I have an R9-280X 3GB: Should i go Crossfire, or wait for Nvidia's new videocards?

[Ilias]

Here are my system specs guys:

Intel i5-3570K
Gigabyte Z77M-D3H (already got an MSI Z77A-GD55 to replace it, as it cant do SLI or crossfire properly)
Corsair 16GB RAM CMX8GX3M2A1600C9
Crucial M4 128GB SSD
MSI Radeon 280x 3GB
Corsair AX850W PSU
Plus 5 mechanical hard drives of various storage

Call me a worrier for nothing, but after seeing Watchdogs horrible and inexcusable performance on high end systems - even if its the developer to blame for a sloppy job and nothing else - i started to think if this is possibly a sign of things to come with other future releases as well, namely Batman Arkham Knight, Far Cry 4, Assasins Creed Unity, Dragon Age Inquisition, Battlefield Hardline, Witcher 3 (especially that one) e.t.c. Although i play my games on 1080p (never felt the need to up the resolution), i always want to play on the highest settings possible to get the best possible experience. Seeing however that most of these upcoming titles are going to be "beasts" in their own right in terms of requirements, im starting to wonder if i should add a second 280x and go Crossfire (never done it before) OR, wait for the next line of Nvidia cards, sell my 280x and get one of the new high-end models - whatever that may be.

I have no experience from either SLI or Crossfire systems however. Is it true that an SLI or Crossfire setup always gives better performance throughout than a single card? Would i get close to DOUBLE performance from two 280x in Crossfire in 1080p? Is generally an SLI or a Crossfire system, the best solution for gaming?

Thanks a lot for your time folks.

 

[Majcric]

if you're not having any problems now then just wait it out. Watch Dogs is in such pathetic state it's not worth talking about. When said games get here then consider your GPU options,

 

[KaRLiToS]

Wait for next gen cards.

Not only Nvidia, you should wait for AMD next product line too.

 

[Vesku]

My 7950 that's clocked just a tad more than the GHz editions can handle Watch Dogs at 1440P Ultra Textures/ High settings/ Temporal SMAA so I think it's a bit early to be retiring your 280X. Imo, wait and see how things stack up with the Winter holiday game releases.

 

[Mand]

At the very least, wait for Computex this week to see if there are any announcements about new products.

 

[Ilias]

Thanks a lot guys

 

[StinkyPinky]

If a 280x can't play at ultra or close to it on 1080p then there is something wrong with the game.

 

[lehtv]

If a 280x can't play at ultra or close to it on 1080p then there is something wrong with the game.

* 60 hz

 

[Ilias]

* 60 hz

Can you please elaborate on that?

 

[Stuka87]

Can you please elaborate on that?

A 280X is not enough for 120Hz displays at those quality settings.

 

[KingFatty]

That just sounds like the upgrade bug/jitters/urge to buy more computer stuff. I would prescribe one visit to Microcenter/Fry's, and look for something cheap to buy instead (aftermarket GPU cooler?), and ogle the big monitors. When the urge passes, then you can also look into trying some overclocking on your GPU.

But never worry about the future. Only worry about playing what you have now, let the drivers mature, and wait for new cards.

 

[lehtv]

A 280X is not enough for 120Hz displays at those quality settings.

At least, not enough to properly benefit from 120hz versus 60hz in demanding games. 120hz (and 144hz) require two higher end graphics cards and a highly overclocked Intel quad core (or a Mantle game) to run demanding games optimally on Ultra settings

 

[RussianSensation]

I would upgrade when the games you want to play are released (since sometimes games get delayed and you end up upgrading for game ABCDE, only to find out it got pushed back 6-12 months and some new GPUs come out or prices drop); and if the performance in those games is unsatisfactory on your card. Right now the prices of GPUs, especially from NV are not reasonable. If you want more performance, as a stop-gap solution, maybe sell your 280X and get an after-market R9 290 for $360-380. Otherwise, I'd just keep waiting as GPUs get faster with new generations while current tech will continue dropping in prices. By the time some of those games you mentioned come out, maybe R9 290 will be $300 and R9 290X $400.

In the meantime, you can overclock your CPU/GPU.

 

[Ilias]

I would upgrade when the games you want to play are released (since sometimes games get delayed and you end up upgrading for game ABCDE, only to find out it got pushed back 6-12 months and some new GPUs come out or prices drop); and if the performance in those games is unsatisfactory on your card. Right now the prices of GPUs, especially from NV are not reasonable. If you want more performance, as a stop-gap solution, maybe sell your 280X and get an after-market R9 290 for $360-380. Otherwise, I'd just keep waiting as GPUs get faster with new generations while current tech will continue dropping in prices. By the time some of those games you mentioned come out, maybe R9 290 will be $300 and R9 290X $400.

In the meantime, you can overclock your CPU/GPU.

Many thanks for your input but im not much into overclocking. Do the R9-290 and 290x, really have that much difference in performance than the 280x?

 

[RussianSensation]

Many thanks for your input but im not much into overclocking. Do the R9-290 and 290x, really have that much difference in performance than the 280x?

It's about 35% faster for the 290X PCS+ at 1080P on average. If the games you currently play still run well, just wait until those next generation games launch and prices on current gen GPUs drop even more. For example, if you want to upgrade for Witcher 3 or even Far Cry 4, those games are so far out, I wouldn't bother yet.

We could see NV launch 880 at $649 with 20-30% more performance than 780Ti, and that would drop prices on 780Ti like a rock in 6-8 months. A lot of the games you mentioned are way too far out to upgrade for to be honest. Unless your card struggles in current games you play, I'd keep waiting. The other option, is to sell your card and get an after-market R9 290 off e-bay if you really have the itch. This way you minimize your upgrade costs.

Overclocking is very easy btw in MSI Afterburner.

 

[Ilias]

It's about 35% faster for the 290X PCS+ at 1080P on average. If the games you currently play still run well, just wait until those next generation games launch and prices on current gen GPUs drop even more. For example, if you want to upgrade for Witcher 3 or even Far Cry 4, those games are so far out, I wouldn't bother yet.

We could see NV launch 880 at $649 with 20-30% more performance than 780Ti, and that would drop prices on 780Ti like a rock in 6-8 months. A lot of the games you mentioned are way too far out to upgrade for to be honest. Unless your card struggles in current games you play, I'd keep waiting. The other option, is to sell your card and get an after-market R9 290 off e-bay if you really have the itch. This way you minimize your upgrade costs.

Overclocking is very easy btw in MSI Afterburner.

Thanks a lot mate What about Crossfire though? Is it worth it?

 

[OCGuy]

Xfire that puppy for now. Find a cheap used one, and enjoy for at least the summer, probably longer. :thumbsup:

 

[Skott]

If you really need/want to upgrade another 280x is the cheapest option. Then just wait a gen or two until a reasonable priced single gpu comes along and then replace your two 280x CF with it. However I think a 280x @ 1080p will suffice for you until the next gen comes out which is next year.