AMD GPUs for BF4 with Ultra settings at 3k Resolution

[UaVaj]

super moderator stahlhart suggested I start a new thread instead of mixing AMD with my other NVidia thread.

clearly NVidia has some serious SLI issue with BF4 (apparently the only game I play that need this much gpu grunt).

on top of this. pcper.com shows 780ti SLI to be stutter mess. :'(

290x is definitely not an all cure and it has it share of issues, however it is the lesser evil when BF4 is the priority game.

so how many 290x do I need to play bf4 with ultra setting at 3k resolution (6000x1080) with 70fps+ average n 55fps absolute minimum.

x2 or x3 or x4 ??? (thinking 3 is the right number)

picture is worth a thousand words. so a bf4 screenshot by owners with 290x crossfire (x2 or x3 or x4) in action with "perfoverlay.drawgraph 1" and "gpu info overlay" would be awesome.

thanks in advance.


UPDATE:

post #39
1) x2 is not enough
2) stutter
3) mantle

post #58
4) noise and underwater

 

[Skurge]

I just hopped on a server and took a quick SS. I'm using a an i7 3820, not the 4770k in the rig.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I would just start with 2 and go from there.

 

[UaVaj]

thanks for the screen shot.

based on the frame times. that looks like it is 290x x2. correct?
based on the image resize. 1600x900 resolution. correct?

 

[Skurge]

thanks for the screen shot.

based on the frame times. that looks like it is 290x x2. correct?
based on the image resize. 1600x900 resolution. correct?

It's 2x 290s at 1080p with 150% scaling. I don't know what the command is to show the hardware used. I used tinypic to upload so it scaled the imaged down.

Another one. Lowest it got was high 60s.

 

[3DVagabond]

It would seem like 2 might be enough running Mantle (this is DX). As VulgarDisplay said, start with 2 and go from there.

 

[Silverforce11]

Singleplayer benches don't represent MP results so definitely take it with a massive grain of salt. MP seems to flex GPUs better and run at a higher frame rate, but becomes CPU bottlenecked which Mantle fixes.

2x R290 is definitely enough. 3x 1080p is still less than 4K.

Granted the R290 is slightly less grunty but all it needs is to match the clock speed on the R290X and its pretty close.

Definitely playable with 2 cards.

But if you want 4x MSAA at 4K, you will need to OC them.

CF R290 @ 1.1ghz should do it.

 

[3DVagabond]

He didn't ask for playable. He asked for 70fps avg. w/ 55fps absolute minimum. I always assume Ultra to be w/4xmsaa. 2xmsaa is doable though if it's OK with OP. Would be for me. I wouldn't spend +$550 to just turn AA up another notch.

 

[Silverforce11]

4K dont think 4XMSAA is as imperative as it is for 1080p or 3x 1080p monitors, the pixel density is approaching absurd at that level, 2x MSAA would be a sweetspot. But to each his own.

2x R290 for cheap will do the job. Heck, 3x R290 will kill 2x R290X for the price.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

4K dont think 4XMSAA is as imperative as it is for 1080p or 3x 1080p monitors, the pixel density is approaching absurd at that level, 2x MSAA would be a sweetspot. But to each his own.

2x R290 for cheap will do the job. Heck, 3x R290 will kill 2x R290X for the price.

Just make sure your case is up to the task of dumping all that heat.

 

[3DVagabond]

4K dont think 4XMSAA is as imperative as it is for 1080p or 3x 1080p monitors, the pixel density is approaching absurd at that level, 2x MSAA would be a sweetspot. But to each his own.

2x R290 for cheap will do the job. Heck, 3x R290 will kill 2x R290X for the price.

Sorry, wasn't paying attention that it was a 4K bench. My bad. FWIW, I agree 2x290 would do it for me too, depending on local pricing on the cards I preferred.

 

[Headfoot]

I get away with 3x1050p on a single 290 with MSAA off, avg around 65-70 mins at 45 on Mantle on the worst maps. So 2x290 for the small increase in pixels would be sufficient I think

 

[Gloomy]

I'd go for 2 290Xs

The 290X seems to have a pretty decent advantage in this game.

 

[UaVaj]

ultra setting is: Ultra Texture everything with 4x MSAA, High Post AA, HBAO.

70fps+ average and 55fps absolute minimum.

just to be on the safe side. will go with 3.
if more than enough will just sell the 1.
if not enough will just have to buy 1.

 

[Silverforce11]

4x MSAA at 4K you are going to need 3 x R290.

Here, 3x R290 is cheaper than 2x 780ti and around the same price as 2x R290X. Clock at at the default R290X at 1ghz, and they will slaughter the other setups for cheap.

 

[Arkaign]

If I were building for that (BF4 at 1080p 3-wide) :

2x R290, watercool them, overclock them. You will get better than 295X numbers.

Fwiw I built a CF 290X 4770 (non-K) rig for someone with 3x 1440p, and it plays BF4 flawlessly at 2X MSAA. 4X is mostly okay, but imperceptible (I blind tested him over and over). This is with 3x Yamakasi Catleaps, 27" 2560x1440 displays.

 

[UaVaj]

If I were building for that (BF4 at 1080p 3-wide) :

2x R290, watercool them, overclock them. You will get better than 295X numbers.

Fwiw I built a CF 290X 4770 (non-K) rig for someone with 3x 1440p, and it plays BF4 flawlessly at 2X MSAA. 4X is mostly okay, but imperceptible (I blind tested him over and over). This is with 3x Yamakasi Catleaps, 27" 2560x1440 displays.

thinking
290x x3 for 3k
and you are suggesting
290 x2 for 5.5k w/ reduce AA

please post a screenshot and/or video. would be an eye opener.

 

[Skurge]

My Samsung 4K monitor will be here tomorrow. I will do some tests for you with that.

 

[Silverforce11]

That's at 3x 1200p so a bit more than your plan of 3 x 1080p, with 2x MSAA its very do-able with just 2 cards, not even a big OC required.

Here's 4x MSAA at 3 x 1200p

It should be ~10% faster at 3 x 1080p. Nearly there actually, with a 1.1ghz core clock, should do it.

Perhaps get 2x R290 first and i you find it lacking, throw in a 3rd one. No need to spend more than you need.

 

[Arkaign]

thinking
290x x3 for 3k
and you are suggesting
290 x2 for 5.5k w/ reduce AA

please post a screenshot and/or video. would be an eye opener.

The guy lives in Carson City and I'm in DFW, so that might prove difficult

However, this should give you an idea :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwcX3VtTJg

That was with WAY older drivers and no mantle.

Also keep in mind that WC+OC R9 290 are considerably faster AND quieter than 290X reference or aftermarket air-cooled cards.

 

[Arkaign]

Perhaps get 2x R290 first and i you find it lacking, throw in a 3rd one. No need to spend more than you need.

Bingo

 

[UaVaj]

2 Asus 290x Reference + 1 Gigabyte 290x Reference + Startech DP2DVI is on route.

will find out real soon how many 290x is necessary to get the job done.

if 2 is all that is needed - as many of u have suggested. will under clocked all three for reduce heat (throttle prevention) and for reduce noise (skipping underwater).

 

[Silverforce11]

You aren't going to reduce noise much, considering its a triple fire setup. Its already horrible in CF hence I went water. Reference R290s is just fail, because it's not actually a good blower, it dumps a lot of exhaust heat into the case via the top exhaust near the end of the card.

When I was mining with the reference blowers with case open, I can feel a fast rush of hot air above those vents. With the case closed, that hot air is recycled by the blower intake.

Either way, prepare to spend extra for a water setup or return those for good custom cards and more fans for your case.

 

[rtsurfer]

2 Asus 290x Reference + 1 Gigabyte 290x Reference + Startech DP2DVI is on route.

will find out real soon how many 290x is necessary to get the job done.

if 2 is all that is needed - as many of u have suggested. will under clocked all three for reduce heat (throttle prevention) and for reduce noise (skipping underwater).

Can you change or cancel your order.

If yes then look into this deal XFX DD 290X for $524.99 after coupon and rebate. Limit 2 rebate per customer.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=JIE-102301617

Haven't checked the reviews for this coolers, but maybe someone else can chime in.

 

[UaVaj]

given the thermal that these 290x produce.

the original intention is to go underwater.
the notion of under clocking was just an after thought based on the estimation that only 2 gpu is needed to get the job done.

3 extra hot gpu dumping heat into a case and recycling that hot air is global warming.

1 gpu - yes.
2 gpu - pushing it.
3/4 gpu - blower or water.