Dual R9 290x or Single GTX 980 for Watercooling w/ XSPC GPU Blocks

[jjjepong]

Greetings!!

I'm currently upgrading my custom water cooled loop, I'm looking towards upgrading my GTX 960
to either a Dual R9 290/290x or a Single GTX 980. Performance and Aesthetics are more or less Equal
Since this is a "show rig" and I only use it for gaming and a little of editing/rendering.

I saw these GPU Blocks (http://www.xs-pc.com/waterblocks-gpu/) and just simply had to have them..

Question 1: In terms of Performance and Cost which would be better?

Aesthetics wise, the Dual 290/290x would definitely win it hands down for me.
But still I was almost always accustomed to "one faster card is better than two slower cards"

Question 2: BTW With Regards to the R9 290/290x and GTX 980,
                       If I would be watercooling it with the XSPC Razor Blocks,
                      Which Brand would I be looking at? MSI,EVGA,PALIT,ASUS,GIGABYTE?
                      Since Looks/Noise wouldn't be a factor, Lets go with Cost and Performance?

 

Current Setup BTW:

i5-4690k OCd
MSI Z97 Gaming 5
MSI GTX 960 OCd
2x 256 Samsung SSD
1x 3GB HDD
4x 2133 Avexir Raiden RAM
Corsair RM850 PSU

Others:
XSPC D5 Vario Pump
1x 140mm Thermaltake Riing RGB  14 Fan
6x 120mm Thermaltake Riing RG 12 Fans
2x Deep Cool RGB LED Strips (planning to get more just incase I can get the XSPC Blocks)

All inside a custom modded Cooler Master  MasterCase 5 PRO 


Question 3: Lastly, Would my PSU be enough to support the Dual 290/290x setup?




 

[PlayStation 2]

Go dual 390s.

 

Yeah, your PSU should work with it.

[thekeemo]

Dual 390 or 980ti is a better idea

And yes your PSU is fine

[SPAS-ID]

1. i would get Dual GPU for aesthetic, but for Power i prefer getting Single GPU
2. EKWB
3.yeah it'll support it (probably not with both GPU and CPU OC'ed)

[KemoKa]

Dual 290Xs. They're just below a 980 for now. Two of them will absolutely waste the 980. And I don't even want to think about what will happen in DX12...

 

Computationally, the 290X is an absolute face-wrecking monster.

[pagani123]

Go dual 390s.

 

Yeah, your PSU should work with it.

 

he was saying dual 290

[PlayStation 2]

he was saying dual 290

I know, just sayin' that dual 390s would be a better fit because VRAM 

[jjjepong]

Go dual 390s.

 

Yeah, your PSU should work with it.

 

 

Dual 390 or 980ti is a better idea

And yes your PSU is fine

I was looking into that.. but in XSPC's page (http://www.xs-pc.com/waterblocks-gpu/) I don't see the 390s anywhere..

I am kinda upgrading so that I can get these magnificent Blocks so I can place my RGB LED strips in them for it to match my build.

 

[pagani123]

I know, just sayin' that dual 390s would be a better fit because VRAM 

oh i see

[PlayStation 2]

I was looking into that.. but in XSPC's page (http://www.xs-pc.com/waterblocks-gpu/) I don't see the 390s anywhere..

I am kinda upgrading so that I can get these magnificent Blocks so I can place my RGB LED strips in them for it to match my build.

 

290 = 390 so any reference design 290 block will work with a reference design 390

[thekeemo]

I was looking into that.. but in XSPC's page (http://www.xs-pc.com/waterblocks-gpu/) I don't see the 390s anywhere..

I am kinda upgrading so that I can get these magnificent Blocks so I can place my RGB LED strips in them for it to match my build.

the xfx 390 uses the same design as the 290x

[jjjepong]

290 = 390 so any reference design 290 block will work with a reference design 390

 

 

the xfx 390 uses the same design as the 290x

Ohh I see.. Thanks for the enlightenment Will definitely consider 390s now.. I just have to dig deeper in my wallet >.<

[jjjepong]

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Thanks guys, I'm lovin the input.. But any Opinions/Answers to Question #2? Which Brand? I wouldn't be using the stock coolers.. so please factor that out

[pagani123]

for 980 evga has best price to performance by far http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp42983kr 

290 probably sapphire 

[thekeemo]

Thanks guys, I'm lovin the input.. But any Opinions/Answers to Question #2? Which Brand? I wouldn't be using the stock coolers.. so please factor that out

like I said only xfx uses a ref design on their 390

[jjjepong]

like I said only xfx uses a ref design on their 390

Thanks man, got that. but with regards to the 290x/290s? which brand would you prefer? or in your opinion would best suit my needs?

[KemoKa]

Thanks man, got that. but with regards to the 290x/290s? which brand would you prefer? or in your opinion would best suit my needs?

MSI or Sapphire.

[thekeemo]

Thanks man, got that. but with regards to the 290x/290s? which brand would you prefer? or in your opinion would best suit my needs?

MSI, they let you take off the cooler.

[winningsince1337]

Thanks man, got that. but with regards to the 290x/290s? which brand would you prefer? or in your opinion would best suit my needs?

XFX also lets you take the cooler off in NA despite the warrenty sticker

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

like I said only xfx uses a ref design on their 390

I'd like to add, Powercolor and asus uses reference design as well. There's also no warranty sticker at the heatsink screw on the PowerColor card I've noticed.

[thekeemo]

I'd like to add, Powercolor and asus uses reference design as well. There's also no warranty sticker at the heatsink screw on the PowerColor card I've noticed.

but we don't touch Asus when it comes to amd..

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

but we don't touch Asus when it comes to amd..

That's only for the air cooler on the card. The board itself is fine. If I'm watercooling I'd take Powercolor since I know there isn't a sticker covering the screws.