The AMD cards have been raised in price due to litecoin mining. They are the best at mining litecoins. The 290 was $399 a card blowing away nvidia for price and performance. Now they are going for $550 so if you don't plan on mining litecoin you can get a 780 instead for around the same cost. If you do mine litecoins you can earn maybe .25-.35 of a coin per day and make some money with the amd. Last I saw the coins were going for $20-$30 each. In the long run if you mine the 290 is what to buy. It will pay for itself eventually.