Second 7950 or one R9 290 for BF4 ultra settings at 60 FPS?

[DeadZed]

I have a 7950 and I want to run Battlefield 4 at ultra settings and 60 FPS at 1080p. With my current card, it runs around 25-35 FPS at ultra settings. Would a second 7950 boost my performance a lot or could a higher performance card like the R9 290 achieve this?

 

Or maybe it's a different component in my rig that's bottlenecking the performance. Battlefield 4 was allegedly optimized for AMD's processors so I doubt that's the bottleneck.

[RelentlessAF]

Your rig isn't bottlenecked in any way, however it is hard to tell. There is a chance that putting 2 of those cards in crossfire will double performance but there is a chance it will not. I'm not sure of the performance of the R9 290 when it comes to Battlefield 4 but I'd say it's really up to you. The 290 is a loud and hot card and requires adequate air flow and cooling. You will also need good cooling for crossfire but it probably will not be as loud if that i something you are concerned with. In the end it's up to you whether you'd prefer a crossfire setup or to run one GPU.

[Ashley]

Go for the 290, especially since prices are coming down closer to MSRP.

[SkilledRebuilds]

I have a 7950 and I want to run Battlefield 4 at ultra settings and 60 FPS at 1080p. With my current card, it runs around 25-35 FPS at ultra settings. Would a second 7950 boost my performance a lot or could a higher performance card like the R9 290 achieve this?

 

Or maybe it's a different component in my rig that's bottlenecking the performance. Battlefield 4 was allegedly optimized for AMD's processors so I doubt that's the bottleneck.

My 7950 would pull 45-55fps average when using 1080p Ultra. < - Multiplayer Maps, not SP

You should be pulling this!^^^^^^

 

Seems that something is amiss with your current GPU performance.

 

 

But I went through the same dilemma (without your low fps issue), another 7950 or a 290.

I went 290, selling my 7950 for $380 on ebay and putting my x'fire moneys with that.

[DeadZed]

There is a chance that putting 2 of those cards in crossfire will double performance but there is a chance it will not.

That's exactly what's keeping me from buying a second 7950. I have always had the feeling that CrossFire/SLI isn't worth it.

 

Battlefield 4 runs pretty good and just over 60 FPS according to this benchmark: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

Have in mind that's a single-player benchmark.

[DeadZed]

My 7950 would pull 45-55fps average when using 1080p Ultra. < - Multiplayer Maps, not SP

You should be pulling this!^^^^^^

 

Seems that something is amiss with your current GPU performance.

 

 

But I went through the same dilemma (without your low fps issue), another 7950 or a 290.

I went 290, selling my 7950 for $380 on ebay and putting my x'fire moneys with that.

Couple of questions:

1. What were your clock speeds?
2. Your i7 runs at 4.8 while mine is at stock speed (4.0). That's the only noticeable difference between our rigs, besides the card of course.

[TriBeard]

I would go for the 290/290x. You'll get better mantle support with the 290's being GCN 1.1, which will help with any CPU bottlenecks, which is probably what your issue is, at least in part. Also, you get more frame buffer, and the ability to add another one later if you find yourself in the same situation again.

 

What is you CPU running at clockspeed wise? I was able to get to about 4.5 on that same cooler with my 8350. YMMV of course, but it's at least worth a shot if you haven't overclocked it yet.

[SkilledRebuilds]

 

Couple of questions:

1. What were your clock speeds?
2. Your i7 runs at 4.8 while mine is at stock speed (4.0). That's the only noticeable difference between our rigs, besides the card of course.

 

HD7950 Clocks were 1225mhz/1650mhz, however thats when not in summer, during those periods it was 1175mhz/1550mhz, still a great overclock.

This was also stock @ 1.109v and my OC profiles loaded @ 1.256v or 1.270v or maybe one step higher than the normal load volts... Was a while ago now...

 

After a few hours of Gaming (BF3/4), it topped out at 72-76*c depending on game load, and my 290 @ stock speeds 1040/1250mhz does about the same thermals.. "up to 75*c" when gaming.

 

My 3.8Jiggahertz isn't always my daily... Right now I have it @ 4.2jigga's, two weeks ago I had it @ 4.0jigga's.

When I'm doing some encoding work(10-20 min vids @ 1080p/60fps) , It goes up to 4.8ghz , when it looks like a warmer day, back to 4.0-4.2ghz for usual Gaming.

Not that different between our systems in real world usage I'd say.

 

Noticing that if I can max out any game now, and have relative smoothness in all games, 50fps-70fps, then I'm happy, if it goes below 50fps, I turn down AA from 8/4xAA to 4/2xAA and usually think about upgrading when I later on have to move to 0xAA or lower other options.

But the bitcoin craze made it a lot easier to get me my new card.

[xAcid9]

My 7950 rarely go below 45fps with over 60fps average on MP map. OC'ed at 1134/1500@1.23v. Is that with Mantle?

[lachyman]

A 7950 should max the game out at 60FPS, something is wrong in your PC.

[DeadZed]

I would go for the 290/290x. You'll get better mantle support with the 290's being GCN 1.1, which will help with any CPU bottlenecks, which is probably what your issue is, at least in part. Also, you get more frame buffer, and the ability to add another one later if you find yourself in the same situation again.

 

What is you CPU running at clockspeed wise? I was able to get to about 4.5 on that same cooler with my 8350. YMMV of course, but it's at least worth a shot if you haven't overclocked it yet.

 

I haven't OC'd yet because I'm scared to mess something up. What does YMMV mean?

 

By the way, I noticed you have the Asus RT-AC68U router. I'm currently looking to buy an AC router and that one has very good reviews but unfortunately the price is a bit too high for me. Do you know of a good, cheaper alternative that can reach a console and PC, with a strong signal, about 20 meters away and through multiple walls?

My 7950 rarely go below 45fps with over 60fps average on MP map. OC'ed at 1134/1500@1.23v. Is that with Mantle?

The difference between DX and Mantle was unnoticeable for me. It still lags at the same places.

 

A 7950 should max the game out at 60FPS, something is wrong in your PC.

According to this benchmark it doesn't: http://www.techspot.com/review/734-battlefield-4-benchmarks/page3.html

[lachyman]

I haven't OC'd yet because I'm scared to mess something up. What does YMMV mean?

By the way, I noticed you have the Asus RT-AC68U router. I'm currently looking to buy an AC router and that one has very good reviews but unfortunately the price is a bit too high for me. Do you know of a good, cheaper alternative that can reach a console and PC, with a strong signal, about 20 meters away and through multiple walls?

The difference between DX and Mantle was unnoticeable for me. It still lags at the same places.

According to this benchmark it doesn't: http://www.techspot.com/review/734-battlefield-4-benchmarks/page3.html

I meant Ultra settings, not max settings. There the 7950 scores over 60FPS.

[Syfes]

I haven't OC'd yet because I'm scared to mess something up. What does YMMV mean?

Your mileage may vary

[DeadZed]

I meant Ultra settings, not max settings. There the 7950 scores over 60FPS.

Ultra settings ARE max settings.

Your mileage may vary

Thanks!

[TheMissxu]

When 7950s were going for $180 new... That would have been the thing to do. But the past is behind us and 290s are becoming more affordable: a single 290 take my vote.

[lachyman]

Ultra settings ARE max settings.

Thanks!

No they are not, you can still increase AA and that's what hinders the performance.

[xAcid9]

Ultra settings ARE max settings.

Thanks!

 

Ultra setting only set 4xAA, 8xAA is max out. BF4 didn't support 8xAA?

[Buckley]

sell your 7950 and get the 290. one gpu is always better than 2

[TriBeard]

I don't like how in order to run something "maxxed out" people claim you have to max AA too. after 2-4x AA on a monitor of a decent size and reasonable resolution (1080p on 24" or less, or anything 1440p pretty much) you really can't (or at least I can't) tell a difference, and it murders your performance for no real, tangible benefit.

[DeadZed]

Ultra setting only set 4xAA, 8xAA is max out. BF4 didn't support 8xAA?

BF4 doesn't support 8xAA. 4xAA is the maximum.

 

I don't like how in order to run something "maxxed out" people claim you have to max AA too. after 2-4x AA on a monitor of a decent size and reasonable resolution (1080p on 24" or less, or anything 1440p pretty much) you really can't (or at least I can't) tell a difference, and it murders your performance for no real, tangible benefit.

AA is part of BF4's settings so I consider that as maxing it out. I have a 23" monitor and the lack of AA is noticeable.

[TERAFLOP]

I've noticed that you're running a 700W PSU, which is not what I'd recommend for CrossfireX 7950s & an overclocked 8350 ( you should definitely overclock).
BF4 likes 8 cores, in fact 8350s benched faster than 4670Ks with & without Mantle in MP.
So I'm not really sure what's the culprit here.

http://gamegpu.ru/action-/-fps-/-tps/battlefield-4-multiplayer-mantle-vs-directx-11-test-gpu.html

[hadesjoy72]

Looks like around the web your 7950 is going for between 300 to upper 400s.  The R9 290 Sapphire Toxic is running about 500 on Newegg.  I would try to sell the 7950 (unless you find another for next to nothing) and go for the 290....in the end its all about the chedda, duckies, green backs, or whatever your favorite term for currency is....good luck

[just-cause999]

I would sell that card and get  a ASUS ROG Matrix 780 ti

( http://rog.asus.com/306772014/labels/rog-exclusive/meet-your-matrix-choice-of-r9-290x-and-gtx-780-ti/ )

or get a EVGA Dual Classified ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487007 )

 

and add sexy $20 backplate for the EVGA one ( http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-BP-2888-B9 )

 

 

Anyone agree with me?

[just-cause999]

Because a R9 290 is about $500, and a new 7950 is about $300, so sell your 7950 for $120 - $220. so in the end you have enough $ for a GTX 780 ti or if you want a R9 290x

[GamerDude]

I would sell that card and get  a ASUS ROG Matrix 780 ti

( http://rog.asus.com/306772014/labels/rog-exclusive/meet-your-matrix-choice-of-r9-290x-and-gtx-780-ti/ )

or get a EVGA Dual Classified ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487007 )

 

and add sexy $20 backplate for the EVGA one ( http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-BP-2888-B9 )

 

 

Anyone agree with me?

Not in the least, price/performance premium of the GTX780 Ti doesn't justify its cost over a regular GTX780 or R9 290/290X. A Powercolor R9 290X PCS+ can be had for 570USD, 200USD cheaper than the EVGA GTX780 Ti you had linked:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

 

Or a Gigabyte R9 290X for 600USD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125499

 

Because a R9 290 is about $500, and a new 7950 is about $300, so sell your 7950 for $120 - $220. so in the end you have enough $ for a GTX 780 ti or if you want a R9 290x

Money doesn't grow on trees, so if the TS can save some cash by getting an R9 290X for less, why the heck not?! TS can save even more by going either R9 290 (from 470USD and up) or GTX780 (from 500USD and up) which have better price/performance value.