GPU Upgrade

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Durvelle27

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
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Looking to upgrade my graphics solution for future games. BF4, Batman: Arkham Origins, Watch Dogs, etc. I won't to be able to max them or at least close. I do plan to go 4K soon but not right now.

My current system specs:

FX 8350 @4.8GHz
ASUS M5A97 EVO
8GB(2x4GB) DDR3 2133MHz
XFX R9 280X
Corsair TX850 850w


I'm thinking should I crossfire my 280X or sell it and get a R9 290X
 
BrightCandle

BrightCandle

Diamond Member
Mar 15, 2007
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I think crossfire would be a better option, will bring a lot more performance than a 290X replacement but also a lot more frame variance. If you haven't gone crossfire before it might be an experience you dislike or you may love the performance and only be concerned when the profiles aren't there in time.
 
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OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
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If you are truly looking for a long term solution to bring you into 4k, I would wait until you actually need the horsepower, and decide then. Otherwise 290 will likely be more attractive to Xfire.
 
S

seitur

Senior member
Jul 12, 2013
383
1
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Trying to build long-term solution in "last days" of 28nm and last-gen consoles - is even worse idea than in more 'normal times'.
 
Durvelle27

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
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BrightCandle said:
I think crossfire would be a better option, will bring a lot more performance than a 290X replacement but also a lot more frame variance. If you haven't gone crossfire before it might be an experience you dislike or you may love the performance and only be concerned when the profiles aren't there in time.
Click to expand...

I have indeed used crossfire with no problems. Two HD 7870s @1200/1450
 
2

24601

Golden Member
Jun 10, 2007
1,683
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What happened to the 7970 ghz edition you posted benchmarks of?

Just use that, your processor will limit you in games anyways from going any higher than that.
 
spat55

spat55

Senior member
Jul 2, 2013
539
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In some cases you get 40% more performance when you compare a R9 280x to a R9 290x, but you are paying double for it, so imo I would get another R9 280x and crossfire. Me personally would be more than happy with a R9 280x for 1440p.
 
Durvelle27

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
4,102
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Communism said:
What happened to the 7970 ghz edition you posted benchmarks of?

Just use that, your processor will limit you in games anyways from going any higher than that.
Click to expand...

I highly doubt that unless its a single threaded game which most are not.
 
L

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
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Durvelle27 said:
Does it matter. :colbert: but if it does

7870GHz -> 7870 Crossfire -> HD 7970
Click to expand...

so this is inaccurate. I'm not trying to nit pick, just what you stated wasn't lining up.

And I do believe you had something else before that initial 7870...

Listen, you are entitled to upgrade as often as you want. That not what I'm trying to say. If you noticed I said "upgrade". I feel that I'm constantly reading threads from you about this topic and settling for the cheapest path only to post yet another thread of needing more performance and buying something mediocre.

You could save a lot of time, money and hassle and just pony up the coin to buy the right card in the first place.

4K monitor? That's a heck of a lot more coin than all of your graphics cards purchases combined. Are you sure it is as close as you suggest?
 
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Durvelle27

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
4,102
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lavaheadache said:
so this is inaccurate. I'm not trying to nit pick, just what you stated wasn't lining up.

And I do believe you had something else before that initial 7870...

Listen, you are entitled to upgrade as often as you want. That not what I'm trying to say. If you noticed I said "upgrade". I feel that I'm constantly reading threads from you about this topic and settling for the cheapest path only to post yet another thread of needing more performance and buying something mediocre.

You could save a lot of time, money and hassle and just pony up the coin to buy the right card in the first place.

4K monitor? That's a heck of a lot more coin than all of your graphics cards purchases combined. Are you sure it is as close as you suggest?
Click to expand...

Oh so you want a full list of cards

560 Ti -> HD 6950 2GB -> HD 7870 -> HD 7870 CFx -> HD 7970 <=> 280X


And I do understand what you mean. So you think I should just hold on to my 280X until next year when 20nm releases


Edit: I was actually looking at a 4K TV not a monitor.
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,304
675
126
Durvelle27 said:
Oh so you want a full list of cards

560 Ti -> HD 6950 2GB -> HD 7870 -> HD 7870 CFx -> HD 7970 <=> 280X


And I do understand what you mean. So you think I should just hold on to my 280X until next year when 20nm releases
Click to expand...

I would have kept the 7970ghz until the 20nm cards come out. The 280x is a card for those who wanted a 7970ghz but did not buy it when it came out. If the 290x reference cards show really good results I'll be upgrading to one and selling my current card. Otherwise, I'll just keep the 7970 until the new set come out.
 
B

brandonmatic

Member
Jul 13, 2013
199
21
81
It's a fools errand to try to "future proof" your graphics cards for 4K displays - which you said you're not planning to buy for a while and which realistically won't be affordable (meaning priced similar to current mainstream monitors) for another 1-2 years. What you have now - a 280X - seems like it is plenty good to be close to maxing those games at 1080p. If you are already at 1440p, then either CF or a 290/290X should do the trick.
 
L

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
14
81
Durvelle27 said:
Oh so you want a full list of cards

560 Ti -> HD 6950 2GB -> HD 7870 -> HD 7870 CFx -> HD 7970 <=> 280X


And I do understand what you mean. So you think I should just hold on to my 280X until next year when 20nm releases
Click to expand...

I knew you were holding back... lol. That's exactly my point. Unless you were doing the forum a service by testing cards and reporting back to us, that is a lot buying cards in the same approximate performance bracket.

No, I don't suggest you hold the 280X till 20nm as I have a similar sickness as you but I'm always chasing the high end. :biggrin:

If I were you I would snag a used GTX 780, I bet somebody could be talked into letting one go for around $475. That would be a lot of card for the money... Call me crazy but I don't even think that is a consideration.:biggrin:

Since I'm not you I think a 290x would be the ultimate card for you and make you the happiest for the time being. If you got another 280X, my gut tells me that in a month or 2 you will be posting another thread about wanting a 290x
 
Durvelle27

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
4,102
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lavaheadache said:
I knew you were holding back... lol. That's exactly my point. Unless you were doing the forum a service by testing cards and reporting back to us, that is a lot buying cards in the same approximate performance bracket.

No, I don't suggest you hold the 280X till 20nm as I have a similar sickness as you but I'm always chasing the high end. :biggrin:

If I were you I would snag a used GTX 780, I bet somebody could be talked into letting one go for around $475. That would be a lot of card for the money... Call me crazy but I don't even think that is a consideration.:biggrin:

Since I'm not you I think a 290x would be the ultimate card for you and make you the happiest for the time being. If you got another 280X, my gut tells me that in a month or 2 you will be posting another thread about wanting a 290x
Click to expand...

Well honestly I loved my 7870 CFx. What made me get ride of them was that only one of them supported a full cover water block and the other only a universal and it was a deal breaker as I'm fully custom water cooled and don't like universal blocks as they don't cool the VRMs on the GPU. But I think I'll have to really think on this.
 
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Fastx

Fastx

Senior member
Dec 18, 2008
780
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Durvelle27 said:
Which is
Click to expand...

:)

Since you already had a 7870 CFX setup and seem very happy per your experience with it and already have a 280x I would just pick another 280X for CF imo. You of course would have very nice/more power for the money vs. a 290x. If I had a single 280x right now in my system today and wanted to upgrade for more power I would go 280x CFX vs.a 290x imo. But everyone is different so get what you think would be best for you but my vote would be to go 280x CF. Now if money is no object for higher performance for you (want or need the power) then I would go 290 or 290x CFX of course keeping in mind you will deal with higher temps with 290x CFX if you go current reference cards at this point.
 
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Fastx

Fastx

Senior member
Dec 18, 2008
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Duvelle just for reference if you haven't seen this chart yet and since you play BF3/4 you will be of course right around/above a 7970 GE CFX with 280x CFX power of course depending on your cpu/resolution per avg. fps.

BF3_011_zps4b98c470.png
 
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OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
37
91
Just wondering how you were still deciding on Friday, yet by Sunday you had purchased (there are none anywhere), had delivered, installed with a custom water loop, and benched your 290X?
 
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