The best GPU: AMD R9 295x2 Vs the GTX 790?

Runnerofrum

Reputable
May 17, 2014
19
0
4,510
Hey Guys,

First off, my apologies for the weird title (GTX 790?) that i used to try and get your attention with. I've been needing to get an upgrade to my PC for a while now, but every time i try to build a PC looking at the best CPU's and GPUs, and the upcoming new hardware. I find myself getting very lost in my decision making on what to choose, to wait or not to wait on building a great pc.

Now, let me inform you of the following to help you make your suggestions:

- Budget is not a great concern for me. (Thank you job!)
- I intend on using Duo/trio (Mostly likely Duo) 120 or 144 Monitors.
- Gaming is the main purpose of obtaining the best GPU, and i play all kinds of games that require high performance and i look to play high resolutions.
- I'm quite confused on whether i should wait for the GTX 790 (If there is one after Titan black), or get the R9 295x2 ?
- I'm an AMD fan, but considering slow driver updates have been a constant issues, and Nvidia is more responsive with games that require driver updates (Eg: Nvidia providing an update specifically for the game wild star), i might side with a "slightly" weaker GPU in favor of Nvida's drivers.
- I would like overclocked GPUs preferably.

I would like to also know if i should for a new GPU you guys might might know about that will be an even better choice than the R9 295x2, maybe i should wait 2 months for this awesome X GPU?

Please note I'm very thankful for your input, and suggestions. If i can PM anyone to help me with a complete PC build, i would be very grateful! (I guess it's better than going to each forum and asking for the best CPU for gaming, or the next best SSD? haha).
 
Solution
Your 2 or 3 120/144 monitors tell us nothing about the resolution. Are we talking 3x 25x14 or 3x 18x10. There's a massive difference there.

CF/SLI has greatly diminished returns. Unless you want the top of the top (i.e. you are looking to spend $3,000 on gfx alone), a single card will be your best option.

Here is what a Crossfire'd 295x2 will give you @ 4k
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-295x2-crossfire-performance,3808.html

And here's Toms 'Best gfx cards for May'. It says "GeForce GTX Titan Z [will be out] soon, but its specs fall well short of what this [295x2] Radeon can do."
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-6.html

So you have a few options.

1.) Buy a 295x2 and adjust your quality...

khaledegy200

Honorable
May 8, 2013
239
0
10,690
Well, seeing the budget is not a concern for you, and you want the best GPU, you might want to try CFX/SLI, it will give you overall better performance than single powerful card. 2 R9 290x is more powerful and less expensive than R9 295X2 and you can add a third one there if you want ( considering that case size won't be a proplem).

TL;DR? get 2 or 3 R9 290x / GTX 780 TI


BTW the nvidia card is called GTX Titan Z and not 790 (not sure if they will release the 790) simply it's 2 titan black gpus in one board with 12GB of memory, but it costs a hefty $3k.
 

mrmez

Splendid
Your 2 or 3 120/144 monitors tell us nothing about the resolution. Are we talking 3x 25x14 or 3x 18x10. There's a massive difference there.

CF/SLI has greatly diminished returns. Unless you want the top of the top (i.e. you are looking to spend $3,000 on gfx alone), a single card will be your best option.

Here is what a Crossfire'd 295x2 will give you @ 4k
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-295x2-crossfire-performance,3808.html

And here's Toms 'Best gfx cards for May'. It says "GeForce GTX Titan Z [will be out] soon, but its specs fall well short of what this [295x2] Radeon can do."
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-6.html

So you have a few options.

1.) Buy a 295x2 and adjust your quality settings as required.
2.) Buy a 295x2 and a PSU capable of running a 2nd (something over ~1,000w id imagine), see how you go with one, then you can add a 2nd 295x2.
3.) Wait for benchmarks on new cards and reevaluate.

As for the rest f it...

CPU
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106.html

SSD
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html

Ram: 8Gb of whatever

Mobo: No idea.
 
Solution