Realistic upgrade schedule

[pcm81]

I am starting this thread about my rig, however simmilar schedules can be made for other HW setups.

I had HD4870X2 with Core2 8600 cpu. Last year I upgraded to my current rig, 980X with 2x6990s. I think at the moment the upgrade to 7990s would be an overkill, based on my current system performance. What I am wondering if the software environment (games) will justify upgrading my current setup to 8990s or equivalent green team cards or will my 6990s last longer than that? Note that 4870X2 was just 2 gpus, which allowed me to skip 1 generation... will 4GPUs allow me to skip 2 gens and still run all the eye candy with latest games and bareble FPS (30+)?

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

Unless you are buying video cards to try to topple 3dmark2k11 why would you need multiple HIGH END cards to play pc games?

Buy the single most powerful video card you can afford.....far less heat + in game problems and you will still get sick fps if you oc.

 

[pcm81]

Unless you are buying video cards to try to topple 3dmark2k11 why would you need multiple HIGH END cards to play pc games?

Buy the single most powerful video card you can afford.....far less heat + in game problems and you will still get sick fps if you oc.

No heat problems, water cooled. I bought 2 high end cards so that I have no reason to buy any others for a looooooong time. I am trying to get yallz opinions how long is long...

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

If you can get good money selling your current 6990's maybe buying the new Nvidia GTX690 (or two of them) would be a great long term strategy.

Each card is dual gpu and the fastest you can buy.

 

[SickBeast]

OP this is a very theoretical discussion.

You should upgrade if/when you need more performance in the games you play. It should not be on a "schedule". What you're using now is uber-powerful. You have no need to upgrade IMO, particularly if you only game on the single 27" display.

 

[Freddy1765]

You should totally call Crytek, see what they're planning a few years from now and what they think might will be required of the hardware!

 

[pcm81]

OP this is a very theoretical discussion.

You should upgrade if/when you need more performance in the games you play. It should not be on a "schedule". What you're using now is uber-powerful. You have no need to upgrade IMO, particularly if you only game on the single 27" display.

Preciselly!!!

The "theoretical" part of this theoretical discussion is even more theoreticall than you may know. Ultimately the question is: when will the game graphix start to school 2x 6990s?

 

[Yuriman]

Likely not for a veeerry long time. Most people seem to believe current-gen consoles are holding graphics back, and next-gen consoles are going to be light-weights even by today's standards, as far as graphics horsepower. I suspect crossfire 6990's (or similar) would provide satisfactory gaming performance until sometime around 2017 or 2018, though you're probably going to be a directx or two behind by then.

The performance is overkill, I'd rather take a single 6990 now and an equivalent card in 2-3 years, or even a 7850 equivalent card every year, than blowing it all on a card now and sitting on it for 5-6 years.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Likely not for a veeerry long time. Most people seem to believe current-gen consoles are holding graphics back, and next-gen consoles are going to be light-weights even by today's standards, as far as graphics horsepower. I suspect crossfire 6990's (or similar) would provide satisfactory gaming performance until sometime around 2017 or 2018, though you're probably going to be a directx or two behind by then.

The performance is overkill, I'd rather take a single 6990 now and an equivalent card in 2-3 years, or even a 7850 equivalent card every year, than blowing it all on a card now and sitting on it for 5-6 years.

I agree its not about how powerful now or even later. Even if you had quad 690's (around $4k in video cards) somewhere down the road there will be a dx12, 13 or who knows maybe ray tracing or some other crazy new standard and your current day cards won't support it.

 

[sandorski]

4-5 years easy....unless DX12 comes out and ups the ante significantly.

 

[DominionSeraph]

No heat problems, water cooled.

You're still dumping just as much heat as an electric space heater into your room.

 

[pcm81]

You're still dumping just as much heat as an electric space heater into your room.

Which is not a problem.