Looking for feedback on a graphics card.

[Tonytank]

Howdy all!

I have had a thread in the general hardware forum for sometime now discussing new parts I intend to buy in the next 2 weeks for a new upgrade. You can see the general jist here.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18525127&page=2

Right now though I am very one the fence about what graphics card to buy. I have literally never owned an ATI card. It's not a fanboy thing you understand it's just that I have always picked Nvidia due to the timing of the purchase and my budget (bang for buck etc) but this time around I am having a hard time decide. I was hoping some of you folks who perhaps own these cards or at least have some honest feedback on them help me make the right choice.

The first one I have my eye on is this one

MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming Edition 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

I cannot for the life of me find review of this card anywhere on the internet.

The other card I have noticed, which is at the slightly more expensive end of the scale, is this one.

Gainward GeForce GTX 780 Phantom GLH 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

Generally I am looking for a card that will last for a good long while and provide some nice shiny visuals (who isn't looking for that?) but I also want value for money. Some nice honest positive/negative feedback on each card would be great or maybe even suggestions for other cards.

My budget is £350. But £30 north or south if that is acceptable assuming it can be justified via performance/saving. I should probably mention that I am also not a keen overclocker.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[MrMoonX]

wait and see if the 6gb 780's cause a price drop. Personally I'd go 780 as I had a 290x well three of them after so many rma's I got a refund and went nvidia, but that's just my experience

 

[Lex1970]

I have the gainward glh 780 myself and think it's a cracking card runs very quiet and at cool temperatures am very pleased with the card and will at some point get another to sli it once the Asus gysnc monitor becomes available assuming I will need another. The only thing to bear in mind with the mentioned card is it does take up 2.5 slots

 

[shankly1985]

I have two msi 290's

+noise is super quite even on 100% fan
+great temps @977/1250 my max temp is 60/70c in crossfire.
-if you do crossfire make sure you have a very good amount of space between them, theses cards don't like being close.
My setup I keep both cards between 60c and 70c and that fan speed on 5+ above the temp so 40c=45 etc can't even hear them.

They is reviews out there I have read a couple can't post them now though.

 

[ElliorR]

I have the MSI 290 Gaming and I think its a cracking card. In fact, when money allows, I shall buy a second one.

 

[Tonytank]

I hear a lot of conflicting things when it comes to ATI drivers.

In my time with Nvidia I have rarely had a driver because of the amount of drivers too choose from. Are the whispers about ATI drivers factual at all?

 

[Uncle Petey]

You might need to be more specific about which particular whispers.

Fwiw, the only issues I've ever really had are to do with some games not liking xfire. Either they won't have it or a workaround is needed.
It's not a very common issue tbh and most games are all cool.

 

[shankly1985]

I hear a lot of conflicting things when it comes to ATI drivers.

In my time with Nvidia I have rarely had a driver because of the amount of drivers too choose from. Are the whispers about ATI drivers factual at all?

It's all a load bs Trust me lol used amd for good couple years and not once had a driver issue.

 

[Tonytank]

Sorry about the vagueness.

Generally it seems that ATI cards need more tinkering with too get the best out of.

Although as I type that I realise who that could be applied to any part in my pc. I think the bedrock of my situation is a fear that I will buy a ropey card that will be nothing but a headache.