Help choosing a new card - £350 max.

[Brizzles]

Completely out of touch with current tech, so some advice would be appreciated.

* Currently using a 7970, so a decent upgrade from that.
* Not bothered whether AMD or Nvidia.
* Be able to handle 1440p ( currently 1080p/120Hz, but will upgrade monitor at some point)
* Decent warranty ( want to keep the card for atleast 3 years )

I guess it puts me in the GTX970 / 390x area.

What would you choose ( and why ? )

Cheers in advance

 

[rtho782]

I'd wait. 14/16nm soon.

 

[Avenged7Fold]

I would wait or get a non x 390 and save the rest for a future upgrade or to double down on cards later if you dont mind mgpu.

 

[ALXAndy]

I'd wait. 14/16nm soon.

In at least six months,on a good day, with the wind blowing in the right direction with absolutely no teething issues (like short supply of HBM and pump whine etc) then yes, it could be six months.

More realistically it will be summer at best and that's more like 8-9 months away.

A 390 can be had for £249 which for 7-8 months of gaming isn't bad.

Makes me laugh all of these threads where people are trying to decide between a card they can have now or one that doesn't even exist yet.

lol.

 

[rtho782]

In at least six months,on a good day, with the wind blowing in the right direction with absolutely no teething issues (like short supply of HBM and pump whine etc) then yes, it could be six months.

More realistically it will be summer at best and that's more like 8-9 months away.

A 390 can be had for £249 which for 7-8 months of gaming isn't bad.

Makes me laugh all of these threads where people are trying to decide between a card they can have now or one that doesn't even exist yet.

lol.

We've been on this generation since OP's 7970 came out in 2011. His 7970 is not far off a 380x in performance (Tahiti to Tonga). I wouldn't suggest someone upgrade from a 380x to a 390 now.

If OP was using a 4870 or something I'd agree, get a 390 now, but he's on a 7970.

I'm tempted to go to 980ti myself but it seems pointless right now.

7-8 months seems fine. Some places are reporting the first AMD Polaris card in 2 months.

 

[HardStyler3]

i would say the hd 7970 has enough power for the next 6-8 months until the new generation comes so i would wait for it

 

[ALXAndy]

We've been on this generation since OP's 7970 came out in 2011. His 7970 is not far off a 380x in performance (Tahiti to Tonga). I wouldn't suggest someone upgrade from a 380x to a 390 now.

I'm tempted to go to 980ti myself but it seems pointless right now.

7-8 months seems fine. Some places are reporting the first AMD Polaris card in 2 months.

2 months? That's like asking for the Red Sea to be parted.

Unless AMD have it pretty much completely ready right now then it won't happen. I wish it would, because it would catch Nvidia off guard and that's what AMD need. Sadly with their track record I just don't see it.

Buying a 980ti right now is fine, given it smashes any current game we have to bits at 1440p or less. It's a fine card. I'm hearing rumours that even though these new GPUs are far smaller they will still cost the same to produce. Time you tack on HBM2? I think these new cards will set records alright, sadly that being the price.

Would you regret buying a 980ti? Of course you would, this is electronics we are talking about here. I've never bought an expensive electronic item and not regretted it when the next lot comes out.

 

[AlamoX]

Completely out of touch with current tech, so some advice would be appreciated.

* Currently using a 7970, so a decent upgrade from that.
* Not bothered whether AMD or Nvidia.
* Be able to handle 1440p ( currently 1080p/120Hz, but will upgrade monitor at some point)
* Decent warranty ( want to keep the card for atleast 3 years )

I guess it puts me in the GTX970 / 390x area.

What would you choose ( and why ? )

Cheers in advance

i would pick a 390 Nitro, good perf upgrade, more usefull features and gives you large choice of 1440 Freesync monitor without breaking your wallet.
about waiting for new 14/16nm GPUs, seems like both vendors are going to start with low end GPUs, then several months later mid, then my guess late summer or even Q4 for high end, so yea picking the 390 right now is a good choice especialy if you are going to upgrade the monitor also.

 

[Avenged7Fold]

The thing is, these 390 prices wont be the same as the equivalent tier prices of the new cards when they are released. You get what you pay for and you can bet that the release prices will be no more forgiving than any other release price.

If you dont need the upgrade now, then wait. If you do, then the choice is made up for you.

 

[LtMatt]

Completely out of touch with current tech, so some advice would be appreciated.

* Currently using a 7970, so a decent upgrade from that.
* Not bothered whether AMD or Nvidia.
* Be able to handle 1440p ( currently 1080p/120Hz, but will upgrade monitor at some point)
* Decent warranty ( want to keep the card for atleast 3 years )

I guess it puts me in the GTX970 / 390x area.

What would you choose ( and why ? )

Cheers in advance

I would recommend you get an R9 390 and then get yourself a 1440P FreeSync panel. It will be the best way to get the fastest and smoothest gaming performance for the least amount of money spent. If and when new GPU's appear, you'll only need to buy a new GPU - if you fancy an upgrade to the latest technology.