PC build thread

[Cronozilla]

I believe the reason why is the parallel nature of mantle has been absorbed into DX12. Most people are hoping we get mantle like structure on agnostic hardware.

[marurun]

So, for current titles and immediate upcoming titles, what's the best bang-for-the-buck video card in the middle or upper-middle range? I'm a little out of the loop on particular cards and performance deltas, and I'm FINALLY sitting down to put together a parts list for the new PC. May be making a sojourn to Microcenter this weekend to scope out prices and availability (I know I can do it on-line, but I like to get touchy-feely sometimes). This time a new printer and monitor are even in the mix. Can't keep running 10+ year old equipment. Everything goes.

[Cronozilla]

Probably the GTX 960s. They're in the $180-$260 range, have 2-4GB of Memory, and allow for graphical features to be turned on (as opposed to the 950).

Traditionally cards in that range will be serviceable for years. Something like a 970 will be $100 more, but will likely be relevant longer (and more capable now).

But for mid-range I would say the 960. 950 is maybe too low end for most gaming requirements. It'll work, but it already can't do a lot; plus they're like $150, that's extremely close to the 960's price range.

I'm sure, for raw power, AMD has some equivalent that's cheaper.

[marurun]

Yeah, I'm torn between the GTX 960 and the R7 370. Gonna be a tough call, I think.

[alexis524]

Yeah, I'm torn between the GTX 960 and the R7 370. Gonna be a tough call, I think.

have you looked at an R9 290? GPU boss shows it outperforms the 370 and it'll only prolly run you about $50 more. I'm looking to upgrade from my 280 to a 290 myself.

[marurun]

But is that performance delta worth the additional $50? I want a good system, but I also want value for the money invested. I'm trying to find that sweet spot.

[noiseredux]

if you go w/ the 960 thru New Egg you'll get a free copy of MGS5 if that does anything for you.

[alexis524]

But is that performance delta worth the additional $50? I want a good system, but I also want value for the money invested. I'm trying to find that sweet spot.

Here's the link if you care to compare the two:

http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.ph ... f4-edition

The 290 has double the RAM, double the clock speed, more than double the shader units, almost triple the shader performance, almost triple the texture mapping units, double the pixel rate.

Drawbacks of an 290: It may require a larger PSU and no free copy of MGSV with purchase

[marurun]

Nope, MGS5 does nothing for me. I'm buying for the hardware, not for the bundled games, and MGS really isn't my thing.

That said, for the specs, the 960 punches above its class. The 2 GB card performs really well, but memory is one area I want to be forward-looking in, so I kinda want to go for a 4 GB card, but the 960s ratchet up a little more in price than some of the AMD offerings, and they don't have as wide a memory bus. Then again, there's those benchmarks...

Also, the R9 290 is like $100 more than the R7 370. That's a lot more.

[noiseredux]

it being a brand new game, I'm sure someone would be willing to buy the Steam key off you to help recoup some of the $ spent on the GPU...