GTX 980 vs R9 295x2 (Price/Performance)

[Arishok]

I'm really tempted to get a 295x2. I can get the XFX edition for around $700. I saw some benchmarks on the 980 in SLI vs the 295x2. The 980's beat it by around 10%. The flip side is that 2 cost around $1100-$1200 minimum. Since the 295x2 isn't $1000 right now. Would it be worth getting? As long as you have the PSU of course? How are the AMD drivers right now? I've never owned an AMD card before.

 

 

 

[silverteeth]

The problem with the 295x2 is that it has a high tdp and can output some heat as a result. If you want the energy efficiency I would say 2x 980's but really the 295x2 is 2 290x's so I would say 295x2 overall for it's lower price and high performance. It's not worth the extra 10% in my opinion.

[BiG StroOnZ]

295x2 will severely outperform a single 980. However, you must realize that for $700 that amount of money also puts you in SLI GTX 970 territory, which is what I would opt for instead. 

[Arishok]

295x2 will severely outperform a single 980. However, you must realize that for $700 that amount of money also puts you in SLI GTX 970 territory, which is what I would opt for instead. 

From what I understand. Doesn't the 295x2 outperform the 970 in SLI? I do like how the 295x2 only takes up 1 PCIe slot. The only thing I don't know. How are the AMD drivers these days? 

[AlRayes_BRN]

GTX 980 in SLI, SLI is more stable and supported than crossfire. Also, the 980 supports DX12.

 

Try to wait until February or March, better cards will be launched

 

Good luck!

[BiG StroOnZ]

From what I understand. Doesn't the 295x2 outperform the 970 in SLI? I do like how the 295x2 only takes up 1 PCIe slot. The only thing I don't know. How are the AMD drivers these days? 

 

Not by much, 295x2 is about 6% faster than SLI 970's. But after overclocking the cards those differences will be negligible:

 

 

That's the the thing is some people who run AMD cards claim they have no problems whatsoever, then there's a whole boat load of people who claim they have problems with AMD drivers. Granted, they have gotten a lot better with their drivers. They still aren't as polished as NVIDIA drivers considering people still complain about them to some extent. Not as much as before, but still. Whereas I can't even really recall there ever being any type of "rumor" about bad drivers on NVIDIA's side. 

 

Taking up one slot is slightly beneficial, but really populating two or one slots doesn't make a difference as long as your motherboard supports SLI or Crossfire. 295x2 only consumes about 650W peak, but of course those are stock numbers. Afte overclocking those numbers will increase a decent amount as we see on Crossfire 290X's. Whereas 970 SLI only consumes 440W peak, and not as big of an increase after overclocked.

[Arishok]

Not by much, 295x2 is about 6% faster than SLI 970's. But after overclocking the cards those differences will be negligible:

 

 

That's the the thing is some people who run AMD cards claim they have no problems whatsoever, then there's a whole boat load of people who claim they have problems with AMD drivers. Granted, they have gotten a lot better with their drivers. They still aren't as polished as NVIDIA drivers considering people still complain about them to some extent. Not as much as before, but still. Whereas I can't even really recall there ever being any type of "rumor" about bad drivers on NVIDIA's side. 

 

Taking up one slot is slightly beneficial, but really populating two or one slots doesn't make a difference as long as your motherboard supports SLI or Crossfire. 295x2 only consumes about 650W peak, but of course those are stock numbers. Afte overclocking those numbers will increase a decent amount as we see on Crossfire 290X's. Whereas 970 SLI only consumes 440W peak, and not as big of an increase after overclocked.

Wouldn't dual 970's put out a good amount of heat? 

[JB780]

In my opinion you should absolutely opt for the single card. I recently switched from 7950 crossfire to a single 980 and am glad I did. Alot of games see issues with stuttering, flickering and (in some cases) crashing when crossfire is enabled. The GTX 980 will draw significantly less power, they run cool and quiet and it's easily overclock able. This has nothing to do with Nvidia is better than AMD, or vice versa, but AMD's latest beta drivers have been sub par in my opinion, to the point where I just stuck with the full release.

[BiG StroOnZ]

Wouldn't dual 970's put out a good amount of heat? 

 

More than a single card would, but not really that much compared to most setups. Although the 295x2 usually tops out at about 70C while 970 SLI tops out at about 80-83C. There are other components on the 295x2 that will heat up the case besides the chips themselves, like the VRMs:

 

 

 

So call it a draw as far as heat in the case goes.

[Arishok]

More than a single card would, but not really that much compared to most setups. Although the 295x2 usually tops out at about 70C while 970 SLI tops out at about 80-83C. There are other components on the 295x2 that will heat up the case besides the chips themselves, like the VRMs:

 

 

 

So call it a draw as far as heat in the case goes.

Wouldn't be wise if you plan to OC the 970's to put them under water? 

[BiG StroOnZ]

Wouldn't be wise if you plan to OC the 970's to put them under water? 

 

Only if you find the 970's overclocking abilities are limited by heat. 

[Tola]

I hate my 295x2's. I'm going to sell them soon and pick up some 980's.

[Arishok]

I hate my 295x2's. I'm going to sell them soon and pick up some 980's.

Why do you hate it? 

[Tola]

Why do you hate it? 

Artifacting, driver problems, having an unfixable error with xfire that makes not use my second card in order to not blue screen, and a multitude of other problems. It is easily the worst purchase I have ever made. Welcome to the forums!!!

[Mush Brain]

970 SLi.