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GPU upgrade time... finally!

Stoner81

Stoner81

Stoner81

Associate
Joined
8 Jul 2010
Posts
2,264
Location
Derbyshire
Hey folks! I could use a hand on deciding on my next GPU...

Currently I have a 5950X with a GTX970 :O (I know it's ancient so be gentle xD) and I have been saving and saving for a new GPU. I was hoping to go RTX4000 series but at the pricing I just don't know if I can justify it with the RX7900XTX here...

My current monitor only does 60Hz but I am hoping to upgrade my monitor at some point to get something larger and higher refresh rate so thinking that a high end GPU will allow me to run it properly. I am after playing titles that I just can't at the moment due to the 970 :( like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Far Cry 6 plus others.

My case is the O11 Dynamic so space isn't an issue for the huge cards that are out nowadays. I currently have £1,101 saved up and in April's pay I am due a bonus from work so I can use that to increase what I have.

At the moment I am eying up the RX7900XTX Nitro+ but I hear that there are issues with the 7900XTX series or something? So not entirely sure what that is about. My current PSU I think is a Corsair 750 of some description but if I need a new one then I will buy one so that's not an issue it's jus the GPU I am rather stumped on...

Do I go with the RX7900XTX Nitro+ or sit tight and wait for the next generation to come along and pray that pricing comes down? I have waited over 4 years thus far so if needs be I'll wait longer still but at the same I don't want to :D

Any and all help appreciated folks!

Thanks!

Stoner81.
 
Stoner81 said:
Hey folks! I could use a hand on deciding on my next GPU...

Currently I have a 5950X with a GTX970 :O (I know it's ancient so be gentle xD) and I have been saving and saving for a new GPU. I was hoping to go RTX4000 series but at the pricing I just don't know if I can justify it with the RX7900XTX here...

My current monitor only does 60Hz but I am hoping to upgrade my monitor at some point to get something larger and higher refresh rate so thinking that a high end GPU will allow me to run it properly. I am after playing titles that I just can't at the moment due to the 970 :( like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Far Cry 6 plus others.

My case is the O11 Dynamic so space isn't an issue for the huge cards that are out nowadays. I currently have £1,101 saved up and in April's pay I am due a bonus from work so I can use that to increase what I have.

At the moment I am eying up the RX7900XTX Nitro+ but I hear that there are issues with the 7900XTX series or something? So not entirely sure what that is about. My current PSU I think is a Corsair 750 of some description but if I need a new one then I will buy one so that's not an issue it's jus the GPU I am rather stumped on...

Do I go with the RX7900XTX Nitro+ or sit tight and wait for the next generation to come along and pray that pricing comes down? I have waited over 4 years thus far so if needs be I'll wait longer still but at the same I don't want to :D

Any and all help appreciated folks!

Thanks!

Stoner81.
Click to expand...
Hi, I would not wait and I would get an RX 7090 XTX. However, if you are worried, get the one with the best RMA service for the UK. I know that ASUS make good cards these days and Sapphire. But perhaps a manufacturer who has the best support is in order.

The GTX 970 was a great card, 8 years back, but now there are games coming out that refuse to run with less than 4 gig of VRAM (looking at you Halo). And the GTX 970 only has 3.5 useable VRAM on it.

Also, I would consider a shiny new 850 watt PSU, because these new top of line GPU's are thirsty for electricity and they have transient spikes with the loads. That 5950 CPU is also reasonably power hungry. Perhaps a Seasonic, or Corsair 850 watts.
 
Current PSU is a "Super Flower Leadex Titanium 750W Fully Modular 80 Plus Titanium"

Stoner81.
 
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Stoner81 said:
At the moment I am eying up the RX7900XTX Nitro+ but I hear that there are issues with the 7900XTX series or something? So not entirely sure what that is about.
Click to expand...

Got a link? There have been problems with the 7900 XTX reference cards, but I'm not aware of any issues with custom cards like the Pulse & Nitro.

Stoner81 said:
Do I go with the RX7900XTX Nitro+ or sit tight and wait for the next generation to come along and pray that pricing comes down? I have waited over 4 years thus far so if needs be I'll wait longer still but at the same I don't want to :D
Click to expand...

I think you'll be waiting a long time, they (nvidia and amd) have barely started to fill out their lines yet, AMD only have the top cards available and nvidia are launching the 4070 in a few weeks. Based on what they're doing for this gen, I'd be surprised if they change strategy and don't just continue putting in new models at the same price/performance as the last gen.

If you want a more 'affordable' upgrade, you could buy something like a 6800 XT or non-XT.

Do you do any other work with your PC? I ask because the 5950X suggests that you do and if so, have you checked how well AMD supports/performs in those apps?
 
Tetras said:
Got a link? There have been problems with the 7900 XTX reference cards, but I'm not aware of any issues with custom cards like the Pulse & Nitro.
Click to expand...

Ohhh I didn't know it was for just reference models, that's where I am getting confused then so thanks for that :)
Tetras said:
Do you do any other work with your PC? I ask because the 5950X suggests that you do and if so, have you checked how well AMD supports/performs in those apps?
Click to expand...

I do quite a lot of video conversion using VidCoder. A year or so ago I converted my whole collection of digital media so as to save space on my server (converted everything to h265).

As to buying a second hand 3080/3090, I don't like buying second hand GPU's I just never have. Hence looking at brand new. I am hoping that this upgrade will last at least 5 years if not more considering the mileage I have gotten from my 970 (I did run SLI for a while until it broke).

Stoner81.
 
Not been in the GPU world for a while then...

Your target resolution you want to run would be useful. 1440p, 1440p UW, or 4k.

AMD EVen a 6900XT is no slouch, even at 4k. If you have the money then the 7900XTX is a powerful card.

NVidia - Whilst AMD has FSR, NV has DLSS. The 3000 series has DLSS 2.0 and the 4000 series has DLSS 3.0 & Frame Generation. RT on an Nvidia card is better than AMD currently.

So a 4080 is nearly in your budget as well as the 7900XTX. I'd say the XTX edges it with raw GPU ratser, but DLSS 3 & FG will give you extra comfort in games that struggle.

So there's some new technologies to consider when purchasing a card these days as not all cards are equal. DLSS works well, 2 was good 3 better. DLSS 2 is still good. Tough choice..
 
The 7900xtx nitro plus is quality. However the power supply recommendation is 850w. You might get away with 750 if you don’t overclock. From memory 4080 is the same.
 
Woodsta888 said:
Not been in the GPU world for a while then...

Your target resolution you want to run would be useful. 1440p, 1440p UW, or 4k.

AMD EVen a 6900XT is no slouch, even at 4k. If you have the money then the 7900XTX is a powerful card.

NVidia - Whilst AMD has FSR, NV has DLSS. The 3000 series has DLSS 2.0 and the 4000 series has DLSS 3.0 & Frame Generation. RT on an Nvidia card is better than AMD currently.

So a 4080 is nearly in your budget as well as the 7900XTX. I'd say the XTX edges it with raw GPU ratser, but DLSS 3 & FG will give you extra comfort in games that struggle.

So there's some new technologies to consider when purchasing a card these days as not all cards are equal. DLSS works well, 2 was good 3 better. DLSS 2 is still good. Tough choice..
Click to expand...

My current monitor is 2560x1440 standard widescreen. I am hoping to go to either an ultrawide 1440p or possibly a 4K panel at some point.

eeii said:
The 7900xtx nitro plus is quality. However the power supply recommendation is 850w. You might get away with 750 if you don’t overclock. From memory 4080 is the same.
Click to expand...

After the other comments here about it I have assumed I will need a new power supply so that isn't an issue :)

Stoner81.
 
If you went for a 7900xt you would be fine with your 750w psu. Out of the cards currently available it probably has the best performance/£ and no issues with psu or compatability. I am running a 7900xtx with a 800w psu but your 5950x would use a few more watts and if you went for the Nitro+ that also uses more W so you may run into issues and need new psu.
 
It's not an ideal confirmation, but can be used as a data point of sorts, but I have the 7900XTX Nitro+ running on a 700W PSU.

However, the PSU is Seasonics 700W TX700 Fanless PSU, which is really a 800w/850W/900W PSU masquerading as a 700W but had the fan removed. So make of that as you will. But it will run at full load without issues.

As others have said, if your PSU is of a quality make and recentish, you can probably get away without needing to grab a new one.
 
Meddling-Monk said:
It's not an ideal confirmation, but can be used as a data point of sorts, but I have the 7900XTX Nitro+ running on a 700W PSU.

However, the PSU is Seasonics 700W TX700 Fanless PSU, which is really a 800w/850W/900W PSU masquerading as a 700W but had the fan removed. So make of that as you will. But it will run at full load without issues.

As others have said, if your PSU is of a quality make and recentish, you can probably get away without needing to grab a new one.
Click to expand...

Mine is "Super Flower Leadex Titanium 750W Fully Modular 80 Plus Titanium" and is only a 2 years old (I bought it and my current rig in June 2021). I will probably still swap out just to be on the safe side.

Stoner81.
 
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Haz123 said:
If you went for a 7900xt you would be fine with your 750w psu. Out of the cards currently available it probably has the best performance/£ and no issues with psu or compatability. I am running a 7900xtx with a 800w psu but your 5950x would use a few more watts and if you went for the Nitro+ that also uses more W so you may run into issues and need new psu.
Click to expand...
Agree with this. Out of all the overprice graphic cards of this gen, the 7900XT 20GB with its price now dropping toward £750 it is the best perf/£ card.

I got my 6900XT with two games for £649.99 back in November last year in the Overclockers deal, but if I was to get a new graphic card now, the 7900XT is a no-brainer with it not only being around 18% faster, it also has more vram and better RT capability.
 
I would go for 6800XT. Currently ~£570 for the cheapest is ~£200 less than 7900XT and think they use less power so a 750W should be ok. I set my 6900XT to -10% power and limit the frequency to 2GHz and it runs everything I try @1440p 60Hz. Also, 16GB of VRAM should keep it above the minimum for a long time.
 
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