3440 x 1440 gaming, upgrade advice from 290 ref?

Booner! · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:28

I have a Samsung Curved screen running at 3440 x 1440 and it stretches my 290 ref beyond the limits on the settings I like to use (prefer eye candy turned right up).

Any suggestions on moving up from the 290 ref? I had considered moving back to the green team after lots of driver issues on launch with the 290, so I had a 980 Ti in mind as I'd prefer to have a single card solution, but open to suggestions and if the 980 Ti is the best option, which one should I pick? Failing that, any point in holding off for a while with anything new on the horizon/price drops? (not in a hurry)

Thanks in advance

Marine-RX179 · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:32

Doubt there will be anymore high-end card release until 2016, may be with the exception of dual-Fury or Dual-980TI on a single card (if there are any)? Though they would still effectively be crossfire/SLI.

Joe! · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:36

I could not be happier with my 980Ti purchase, held up really well at 4k using a mixture of very high-ultra settings on GTA, and maximum settings on Assetto Corsa. I can't imagine it struggling with 3440x1440 since it's roughly 40% less pixels.

980Ti is the best you are going to get for a single card solution. The best options, for performance at that price point at least, would be 970 SLI or a 980Ti. I think the 980 sits at a really weird price point where if you are willing to spend £400 on a GPU, you should probably save the extra £100 and get a 980Ti... So yeah, 980Ti for a single card solution

JediFragger · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:41

Although I feel that the Fury Pro is a really good card (forget the X, it's a turkey), I can't help but feel that the Ti will serve you better over time. It's a coin flip tbh, but personally I've gone the Ti route

The great thing about 3440x1440 res is that it's really managable with 1 card, whereas 4k is a reallllllllllllll bitch!!!

Poneros · 20 Aug 2015 at 00:17

Your only option for you given your requirements is the 980 ti.

melmac · 20 Aug 2015 at 00:28

you have waited this long, why not wait until the true next gen graphic cards arrive? The ones with HBM2 and a die shrink.

uksoldierboy · 20 Aug 2015 at 00:47

JediFragger said:
Although I feel that the Fury Pro is a really good card (forget the X, it's a turkey), I can't help but feel that the Ti will serve you better over time. It's a coin flip tbh, but personally I've gone the Ti route

The great thing about 3440x1440 res is that it's really managable with 1 card, whereas 4k is a reallllllllllllll bitch!!!

Except the fury x isn't a turkey, it's a fantastic card at 4k and just a quick as a 980ti.

Unless your talking about the whining issues, which id agree is off putting to say the least when spending so much cash on a gpu.

uksoldierboy · 20 Aug 2015 at 00:50

Op I'm in no way bias towards either brand, green or red, if fact, I'd say go with the 980ti, but don't listen to nonsense.

If you can push for the G1, it'll overclock like stink and give you ample performance at your res.

Howling · 20 Aug 2015 at 00:57

Or the cheaper option would be to pick up a cheap 290 and go crossfire with them.

So:
1. Cheap 290 for xfire
2. Ti
3. Fury / X

Those are pretty much your 3 choices, and it largely comes down to preference at this point. Put in your shoes, I'd go for option 1 or 2.

JediFragger · 20 Aug 2015 at 01:09

uksoldierboy said:
Except the fury x isn't a turkey, it's a fantastic card at 4k and just a quick as a 980ti.

Unless your talking about the whining issues, which id agree is off putting to say the least when spending so much cash on a gpu.

Yup, I was only talking about the whining issues. Still too hit and miss at present to be considered (hence me saying the Pro seems like a solid option)

Crossfiring the 290 is also a good option Booner, then pickup a new gen card next year :cool:

uksoldierboy · 20 Aug 2015 at 01:12

JediFragger said:
Yup, I was only talking about the whining issues. Still too hit and miss at present to be considered (hence me saying the Pro seems like a solid option)

Crossfiring the 290 is also a good option Booner, then pickup a new gen card next year

Now crossfire 290s is a damn good option, I'd totally agree Jedi, I'd give it time for fury x to settle before really advising to buy.

290 cf gets my vote too!

RanxZy · 20 Aug 2015 at 02:18

Quite a few suggestions of dual 290s, although the op does mention avoiding multiple card solutions would be preferable. I would imagine the op wants minimal software problems, in which case a 980Ti is a top candidate. More expensive than 290s, yes very much so, but the 980Ti will better reference crossfire 290s and not have to rely on acceptable scaling to do so, while chugging less power and heat.

melmac said:
you have waited this long, why not wait until the true next gen graphic cards arrive? The ones with HBM2 and a die shrink.

Great if you've got the patience of a saint, it's more fun to enjoy playing though on an epic 3440 monitor imo

Also, it's not so bad getting high end now and then selling up if you want Paacal next year, you'll lose value of the old card but I guess you could put it down to the cost of enjoying your games now.

phiiil · 20 Aug 2015 at 06:55

I'm at 3440x1440 (same monitor) and I went for a Fury X but I put it in a custom loop so whining is never going to be an issue for me (apart from when all the Nvidia fanboys do it in the Fury X owners thread). It's a superb card, I still want another one in there with it though. This res is really really good for gaming.

Booner! · 20 Aug 2015 at 08:44

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah I see the options as CF 290, 980 Ti and Fury X. However after driver issues and issues with multiple cards in the past, I want an easy one card solution really as I don't have time to tinker. I'd rather pay extra for reduced hassle and reliability, so with that in mind I guess my options are:
1.) 980 Ti
2.) Wait until next cards? (but I have no indication of when this will be)

If I do go for a 980 Ti, I've had the G1 suggested above, any other suggestions for a quiet and possible pre-clocked card? Again, less time on my hands to tinker with overclocking so kinda want plug in and play (lazy!).

Given how good 3440x1440 21:9 gaming is, I'd rather start playing now than wait as I've found myself holding back playing games at the moment because they aren't running the way I want

Greebo · 20 Aug 2015 at 09:05

As much as I am running two 290x at 4k, either pick up a cheap 2nd 290 or if you want the ease of a single card solution then get a fuxy x or 980ti.

You may want to wait a little while to see how they both fair with directx 12.

Booner! · 20 Aug 2015 at 09:37

Greebo said:
You may want to wait a little while to see how they both fair with directx 12.

Out of interest, just how long would I have to wait for Directx 12 results? I'm on Windows 7 64bit at the moment and holding back to hear more on the Windows 10 launch before upgrading.

phiiil · 20 Aug 2015 at 10:46

You should upgrade to 10 either way imo, even with your current card. I noticed improvements in Firestrike with my Fury X between Win 7 and Win 10, although I did do a clean install after upgrading so that probably contributed.

Code:

                     W7 15.7   W7 15.7.1   W10 15.7.1
Fire Strike            11976       12436        13736
Fire Strike Extreme     6621        6953         7189
Fire Strike Ultra       3672        3898         3950

eggcup · 20 Aug 2015 at 11:04

I have the Samsung ultra wide, and 1 980ti and it works very well indeed.

Squink · 20 Aug 2015 at 11:45

uksoldierboy said:
Except the fury x isn't a turkey, it's a fantastic card at 4k and just a quick as a 980ti.

Unfortunately most aftermarket 980tis will run at 20pc over stock, while the Fury X isn't a grest clocker. It's a real shame but the ti is the only sensible choice.

RanxZy · 20 Aug 2015 at 11:56

Booner! said:
2.) Wait until next cards? (but I have no indication of when this will be)

It is expected to come in 2016, most likely the first half. I think if you want to enjoy games now the 980Ti is a solid option, especially if you are happy to get a pre-overclocked card like the G1, which frankly as Fury X owners won't like to hear, is faster across the board than a Fury X.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015..._ti_g1_gaming_video_card_review/#.VdWyFrJVhBd

The only advice I have about the custom 980Ti's is be weary about the G1 Gaming as it has been known to have reports of coil whine, again the performance is epic and if luck is on your side you won't get a whiner.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18687869&highlight=coil