]

Good to know Asus makes solid fans. I was considering going gigabyte with the 780 ti, but this might change my mind.

 

The r9 280x gigabyte uses a cheap windforce cooler edition ... An example is the GTX770 Windforce edition, is very silent and very very good built quality. I think Gigabyte removed some heatsinks from the 280x and its a bit more noise (you can search reviews)

 

As I said, even if I get 770 or 280x right now, is going to be FREE... I may pay only 30-40 euros for the 770. My consideration is about the second one (if I decide to crossfire or sli them).

 

As for the prices Its nvidias fault, because these are the original prices and some distributors won't reduce the prices for many reasons. Not all of them are AMAZON or huge retailers. They may expect to sell their stock before they do.. Or they may consider it as way to get more bucks. lol

 

At the same time, NVIDIA is making a huge event and giveaway of video games and some shield coupons.. But they support only 6 eu countries and India!! My country is not included, so maybe, thats why retailers dont care about reducing the price. EU is 29 countries, but only 6 have benefits.

 

Amd supports my country for the video game giveaway. But thats not the reason I am considering 280x... The following days I will tell you my final decision.

Edited November 3, 2013 by ermacos

[Thor.]

Question is it worth getting the ti instead of the gtx780, considering rumours state it might be a titan killer.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Thor.

[AceGoober]

Gaming wise, an overclocked GTX 780 (non-Ti) will generally perform on-par or slightly exceed a GTX Titan. Here's a link for your reading enjoyment:

 

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/08/14/galaxy_geforce_gtx_780_hof_edition_review/

 

As far as rumors go, the GTX 780 Ti may exceed the performance of a stock GTX Titan. We won't really know until reviews are released. Specs, however, have been confirmed:

 

http://www.hardocp.com/news/2013/11/01/nvidia_geforce_gtx_780_ti_price_699

 

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1040336584&postcount=19

[ermacos]

I am forced to get a gpu now, because it considered as a replacement, thats why I am in a strong debate (in my mind) for what to get...

 

For the others, I would recommend to wait till February, because the new 8xx series by Nvidia is coming out!!! So an 870, will outperform a today gtx780 ... Also 8xx series will may support dx11.2 as well..

 

I have a question, because I tried to search in google about it, but it seems Nvidia increased the computing in 7xx series of cards? Nobody says that amd has better computing anymore... Is there any benchmarks, or reviews to read about it?

Edited November 3, 2013 by ermacos