Wrap Up: Making Some Picks

Before we kick off with the best picks nosotros merely desire to mention that we didn't test 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 price gamers tin purchase a 3-way GTX 980 setup which will evangelize considerably better frame rates. Likewise, the R9 295X2 was left out considering it makes no sense at $i, 000 -- gamers are far better off purchasing two R9 290X cards for a little over 25% less.

Starting from the bottom of the food concatenation, the sub-$150 battle takes place primarily between the GTX 750 and R7 260X. Both cost around $120, making this ane of the easiest comparisons that we take to make. The R7 260X gets the nod as it'southward 8% faster at 1920x1200 and therefore meliorate value. With these depression-end cards nosotros are non too concerned about power consumption and instead make fps the priority.

Moving upward to the $150-$200 bracket, the $150 GTX 750 Ti competes directly with the R7 265, though we also find the R9 270 ($170) and R9 270X ($190). We tin eliminate the R9 270X as it's a pretty poor value with AMD's ain R9 280 delivering on average 17% more performance for a mere 5% bump in price. We tin also forget virtually the R9 270 as the R7 265 is better value -- R9 270 costs 13% more and is just 7% faster.

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

With AMD winning our $100-$150 and $150-$200 categories, perhaps Nvidia will have more 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. Nosotros can driblet the R9 285 for costing 25% more the R9 280 while existence simply 4% faster, which leaves the R9 280 vs. the GTX 760. In that battle, Nvidia'southward bill of fare is 10% more expensive all the same also two% slower, making the R9 280 our pick.

If yous're looking to spend $250-$300 on a gaming graphics menu, the R9 280X is among your options but at $260 information technology has been fabricated redundant by the at present $280 R9 290, which is faced against the sick-equipped GTX 770 at $270. Although the GTX 770 is iv% cheaper, it'due south sixteen% slower, making AMD'due south R9 290 the smarter choice here.

The terminal head to head boxing takes place at ~$370 between the R9 290X and GTX 970 (the GTX 780 tin can as well be found in this price range but is pointless with the GTX 970 around). With the same price as the R9 290X, the GTX 970 is 4% slower but consumes 16% less ability, so it could be the ameliorate choice.

Due to AMD'due south aggressive price cuts, the battle between the R9 290X and GTX 970 is closely fought, but we think Nvidia wins this one. However, it'south difficult to ignore the R9 290 from a value perspective as it is 24% cheaper. Given that the GTX 970 costs 32% more and delivers just 16% more performance, we have to question if you should purchase either the R9 290X or GTX 970 over the much cheaper and not significantly slower R9 290.

If performance is the ultimate goal then your weapon of selection 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 all-time $100-$150 solution, the R7 265 is your bill of fare if y'all have $150-$200 to spend, the R9 280 is your best bet at $200-$250, and the R9 290 is a smart pick at $250-$300. If your GPU upkeep extends to $300-$400 we recommend the GTX 970 and if y'all're going to driblet $400 or more than the GTX 980 wins by default.