Just as the title says, I need a GPU that can game well at 1440p resolution. The cards I am looking at are GTX 780, or AMD R9 290(x?). I am also open to the idea of multi GPU setups, but I know there are some issues that can go along with that route, such as micro-studdering, drivers, heat, and power. There's also the fact that there are no non reference coolers available for the 290(x) yet. They run super hot and they are really loud. I've heard that they were going to be released late November of this year, to mid December, to early 2014. I really do not want to wait that long, but if I have to I will wait for the price/performance. What I've read about the 290 is after it is properly cooled, its a whole new beast for a lot less money than the other guys. So let me know what you guys think, please share your current set up if you are on 1440p and how your performance is at that resolution. The games I will be playing most will be: BF4, Dota 2, Heavily modded skyrim, Natural selection 2, CS:GO, Civ 5, STAR CITIZEN (alpha/beta/release), and Assassins creed: Black flag. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated! Cheers.
Get a 780. And overclock and your just as fast or faster than the 290 or 90x. 780 has a lot of headroom and the 290 does not. Its already clocked as high as it can go on the stock cooler.
If you where to water cool then I would think about the 290. But I don't know how much do you care about phys x and g-sync?
I've been an AMD guy for quite some time now, ever since my x1600 pro. Before that time I was not into gaming like I am now. So I have never owned an Nvidia GPU in my desktop. They only Nvidia gpu I have ever owned is in my current laptop, with two GT 650M in SLI. I really do not know much about Phys-x, and I have not noticed anything different from using an Nvidia card or an ATI(AMD) card. I have read up a little on G-sync though, what I got out of it was G-Sync synchronizes the graphics card to the monitor rather than the monitor to the graphics card. At 1440p resolution, I will probably be running at 60hz to 96+hz (depending on my overclock on the Korean monitor I am looking at). Would G-sync make a significant difference in this scenario? Then there's AMD mantle. I know BF4 will be running mantle after a patch sometime this month. Star Citizen will also be using the mantle technology, but different sources are saying that mantle will be a huge bust, and useless in the future. But if what AMD is claiming is true, any game engine running mantle will significantly increase the performance of AMD GPUs (7000 series and above) by using 100% of the GPUs potential. So there is a lot of options, and decisions for me to make for the future. I want to get all the info I can before I spend a ton of money on my gaming rig. (sorry for the walls of text).
Depends on your budget and where you live. In the UK, the 780 is very competitively priced against the 290x, the 780 is often found cheaper and with a good games bundle.
If you wanted the ultimate single GPU experience, you should consider the 780ti. Though, it is probably priced too high for most people to consider.
You do not have to have an ultra-tier card to enjoy games at 1440p. A 7950 can be found at less than $200 (sometimes) and that will handle 1440p really well. 7950 is a good card for mods, too. Most of your listed games are not too intensive or demanding in comparison to games like Crysis 3.
Personally I do not like multi-GPU setups. This will require a larger power supply, more heat, and not all games scale well with SLI or Crossfire. Skyrim being a good example.
The 280x is sat on that $300 sweet spot. Should allow you to play most games on ultra 1440p. It's only a little faster than the 7950, because the 280x is just a rebranded 7970. But it is good to have an up-to-date GPU with extra features.
It all depends on your budget, if you have the money, a 780 or 780ti will make your machine rock at 1440p but if you want to save about 100$ wait for the non-reference cooling r9 290 that I hope will have better temperatures and room for OC. Non reference cooling for the r9 290 are expected to come at 400$ (taking into account that where I live a 290 is 360€ )
You also have to consider if Phis x and G-sync are a plus for you, but G-sync needs an special monitor as far as I know. Amd will be bringing Mantle-enabled games as soon as January. (Bf4 and thief are in the works now)
P.D: I don't know if you have this where you live but in Europe now we are having a promo. If you buy a 770 or 780 you get ACIV, Batman Arkham origins and Splinter cell Blacklist. Check it out.
My budget is around 500 USD. I don't think I can go much higher than that, and prefer it was lower if possible haha. I have a 750W PSU so I can run most cards. I've also edited my last post a bit at the end if you want to give that a read. Basically I just added AMD mantle into the matter.
Mantle isn't exclusive to AMD. Not sure how that will work, but if you go with AMD you certainly secure the use of Mantle.
A 290 with a third party cooler would probably be the best choice for you. You can buy a third party cooler and attach it yourself, before the R9 cards have third party coolers at retail.
First of all, thank you for your replies. I think I will wait for the non reference coolers to be released for the 290, because I would prefer to not void my warranty on the card by replacing the reference cooler (hopefully it will be very very soon). and as a plus, Ill invest in a SSD with the 100 dollars ill be saving from the 290. Thanks again!