NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 (4GB) or AMD Radeon R9 270 (2GB)?

[Neyjour]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into buying a new computer for gaming (specifically, at the moment I'm interested in Ark: Survival Evolved) but can't decide which of these 2 to get, based on the graphics cards:

PC #1 = NVIDIA GeForce GT 740 (4GB) - Price: $929.99
PC #2 = AMD Radeon R9 270 (2GB) - Price: $1,130.99

My question: Is the AMD superior to the NVIDIA? And if so, is it enough of a difference that it's worth paying the extra $200.00?

TIA!
Ney

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Where u buying from? Both are WAY over-priced. And neither of those GPUs is anywhere close to what is good enough to run ARK well at 1080p with good visual quality.

You could easily build a system for approx same pricing (or cheaper) with a much better GPU; like R9 390 or GTX 970

So again, can u share the links for said systems; so we can all have a look, and then be able to provide u with better suggestions.

[SundownKid]

If you want a prebuilt this is a MUCH better value:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z97_i5_Configurator

Just configure the graphics card to be a GTX 970 and it will come out to $992 before rebates and you can check the box for a free MGS 5 game.

You can make the case an S340 if you dont need a CD drive and it will come out to only $928.

[Neyjour]

I'm going to be purchasing from Best Buy. Here are the links to the 2 comps:

Asus - Desktop - Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 2TB Hard Drive - Gray[www.bestbuy.com]
Asus - Desktop - Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 3TB Hard Drive - Black[www.bestbuy.com]

I do realize that it would be much better to build my own, but that's just not an option for me, unfortunately.

It's going to be one of two I've listed, but the only thing I'm uncertain about is which is the better graphics card. I'm very interested in Ark, but if I can't play it properly, I'll just have to look for something else...

Maybe sometime in the future I'll be able to afford a better graphics card. I did look at what Best Buy had to offer, but the ones that seemed to be significant upgrades were just way too expensive for me.

So, for right now, I just need to make a decision between these two.

Thanks!
Ney

EDIT: Just to clarify why building my own is not doable... We live way out in the sticks, and whatever I buy, I'll have to pick-up from the store. (Best Buy is the pretty much the only option in this area). Having anything expensive delivered is a very, very bad idea... packages from UPS tend to arrive looking like they've been drop-kicked, or they get torn to shreds if our donkeys get to them before we do... :(

[SundownKid]

The best buy ones are not gaming PCs unfortunately.

Order from that Cyberpower link it has a 50x stronger graphics card for the same price. And it comes with gaming grade parts. Just make sure to select the GTX 970 on the configuration options as well as checking the box for the free MGS: Phantom Pain game.

From the ones you posted the R9 270 is stronger but it's still quite weak for the price.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

If you can use a computer, you can put one together.

I teach kids how to do it, correctly and safely; it's not hard to do. In their case, the parts kids don't get yet is how exactly the parts work, and how to understand "compatibility" but they'll learn...

ASUS makes good "Parts" not good pre-build Desktops.
They have great higher-end laptops though; the cheaper stuff, stay away from it.

You're not getting anything any better in an ASUS pre-build Desktop, that can can't get from say, Dell. Every brand has their "cheap" stuff nowa days. Even if they are know for good quality higher-end stuff.

[SundownKid]

Well you should probably search under the "gaming desktops" section of best buy then.

If those two are REALLY the only ones you can pick up then I highly suggest buying all the parts separately and building it yourself. Or maybe they offer some kind of PC building service?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

At the very least, look at CyberPowerPC and iBuyPower
Even BestBuy offer those. But again what u find at each store location; may differ.

[Neyjour]

I'm not at all comfortable fiddling around with the guts of my comp. And I can't afford to make a mistake and damage something (which has happened before...). The Geek Squad (at Best Buy) will install components, but of course, they charge an arm and a leg for that. Between that, the price of the comp, and whatever parts I purchase... it's just way too expensive. I really can't afford to go over $1,000.00, unless that AMD card is significantly better than the NVIDIA.

Do you think it's worth the extra $200.00? Or should I just buy the cheaper comp (with the NVIDIA), and save up for a much better graphics card down the line?

EDIT: Bad-Motha, I'll check into those. Thanks. :) If it's available through Best Buy, they have a "ship-to-store" option if it's not in stock at a certain location.

[SundownKid]

I think you are over estimating the difficulty of building. Watch some Youtube tutorials, it's unlikely you will damage anything as long as you are careful. Most of it is just *stick thing in slot*/*plug thing in hole* and its impossible to screw up. There is no electronics knowledge or soldering or whatever required.

Anyway... the problem with the cheaper one is that you will most likely need a new graphics card immediately. The more expensive one has a card that will be usable, albeit very weak. Your best bet might be to get the cheaper one and buy a graphics card separately for $200 like a GTX 960 or a R9 280 and install it yourself. Then it will come out to the same price but you'll have a better graphics card.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes that is correct, they charge an arm an a leg because people who can do it themselves choose not to. It's just that simple.

It's like saying "I don't want to drive or even learn how to, for fear I would crash the vehicle" OK then I guess u'll be paying for transportation then. You not going to get very far on free, unless u roll up your sleeves and DIY.

That doesn't seem to keep people from coming up with and making hobbies for themselves.

You can save alot by doing your own oil changes and such on your vehicles too; you'd think most people would instead of paying those ridiculous charges and such too.

I'll be honest; alot of games you'll be lucky to play at 1080p on high with a good stable FPS for what is in that $1100 ASUS. AMD 270 are laughable, at best.

You'd be better off with a Console.

[Neyjour]

Thanks very much for all the help so far guys. I really appreciate it. :) I'm going to spend some more time looking at their gaming computers... and I'll most likely be back later with some more questions. :P

[SundownKid]

Originally posted by Neyjour:

Thanks very much for all the help so far guys. I really appreciate it. :) I'm going to spend some more time looking at their gaming computers... and I'll most likely be back later with some more questions. :P

A lot of those "gaming" PCs are ripoffs that have ancient graphics cards or even no graphics card at all. Here is one I found with a good GPU for around the same price range: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-syber-vapor-k-desktop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black/6500102.p?id=1219662974412&skuId=6500102

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Why BestBuy? I'd check MicroCenter.com for a local store location in your area.

[Samadhi]

OP in direct response to your question, the R9 270 is almost four times as powerful as the GT 740.