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Graphics card choice assistance

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg

Associate
Joined
7 Jan 2013
Posts
158
I was wondering if you guys could maybe sort out a small dilemma i'm having in choosing a card.
Pretty much i'm going to be upgrading to a 1440p monitor, I did think of getting a 4k but I've heard of too many issues with them currently to be worth getting with issues such as scaling.
I'm upgrading from a R7970 Lightning. Now i'm currently looking to go for a monster card. I'd like some opinions from you guys, obviously other suggestions are always welcome.

First is a Titan Black, one thing I was wondering if there was much of a difference between the standard EVGA and the Superclocked version.

Second Is to wait for the new Nvidia cards.

Third is to wait for the new AMD cards (apparently the R390x will be quite a beast).

Fourth. Well this one i'm wondering over, since it's costing £700 is the R295X2. However the major draw back is the massive power supply required, and just the general cost of running a card that draws 500W on its own, which after a while the electricity bill might be just too much. But extra info and insight is always helpful here

I generally don't want to dual SLI/Crossfire because one of the power costs and two i'm not convinced the kinks are ironed out in these setups, but that's my opinion. So I prefer a single more powerful card.

Any insight, opinions and suggestions are welcome.
 
R9 295X2 no brainer, especialy for high res.
the other option pick up a 280X crossfire and wait for 20nm, or pick single 290 and wait for 20nm
 
I generally don't want to dual SLI/Crossfire because one of the power costs and two i'm not convinced the kinks are ironed out in these setups, but that's my opinion. So I prefer a single more powerful card.
Click to expand...


295x2 btw is a crossfire card
There are however a great price atm and a good option for 1440p imo
I'd try your current card with your new monitor and see if your happy with it before i upgraded thou and if you are wait for next gen gpu's
 
triss said:
295x2 btw is a crossfire card
There are however a great price atm and a good option for 1440p imo
I'd try your current card with your new monitor and see if your happy with it before i upgraded thou and if you are wait for next gen gpu's
Click to expand...

One of those things with the current price of that 295x2 being 700 until they run out of stock of that card, so it's a hard choice.
But cheers for the idea about seeing how my current card runs with a 1440p, but not sure my 7970 will take it too well for gaming.

One of those situations of do I do it now and grab this card even though the power consumption is completely insane. Or wait for the new bits and possibly regret not getting this deal.
 
Blitzkrieg said:
Even though those run costs are mahoosively high?
Click to expand...

Compared to what?
The single 7970 Lightning? That is only 200W more than the Avg consumption of the 7970. Not bad considering is dual card.

200W extra on 5 hours at 100% speed is 10p top for UK energy prices.

On 30 days burnout, 5 hours a day at 100% speed, is £3. Or £36 per year.

Seriously, if you calculate £36 per year on extra power consumption, better drop the 7970 and use an AMD APU.
 
I dont think the power consumption is really any different than running 2 290x's?
Pay to check if your power supply is upto it first or else thats something else you need to allow for in your costs.
You skip the deal nothing better comes along you will regret it, You buy it now 2 weeks later there is a better deal/new gpu you wil regret it , Lifes like that Pick your poison and be happy with your choices :) its what makes life exciting
 
Panos said:
Compared to what?
The single 7970 Lightning? That is only 200W more than the Avg consumption of the 7970. Not bad considering is dual card.

200W extra on 5 hours at 100% speed is 10p top for UK energy prices.

On 30 days burnout, 5 hours a day at 100% speed, is £3. Or £36 per year.

Seriously, if you calculate £36 per year on extra power consumption, better drop the 7970 and use an AMD APU.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the insight thanks, actually starting to look less painful. Hmmmm then I might swipe a 295X2.
Thanks Panos.

triss said:
I dont think the power consumption is really any different than running 2 290x's?
Pay to check if your power supply is upto it first or else thats something else you need to allow for in your costs.
You skip the deal nothing better comes along you will regret it, You buy it now 2 weeks later there is a better deal/new gpu you wil regret it , Lifes like that Pick your poison and be happy with your choices :) its what makes life exciting
Click to expand...

I was planning to up my powersupply from my 650W regardless. Was thinking of a getting a 850W Super Flower 80+ gold, take it that would be sufficiant? Also running a i5 4670k oced to 4.3ghz + H100i on a msi Z97 gaming 5, with Team group vulcans OCed to 2400 mhz currently. Obviously to take into a account i'll be adding a 1440p monitor to this (i'm unsure on which and the power consumption of it). Or would you suggest a 1000W to be safe?
 
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One question I do have in regards the 295X2. I'm using a CM Storm Stryker case, I was wondering where to fix the fan of the liquid cooler of the card as that was my first build i'm a bit of a novice. Would I go with attaching it as a floor mount or best to remove the back exhaust fan and use that instead?
 
Blitzkrieg said:
I appreciate the insight thanks, actually starting to look less painful. Hmmmm then I might swipe a 295X2.
Thanks Panos.
Click to expand...

You are welcome.

When comes to power, the costs are so small, and I always try to make an argument that should never been taken into the account.


I remember the heated debate in here last year, with people arguing that the 290X will drive you bankrupt, and a Titan Black to run is cheaper option.

Counting the price difference of those card, you would need to use the Black for 25 years, so you can be better of from the energy saving compared to the 290X. And the difference was 14 years for the 780Ti and 290X. :D
 
Blitzkrieg said:
One question I do have in regards the 295X2. I'm using a CM Storm Stryker case, I was wondering where to fix the fan of the liquid cooler of the card as that was my first build i'm a bit of a novice. Would I go with attaching it as a floor mount or best to remove the back exhaust fan and use that instead?
Click to expand...

I would advice you to use it where you get fresh cold air in. Even if you have to revert the "exhaust" fan.

EDIT : Maybe try to replace one of the fans that blow cold air into the case from the side near the drive bays, and attach it there? If not with screws maybe use some cable-ties.
(i was looking your case design)
 
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Panos said:
You are welcome.

When comes to power, the costs are so small, and I always try to make an argument that should never been taken into the account.


I remember the heated debate in here last year, with people arguing that the 290X will drive you bankrupt, and a Titan Black to run is cheaper option.

Counting the price difference of those card, you would need to use the Black for 25 years, so you can be better of from the energy saving compared to the 290X. And the difference was 14 years for the 780Ti and 290X. :D
Click to expand...

If i'm honest, still living with the parents for now. And they can get a bit ancy about the power consumption as it stands and I didn't want some incredible spike. But I appreciate the info and insight.

Panos said:
I would advice you to use it where you get fresh cold air in. Even if you have to revert the "exhaust" fan.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, i'm not sure if it will extend far enough to make it an intake fan from the front as the case is quite long and i'm not sure it's long enough to make it an intake. So there's only 2 spots really, which is one on the floor which i'm not sure how efficiant that would be. Or replace the back exhaust fan and make it an exhaust.

Also would you say with my set up mentioned in a previous post an 850W Super flower 80+ gold PSU is enough for this? Or should I be safe with a 1000W?
 
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Blitzkrieg said:
If i'm honest, still living with the parents for now. And they can get a bit ancy about the power consumption as it stands and I didn't want some incredible spike. But I appreciate the info and insight.



Hmmmm, i'm not sure if it will extend far enough to make it an intake fan from the front as the case is quite long and i'm not sure it's long enough to make it an intake. So there's only 2 spots really, which is one on the floor which i'm not sure how efficiant that would be. Or replace the back exhaust fan and make it an exhaust.
Click to expand...

isn't it easier for you to pay for the electricity bill, since you dont pay for rent ? they wont complain about the bills anymore :d
 
Panos said:
I would advice you to use it where you get fresh cold air in. Even if you have to revert the "exhaust" fan.

EDIT : Maybe try to replace one of the fans that blow cold air into the case from the side near the drive bays, and attach it there? If not with screws maybe use some cable-ties.
(i was looking your case design)
Click to expand...

Well the cages you're refering to, you can either have them at the side or facing frontwards, i've got mine facing frontwards which blocks the use of the side I believe i'd have to recheck it. Which is what i'm not sure about if it will reach to the front as I currently unsure how long that water cooler will lead from the card its self, as the case is large.
I'm wondering if i'm going to have to make this an exhaust at the back if I get it.
 
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