New or second GPU?

[LLv44_Mprhead]

I am thinking of upgrading my gpu. I am considering getting a second R9 290 and using that in crossfire with my current one, or buying GTX980 and replacing my R9 290 with that. Upgrading my CPU will come later this fall, after Skylake is released. Now I would like to hear if people have experience using dual 290 in crossfire and how it works with BoS or performance of single GTX980. I am using 2560x1440 resolution. So if you have this kind of set up, what kind of graphics settings you are able to use and what kind of frames you get?

 

Cost for GTX980 is 500€ and second R9 290 would be 350€, so there would be 150€ difference in price.

Edited July 29, 2015 by 13./JG51mprhead

[Ala13_Kike]

Do you have money for both options? is it a problem?

 

Both solutions are great, but remember that this CFX will have problems about the watts that you will need (I think that this isn't a problem for you), and temperature inside your system (2 CFX R9290 I think that will be a good stove)

 

The other problem it's about the frametime, In my old experience with CFX, it's that  this systems suffer bad frametime, and this will implicate some problems playing compared with a single graphic card. (and not all games use all potential of this CFX)

 

If you can put in sale your R9 290, do it, and take a only GTX980. If not, 350€ for a new R9 290 and work in CFX will give you a good peromance, but my second step in this case will be to purchase a new monitor with higher screen resolution to use this cfx in consonance with the screen resolution (1440p it's a low resolution for this CFX, I think)

 

To summarize, If money isn't a problem, GTX980, if yes, CFX R9 290

[Dakpilot]

Wait until after you have upgraded CPU/MB I would say you are 90% CPU limited currently and will not get much min FPS improvement at all. Others have experienced this exactly

 

By then you may get some good deals on GTX980 or price of GTX980Ti may have come down.

 

Crossfire/SLi  are never better than a single card alternative unless involving some sort of gift  would consider very carefully before pumping money into that type of setup, 2 X R290's are very known to be a serious heat generator/power consumer as well

 

Intel and Skylake (depending on its real performance) with Nvidia GTX970/980/Ti is the only sensible new build for performance with flight sims available, sadly AMD have been left behind this and last generation

 

Have read that FX-8350 suffers with its default turbo boost affecting smooth play and performance due to frequent switching of its state in CPU heavy games. The seeming counterproductive thought of turning off default 'Turbo' may actually give better performance, worth a try anyway.

 

All just my opinion and hearsay

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[6./ZG26_Emil]

I got a second 780GTX to run in SLI and it works perfectly for ARMA 3 and BOS. Since they're now quite cheap second hand it was a really good performance increase and much cheaper than buying a latest generation card.

[LLv44_Mprhead]

Thanks for your opinions. I am considering taking your advice Dak, it seems that graphic settings I use have very little impact to my frame frates, so likely gpu is not bottle neck.

[Maxyman]

Thanks for your opinions. I am considering taking your advice Dak, it seems that graphic settings I use have very little impact to my frame frates, so likely gpu is not bottle neck.

Just to confirm Dak's advice... I run BoS on 4670K and 290. The fps I get on 2560x1440 ultra is solid 60 in the air, 50+ on the ground, both singe and multiplayer.

[Maico]

Look at my signature.  My old system got a Big kick in the pants from a GTX 980 upgrade.  My CPU is old 4 years or 5.  I only did this because I was building a new PC and the mobo failed.  I thought what the heck and replaced the GTX 580 with the 980...WOW!  What a difference. 

 

See post here.  GTX 980Ti in i7950 P6X58Deluxe, putting lipstick on a Pig lol

 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4150457/GTX980Ti_with_a_Intel_950_Proc#Post4150457

Edited August 1, 2015 by Maico

[LLv44_Mprhead]

Maico, what kind of frame rates you get? I am still considering getting that 980 (it's kind of bargain price, atm those tend to be at least 560€), but I would like to be reasonably sure that after upgrades I am planning I will get solid 60 with ultra settings and 2560x1440 resolution.

[Maico]

It gets super smooth 60fps.  I run at 3440 x 1440 on a 34 inch Ultra Wide (Ultra Taxing) monster monitor.  Remember, this being a stopgap until you and I get better systems.  Not all 980s are created equal.  I have the GTX 980Ti 6GB Card made by EVGA.  She is a rocker!

[LLv44_Mprhead]

Yep, I made major upgrade and I get almost double the fps now with my new rig. Higher up it's solid 60 and when flying really close to ground about 55 - 60. I got i5-6600k, 2133MHz memory and GTX980 now. I tried BoS also with CPU overclocked to 4,2GHz, but it fps at low altitude still dropped below 60, so I figured that I just let it be at stock speed of 3,5 now and maybe take another look at overclocking after getting water cooling for cpu. I tried cpu at 4,5 also, but at that speed computer started to sound like vacuum cleaner and even with 4,2 it was louder than what I like it to be.

 

Settings are ultra with everything on, btw.

Edited August 13, 2015 by 13./JG51mprhead