970 or 290X

[stooeh]

If you get an 1080p monitor, the 970 is a slightly better option as new games tend to favour newer tech sometimes.

If you get an 1440p monitor, 290x is the better option as it significantly outperforms the 970 due to the better vram and the memory bus.

I would say that neither card is good enough for 1440p (60fps @ max settings) but both are great for 1080p

Just go with your brand preference if you have one

 

[Poneros]

I'm an AMD fanboy but I think I'd also go with the 970 for 1080p just because the prices are so close and it also comes with Witcher 3. Of course, if you're buying a new monitor then it would swing back around to AMD because Freesync is so much cheaper. Usually AMD cards are also cheaper used so that's another thing to consider.

 

[Uncle Petey]

Those results do not look correct to me. No way you can get such high frames at max IQ.

Might be because it isn't max IQ
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gta_v_pc_graphics_performance_review,3.html

 

[gerico]

I'd go 290x personally unless you really care about fans spinning and all that crap.

 

[pmc25]

If you aren't changing for a while, definitely the 290X. It's likely to smash Maxwell in Vulkan / DX12 (and obviously Mantle).

 

[mark43]

I would say that neither card is good enough for 1440p (60fps @ max settings) but both are great for 1080p

Just go with your brand preference if you have one

Ah fair enough 1080p it is then.

As I'm still struggling to decide it may just come down to price. The Witcher offer with the 970 may have swung it, but they've run out of keys for now.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice.

Edit - my mistake, seems like they have more keys

 

[Lokken86]

Might be because it isn't max IQ
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gta_v_pc_graphics_performance_review,3.html

Ah i forgot to check. Just assumed they would be using maximum settings.

Anyway heres another with max settings. 290x is not far behind the 980gtx so i don't think there will be much in it between it and the 970, especially given the memory advantage at higher settings.
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/gta_5_amd_vs_nvidia_performance_review/4

 

[mark43]

I'm an AMD fanboy but I think I'd also go with the 970 for 1080p just because the prices are so close and it also comes with Witcher 3. Of course, if you're buying a new monitor then it would swing back around to AMD because Freesync is so much cheaper. Usually AMD cards are also cheaper used so that's another thing to consider.

I hadn't even looked into G-Sync and Freesync, but that's definitely something to consider with the new screen.

Although is Freeesync really cheaper, had a quick browse and it looks to be the other way around? Or do OCUK just stock less of the cheaper Freesync screens?

Kinda annoying though, once you pick a screen you've gotta stick with either AMD or Nvidia.

 

[Buckster]

290x

find my OC'd 290 Tri-X Fantastic for all games I throw at it