VRAM @ 4k

[sneakysnail]

Currently at the upgrade crossroads. I have a 290x with one of those AIO coolers on it, it's nice and cool but for 4k i really need to go Xfire. However my 290x is the 4GB model, how much of an upgrade is a 390 with 8GB? with Cyber monday around the corner I'm considering getting two 390's and selling the 290x. I could get another cheapish 290X but dont think it's worth it. I could also buy 1 390 and xfire it with the 290X and then sell the 290x later on if I'm not impressed but meh.

For those who run multiple GPU's how much importance you would put on running identical models? I Just figure now's the perfect time to lock up some fairly future proof 4k performance and a 290x just doesn't give me that.

also not looking to go green team because of my 4k freesync monitor although would consider it if a nice 980ti comes along, figure if i get the right kind of performance freesync is bit unnecessary

 

[passey89]

Currently at the upgrade crossroads. I have a 290x with one of those AIO coolers on it, it's nice and cool but for 4k i really need to go Xfire. However my 290x is the 4GB model, how much of an upgrade is a 390 with 8GB? with Cyber monday around the corner I'm considering getting two 390's and selling the 290x. I could get another cheapish 290X but dont think it's worth it. I could also buy 1 390 and xfire it with the 290X and then sell the 290x later on if I'm not impressed but meh.

For those who run multiple GPU's how much importance you would put on running identical models? I Just figure now's the perfect time to lock up some fairly future proof 4k performance and a 290x just doesn't give me that.

also not looking to go green team because of my 4k freesync monitor although would consider it if a nice 980ti comes along, figure if i get the right kind of performance freesync is bit unnecessary

I went from 290 to 980 to 290x 8gb to crossfire 290x 8gb's to a 980ti.

You deffinatly need the 8gb vram. My 980 had the power but kept hitting vram limits then franes take a massive drop.

The 290x's deffinatly have the power for 4k. Mine scored 19k in firestrike and my 980ti only score 17.5k.

I would reccomend a fury x the hbm give more leway than gddr5.

No point going to a single 390 as you will have the vram but not the gpu power.

Another problem with crossfire is the crossfire profiles themselves and micro stutter can be terrible and you end up spending ages messing with settings to stop it.

 

[sneakysnail]

I went from 290 to 980 to 290x 8gb to crossfire 290x 8gb's to a 980ti.

You deffinatly need the 8gb vram. My 980 had the power but kept hitting vram limits then franes take a massive drop.

The 290x's deffinatly have the power for 4k. Mine scored 19k in firestrike and my 980ti only score 17.5k.

I would reccomend a fury x the hbm give more leway than gddr5.

No point going to a single 390 as you will have the vram but not the gpu power.

Another problem with crossfire is the crossfire profiles themselves and micro stutter can be terrible and you end up spending ages messing with settings to stop it.

a single fury X doesnt have the graphics grunt to get say 60fps at 4k with high-maxed settings though and no way I'd ever consider xfiring them at their current price. the lack of OC'ing is also a huge put off for me

did you find the xfire support so bad that you deemed the sidegrade of 8GB 290x xfire to a 980ti worth it?

 

[passey89]

a single fury X doesnt have the graphics grunt to get say 60fps at 4k with high-maxed settings though and no way I'd ever consider xfiring them at their current price. the lack of OC'ing is also a huge put off for me

did you find the xfire support so bad that you deemed the sidegrade of 8GB 290x xfire to a 980ti worth it?

Yup micro stutter in gta v was terrible, heat output was insane. And no crossfire drivers for soo many games and waiting for so long for them to come out after realease ( elite dangerous im looking at you still not there).

With the latest driver fury x performs about as good as a 980ti tbh.

 

[sneakysnail]

Yup micro stutter in gta v was terrible, heat output was insane. And no crossfire drivers for soo many games and waiting for so long for them to come out after realease ( elite dangerous im looking at you still not there).

With the latest driver fury x performs about as good as a 980ti tbh.

yeah just looked up 4k performance for 980ti and fury X, not really convinced that either have the grunt though. They'll both drop down to 30 odd FPS at times, my freesync monitor will help the fury x but again no overclocking....I'm keeping my mind open to it but it's a hard sell. How do they manage VRAM wise? i know they aren't the bottleneck now but in a years time is 4GB of HBM going to be enough?

 

[passey89]

yeah just looked up 4k performance for 980ti and fury X, not really convinced that either have the grunt though. They'll both drop down to 30 odd FPS at times, my freesync monitor will help the fury x but again no overclocking....I'm keeping my mind open to it but it's a hard sell. How do they manage VRAM wise? i know they aren't the bottleneck now but in a years time is 4GB of HBM going to be enough?

Probably not.

There some reviews that blops 3 ultra setting 4k using 8.4gb vram and games are only going to use more.

 

[Howling]

Probably not.

There some reviews that blops 3 ultra setting 4k using 8.4gb vram and games are only going to use more.

blops is worst case scenario though. It's less about needing more resources and more about lazy development, but I guess it does serve as an example of what can happen.

As for OP, it's really your choice which path you take. You need crossfire regardless at this point, so it's either pick up a second 290x or pair of 390s. I'd go for the 390s if the cost isn't that different between the 2 options, I know the 290x is holding it's value pretty well but you're getting the added benefit of warranty and extra vram on the 390s. Either way I'd say a useful stopgap until next year's cards arrive