Upgrading Video Card Need Advice!

Fallouthero

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
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10,510
So, I was looking for a new video card or set of video cards to run crossfire. Just looking to make an upgrade to my current system so I can run the newest games at 60FPS with dual screen. The second screen normally has a movie/netflix/etc. on it. Here are the combos I've been debating about. The cost isn't an issue. (thanks tax/school refunds!)

Two(2) ASUS DirectCU II R9270X-DC2T-4GD5 Radeon R9 270X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121866

Two(2) MSI R9 280X GAMING 3GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127759

One(1) SAPPHIRE TRI-X OC 100362-2SR Radeon R9 290 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202080

I use my computer for Video/Streaming/Gaming/Photoshop/Illustrator/ etc.

Any advice on which would be the best combo? Here are my current specs:
AMD Phenom x4 980 | ASUS Crosshair IV Formula| 8gb RAM | Radeon 6950 | 650W PSU | Samsung 840 SSD | 2TB Seagate HHD
 
Solution


I'll 2nd the recommendation for CPU upgrade. An FX 8320 or 8350 will help a lot with capture, streaming and encoding. Even An FX 6300 with a decent OC will be a good idea. If you already have a 990FX motherboard, definitely go for an 8 core. The only way I would say not to upgrade the CPU is if you have a good dedicated streaming card with hardware processing that doesn't kill your CPU while gaming and streaming.

I'll also 2nd the recommendation for getting 1 R9 290 over a pair of midrange cards in crossfire. Just make sure you get a good 3rd party card with a great cooler on it. The reference design r9 290 has throttling issues due to heat.

In addition, I have an observation from personal experience: If you do any kind of capture while gaming, software like Fraps and MSI Afterburner do NOT like capturing in crossfire mode. They almost always perform better with 1 card. You will see much better capture results and smoother gameplay with 1 R9 290x while capturing video.
 
Solution

Gee Bee

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Jan 16, 2014
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11,360
[strike][strike][/strike]You said money was no object with regards to cards, however just in case you could get a non-x 290 and have considerable change towards a cpu. [strike][/strike]
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Didn't see it already non-x, my bad.