Worth upgrading gtx480 SLI to single 290/290x

[Monkey Puzzle]

Is it worth upgrading to single 290 or 290x from gtx480 sli for 1440p gaming?

I'm currently running watercooled SLI gtx480 at 880/1760/2050 and i5-750 at 4GHz, and heat/power/noise isn't an issue, but I have upgradeitis and am tempted by:

1) sapphire 290 with BF4 and silver game bundle at £250 (don't pay VAT),

2) HIS flashed to 290x with BF4 at £320(ex VAT),
or
3)HIS flashed to 290x with EK waterblock fitted for £400(ex VAT).

The first two would need a waterblock so cost another £75 afterwards.

Is it likely a worthy upgrade, or would I be better off just holding tight and waiting out til the next round of 20nm graphics cards come out???

 

[Grassy]

"1) sapphire 290 with BF4 and silver game bundle at £250 (don't pay VAT)"
You don't have to pay VAT ?

 

[pgi947]

Flashed 290x with block

 

[teppic]

^ Flashed 290x with block.

Too many reasons to upgrade to list

 

[Monkey Puzzle]

"1) sapphire 290 with BF4 and silver game bundle at £250 (don't pay VAT)"
You don't have to pay VAT ?

Living in Jersey for the year.

 

[chipachap]

At that res I'd be looking at upgrading the CPU either with or shortly after you upgrade the GPU, especially if you play demanding games. A 290x should give noticeably more FPS at that resolution than the 480's.

 

[Monkey Puzzle]

Cheers for the input guys - think I'll ask OCUK if they could do a similar price as the flashed to 290X watercooled card with the Aqua Computer Kryographics block (once it's back in stock) as it looks like it'll cool the GPU better.

At that res I'd be looking at upgrading the CPU either with or shortly after you upgrade the GPU, especially if you play demanding games. A 290x should give noticeably more FPS at that resolution than the 480's.

You guys aren't helping me try to not spend all my cash... though I have been looking into the asus maximus 6 impact mini-ITX board and a 4770k... but although it would make an awesome powerhouse SFF PC I'd rather hold off spending another £500 on the board, cpu and cpu/mobo all in one waterblock if I can help it!

 

[chipachap]

Cheers for the input guys - think I'll ask OCUK if they could do a similar price as the flashed to 290X watercooled card with the Aqua Computer Kryographics block (once it's back in stock) as it looks like it'll cool the GPU better.



You guys aren't helping me try to not spend all my cash... though I have been looking into the asus maximus 6 impact mini-ITX board and a 4770k... but although it would make an awesome powerhouse SFF PC I'd rather hold off spending another £500 on the board, cpu and cpu/mobo all in one waterblock if I can help it!

Tbh your CPU (IMHO) will definitely hold back your GPU from reaching it's potential and considering how much your willing to spend on a card it seems a waste atm. Ideally you want your CPU to be more powerful than your GPU in all situations, but this can be a matter of opinion at the end of the day.

 

[Monkey Puzzle]

How much of an effect is it likely to have at 1440p? If it's a really significant effect I may well just bite bullet and upgrade to Haswell at the same time.

 

[chaparral]

If it's a really significant effect I may well just bite bullet and upgrade to Haswell at the same time.

Really bite that bullet and also get two R290's to go with that Haswell...


As after you been used to having 2 GPU's your system is going look like something missing with only one GPU in it..

 

[Dicehunter]

Is it worth upgrading to single 290 or 290x from gtx480 sli for 1440p gaming?

I'm currently running watercooled SLI gtx480 at 880/1760/2050 and i5-750 at 4GHz, and heat/power/noise isn't an issue, but I have upgradeitis and am tempted by:

1) sapphire 290 with BF4 and silver game bundle at £250 (don't pay VAT),

2) HIS flashed to 290x with BF4 at £320(ex VAT),
or
3)HIS flashed to 290x with EK waterblock fitted for £400(ex VAT).

The first two would need a waterblock so cost another £75 afterwards.

Is it likely a worthy upgrade, or would I be better off just holding tight and waiting out til the next round of 20nm graphics cards come out???

According to someone from Nvidia *forum admin* I spoke to not so long ago and various threads on forums, A GTX 780 is the equivalent of 2 x GTX 580's, A 290 is around a GTX 780 level so yes, Totally worth the upgrade.