R9290 upgrade options

[theaterix]

I am currently looking to upgrade my R9290 because finally some funds have freed up and I am finally able to consider an upgrade. I have a reference 290 so it sounds like a huge F off hairdryer when out under any kind of load which is beyond annoying, so I am busy considering upgrade options for it. I can get a great deal on a 980 which is tempting but I am just trying to work out if it is a worthy upgrade for the extra cost.
My resolution is 2560x1080 and I play WoW, CSGO, FIFA and Battlefield.
Not demanding games but the noise is awful and beginning to really do my head in and the heat is unbearable.

Any recommendations are appreciated and very welcome

Cheers, Jake

 

[theaterix]

Don't have a clue about WoW and CSGO, but aren't they high fps titles?

FIFA I believe is capped so there will be no difference in performance, Battlefield doubt there'll be much in it either.

For an upgrade, imo 980 isn't going to be much, I'd be looking for more than that or I'd just rip the cooler off and custom air cool or aio it for not much money.

See I was considering this or a full water loop but for the extra pennies I will be spending I could put that cost into a slightly better card, I do however know the new AMD cards are due either next month or January so whether that is worth the wait I really do not know.

I value silence above electrical cost as I still live at home so it is paid for by my dad.

I spotted the clearance section has some really nice deals with me buying my current monitor from there and it being utterly perfect so I believe in the section.

I am considering saving some money up and buying the new AMD flagship upon release aslong as it performs as good value the 480 is.

I am still stuck haha

 

[theaterix]

My only issue with going for a 1070 is down to the fact I am paying the £250 upgrade fee after selling the 290, albeit getting a huge boost in performance and a quieter card and less heat cut outs and less power consumption... Think I just convinced myself hahaha

It's a large sum of money but so long as I can sell the 290 I can save up for a couple of months as I am a first year apprentice living at home with no bills or anything to pay heh. Think I need to find a cheap card while I sell the 290 and save funds for the 1070 and a water loop (F it why not)

 

[theaterix]

I am thinking of going for a waterloop which has been a long term interest for me and shoving a block on the 290, hoping this is a good decision and will allow me to push high clocks on the 290 which will bring it to a 970 performance which isnt too far behind the 980 which is good enough to last me until upgrade time when AMD release their new cards.

Now the question is, do I get a 2nd R9 290 or stick with the 1

 

[theaterix]

I wouldn't go waterloop on such an old card. And I definitely wouldn't get a second 290. If you are going to spend that much money on waterblocks and second 290 then you might as well buy a 1070 and sell the 290 you have already.

Remember, your card might be a poor overclocker even with water.

Just buy a cheap air cooler for your 290 if the noise is annoying you and hold off spending until the new AMD cards arrive.

I don't want to be rude, but I think it would be a terrible decision to watercool the 290.

A block only cost me £25 delivered so wasn't really an issue. I will be buying most of it off the MM so I can get it a lot cheaper than usual.

 

[theaterix]

1 with that PSU, you will be pushing it with 2, also you get a lot of people complaining about crossfire and games not being supported.
Personally I'd stick with 1 or change to a better single card!

The PSU requirement is a very good point against CF. Almost draws out the worthiness of getting a 2nd card

 

[theaterix]

What res and hz you on as when i had xfire 290's, the most i see pull is 700w on firestrike ultra, for gaming i used to limit my fps to 80 and used to pull around 500-650w depending what game i was playing.

2560x1080 at 60hz currently. Was wanting a 3440x1440 at 144 but that is expensiveeee.