Asus HD 7970 Matrix Platinum vs Asus Radeon R9 280X

[Mark719]

Hey was wondering your opinion on these two cards?

Asus Radeon R9 280X DirectCUII TOP 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-323-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

Asus HD 7970 Matrix Platinum 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-293-AS

I like the fact of the free shipping that the platinum gives you, I know it's an older card but how well will it perform to the new ones?

Also another question, how would 2 x HIS HD 7950 IceQ BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H795QC3G2M) (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-065-HS) compare to the two cards above?

 

[Gibbo]

The Matrix Platinum HD 7970 is faster, runs cooler and overclocks better.

Two of the HIS cards would decimate any single 7970/R280.

 

[Mark719]

The Matrix Platinum HD 7970 is faster, runs cooler and overclocks better.

Two of the HIS cards would decimate any single 7970/R280.

What sort of issue would I come across using 2 graphic cards over a single one?

 

[Gibbo]

What sort of issue would I come across using 2 graphic cards over a single one?

Potential crossfire issues, it is now far improved and the stutter issues I also believe are resolved, all in all issues are now far less and 9/10 games run fine, but there is always the odd game which could have an issue, but if it does you set a profile for that game to not utilise crossfire.

 

[Lethagized]

What sort of issue would I come across using 2 graphic cards over a single one?

Heat, noise and expense. You need a crossfire mobo and suitable 800+ watt psu with 2 sets of PCI-E power connectors to power each card.

 

[Mark719]

Potential crossfire issues, it is now far improved and the stutter issues I also believe are resolved, all in all issues are now far less and 9/10 games run fine, but there is always the odd game which could have an issue, but if it does you set a profile for that game to not utilise crossfire.

Heat, noise and expense. You need a crossfire mobo and suitable 800+ watt psu with 2 sets of PCI-E power connectors to power each card.

OK, Thanks for the help, I might stick to the Asus HD 7970 Matrix Platinum 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card and maybe add another card later on.

 

[teppic]

Bear in mind that two of the Asus cards may be tricky/impossible as they're 3 slot cards.

You can Crossfire with a different card though.

 

[Mark719]

Bear in mind that two of the Asus cards may be tricky/impossible as they're 3 slot cards.

You can Crossfire with a different card though.

Yeah was thinking maybe getting a HIS 7950 later on to crossfire.