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R9 290x or wait?

Tags:
  • Bottleneck
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 8, 2014 8:33:23 AM

Should I wait before buying a r9 290x?

It is already nearly one year old. I intend of watercool it and run it in my loop. Also will it bottleneck I am running on a bit old hardware. i7 950 @4289mhz with HT ON 24/7 1.29v stable and could even push it to 4.3ghz before hitting a brickwall at ~4.4ghz 1.34v which I am eager to find out until I add additional fans on my rads.

Fps is an issue for me as I am getting a 27 inch asus monitor @144HZ, the difference between a 780ti and an r9 290x is is 120euros and with that price I could get a block on it.

More about : 290x wait

September 8, 2014 8:39:11 AM

The i7 processor will not bottleneck the R9 290x. I would wait for the new GPUs to come out because you could either invest in a new one or buy this when the price drops a tad. I am unsure of the full difference int eh 780Ti and the 290x.
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September 8, 2014 8:39:37 AM

Don't wait. Get it, watercool it, overclock it, buy a second one later.
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September 8, 2014 8:49:20 AM

The monitor size is irrelevant, what counts is the resolution.
Will it be 1080P/1440P or 4k?

What graphics card are you using now?

I would rate the GTX780ti as superior to a R9-290X, but the performance advantage is not that great.
Depending on the game, synthetic benchmarks can tell, but in actual gameplay perhaps not. And... it will depend on the game.
Sept 29 is supposed to be the launch date for the GTX980 so you might want to wait for that.

The benefit of liquid cooling is to raise the upper limits of overclocking. I think it is smarter to use those dollars to buy a faster part in the first place.

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September 8, 2014 8:56:10 AM

Currently I have a 660sc which is on air cooled, I agree the gtx 780ti is better in performance but I can get the r9 290x for 415euros and the 780ti is 562, in reality I was mistaken about their price which is 148 euros which personally I think isn't worth it.

Monitor I am getting is an asus vg278he
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September 8, 2014 9:16:51 AM

Your new monitor is still 1080P.
That is not very hard for a good graphics card.
I would agree that a upgrade from a GTX660 needs to be significant/ You already have a strong graphics card and you will be disappointed if you do not see a good boost in performance.
I might think a GTX780 would be sufficient at 1080P and appropriate.

I really think you should wait a couple of weeks and see what the GTX980 and GTX970 offer , the price, and the availability.

If you have the budget, buy the best card your wallet and conscience will permit.
If you don't you will forever wonder what you were missing. I have regretted going cheap, but not often for overspending.
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September 8, 2014 9:33:33 AM

Thanks @geofelt I went for a tri 285s some years ago and I have regretted ever since. To be honest I thought of getting a new x99 system but for gaming it isn't going to affect that much for me even though a new architecture(3770K upwards) could pretty much destroy my 950 still as you have said I would feel bad by simply throwing away this build as I could max out games but am limited with my gpu. I wish to thank you all for your answers, I might aswell wait a couple more weeks before getting the parts that I need.
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September 8, 2014 9:36:48 AM

To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
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September 8, 2014 9:51:38 AM

I run bf4 or any other game smooth without lagg even with 4ghz which I achieved on 1.18v with ht on, I ran 3dmark and I got similar results with 98-99% gpu usage though I am limited on my gpu, it is a pretty nice card but limited by its power issues https://www.dropbox.com/s/1qnripz8aaslz6r/test.png?dl=0

Tried titanfall, 96%-99% gpu load, whilst 40-50% cpu load same goes for bf4
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