R9-280 for $150 or 970 for $300?

[chazus]

I was planning to pick up a card for a friend of mine, both because he needs an upgrade now, and also for when Star Citizen comes out.

A 280 is on sale right now for $150 ($135 if I sell the free game on ebay). I was originally planning on getting a 970. The 970 is about 25-30% better, but costs twice as much.

We're doing a full system upgrade late in the year, but I wanted to get a jump on the GPU/PSU now, since he can benefit from it.

[Master Guns]

That 30% better will be worth it in the end IMO

[Nachturnal]

Kinda odd seeing you ask for advice on this matter. I've seen you as somewhat as an expert on this subject.

OT: I would personally get the 970. Yeah it's about twice as much but that increase in performance will hold out for a longer time. Rather than needing to upgrade to a more expensive video card down the road.

[Sinyc]

I was planning to pick up a card for a friend of mine, both because he needs an upgrade now, and also for when Star Citizen comes out.

A 280 is on sale right now for $150 ($135 if I sell the free game on ebay). I was originally planning on getting a 970. The 970 is about 25-30% better, but costs twice as much.

We're doing a full system upgrade late in the year, but I wanted to get a jump on the GPU/PSU now, since he can benefit from it.

I think you mean a 970 is 30% faster than a 280X. 280X is faster than a plain old 280.

If they can wait, AMD should be releasing their new cards in the next month or so, which should drive down both cards you mentioned.

[chazus]

I'm more just asking opinions of budget vs performance. Since I'm footing the bill until some indeterminate time. I'm under the impression Star Citizen will be a beast, though I can run it fine on my trusty old 660.

I may just pick it up and sell the card later for $100 or something.

[Remilia]

Since you guys are doing a new build later on, I'd get the 280. Less waste.

[chazus]

I'm just wondering how good the 280 will be. It seems to fall somewhere between the 660 and the 970.

[Remilia]

660 and 970 is a giganto gap. O.o
280 is better than the 960, just to put that out there.

Relative to 290x cause sweclockers.

[Deleted]

As you said yourself Star Citizen will require beasty rigs if thats the goal. I doupt my gtx770 will run it well too, i would get the best i can get but i think you can do it better. Get a very cheap card now or not at all if your friend don't play games atm and when Star Citizen comes close to launch, invest on the gpu then, you will get more performance for your money.

[chazus]

After talking to him, we opted to wait a couple months and get the 970 (or something better depending on what comes out) both because he would rather get something that will last him a long time (Currently running an i5-750, old Nehalem/Lynnfield. 2009 called!) time. That and there is prospect of a raise coming in the next few weeks so he wants to wait and see if we can actually buy it all outright soon anyway.

Thanks for the help guys. I needed a soundning board and got what I needed to get my thoughts going to talk to him

[Deleted]

... would rather get something that will last him a long time (Currently running an i5-750, old Nehalem/Lynnfield. 2009 called!) time...

Using an i5 650, 4gb ram, hd 5700 at work which is includes Cad and some rendering...made it this far, waiting for skylake to get that upgrade.

[Shinzai]

After talking to him, we opted to wait a couple months and get the 970 (or something better depending on what comes out) both because he would rather get something that will last him a long time (Currently running an i5-750, old Nehalem/Lynnfield. 2009 called!) time. That and there is prospect of a raise coming in the next few weeks so he wants to wait and see if we can actually buy it all outright soon anyway.

Thanks for the help guys. I needed a soundning board and got what I needed to get my thoughts going to talk to him

I would say to wait, based on these prices:

Enthusiast R9 390X 8GB Enhanced Hawaii XT $389
Enthusiast R9 390 8GB Enhanced Hawaii Pro $329
Performance R9 380X 3GB/6GB (NOT CONFIRMED) Tonga XT -
Performance R9 380 4GB Tonga Pro $235
Performance R9 380 2GB Tonga Pro $195
Performance R7 370 4GB Pitcairn $175
Performance R7 370 2GB Pitcairn $135
Performance R7 360 2GB Bonaire $107

http://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-300-s...ed-aggressive/

I posted this in the 390/980Ti thread, but the argument about wattage and heat seemed to get it ignored.