Bang for your buck gpu?

Hardware Hub GPU
1

Hello all! I am considering wasting up to $500 on a single gpu. my needs are:
anyhting more powerful than a gtx 280 of radeon 4870x2 will do as I only use inventor and play far cry 3 and older games such as garrys mod, gta 3 and san andreas. I am not even remotely interested in other modern games as mmorpgs and fps games have ruined everything. Not to mention the stupid ass games like minecraft and rust. 

needs a  decent cooler that will go along with my positive pressure set up

NO OVERCLOCKING IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM REGARDLESS IF ITS FACTORY OR NOT

 i really do not care what it looks like

amd is prefered

second hand is preferred

please post links

I am mostly looking at the stock 780 and stock 290 

the reason that I am getting so much more than I need is because so decade down the road I still will be pleased.

2

270x is best bang for buck  ! but if you want to spend more,  go for 290. But a non reference one.

Nvidia's 760 is a good bang for buck in lower price and 780 in a bit higher. i havnt checked the latest prices, but i have a rough figure in my mind. 

My Recommendation : AMD 

Reason : Mining

Best would be NON REference 290 ( Lots of room for playing around and getting good overclock

 

3

I think what your willing to spend pretty much determines which gpu s to consider. For 500 dollars i personally would consider a 780

4

I wiill never buy a 270x because it is a pre overclocked 270

5

Most Non reference cards are going to be factory overclocked.

6

Get a Raspberry Pi.

7

+1

8

Just curious, why are you worried about overclocking? 

I would recommend the R9 270X: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127775 

 

9

I am not worried I just know that it reduces the lifespan by 50% minimum i once killed a completely stable 3770k by it being overclocked to 3.9 ghz. never rose above 60c never delided and used an overkill 1000w 80+ psu. It died 6hrs after it was oc'ed 

10

Holy cow? Was it the voltage that did it in? I also thought the 270x was a 7870, and the 270 a 7850? Sounds like you are willing to drop some cash though, I'd lean towards a 770/780.

11

the voltage was fine. it just died. i have no idea why.  my oc'ed gtx 280 died easily so I am done with ocing any thing more expensive than my raspberry pi and nook color

12

I meant 270 or 270x. When i bought a 270x, 270 wasn't available in my country.

But 270 / 270x , both are equally good.

13

Just get this and be happy, lol.

http://tinyurl.com/lbz4q66

14

FTW editions are factory overclocked. RRRUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! In all seriousness though, OP: if it has a good warranty and is from a brand that has a good customer service reputation (ASUS, EVGA), factory overclocks are not something to be wary of.

15

i dont think there are any "decades down the road" gpu.  but i'll give it a try

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131549

16

R9-290  some came down in price on newegg, like the msi gaming, and the one "anarekist" posted, the powercolor.

17

there are tons of r9 290's on ebay right now but a warning, alot of them could be burnt out on scrypt mining.

18

For the love of god DO NOT BUY A USED GPU,the miners are starting to sell the gpus since it's not longer profitable for the average miner. By june-july the market will be flooded with used gpus that have been stressed for months or years 24/7 and they just might die right after you get it. If you're going to get something,get a new gpu or buy it from a reliable source,a friend that did not use it for mining.