290X V 970

[Begbie]

So I need a new graphics card, as I'm currently running a 7870 which is showing it's age recently.

I'm in two minds between the two, I've read multiple comparisons between the two and it seems that the 290X seems to run better at 2560x1440 with most games. But for some reason I can't help but think the 970 is a better card, potential better drivers and a better clock.

 

[easyrider]

At 1440p I would steer clear of the 970 due to the 3.5gb of ram...

Look at the 390 8gb cards and clock it.

 

[Begbie]

390x cards are £340 (iirc) a 2nd hand 290x/970 are £200.

With my budget being about £200...

 

[savagesam117]

You are looking £250 up for a 390.

Still got mine for sale

 

[Andrei23]

Hey Begbie, go with your gut feeling on this one, mate.

 

[MrMD]

Get a used 290x

 

[Geeman1979]

You are looking £250 up for a 390.

Still got mine for sale

Your card wants scooping up. Surprised it hasn't for the money.

 

[Mr Krugga]

Is there any evidence that GTX 970 is limited by the 0.5 GB of the slow memory at 2560x1440? I just don't see that being a problem, since I've never had VRAM issues at that resolution gaming on a 7970 3GB.

 

[Poneros]

No, the vram on the 970 is not a problem at all. I think the 970 & the 290x are both really close in terms of performance @ 1440p, I'd go with whatever's cheapest tbh.

 

[dessimpson]

I've had both.
The 970 will run cooler and quieter in my opinion.
I had two of each so never ran the 970's alone. The 290x in crossfire was too hot for my case so I ran it as a single card. The single 290x was louder than my SLI 970's.

 

[yoyo59]

I would go for a 290x matrix!

 

[wam7]

I've had both.
The 970 will run cooler and quieter in my opinion.
I had two of each so never ran the 970's alone. The 290x in crossfire was too hot for my case so I ran it as a single card. The single 290x was louder than my SLI 970's.

I'd take advice from someone who has had experience of both cards rather than people only posting to get 'X' or 'Y'.