Is it worth to upgrade from R9 270x to the R9 290x?

Njpatrona

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Dec 17, 2014
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Been itching to upgrade my rig but not all at once. Trying to decide which hardware to start with.

Any suggestions? Budget is $400-500.

Processor: AMD Phenom II x6 1100T
MOBO: Asus M4A89TD PRO USB/3
GPU: XFX R9 270X
RAM: 16GB G. Skill 1600 (4x4GB)
HDD: 2TB Seagate
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO Pro
PSU: 1000W Corsair PSU


 

Njpatrona

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Dec 17, 2014
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Now my next question is, which style of the card? Granted i'd have to OC my CPU but that's ok.

 

sgtmasterD

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Aug 3, 2014
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i am using the tr-x from saphire and it it awsome at cooling

 
It is not clear to me if your cpu needs upgrading or the graphics card.

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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. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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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If you come out thinking the graphics card should be replaced, make it a big jump or you may be disappointed if you don't see big results.

Think a $330 class card like the GTX970.
I would avoid the R9-290X cards, as they are older tech and seem to have issues.

If you replace the cpu, you will also need to replace the motherboard.
Intel of some sort is the only way to go .
Buy a Z97 based motherboard and a i3. i5, i7 of your choice.
For gaming, the $225 i5-4690K is as good as it gets.
 

holyrage

Distinguished
wait until JUN and make a BIG upgrade than small steps so that u have no regrets Broadwell should be out in june 14nm die shrink of haswell

fallowed by skylake later 14nm new architecture

also amd R9 3XX will be announced @ june if u want to make a BIG jump u should wait until June Upgrade CPU+GPU

also to the post around me the GTX970 is having issues for a new architecture 3.5GB on PLUS 22GB/s of 512MB Vram that tanks the bandwidth Hawaii was a damn fine GPU sure it is more than 1 year old but it holds its own for around 250 USD

atm u first need to upgrade the CPU but u also want to upgrade the GPU so wait until June and Upgrade both ?

depending on what u chose to Upgrade the CPU+motherboard might cost around 350-400 for a motherboard + core I5

the reset of the saved up money can be but towards a R9 380X im pretty sure it will cost between the GTX970 and GTX980 the GTX980 will also drop in price by that time