Should I Crossfire?

[tuberolector]

I currently have a single Radeon 7950 paired with my i7-4790k. I was just browsing Newegg and I saw an R9 280 for $220 ($200 with a rebate), and this got me wondering, should I crossfire? I was initially planning on upgrading to a GTX 870 when it's released, but now I'm not sure. I know that my motherboard would support it perfectly fine (supports SLI and Crossfire), but I constantly hear how a single, more powerful card is better. Would it really be worth it to spend all that extra money on an 870 over just getting a R9 280?

 

Just FYI, it doesn't have to be immediate, so I'm fine waiting if that's what you guys think is best. 

[Kyuubixchidori]

I currently have a single Radeon 7950 paired with my i7-4790k. I was just browsing Newegg and I saw an R9 280 for $220 ($200 with a rebate), and this got me wondering, should I crossfire? I was initially planning on upgrading to a GTX 870 when it's released, but now I'm not sure. I know that my motherboard would support it perfectly fine (supports SLI and Crossfire), but I constantly hear how a single, more powerful card is better. Would it really be worth it to spend all that extra money on an 870 over just getting a R9 280?

 

Just FYI, it doesn't have to be immediate, so I'm fine waiting if that's what you guys think is best. 

what advantage of getting a 280 over another 7950? I know my 7950 runs everything pretty much maxed out besides watch dogs. 

 

Id recommend a 870 because eventually i want to buy your old 7950:D

 

but seriously, wouldnt it be most cost effective to just get another 7950? or would a 280  with a 7950 give better frame rate?

[SAV1OUR]

$200 rebate OH DAAAAAAAAAAAAAYMN! 

[SkilledRebuilds]

what advantage of getting a 280 over another 7950? I know my 7950 runs everything pretty much maxed out besides watch dogs. 

 

Id recommend a 870 because eventually i want to buy your old 7950:D

 

but seriously, wouldnt it be most cost effective to just get another 7950? or would a 280  with a 7950 give better frame rate?

If he wants 8xAA in ALL games again.. Thats why.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

*OP

Yes, would work fine.

7950 + 7950 means both will be @ equal usage.

280 + 7950 (If the clockspeeds are different) then the usage will be off  slightly say.. 98% + 100%, and frame pacing will keep it in sync.

Or you can set them at the same clocks and be happy with it all.

[-rascal-]

what advantage of getting a 280 over another 7950? I know my 7950 runs everything pretty much maxed out besides watch dogs. 

 

Id recommend a 870 because eventually i want to buy your old 7950:D

 

but seriously, wouldnt it be most cost effective to just get another 7950? or would a 280  with a 7950 give better frame rate?

 

A R9-280 IS a HD 7950.

Just like the R9-280X being essentially a HD 7970 GHz Edition rebrand with a new BIOS.

 

@tuberolector if your PSU is capable, your chassis is capable and able to handle the extra head output of another GPU, I'd say go for it.

 

Heck, I bought a Vapor-X HD 7950 (sealed RMA replacement) for $250 Canadian a few months ago. $200??? GO GO GO!

 

You should get the performance of somewhere close to a GTX 780 Ti...or better -- if the game application scales well.

[Kyuubixchidori]

A R9-280 IS a HD 7950.

Just like the R9-280X being essentially a HD 7970 GHz Edition rebrand with a new BIOS.

I know it is a 7950, but there has to be some performance difference. I was curious if it would just run at a lower usage, like what would happen if a hd 7970 ran with a hd 7950, or you overclocked the shiz out of one card. would it benefit or would the faster card just match the performance of the lower card?

[tuberolector]

what advantage of getting a 280 over another 7950? I know my 7950 runs everything pretty much maxed out besides watch dogs. 

 

Id recommend a 870 because eventually i want to buy your old 7950:D

 

but seriously, wouldnt it be most cost effective to just get another 7950? or would a 280  with a 7950 give better frame rate?

The 280 is just a rebranded 7950. The only reason I would go for that over a 7950 is that, on Newegg, where I do most of my hardware shopping, there is only one 7950 in stock and it's over $300. I also really dont want to get a used 7950 because they were all used for mining. The 7950 that I have was actually used for mining, but it was my friend that did it, so I still have the warranty if it starts to fail. 

 

If he wants 8xAA in ALL games again.. Thats why.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

*OP

Yes, would work fine.

7950 + 7950 means both will be @ equal usage.

280 + 7950 (If the clockspeeds are different) then the usage will be off  slightly say.. 98% + 100%, and frame pacing will keep it in sync.

Or you can set them at the same clocks and be happy with it all.

I would set them both at the same clock speed because I would want them both overclocked anyway. I already have a reasonable (but easily achievable) overclock on my 7950, and I would just set MSI Afterburner to have the same overclock for both cards. 

[ilikemacandpc]

Just get the 870 or whatever is good at that time. the power consumption will be lower and the overall setup will be quieter and will generate less heat. 

[deathjester]

I currently have a single Radeon 7950 paired with my i7-4790k. I was just browsing Newegg and I saw an R9 280 for $220 ($200 with a rebate), and this got me wondering, should I crossfire? I was initially planning on upgrading to a GTX 870 when it's released, but now I'm not sure. I know that my motherboard would support it perfectly fine (supports SLI and Crossfire), but I constantly hear how a single, more powerful card is better. Would it really be worth it to spend all that extra money on an 870 over just getting a R9 280?

 

Just FYI, it doesn't have to be immediate, so I'm fine waiting if that's what you guys think is best. 

 

Sure why not. Now if you don't have the PSU for it. might just get something like a Sapphire Tri X 290 or Gigabyte r9 290 I have seen for as low as 370. No idea if that deal is still going though.

 

All depends if you have the PSU power. Single cards have less issues early in games. If you already have the PSU though. I would do it. Those r9 280's are a good deal atm. 

[tuberolector]

@tuberolector if your PSU is capable, your chassis is capable and able to handle the extra head output of another GPU, I'd say go for it.

 

 

Sure why not. Now if you don't have the PSU for it. might just get something like a Sapphire Tri X 290 or Gigabyte r9 290 I have seen for as low as 370. No idea if that deal is still going though.

 

All depends if you have the PSU power. Single cards have less issues early in games. If you already have the PSU though. I would do it. Those r9 280's are a good deal atm. 

 

 

I actually do not have a good enough PSU, which is something I completely forgot about until you guys mentioned it. I have, however, been wanting to get a better PSU because I don't really like my Corsair CX 500, so this might be the exuse I need to upgrade. 

On the other hand, I would end up spending about $350 for the GPU and a good enough PSU, so maybe that upgrade isn't the best idea...

[dragoon20005]

I actually do not have a good enough PSU, which is something I completely forgot about until you guys mentioned it. I have, however, been wanting to get a better PSU because I don't really like my Corsair CX 500, so this might be the exuse I need to upgrade. 

On the other hand, I would end up spending about $350 for the GPU and a good enough PSU, so maybe that upgrade isn't the best idea...

yea given the hassle of CrossFire and the pesky micro stutter in newer games

 

it might be better to go for a single 290 or 290X 

 

see how much you can get from selling your HD7950

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-axr92904gbd5ppdhe

 

PowerColor PCS+ 290 is really good for the price it at now

 

 

try this 650 Watt PSU from EVGA

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10650xr

 

 

 

this combo should set you back 400 bucks but will be worth the money than the CrossFire HD7950+R9 280

[tuberolector]

yea given the hassle of CrossFire and the pesky micro stutter in newer games

 

it might be better to go for a single 290 or 290X 

 

see how much you can get from selling your HD7950

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-axr92904gbd5ppdhe

 

PowerColor PCS+ 290 is really good for the price it at now

 

 

try this 650 Watt PSU from EVGA

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10650xr

 

 

 

this combo should set you back 400 bucks but will be worth the money than the CrossFire HD7950+R9 280

I don't really want to get a 290 at this point because, while it will be an upgrade, going from what is practically a 280 to a 290 doesn't seem like that great an upgrade. 

 

Also, if I upgrade my PSU, I want something that can definitely do Crossfire or SLI, so I was thinking about the V750 from Cooler Master. 

[dragoon20005]

I don't really want to get a 290 at this point because, while it will be an upgrade, going from what is practically a 280 to a 290 doesn't seem like that great an upgrade. 

 

Also, if I upgrade my PSU, I want something that can definitely do Crossfire or SLI, so I was thinking about the V750 from Cooler Master. 

actually the difference is really great 

 

its like going from 1080P to 1440P

 

280 is great for 1080P gaming

 

but 290 can easily let you rock at 1440P

 

if you do intent to go CrossFire especially for AMD cards you need at least 800-850 watts

[asimrc]

yes mate x-fire all the way

[tuberolector]

if you do intent to go CrossFire especially for AMD cards you need at least 800-850 watts

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?! 

I was sure that 750 watts would be enough. 

Would 750 be enough for SLI?

[dragoon20005]

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?! 

I was sure that 750 watts would be enough. 

Would 750 be enough for SLI?

double of R9 280 is drawing like 400 watts

 

double of R9 290 is drawing 500 watts

 

yea 750 watts will just be enough but 800 is what I will choose to stay safe when OCing

[deathjester]

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?! 

I was sure that 750 watts would be enough. 

Would 750 be enough for SLI?

 

Depends on the quality of the PSU but yeah a double 290 build can suck some juice. Nice thing is you have an I5 which is low on power draw. The power requirements are a little crazy, cus the quality of PSU's can vary so much. There are some power calculators from corsair out there and other companies.

 

The CX you have is a builder series Corsair. I have the 600w version. It is "ok" but nothing like a gold rated. A single r9 290 and my I7 on a OC would be as much as I put on this thing. 

 

There are some REALLY GOOD 750's out there and there are also some crap 750's and 800's. Look at the 12v rail and cert. Johnny Guru has excellent reviews on power supplies. 

[SkilledRebuilds]

I went from my 7950-OC'd to the balls walls, and then got a 290-Fac OC

Huge difference 20-30% faster and I'm still rocking stock clocks compared to my MAX OC on the 7950..

Similar heat, plenty of headroom to go,... I've left my 290 at stock as there is no need for more power at this stage of my circumstances. (1080p panel + 1440p /w CRU Utility software)

 

I've manually added 1440p to my 1080p panel, for Gaming only of course (Text goes out of whack)

Its for those games that do not require a lot of reading and straight up FPS playing while on TS/Comms is good as any example.

The extra Image Quality boost is very very nice, IF...the game engine scales the HUD/Text for you, if not it can be hard to read (while still super pretty tho)

 

I'd test CRU on your machine, try to enable 1440p, use it with your 7950, look at performance and such...

Determine if you need more.

I "mostly" use 1080p, pretty swank, even with frame dips it's never below smooth.