2 old cards or more powerful video card?

[trimurti]

I currently have an amd 7870 and prices on used 7870 cards are 70-80 $. my motherboard can run 3 cards. What would it cost me to buy a newer used or new card that will significantly outperform 2 7879's?Please suggest specific cards nvida or amd though I am now leaning toward nvida.


4790K I7, Z97 Asrock extreme 6, corsair hx 850, cooler master full tower HAF case with extra fans, Tunq tower cpu cooler

 

[Dave2150]

Would go for a single more powerful GPU, with alot more VRAM than your current card does.

 

[lopri]

GTX 970 should fit the bill for ~$350. The card is new so you won't find a used one cheap, though. AMD 290/290X are probably a bit cheaper at the cost of power/noise.

Oh, and the video forum is
<- (that way)

 

[CHADBOGA]

Why deny yourself the joy of microstuttering, when it will only cost you $80?

 

[DownTheSky]

Why spend $350 on a new 970 when you can get R9 290 for $200 2nd hand? Just make sure it has a good cooler, it works and has transferable warranty.

 

[positivedoppler]

You should ask yourself.
1. What game do I want to play? (If you want to go x-fire, make sure your intended game performs well with it)

2. What resolution and setting do I want to play at? (if you have a 1080p monitor and don't plan on upgrading for another 3+ years, don't waste too much money)

3. Do I want to spend the premium to future proof my setup?

4. Do I can about electrical cost?

 

[Techhog]

GTX 970 should fit the bill for ~$350. The card is new so you won't find a used one cheap, though. AMD 290/290X are probably a bit cheaper at the cost of power/noise.

Oh, and the video forum is
<- (that way)

How long is this myth going to last? Noise is 100% dependent on the cooler.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

GTX 970 should fit the bill for ~$350. The card is new so you won't find a used one cheap, though. AMD 290/290X are probably a bit cheaper at the cost of power/noise.

Oh, and the video forum is
<- (that way)

Ha! That's a new perspective I never thought I'd hear too soon.

And subsequent posts seem to show that the 500MB frenzy still flourishes. The remarks are just more subtle -- entertaining.

I wouldn't know about AMD. I became a thoughtlessly-loyal NVidia owner since early last decade. I have two MSI "Gaming" cards. It's just about break-even against a single 980 card, but I haven't looked at prices since January or February.

 

[lopri]

^ What am I missing here?

 

[Headfoot]

Used 290s can be found for $200 and it's 0-10% slower than a 970 for $120 less. Noise is 100% dependent on the cooler the card has. It'll use between 40-60 watts more, which is completely negligible provided your power supply has enough juice to run it.

 

[Denithor]

What games do you play, at what resolution? Crossfire 7870 cards should be pretty adequate still for 1080p gaming and would allow you to push out a much higher cost GPU purchase into the next generation.

If you opt for a higher end card, wait until June for the next series of AMD cards to arrive. Even if you don't get one of the new series, the launch should shift the pricing of current cards downward somewhat.