780GTX SLI or 290X Crossfire?

[artyboy]

Help me out here guys... been doing a lot of reading up between the 2 options above. My preference is Nvidia mainly becos their multi-GPU scaling is better + the added bonus of PhysX (altho the latter is not crucial in my book but good to have). The reason I asked is becos by just topping up alittle I can get ATI's flagship compared to Nvidia's 'vanila grade' 780 (compared to the Ti version). The 780Ti is simply too expensive now. I checked thru the benchmarks for both and some suggests that the 290X X-fire runs faster but only on certain games whereas some says it only comes into play at higher resolutions and the 780 runs faster at non-UHD resolutions. I know some of you will say both are overkill but that's the whole point of it - system longevity & having 'more than enough' horsepower. Although 4K/multiple monitor gaming is not in my books anytime soon, but 3D gaming may be eventually. Appreciate any thoughts and recommendations.

 

[Ark Law]

Multi-monitor setup -> Go for AMD
3D monitor setup -> Go for NVD

 

[artyboy]

Thanks bro, short and sharp!

 

[masotime]

And perhaps it may be important to point out that if you're going to mine cryptocurrencies, it may be better to go for an AMD setup...

 

[artyboy]

And perhaps it may be important to point out that if you're going to mine cryptocurrencies, it may be better to go for an AMD setup...

no mining for me bro.

 

[tjkjean]

Prefer nvidia for driver stability

Didn't have good experience with amd driver for crossfire

 

[fockyerdod3r]

Multi-monitor setup -> Go for AMD
3D monitor setup -> Go for NVD

My personal preference is dual GPU -> Nvidia. Single GPU -> AMD. For the stability.

 

[AnTiLooP]

personal preference ===> Nvidia.

may hop to RED zone next upgrade however for now I kinda feel their products are a little hit and miss. oh, driver support aint that good either.

 

[manshen]

I would go for a pair of 290x and forget about those PEBKAC who complain about driver issues.......

It kicks a.s.s. and with mantle, it kills everything else.

 

[Ark Law]

I would go for a pair of 290x and forget about those PEBKAC who complain about driver issues.......

It kicks a.s.s. and with mantle, it kills everything else.

It even doubles as a 3-in-1 multifunction oven, toaster and room heater. Especially useful if you live in the UK with all the chilly weather going on right now

 

[artyboy]

Thanks for the inputs guys. My natural instinct is to go for Nvidia too, I was very happy with my 580 SLI's performance and Nvidia's very frequent driver (& SLI/3D Vision profile) updates. But an ATI flagship GPU at close to Nvidia's 2nd top dog's price level is quite attractive, that is undeniable.

 

[manshen]

It even doubles as a 3-in-1 multifunction oven, toaster and room heater. Especially useful if you live in the UK with all the chilly weather going on right now

People who could afford 290x CF and big monitors don't complain about heat......

If you cannot afford proper cooling, then you cannot afford the setup.

 

[manshen]

Thanks for the inputs guys. My natural instinct is to go for Nvidia too, I was very happy with my 580 SLI's performance and Nvidia's very frequent driver (& SLI/3D Vision profile) updates. But an ATI flagship GPU at close to Nvidia's 2nd top dog's price level is quite attractive, that is undeniable.

Then just go for 780ti SLI. If you are comfortable with something, stick with it. Price is secondary.

Just like me. I am comfortable with AMD cards, I stick with it. I change to Titan and sold it off within a month. The drivers are crappy to me.

 

[artyboy]

Then just go for 780ti SLI. If you are comfortable with something, stick with it. Price is secondary.

Just like me. I am comfortable with AMD cards, I stick with it. I change to Titan and sold it off within a month. The drivers are crappy to me.

TBH that would be the ideal choice but the price difference between 780 & 780Ti is too big ($750 vs $1,000) compared to 780 vs 290X ($750 vs $775). Most likely will go for the 780 OC version then.

 

[shadow84]

Like dat might as well get 290x, since it is near to 780ti perf... Make no sense to get 780.

 

[artyboy]

Like dat might as well get 290x, since it is near to 780ti perf... Make no sense to get 780.

..which is the reason why I started this thread I read that the 290X only triumph over the 780 at UHD & above resolutions. The below HardOCP article shows the 290X matching the 780Ti's performance but seems to be only at UHD resolutions and above. Thatsvthe dilemma.

[H]ard|OCP Mobile - Introduction - AMD Radeon R9 290X CrossFire Video Card Review

 

[shadow84]

..which is the reason why I started this thread I read that the 290X only triumph over the 780 at UHD & above resolutions. The below HardOCP article shows the 290X matching the 780Ti's performance but seems to be only at UHD resolutions and above. Thatsvthe dilemma.

[H]ard|OCP Mobile - Introduction - AMD Radeon R9 290X CrossFire Video Card Review

Isnt that the inital review when 290x was just released?

R9 290X Reviews | TechPowerUp Review Database

Choose any that you like and read. I like to read guru3d, hexus, eteknix, techpowerup reviews.

 

[bhtan83]

Seriously, the new xfire has better frame pacing compared to sli. But bare in mind of the heat output though.

Some more now with mantle and more games adopting it. I'll pick up 290 any day.

 

[artyboy]

Thanks for the review links & inputs guys. Things do seems to be looking bright for ATI lately... I had the 4870X2 several years back and I remember the heat & power draw issues, seems like ATI don't seem to be doing very well in dealing with this all these years. I have a 1.2kw PSU. + 2x 120mm fans blowing directly at my 2 graphics card for this reason.I've owned both Nvidia and ATI GPUs all these years (9800 Pro, 8800GTX etc) so I don't mind switching camps if need be.

 

[Rogue]

R9-290X crossfire is better option due to the change on how it's being crossfired.

UHD or 4K has a better future than 3D stereoscopic gaming. Both AMD and Nvidia agreed on this.

3D gaming will end up being a VR headset solution instead of monitor 3D stereoscopic display. I doubt many game publishers will support either much( Only exception is Sony for its own PS4 VR headset)...

4Gig R9-290 > 3Gig 780 - VRAM. It has more leeway for higher resolution or better/bigger/uncompressed textures or multi-monitors.

Then there's AMD Mantle.