2x6970 to 290. Worth it?

[mingsoup]

I am on the fence about upgrading to a R9 290 from 2x6970s.

While the upgrade if crossfire is working isn't much in most cases, the upgrade when crossfire isn't working is huge.

I also would probably go with the Tri-X because I feel the consensus is that its the best 3rd party cooler. However are the others (MSI) really that much inferior?

I would be pairing with a i5-4770k and 16gB ram.

Thoughts on the matter? I only game at 1920*1200. No AA usually. I like 60fps.

 

[raghu78]

I am on the fence about upgrading to a R9 290 from 2x6970s.

While the upgrade if crossfire is working isn't much in most cases, the upgrade when crossfire isn't working is huge.

I also would probably go with the Tri-X because I feel the consensus is that its the best 3rd party cooler. However are the others (MSI) really that much inferior?

I would be pairing with a i5-4770k and 16gB ram.

Thoughts on the matter? I only game at 1920*1200. No AA usually. I like 60fps.

a R9 280X / HD 7970 ghz is faster than HD 6970 CF. HD 6970 CF on avg across many games is 1.5x the perf of HD 6970. R9 280X / HD 7970 ghz on avg across many games is roughly 1.65x the perf of HD 6970.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/R9_280X_Direct_Cu_II_TOP/26.html

In the latest DX11 games like BF4, Crysis 3, Tombraider, Metro Last Light R9 280X is 2x (or more) the perf of HD 6970 due to vastly superior DX11 architecture, improved tesselation and compute performance.

http://www.sweclockers.com/artikel/17810-prestandaanalys-battlefield-4/3

BF4 multiplayer 1920 x 1080 Ultra 4X MSAA

R9 280X - avg 64 fps min 45 fps
HD 6970 - avg 31 fps min 22 fps

For 1080p with no AA , get a R9 280X. its more than enough. the HD 6970 has an outdated architecture and the frame time consistency of HD 6970 CF can never match a single R9 280X / HD 7970 Ghz.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-RADEON-100...dp/B00FSC5N66/

 

[Makaveli]

a R9 280X / HD 7970 ghz is faster than HD 6970 CF. HD 6970 CF on avg across many games is 1.5x the perf of HD 6970. R9 280X / HD 7970 ghz on avg across many games is roughly 1.65x the perf of HD 6970.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/R9_280X_Direct_Cu_II_TOP/26.html

In the latest DX11 games like BF4, Crysis 3, Tombraider, Metro Last Light R9 280X is 2x (or more) the perf of HD 6970 due to vastly superior DX11 architecture, improved tesselation and compute performance.

http://www.sweclockers.com/artikel/17810-prestandaanalys-battlefield-4/3

BF4 multiplayer 1920 x 1080 Ultra 4X MSAA

R9 280X - avg 64 fps min 45 fps
HD 6970 - avg 31 fps min 22 fps

For 1080p with no AA , get a R9 280X. its more than enough. the HD 6970 has an outdated architecture and the frame time consistency of HD 6970 CF can never match a single R9 280X / HD 7970 Ghz.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-RADEON-100...dp/B00FSC5N66/

+1

 

[mingsoup]

What is I wanted to spend a bit more money for a bit more future proofing and get a 290?
[What aftermarket would you get?]

Many MANY thanks for the fantastic reply.

 

[Makaveli]

What is I wanted to spend a bit more money for a bit more future proofing and get a 290?
[What aftermarket would you get?]

Many MANY thanks for the fantastic reply.

if you have the money for the 290 then get it if not the 280x will be an excellent choice either way.

 

[nurturedhate]

The tri-x, msi gaming and even the xfx double d are all solid cards for the 290.

 

[Silverforce11]

Best custom cooler for the R290 series is Powercolor PCS+ and Sapphire Tri-X. These two are by far better than the rest. And yes, it will be a huge upgrade.

 

[dn7309]

I bought a used 290x reference and it loving it over my SLi 660, go for the 290 skip the 280x, which is still price over MSRP (why?) while 290 are at MSRP now.

 

[lehtv]

6970 CF is essentially the same as 6990, you can compare to 6990 in Anandtech bench.

6990 vs R9 290: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1183?vs=1068
6990 vs R9 280x: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1183?vs=1041

Stock vs stock, a 280X is a sidegrade in terms of average framerates, though it is a huge improvement in other aspects (single GPU, less power, less heat, less noise, more VRAM, better minimums, OC, etc). I still would rather get the 290 if at all possible... getting noticeably improved averages is pretty essential to any upgrade IMO