CrossFire - worth it?

[Stalker_26]

Evening all,

Current system spec:

Intel i7 3770k @ 4.6
24gb Corsair Vengeance Blue ( i think its 1600mhz)
Maximus V Formula
Corsair AX 1200
Sapphire Tri-x R9 290.

Would there be any real benefit in getting a second Tri-X? i was tempted to sell it and upgrade to the R9 290x but looking at the specs for it i'm not sure i'll gain much with just the one - and i dont want to buy 2 of them!!
Would like to stay with the Tri-X mainly as i had a custom back-plate from ColdZero. (having a second card wouldn't need another back-plate as i would see it anyway )

Is there any point in getting a 2nd card? i have no problems when gaming or anything.

Thanks all!

Stalker

 

[shankly1985]

Depends on what resolution you play at and what refresh rate you play at..
For example 1080p 60hz a single 290 is more than enough, but at 1080p 120hz or 144hz a single 290 isn't enough to push that much frame rates on most games.

If you happy now chance is you don't need Crossfire.

 

[Stalker_26]

ok cool - thanks for the input
Game at 1920x1080 on 60hz

 

[tommybhoy]

Depends on what resolution you play at and what refresh rate you play at..
For example 1080p 60hz a single 290 is more than enough, but at 1080p 120hz or 144hz a single 290 isn't enough to push that much frame rates on most games.

If you happy now chance is you don't need Crossfire.

I'll add a few more points.

Just playing games, I leave them at stock as they play anything without breaking a sweat (because they aren't pushed that hard@120Hz 1080p).

However, AMD's new VSR mGPU is supported and means you can ramp up the IQ, and my 290X's love it@120Hz 1080p.

They dump a fair bit of heat however, you need a good case and airflow.

If you have never run a mGPU set up before and you would like to give it a go, at current prices, it's cracking time to jump in, especially with the amount of games you get with it.

CrossFire support is great with most AAA titles supported@launch, but you can play about manually setting via CCC to get it working, or have to wait for support added at a later date via AMD/Dev support, or stuck on single gpu mode only.



Warning- It can be pretty addictive, especially if you take the plunge, it'll be a new monitor next.

 

[shankly1985]

What Tommy said god post points.

 

[Kaapstad]

Warning- It can be pretty addictive, especially if you take the plunge, it'll be a new monitor next.

Now you tell me.

 

[Confused Stu]

Exactly what Tommy said, except sometimes it's not a new monitor but several others to keep your current monitor company!

 

[tommybhoy]

Now you tell me.

Hello my name is Kaap, it's been ~3 weeks now I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT!

Exactly what Tommy said, except sometimes it's not a new monitor but several others to keep your current monitor company!

Yep, couple of Sli setups in the early days, then went 4870>5870(didn't need CF as it was twice as fast anyway)>6970 CF>7970>7970/50 CF>7950 CF>290X>290X CF.


Did I need them, probably not, but AMD are that bloody cheap if you purchase at the right time-it's a crime to say no.

BTW, mGPU support only gets better each new gen, it's came a long long way.