Crossfire 7870's?

[Andybtsn]

Hi guys,

I find Far Cry 3 and even GTA4 with the ICE mod a bit choppy at times so thinking of upgrading my gfx. I currently have an ATI 7870 and was thinking of either picking up another for crossfire or a 7970?

What do you recommend?

It's to go with AMD 8120

 

[Andybtsn]

Thanks guys. I did think this. Ill look out for a cheap 7970

 

[Andybtsn]

Yeah guys not wanting to spend more than £200 really. Doubt ill get more than £130 for the 7870 anyway despite only being a few months old!

 

[Andybtsn]

I actually could afford more but my sensible side sometimes comes out. Lol. Incidentally is the 7970 is the top dog in terms of graphics? I know it's subjective but is there a better nvidia?

 

[Andybtsn]

1920x1080 mate. I might just flunk out on a really good card from OCUK. Ill want to upgrade other stuff then. Grrrr

 

[Andybtsn]

This?

I don't mind spending a premium but I don't want my PC struggling to play top games in a year or so after spending this kind of money.

 

[Andybtsn]

I must admit playing Far Cry it performs a hell of a lot better than my old i7 920. Thanks for that info.

I've got it to 4ghz and it sits on around 50/60oC at load with a H50 attached.

The 8320 seems to get some bad press when compared against intel jobbies.

 

[Andybtsn]

Are there any benchmark sources for the windows 8/7 differences. I use 7 purely as I just couldn't see a benefit of using 8. If games were going to perform better I'd have a reason to go back...

 

[Andybtsn]

Thanks Andy.

And yeah I need that start button for 8

 

[Andybtsn]

Thanks guys!

Regarding 8, if you have dual display can you have one side for Windows and the other for the tiles screen or do you guys just get rid of the tiles altogether?

Edit. Gottem.. BTW are you running a 990FX? because if you are I would strongly consider spending £400 on two 760s.

I just saw this, no I am not. Just got a Asus M5A99X EVO AM3+

 

[Andybtsn]

In an ideal world Metro could have been useful but only when it comes to aesthetics, I like it if it was my actual desktop background but other than that I didn't like it.

I have installed 8 now so let's hope my AMD appreciates it over 7

 

[Andybtsn]

Incidentally and back on topic, cost aside what's the best bang for buck 7970 to go for? I got linked one for £340 and £399, I don't mind the added premium as long as it was worth it?

 

[Andybtsn]

That lightening look brilliant but god damn it's got mini dp

My monitors are all HDMI!

Maybe I'd have to go for the Asus?

 

[Andybtsn]

Hmmm, well I have four monitors which are either HDMI or VGA.

Having thought about it I may as well go with the Lightening and get some DVI to HDMI? Use a cheap second hard to power the other two monitors?

 

[Andybtsn]

Haha, yeah it escalated quite a bit, I'm happy with my AMD setup, it's just the gfx that was holding it back so may as well get a good un'

The mini-dp to HDMI are around £30 anyway so I'll just get another GFX card!

 

[Andybtsn]

£8? An active one?! i can only find them for around £30!

 

[Andybtsn]

Nearly pushed the button to buy the 7970 but then something kept saying in my head to consider the 770

I'm not much of an OC you see so the 770 seems down my street, plus they come with HDMI for my four monitors.

Decisions decisions.

Also I then wonder why I want a new GFX card as BF3, Far Cry are looking amazing with my 7870! Settings maxed out.

 

[Andybtsn]

Would you sell your 7870 once you decide on a card?

Yeah, it's on the MM, can't even sell it for £140, seems mad considering its ability.

Well I did go for the 7970 in the end (Lightening)

Will it be ok powering four Samsung SA350 23" monitors at 1920x1080?