Is it worth upgrading to an R9 290?

Hardware Hub GPU
1

So I built my computer about half a year ago, with an HD 7950.  I managed to get it for $200.  I am now currently looking at an R9 290:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-912v308002

I'm not sure if it's worth the money to upgrade, though.  Thoughts?

2

I want to say probably not, but right now there is a huge ton of games coming with Mantle, and most likely True-Audio, so if you can get it go for it,

However if you do grab one, grab the Vapor-X edition of the R9-290. its one of the only few After-market coolers that ACTUALLY keeps the bloody card cool.

3

An R9 290 is probably the bare minimum upgrade I would consider from a 7950.

I'm waiting to upgrade my 7950 until the next generation of cards, most likely to an 880 (Ti) or 390(x). That's what I would most likely recommend doing unless you are in desperate need of an upgrade right now.

4

wait.

5

I would wait out. If you are staying with amd the r3xx series is coming in the near future. I've almost always upgraded every other generation ie 6970>r9 290. But to each their own. Pretty sure at 1080p the 7950 can easily handle most games atm.

6

Looks like it's more waiting Zzz...

7

I went from a 7950 to a gtx 780, totally happy with the upgrade, but I traded my 7950 for it and a little cash on top to a guy on Craigslist tying to sell his system that had a 780 in it. I would probably go that route.

8

Do you know all devs supporting Mantle?

9

Wait, that card is pretty nice

10

if you can sell your current 7950 for a good price, then its worth it.  ☺

11

If you're happy with the performance of your currently used games/applications then no just wait until you can justify the need for an upgrade.