I am currently building my first computer, and I was planning on buying the ASUS gtx 970 strix, but I had some extra money so I was planning on getting the EVGA gtx 980.
What is the biggest difference between these two gpu's, and is it worth investing $200 more into my gpu for the 980?
Some folks might ask what the rest of your planned build looks like. In some cases, it might be better to invest a bit more in other components instead of the GPU depending on what choices you've made on your other components. A pcpartpicker link would be nice.
As the other guy said we need the other system parts, budget, res, workload, all that jazz
What do you plan on doing with the computer? For me (gaming and digital art), a R9 390 has become better than a 970 (mostly because of VRAM concerns) and more practical than a 980 (again, VRAM and the 980 isn't a good deal price to performance wise at that point, even though it is quite powerful). A 980ti would be better all around, but way more expensive.
What about resolution of the monitors as well as will there be more than one?
moar RAM! Actually this is debatable, but I just like RAM :)
32 gigs enough for you?
I wont venture out into 4k just yet, 1080p. I was thinking of using another monitor, but only to have on the side to look stuff up as I game [considering that it is very old].
16 is a nice amount
Assuming budget isn't an issue, 980 will give you better performance (though the price to performance isn't great as mentioned above). If you can go for a 980ti. Or maybe a 390x if you care to look for an AMD solution.
True, but I am more concerned about the GPU. :)
Ok awesome, well since that is the case a 970 would be easily enough for you but a 980 would be more future... not proof but i'll say resistant lol. If you really wanted just do what I did and say screw it and get a 980Ti or hell even the fury x.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=34796208
thats my current rig minus the secondary side monitor and TV mounted above it.
Nah man 32gs all the way
I currently use the Strix gtx 970 with two 1080p monitors (one for gaming and the other for different things) and it works extremely well for me. Also, I don't think you'll see much improvement using ddr3-2133 as opposed to ddr3-1866 or even ddr3-1600.
I thought so, but I heard that an overclocked asus gtx 970 is very near if not just as powerful as a stock 980, and it consumes less power.
Nice build !
You mentioned the EVGA 980 in the original post, are you referring to a stock reference design? I had an EVGA 980 SC ACX 2.0 and that was really nice to OC. I don't remember what my exact numbers were but it was close to 1400 mhz.
HAve you seen the Hybrid models from EVGA?
Thanks man, your specs reminded me of myself lol. If you plan to go to 1440 or 4k in the future, 980Ti would be great by all means but the 970 would be fine if you wanted to say resell your pc in a year or so. My advice? Go with the best you can afford at the time and there ya go!
I was told that the "Classified" model for the EVGA 980 is the best, not sure about that (I would have to do more research). I have an extra job on the side, so I am producing extra money each month so I was just wondering if it is worth spending $200 more and getting a gtx 980 rather than a gtx 970.