Wrap Up: Making Some Picks

Earlier we boot off with the best picks we just desire to mention that nosotros didn't exam whatsoever dual-GPU cards. The GeForce GTX Titan Z was excluded because its pricing is absurd for gaming and that's what we were testing, gaming performance. For the aforementioned cost gamers can buy a 3-fashion GTX 980 setup which will evangelize considerably better frame rates. Likewise, the R9 295X2 was left out considering it makes no sense at $1, 000 -- gamers are far better off purchasing two R9 290X cards for a little over 25% less.

Starting from the lesser of the nutrient chain, the sub-$150 battle takes identify primarily betwixt the GTX 750 and R7 260X. Both cost around $120, making this one of the easiest comparisons that nosotros accept to make. The R7 260X gets the nod as it's 8% faster at 1920x1200 and therefore improve value. With these depression-terminate cards nosotros are non too concerned most power consumption and instead make fps the priority.

Moving up to the $150-$200 bracket, the $150 GTX 750 Ti competes directly with the R7 265, though we also notice the R9 270 ($170) and R9 270X ($190). We can eliminate the R9 270X as it's a pretty poor value with AMD'due south own R9 280 delivering on average 17% more than operation for a mere 5% crash-land in price. We can besides forget near the R9 270 every bit the R7 265 is better value -- R9 270 costs 13% more than and is just 7% faster.

This makes the R7 265 the only viable option from AMD in the $150-$200 territory, but that's okay because it's 13% faster than the GTX 750 Ti at same price, making AMD's card an obvious choice.

With AMD winning our $100-$150 and $150-$200 categories, peradventure Nvidia will have more than luck in the $200-$250 range, which includes the R9 280 for $200, the GTX 760 for slightly more at $220, and the R9 285 for $250. We can drop the R9 285 for costing 25% more than the R9 280 while being just 4% faster, which leaves the R9 280 vs. the GTX 760. In that battle, Nvidia's card is x% more expensive yet also 2% slower, making the R9 280 our option.

If you lot're looking to spend $250-$300 on a gaming graphics card, the R9 280X is amongst your options but at $260 information technology has been made redundant past the at present $280 R9 290, which is faced against the sick-equipped GTX 770 at $270. Although the GTX 770 is iv% cheaper, information technology's 16% slower, making AMD'southward R9 290 the smarter choice here.

The final head to head battle takes place at ~$370 between the R9 290X and GTX 970 (the GTX 780 can also be plant in this toll range only is pointless with the GTX 970 effectually). With the same cost equally the R9 290X, the GTX 970 is 4% slower merely consumes 16% less power, then it could be the better choice.

Due to AMD's aggressive price cuts, the battle between the R9 290X and GTX 970 is closely fought, simply nosotros call up Nvidia wins this one. Withal, information technology's hard to ignore the R9 290 from a value perspective as it is 24% cheaper. Given that the GTX 970 costs 32% more and delivers simply 16% more functioning, nosotros have to question if you lot should purchase either the R9 290X or GTX 970 over the much cheaper and not significantly slower R9 290.

If operation is the ultimate goal then your weapon of choice should exist the GTX 980 at $580.

The best graphics cards at every price range
$400 - $600 GeForce GTX 980 $580
$300 - $400 GeForce GTX 970 $370
$250 - $300 Radeon R9 290 $280
$200 - $250 Radeon R9 280 $200
$150 - $199 Radeon R7 265 $150
$100 - $149 Radeon R7 260X $120

In a nutshell, the R7 260X is the best $100-$150 solution, the R7 265 is your card if you lot have $150-$200 to spend, the R9 280 is your best bet at $200-$250, and the R9 290 is a smart option at $250-$300. If your GPU budget extends to $300-$400 we recommend the GTX 970 and if yous're going to driblet $400 or more than the GTX 980 wins past default.