970 vs 290x vs 290

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:17

I am looking for a powerful and quiet GPU to game at 1080p

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-006-GX
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-166-PC
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-273-MS

Torn between all 3. I like that the 970 produces a lot less heat and is similar in power to the 290x but it is also the most expensive, and the free games package sells for the least.

Update: I have decided on a 970, I would greatly appreciate recommendations on a card

tommybhoy · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:40

Lightning-no contest, mad not to at that price tbph.

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:47

Might I ask why? I'm seeking reasoning to justify my decision. I should add I'm probably not going to be doing serious gaming untill the end of January due to exams. So I suppose waiting would be a 4th option if something better was going to come up in the next couple of months.

thefogo · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:51

The Lightning is an easy choice over the 290p IMO, well worth the extra 30 quid.

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:53

What about compared to the 970, similar speed less heat. Is team red better to be on at the moment?

FoxEye · 19 Dec 2014 at 11:56

Re: the 4th option... there's always something coming. I've been waiting for years now for a new card I could justify buying. In the meantime the 2nd hand market has saved me

Frankly, each upgrade I did was just too small to justify brand new prices. (460 > 7850 > 280X - 460 being the last card I bought new).

However I'm waiting to see what Fiji is like (Feb??). I'd be happy to splurge £200+ quid if it's a serious upgrade to a 280X.

thefogo · 19 Dec 2014 at 12:00

ReCoN1989 said:
What about compared to the 970, similar speed less heat. Is team red better to be on at the moment?

If a major concern is case temps then yeah a 970 will be the better option.

tommybhoy · 19 Dec 2014 at 12:03

Build quality, top end quality components(not the cheapo tat on some other gpu/brands), best 290 air cooler on the market.

970 is a cracking card too, but the legendary status that is Lightning and the games package, makes it the obvious choice.

The only thing(without making another purchase) the 970 has over the 290 is gpu PhysX that's in a handful of recent titles(there is a back catalogue of older ones though), but AMD have Mantle in a handful of titles.

shankly1985 · 19 Dec 2014 at 12:05

The temps isn't an issue here both 970 and 290/x can hit the same temperature on the core.
What the 970 will offer is less heat output..

Fan noise, core temperature is all depending on the cooler you pick.

Has tommybhoy pointed out the lightning is the better choice when buying now.

JustCallMeVlad · 19 Dec 2014 at 12:39

My lightning does 1300 Core and 1600 mem with 1.32v. Awesome card and should be bought over a standard 970.

Now IMO HOF 970 vs 290X Lightning isn't as cut and dry...... HOF all the way

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 12:42

Thanks shankly, that is exactly why I said heat in my first post. Doesn't matter how good the cooler is, you still have to dissipate the same amount of heat.

I guess mantle will be somewhat countered by dx12 which I believe the 970 has? When would we be likely to see a blanket drop in 970 prices? I feel like if I wait a month prices may not change that much and these deals may be done?

tommybhoy · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:06

Mantle is more or less DX12 now, DX12 isn't due until this time next year.

970 drop in prices-eol, the Lightning deal won't last long never mind a month I would imagine.

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:12

So hypothetically, by all reasonable estimations, were the lightning deal to be around at the end of January, it would still be an excellent buy surpassing other offers at the time?

Rusty0611 · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:15

The 290X will dump (a lot) more heat into your room which will be nice now but come summer my 290 did make my room quite uncomfortable at times.

That said the 290X at 240 is the best option at the mo IMO.

tommybhoy · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:21

Not really answerable other than going by todays offers, if it was available and there was no further shift in all the gfx pricing, yes, it will still be an excellent purchase.

Not much point asking about pricing in January though as I don't envisage that Lightning being available at that price after Christmas tbph, it'l probably creep up in price as stock decreases.

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:24

I presume it is only producing copious amounts of heat under load? Most of the time it will just be idling.

Compared to the GALAX GeForce GTX 970 EX OC "Black Edition", the lightning offers superior performance and far superior components such that it is the logical choice even when considering they are near enough the same price.

Ayahuasca · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:24

I'd take the lightning at that price.

ReCoN1989 · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:26

Seems like the lightning has near enough won. A small point on physX, I remember the first dedicated card coming out circa 2005-2006 yet the technology has never really taken off. I note a few games now support it but is it a gimmick?

Ayahuasca · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:29

All depends whether you like the effects.

Rusty0611 · 19 Dec 2014 at 13:29

ReCoN1989 said:
I presume it is only producing copious amounts of heat under load? Most of the time it will just be idling.

Yeah, no probs while at idle.

ReCoN1989 said:
Compared to the GALAX GeForce GTX 970 EX OC "Black Edition", the lightning offers superior performance and far superior components such that it is the logical choice even when considering they are near enough the same price.

I'm not sure about the 'far superior components' bit to be honest. I wouldn't read too much into the marketing guff. There's no silver bullet just pick the one which suits you best.