New GPU? Or Crossfire?

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CaptainCrape

CaptainCrape

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So, I need to make a choice, get a new GPU or crossfire? I have an Sapphire R9 270X 2Gb Vapor-X that runs well. But I want an upgrade. So what would be better? Saving some money and getting a second GPU for crossfire? Or a whole new GPU? The new GPU I am looking at is a ASUS Strix R9 390 8GB GDDR5, which is currently $320. Here are the rest of my specs: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/CaptainCrape/saved/LMGzK8
 
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Nuwan Fernando
If you are doing 1080p gaming, that GPU will do some average to high performance. But if you want to upgrade from 1080p then it'll be not suffice. Crossfire doesn't add GPU memory together and it's rather duplicated on each GPU's memory.(DX12 has a different story).
So if you are going to upgrade form 1080p to maybe say 4K, Then your 2GB GPU memory will not be suffice.

Also crossfire has it's own drawbacks like lack of support and frame time variant.

So I suggest you going for the 390
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Nuwan Fernando

Nuwan Fernando

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If you are doing 1080p gaming, that GPU will do some average to high performance. But if you want to upgrade from 1080p then it'll be not suffice. Crossfire doesn't add GPU memory together and it's rather duplicated on each GPU's memory.(DX12 has a different story).
So if you are going to upgrade form 1080p to maybe say 4K, Then your 2GB GPU memory will not be suffice.

Also crossfire has it's own drawbacks like lack of support and frame time variant.

So I suggest you going for the 390
 
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cub_fanatic

cub_fanatic

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Regardless of resolution, I'd go with the 390. I used to own a 270x and then upgraded to a 290 for 1080@60 gaming at it is a major step up. You'll go from medium-high detail with okay frame rates in 1080p to pretty much maxed out and 50-60 FPS in nearly every game. You are also going from 2GB to 8GB and even if you get a 2nd 270x, it will still technically be 2GB. The 390 should be even better if you decide to crossfire it in the near future, but that isn't happening with your current PSU. Your PSU is good for a single 390 though.
 
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Ali Shayyan

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It's a long v debate. But to put it simple
Single strong GPU is usually better for gaming than two week ones. Cross fire or SLI have poor optimization. Dual GPU set up is only effective when 4K is on the table because of large amount of GDDR5 requirements. And you have 8GB already so 4K at 30 fps might be possible.
 
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Nuwan Fernando

Nuwan Fernando

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Crossfire or SLI will not add the GPU memories. It'll simply duplicate. So 2 GPUs with 2GB memory will end up with only 2GB after SLI/ Crossfire. (DX12 promises that'll change but still not seen anywhere)
 
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Darkloudx

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You have to thinhk about the amount of pixels it takes to pump out 4k... Yeah you might see people saying crossfire or sli for 4k but did you ever look at the cards they are using???
 
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Nuwan Fernando

Nuwan Fernando

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Since a single GPU is still struggles to render the pixels needed for 4K resolution. Then having to GPUs will distribute the workload among them not that the Memory will extend.
 
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cub_fanatic

cub_fanatic

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They are most likely talking about two very high end cards, not two 270x's. For example, one 390 is still not enough for a consistent 60 FPS in most AAA games in 4K but a 2nd 390 would be perfect. Same with the GTX 980 and some of the high end cards from last generation like the 780ti and 290x. None of those cards are going to get you 60 FPS in 4K without crossfire or SLI. But, a mid-low end card like the 270x isn't going to be getting anywhere near 60 FPS in 4K in new AAA games. Basically, two 270x in Crossfire will give the performance of something in between a single R9 280x and a single R9 290 in most games which is not enough for 4K@60. http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/5984/sapphire-radeon-r9-270x-2gb-toxic-video-cards-in-crossfire/index.html
 
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