which gpu for new build? (2xGTX 780 vs 3xR9 280x)

New Build GPU: 2xGTX 780 or 3xR9 280x or 4xR9 280x

  • 2x Gigabyte GTX 780 Windforce OC

  • 3x XFX R9 280X Black Edition

  • 4x XFX R9 280X Black Edition


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sub-80

Senior member
Jan 11, 2014
259
4
81
Hello;

Building new pc. I have the following cards purchased already:

  • 2 GTX780 (Removed from Current PC)
  • 3 or 4 R9 280X (From Mining Rig as it is not profitable)
Read 4way crossfire/sli is a waste of card since the difference in performance is little compared to 3way.


Reason for GTX780

  • G-sync monitor
  • stronger performance per card
Reason for R9 280X

  • Stronger overall performance
  • Most recent games are made for radeon
What do you suggest GTX 780 or R9 280X (3 way or 4 way)? And reason please?
 
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Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
13
81
I already have these card on hand. No need to waste any more money.
Why would 290/290X be a waste of money? They're probably the best bang-for-your-buck deal you can get on high end video cards right now.
 

sub-80

Senior member
Jan 11, 2014
259
4
81
Because If I were to sell the cards I would sell them 40% of retail value. Just to buy 290 which is weaker than a 780 or 290x which is equal to 780.
 

kawi6rr

Senior member
Oct 17, 2013
567
156
116
Because If I were to sell the cards I would sell them 40% of retail value. Just to buy 290 which is weaker than a 780 or 290x which is equal to 780.

I think you need to do a little more research, the 290/290x have been getting new drivers which have made them quite a bit faster then you think. The last few bench marks that have been posted in the forums show the 290 being equalled if not faster then the 780. Even if the 780 is indeed faster then the 290 the only time you'll see the difference is in a benchmark graph, you wont notice it in game play.
 

WittyRemark

Member
Dec 7, 2014
118
0
0
Because If I were to sell the cards I would sell them 40% of retail value. Just to buy 290 which is weaker than a 780 or 290x which is equal to 780.

....huh?
1080p
r1920.png


1600p
r2560.png


Anyway 2x780 seems like a more logical option.
 
Last edited:

Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
13
81
Hello;

Building new pc. I have the following cards purchased already:

  • 2 GTX780 (Removed from Current PC)
  • 3 or 4 R9 280X (From Mining Rig as it is not profitable)
Read 4way crossfire/sli is a waste of card since the difference in performance is little compared to 3way.


Reason for GTX780

  • G-sync monitor
  • stronger performance per card
Reason for R9 280X

  • Stronger overall performance
  • Most recent games are made for radeon
What do you suggest GTX 780 or R9 280X (3 way or 4 way)? And reason please?
Ah, I understand now. You're trying to decide which way to go because you own all five or six cards already.

What resolution do you plan to game at? And with how many monitors?

Unless you're going with three screens at above 1080P, I think I would probably game with the pair of GTX780. Even though XDMA Crossfire seems to work quite well, I understand that there is a diminishing return for every card you add past two. In other words, Tri-Fire is not as efficient as CrossFire, Quad-Fire is not as efficient as Tri-Fire, etc.

Personally, I've never used SLI/Crossfire as I've always gotten acceptable framerates with a single card. But I only use one monitor. If I were to move to two or three displays, I would pick up a 2nd card.
 

Attic

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2010
4,282
2
76
2x780 from those choices. But depending on your resolution either 1x780 or 1x280x can be fine (1080P or lower).

If looking for more bang and at anything higher than 1080P i'd recommend selling all those cards and going 1x970 with a 4790k CPU and Crucial MX100 512gb SSD. Put any profits from sold cards into the CPU and 970 and SSD.

There are going to be larger benefits to be had first and as a priority, before jumping into dual GPU.
 

sub-80

Senior member
Jan 11, 2014
259
4
81
Ah, I understand now. You're trying to decide which way to go because you own all five or six cards already.

What resolution do you plan to game at? And with how many monitors?

Unless you're going with three screens at above 1080P, I think I would probably game with the pair of GTX780. Even though XDMA Crossfire seems to work quite well, I understand that there is a diminishing return for every card you add past two. In other words, Tri-Fire is not as efficient as CrossFire, Quad-Fire is not as efficient as Tri-Fire, etc.

Personally, I've never used SLI/Crossfire as I've always gotten acceptable framerates with a single card. But I only use one monitor. If I were to move to two or three displays, I would pick up a 2nd card.

To tell you the truth am not sure about monitors. I currently have a 32" TV connected for watching movies which am going to replace with a 50" LED TV and I also have a 24" 1080p 3D 120Hz monitor which will remain as a secondary to a new monitor am looking to buying (with g sync if i choose nvidia). Never thought of 3 monitor gaming due to bezel presence between each monitor.
 

kawi6rr

Senior member
Oct 17, 2013
567
156
116
In result list it shows 280x above 780 so why choose 780?

I didn't even realize AMD optimized the 280x that much, cudos to AMD. If you're going to spend the money for a 780 you're better off with the 290s, Saphire Tri-X OC or something along those lines.
 

ShintaiDK

Lifer
Apr 22, 2012
20,378
146
106
I would stay with 2 GPUs. But maybe you can sell off all the cards and get something better?

GTX970/290 etc.
 

sub-80

Senior member
Jan 11, 2014
259
4
81
Since when is a 290 weaker than a 780?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1036?vs=1068

I mean even the 94C throttle-crazy reference 290 is beating the 780 in most of those benchmarks.

The last benchmarks that I saw where when the 780 came out and there were mix opinions as some reviewers showed the 780 as a slightly stronger card compared to the 290x and others the opposite. Have not seen any new benchmarks.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Because If I were to sell the cards I would sell them 40% of retail value. Just to buy 290 which is weaker than a 780 or 290x which is equal to 780.

An after-market 290 = 290X and is much faster than a 780 in the latest titles. Even if you sell those 780s at 40% of their value, that's still what $250 (they used to cost $650)? $250 for each 780 is better used towards an after-market 290 or a 970. What's the point of keeping all those 280Xs? You could sell everything and get 970s/980s or 290/290Xs.