AMD R9 Fury vs GTX 980: Which Is Best for 4K Gaming?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Comparison of Graphics Cards
   • AMD R9 Fury
   • EVGA GTX 980 Super
3. Overclocking Performance
4. Benchmark Results
   • Valley at 4K
   • Bioshock at 4K
   • Thief at 4K
   • Trying 3 at 1080p and 4K
   • The Vanishing of Ethan Carter at 1080p and 4K
   • The Witcher 3 at 1080p and 4K
5. Price Performance Ratio
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

🚀 Introduction

In the world of gaming, having a powerful graphics card is essential for an immersive and smooth gaming experience. Two graphics cards that often come up in discussions are the AMD R9 Fury and the EVGA GTX 980 Super. These cards boast custom cooling solutions and slight overclocks, making them ideal for gaming enthusiasts. In this article, we will compare the performance of these two cards, explore their overclocking capabilities, and analyze the benchmark results to determine their suitability for different gaming scenarios. So, let's dive in and see how these graphics cards stack up against each other!

💻 Comparison of Graphics Cards

Before we delve into the performance benchmarks, let's take a closer look at the two graphics cards being compared: the AMD R9 Fury and the EVGA GTX 980 Super.

AMD R9 Fury

The AMD R9 Fury is a relatively new graphics card with an impressive custom cooling solution known as the Sapphire Triax version. This card offers high bandwidth and advanced memory, providing a cutting-edge gaming experience. The R9 Fury also supports AMD's Mantle API, which allows for lower-level access to the hardware, resulting in faster performance. While slightly more expensive than the GTX 980, the R9 Fury shows promise in terms of future driver updates and DirectX 12 support.

EVGA GTX 980 Super

On the other HAND, we have the EVGA GTX 980 Super, a graphics card that has been on the market for a while. However, its popularity remains high due to its frequent sales and impressive overclocking capabilities. The GTX 980 Super features the ACX 2.0 cooling unit, ensuring efficient cooling even during intense gaming Sessions. While lacking native Mantle support, the GTX 980 Super compensates with its reliable performance and affordability.

Now that we have a basic understanding of these graphics cards, let's explore their overclocking potential and see what they are capable of when pushed to their limits.

⚡ Overclocking Performance

Overclocking a graphics card can significantly boost its performance, giving gamers an edge in demanding games. Both the R9 Fury and the GTX 980 Super offer overclocking options through various software tools.

When using the EVGA GTX 980 Super, the EVGA Precision X software allows users to push the card's boost clock up to an impressive 1517MHz. This substantial overclocking potential can result in a substantial increase in performance.

On the other hand, the AMD R9 Fury, specifically the Sapphire Triax version, doesn't offer as much headroom for overclocking. The boost clock could only be pushed to around 1133MHz, with a 13% power boost. This overclocking level brings the card's performance slightly above the factory overclock.

Now that we understand the overclocking capabilities of these cards, let's move on to the most critical part: the benchmark results.

📊 Benchmark Results

To determine the performance of the AMD R9 Fury and the EVGA GTX 980 Super, we conducted a series of benchmark tests at different resolutions and settings. Let's take a closer look at the results and see how each card performs.

Valley at 4K

In the Valley benchmark at 4K resolution, both cards faced some challenges. To achieve playable framerates, anti-aliasing had to be turned off. The R9 Fury slightly outperformed the GTX 980 Super with a minimal edge in terms of overall scores. However, the minimum frame rate dipped lower for the R9 Fury.

Bioshock at 4K

In Bioshock at 4K resolution, the R9 Fury displayed a significant advantage over the GTX 980 Super. Even with overclocking applied, the R9 Fury remained ahead, providing a smoother gaming experience. Both cards maintained frame rates above 30 FPS, making them suitable for 4K gaming.

Thief at 4K

Similar to the previous benchmarks, Thief at 4K resolution demonstrated comparable results. The GTX 980 Super showed a slight lead in terms of overall scores, and its frame time performance was slightly better. However, with the usage of AMD's Mantle technology, the R9 Fury gained the upper hand, albeit by a small margin.

Trying 3 at 1080p and 4K

Trying 3, a graphics-intensive Game, showcased noteworthy results when comparing different resolutions and filter settings. With filters turned all the way up, 1080p performance was almost equivalent to medium filters at 4K resolution. This observation suggests that playing games at 4K on a 1080p monitor could provide sharper visuals.

At both 1080p and 4K, the R9 Fury held a slight advantage over the GTX 980 Super, although the performance gap was not substantial. Both cards offered similar performance between the two resolutions.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter at 1080p and 4K

When tested with The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, an Unreal Engine game, both cards proved their capability to handle the game at playable frame rates. At 4K resolution, they were both extremely playable, and even at 1080p, their performance remained smooth. However, the GTX 980 Super demonstrated a slight advantage over the R9 Fury in this game.

The Witcher 3 at 1080p and 4K

In The Witcher 3, a demanding game with advanced graphical features, both cards faced challenges at 4K resolution with all filters turned up. While both cards struggled to maintain 30 FPS at 4K, the R9 Fury showcased slightly better performance. At 1080p, the GTX 980 Super pulled ahead, providing a significant leap in performance.

From these benchmark results, we can observe that both the AMD R9 Fury and the EVGA GTX 980 Super offer impressive performance in various games and resolutions. However, factors such as driver updates and game optimizations can influence the relative performance of these cards.

💲 Price Performance Ratio

When considering the price-to-performance ratio, it's essential to note that the GTX 980 Super often goes on sale, making it a more affordable option for gamers. However, the R9 Fury provides an overall higher performance, especially when it comes to playing games at 4K resolution.

If you're looking for an excellent balance between price and performance, the GTX 980 Super is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize exceptional 4K gaming performance and future DirectX 12 compatibility, the R9 Fury is a compelling option.

🔍 Conclusion

In conclusion, the AMD R9 Fury and the EVGA GTX 980 Super are two formidable graphics cards that cater to different types of gamers. The R9 Fury offers excellent 4K gaming performance and innovative features like AMD's Mantle API. On the other hand, the GTX 980 Super provides reliable performance and affordability, especially during sales.

Ultimately, the choice between these two cards depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and the resolution you aim to play at. Whether you prioritize price performance, overclocking potential, or cutting-edge technology, both the R9 Fury and the GTX 980 Super offer remarkable options for enthusiasts.

Have any questions? Check out the FAQ section below for more information!

🙋 FAQ

Q: Which graphics card is better for 4K gaming?

A: The AMD R9 Fury is a better choice for 4K gaming due to its higher overall performance and advanced features like AMD's Mantle API.

Q: Can the EVGA GTX 980 Super be overclocked significantly?

A: Yes, the EVGA GTX 980 Super has impressive overclocking potential, with the boost clock being pushed up to 1517MHz using software like EVGA Precision X.

Q: Are both graphics cards suitable for 1080p gaming?

A: Absolutely! Both the R9 Fury and the GTX 980 Super provide excellent performance for 1080p gaming and can handle demanding games with ease.

Q: Will the R9 Fury benefit from future driver updates and DirectX 12?

A: Yes, the R9 Fury is expected to benefit from future driver updates and DirectX 12 due to its advanced technology and support for AMD's Mantle API.

Q: Which graphics card offers better price performance?

A: The EVGA GTX 980 Super, especially during sales, provides a better price-to-performance ratio compared to the R9 Fury. However, the R9 Fury offers superior performance, especially for 4K gaming.