What GPU to replace 290X with?

rabidz7

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I'm selling my old 290X to get a new GPU, because I got a new monitor that only has VGA input. I only have a DVI-I to VGA adapter and don't want to buy a DVI-D to VGA adapter. I also prefer nVidia GPUs. Which card should I upgrade to? Should I wait for the 900 series? My price range is the value of a used 290X, plus $200. My monitor can do 1600x1200 at 100Hz, 1920x1440 at 90Hz, or 2048x1536 at 80Hz. I want to match or exceed the refresh rate at all resolutions, in all games.
 
The most important point you missed out: expected performance.
if you wont accept worse framerate then you can only go for the fastest.
Wait for new cards or get a 780Ti

The max refresh is based on the display not the gfx card.
If you want to guarantee the refresh rates, you had better make sure your new display can achieve them before progressing any further!

Modern cards can run at 1080p 144Hz over Dual Link DVI or displayport, so refresh rate isnt an issue for the card itself.
VGA out may be too blurred at 2048 res to be worthwhile.
 
high end cards don't generally have vga outputs

performance wise you aren't going to get much better than the 290x either

wait a while till the new cards come out, if you can live without a vidcard for a while then sell now and wait it out.
 
The most important point you missed out: expected performance.
if you wont accept worse framerate then you can only go for the fastest.
Wait for new cards or get a 780Ti

The max refresh is based on the display not the gfx card.
If you want to guarantee the refresh rates, you had better make sure your new display can achieve them before progressing any further!

Modern cards can run at 1080p 144Hz over Dual Link DVI or displayport, so refresh rate isnt an issue for the card itself.
VGA out may be too blurred at 2048 res to be worthwhile.

Sorry, I meant that I want the framerate to match the refresh rate. My monitor can do 1600x1200 at 100Hz, 1920x1440 at 90Hz, or 2048x1536 at 80Hz.
 
You need max performance then,
You may need 2 cards whether going team red or green to guarantee that high performance in all games.
 
high end cards don't generally have vga outputs

performance wise you aren't going to get much better than the 290x either

wait a while till the new cards come out, if you can live without a vidcard for a while then sell now and wait it out.

I only need DVI-I, not VGA. I have an adapter for DVI-I to VGA, but I don't want to buy another, expensive, DVI-D to VGA adapter. Digital-to-analog adapters are pricy.
 
I'm selling my old 290X to get a new GPU, because I got a new monitor that only has VGA input. I only have a DVI-I to VGA adapter and don't want to buy a DVI-D to VGA adapter. I also prefer nVidia GPUs. Which card should I upgrade to? Should I wait for the 900 series? My price range is the value of a used 290X, plus $200. My monitor can do 1600x1200 at 100Hz, 1920x1440 at 90Hz, or 2048x1536 at 80Hz. I want to match or exceed the refresh rate at all resolutions, in all games.
We do not yet know if the 900-series will still include a RAMDAC, so there is no guarantee that you could get away with a passive DVI-I to VGA adapter/cable if you're waiting on those. The 900-series is launching next week by all indications, so we should know soon enough whether or not NVIDIA is still going to include RAMDACs in their cards.

The current 700-series does still include a RAMDAC, and the GTX 780 Ti is pretty much what you need if you want to play at 2048x1536 @ 80Hz without sacrificing too much image quality in games to get to 80 FPS. It's about 500k fewer pixels than 2560x1440, so you could probably do with a regular aftermarket GTX 780. Plus you can always overclock it if you need anything extra.
 
I only need DVI-I, not VGA. I have an adapter for DVI-I to VGA, but I don't want to buy another, expensive, DVI-D to VGA adapter. Digital-to-analog adapters are pricy.

Active DVI-D to VGA adapters are $50 on newegg. You're going to loose / spend way more than that selling your card and replacing it.
 
Digital-to-analog adapters are pricy.
High end video cards cost heaps more. As others have pointed out an adapter is waaaay cheaper.

Performance-wise unless you're rich it makes no sense for you to buy a new video card for at least 1-2 more generations.
 
I'd keep your 290x and get a better monitor. Stop obsessing over refresh rates.
 
There are also HDMI to VGA adapters and display port to VGA adapters.

otherwise wait for the new cards and hope they match up I guess. you likely want the 980. The 970 probably wont beat a 290x
 
This is an old CRT monitor, isn't it? Do yourself a favour and upgrade to one of the Korean 24 inch IPS screens.
 
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