AMD Radeon vs Nvidia GeForce

Feasibility study completed by Billy Matthew and Travis Kerr

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Method .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Performance data ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Price data................................................................................................................................................... 5
Personal knowledge .................................................................................................................................. 5
Results ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
Prices (as of 19NOV13) ................................................................................................................................ 9
Performance ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Model ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Interface .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Chipset .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Memory ................................................................................................................................................... 10
3D API .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Ports ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
General .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Features ................................................................................................................................................... 11
TOP-selected edition ........................................................................................................................... 11
Prices (as of 19NOV13) .............................................................................................................................. 13
Performance ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Model ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Interface .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Chipset .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Memory ................................................................................................................................................... 14
3D API .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Ports ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
General .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Features ................................................................................................................................................... 14
GPU Tweak:........................................................................................................................................ 14
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 19
Recommendation ........................................................................................................................................ 23
Index ........................................................................................................................................................... 25

Introduction

Introduction
The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast the most popular computer graphics cards for AMD
Radeon and Nvidia GeForce. This report provides statistical comparisons that will provide insight for the
PC enthusiast in search of the best graphics card upgrade for their computer. Our team has chosen the 2
graphics cards that are the most popular for each manufacturer. We chose the GeForce GTX 780 Ti and
the Radeon R9 280X. Common concerns when searching for a new graphics card are performance, price
and reliability. Each card has been researched to provide statistical evidence regarding these common
concerns. The graphics cards are ranked in each category as well as a data sheet containing detailed
descriptions of the cards specifications.

EA Battlefield 4 pc game

Method

Method

Bioshock Infinite pc game

Method

Method
Performance data
Our group was unable to procure either of the cards in the study to get direct benchmark test results. The
primary method of data was from specifications obtained through the Newegg.com specification pages for
the respective graphics cards. Newegg.com is an industry leader in personal computer components and
reference and has been operating since 2001. We also obtained benchmark data from hwcompare.com
(hardwarecompare). Hardwarecompare has benchmark data on nearly every card currently in production
with a comparison tool to quickly match up two different graphics cards.

Price data
Prices were taken directly off of several major retailer websites. The retailers used were Newegg.com,
Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Amazon.com. The price for the graphics cards was recorded on 19 November,
2013 from each of the retail sites.

Personal knowledge
Each of the members of the research group has extensive knowledge of graphics cards by personally
building their home computers into gaming and graphics powerhouses. Several years of reading industry
news and collaboration with others with interest in PC building and optimization has given our team
insight into the minutia of the data.

Results

Results

Need for Speed Rivals pc game

Results

Results

Compare graphs from hwcompare.com

Asus AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR5

Prices (as of 19NOV13)
Amazon.com $330.34
Newegg.com $309.99
Wal-Mart not offered
Best Buy $333.89

10

Performance

2048 Stream Processors

3GB 384-bit GDDR5

PCI Express 3.0

DirectCU II achieves 20% lower temps with direct-contact copper heatpipes, plus 3X quieter and
6X more powerful twin 100mm fan operation.
Exclusive CoolTech Fan drives wider airflow to keep critical components cool.
Top-selected 1070MHz cores run 70MHz higher than reference for smoother gameplay.
DIGI+ VRM with 12-phase Super Alloy Power delivers precise digital power for superior
efficiency, reliability, and performance.
GPU Tweak helps you modify clock speeds, voltages, fan performance and more, all via an
intuitive interface.

Back panel port view

Model
Brand

ASUS

Model

R9280X-DC2T-3GD5

Interface
Interface

PCI Express 3.0

Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer

AMD

GPU

Radeon R9 280X

Core Clock

1070MHz

Stream Processors

2048 Stream Processors

Memory
Effective Memory Clock

6400MHz

Memory Size

3GB

Memory Interface

384-bit

Memory Type

GDDR5

Results

11

3D API
DirectX

DirectX 11.2

OpenGL

OpenGL 4.3

Ports
HDMI

1 x HDMI

DisplayPort

1 x DisplayPort

DVI

1 x DVI-I
1 x DVI-D

General
Eyefinity Support

Yes

CrossFireX Support

Yes

Cooler

With Fan

Slot Width

Dual Slot

HDCP Ready

Yes

Card Dimensions

11.2" x 5.7" x 1.5"

Features
TOP-selected edition
-TOP-selected 1070MHz core - 70MHz higher than reference for smoother gameplay.

DIGI+ VRM with SAP

-DIGI+ VRM with Super Alloy Power delivers precise digital power for superior efficiency,reliability,
and performance.

GPU Tweak Streaming

-GPU Tweak helps you modify clock speeds, voltages, fan performance and more, all via an intuitive
interface. What's more, a simple online-streaming option function lets you share gameplay live - so
people can watch as you play!

Graphics GPU Features:

AMD Eyefinity Technology
-Extend the view across up to 6 displays to immerse yourself in gameplay and entertainment.
CrossFire Support
-Multi-GPU technology for extreme performance.

AMD HD3D Technology

-Optimize stereoscopic 3D gaming and movie-watching entertainment.

12

PCIE 3.0
-Delivers double the bandwidth per lane of PCIe Gen 2 for faster GPU - CPU communication.

Microsoft DirectX 11.2 Support

-Bring new levels of visual realism to gaming on the PC and get top-notch performance.

Asus AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR5

Results

13

Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB

Prices (as of 19NOV13)
Amazon.com $699.99
Newegg.com $699.99
Wal-Mart $780.79 (GTX 780)
Best Buy $608.31 (GTX 780)

Performance

2880 CUDA Cores

3GB 384-bit GDDR5

PCI Express 3.0

The GeForce GTX 780 Ti is designed with improvement in every aspect performance, power
efficiency, stability, acoustics and build quality to take your gaming experience to the next
level. With 2880 CUDA Cores 25% more than its predecessor, gigantic 3GB GDDR5 memory
clocking at 7010MHz effective frequency and exciting new technologies, the GeForce 780 Ti
gives you the performance to play every title at ultra settings and max resolutions on todays
highest-definition displays.

Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB back panel

Model
Brand

ASUS

Model

GTX780TI-3GD5

Interface
Interface

PCI Express 3.0

Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer

NVIDIA

14
GPU

GeForce GTX 780 Ti

Core Clock

875MHz

Boost Clock

928MHz

CUDA Cores

2880

Memory
Effective Memory Clock

7000MHz

Memory Size

3GB

Memory Interface

384-bit

Memory Type

GDDR5

3D API
DirectX

DirectX 11.2

OpenGL

OpenGL 4.4

Ports
HDMI

1 x HDMI

DisplayPort

1 x DisplayPort

DVI

1 x DVI-I
1 x DVI-D

General
3D VISION Game Ready

Yes

SLI Support

SLI Ready

Dual-Link DVI Supported

Yes

HDCP Ready

Yes

Card Dimensions

10.8 x 4.4 x 1.5

Features
GPU Tweak:
-GPU Tweak Utility with Streaming provides Real-time and intuitive tweaking. Online-streaming
function lets you share gameplay live-so people can watch as you play!

Gigantic 3GB GDDR5 Memory:

-On-board memory for the best gaming experience & the best resolution

Results

NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0:

-Technology for intelligent monitoring of clock speed,ensuring that the GPU runs at its peak and the
game is at its highest frame rate possible. It offers new levels of customization, including GPU
temperature target,overclocking, and unlocked voltage.

NVIDIA Adaptive V-Sync:

-NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync adjusts VSync to current frame rates for maximum playability

NVIDIA PhysX ready:

-Dynamic visual effects like blazing explosions, reactive debris,realistic water, and lifelike characters.

NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Ready:

-Bring games to life with NVIDIA Surround multi-monitor gaming on a single card

Microsoft DirectX 11.2 Support:

-Bring new levels of visual realism to gaming on the PC and get top-notch performance

15

Conclusion

Conclusion

Crysis 3 pc game

17

Conclusion

19

Conclusion
Asus AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR5 and the Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB both have great data
to support buying the cards. The Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB is more powerful but the price point of
the Asus AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR5 is much lower and is considerable enough to warrant
consideration. The GeForce GTX 780 Ti edges out the Radeon R9 280X by a considerable margin on
pure graphics processing power. The benchmarks indicate a staggering 93% speed in rendering above the
Radeon R9 280X as well as the ability to run at higher resolutions at a minimum 30 frames per second.
The Radeon R9 280X is considerably less expensive and uses less power. The price at Newegg.com is
more than 50% less than the GeForce GTX 780 Ti card. Consider the Geforce graphics card if you want
better performance or consider the Radeon card if you value a cheaper alternative. Additionally, the AMD
Radeon cards are rumored to be submitting a patch to their drivers that support Microsoft Mantle which is
profoundly more efficient at utilizing graphics card resources. This increase in efficiency correlates
directly with a graphics cards performance. The question that remains is how long will it take to roll out
these new Radeon drivers and how long can we wait to upgrade?

Recommendation

Recommendation

Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB

21

Recommendation

23

Recommendation
Our team hands down recommends the Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB. The current drivers on both
cards give the Geforce GTX 780 TI a considerable edge. Although the price is twice as much as the
Radeon R9 280X, the power to price point is considerable enough to warrant the purchase. The PC games
are much better viewed at maximum resolution and texture levels which cannot be attained by the Radeon
R9 card with the current drivers.

Winner ribbon

Index

25

Index
AMD, 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19
Asus, 9, 12, 13, 19, 21, 23
Conclusion, 17, 19
data, 1, 5, 19
GeForce, 1, 13, 14, 19, 21, 23
manufacturer, 1

Model, 10, 13
NVIDIA, 14, 15
Performance, 5, 10, 13
Price, 5
Recommendation, 23