Serious advice

RanxZy · 20 Feb 2015 at 15:10

shadow_boxer said:
^ well that makes a lot more sense now. The way I read it was he already had a single 980 in the system and the question was should he get another to SLI with.

Yeah that's what I thought. In that case for 4k, two 8GB 290X cards would be better than a 295x2 because of the extra 4GB vram and can be had for the same price as a 295x2. Xfire 8GB 290X's would be a lot cheaper than a couple of Matrix Platinum 980s and be more suitable for 4k resolutions.

The only problem with AMD is with the recent NVIDIA sponsored games they have found it difficult to release profiles as fast as NVIDIA so then you only have the power of one 290X.

If you want to stick to NVIDIA the Titans are more suitable for 4k than 980s but they're end of life. That said 980s in SLI will still be decent in 4k if you can turn some settings down on certain high vram usage games but do you really want to spend £1000+ to turn settings down?

pandem0nium · 20 Feb 2015 at 15:46

RanxZy said:
Yeah that's what I thought. In that case for 4k, two 8GB 290X cards would be better than a 295x2 because of the extra 4GB vram and can be had for the same price as a 295x2. Xfire 8GB 290X's would be a lot cheaper than a couple of Matrix Platinum 980s and be more suitable for 4k resolutions.

The only problem with AMD is with the recent NVIDIA sponsored games they have found it difficult to release profiles as fast as NVIDIA so then you only have the power of one 290X.

If you want to stick to NVIDIA the Titans are more suitable for 4k than 980s but they're end of life. That said 980s in SLI will still be decent in 4k if you can turn some settings down on certain high vram usage games but do you really want to spend £1000+ to turn settings down?

+1.

at least 2 8gb 290Xs is the best option for 4k at the moment.

r7slayer · 20 Feb 2015 at 15:51

Marine-RX179 said:
To clarify OP's situation base on his previous thread and this:

Grandson's system spec: Intel x99 platform with 5960X CPU with Corsair AX1200i PSU.

Grandson's gaming resolution: 4K

OP's position: Thinking of getting him a 980, but his grandson want better graphic grunt that than, so OP's hoping he could buy one 980, and his son will buy the 2nd 980. So he's asking for advice that if his plan of his son getting the 2nd 980 doesn't work out, which would be the alternative more powerful option over a single 980 that doesn't cost as much as two 980- which is why he's asking about 295x2 and for suggestion for other possible alternatives.

Well done mate, put the thread in to perspective lol. I was thinking this and wanted to post but didnt think id be able to explain it this well and get my head bit off lol.

For 4k res i would not opt for the 980, and yes the 295x2 is a much better choice! Instead of your grandson buying the second card tell him to put half or put towards the 295x2 instead of 980. Or opt for 290x 8GB variants and tell him to get the other card.

Also people calling his grandson spoilt you don't know his age nor how well off OP is so it may be nothing to OP really. Could be a birthday present. You seen what celebrities get their siblings? Moral of this is don't go and judge some one just like that without actually knowing them. Jeeze... Also don't solely reply to this bit and derail the thread either...

RanxZy · 20 Feb 2015 at 15:57

Yeah theres no need to have everybody's two cents on whether he's being spoilt or not. People will spend money how they wish (unless you have a wife

) so each to their own.

Legend · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:07

290X 8GB x2 in Crossfire is really the ONLY choice for 4K now, to provide the best longevity. BUT... given the sense of entitlement this kid appears to have, a year from now he'll have his hand in your pocket once more asking for a new card(s), because what you buy today will not be good enough for him. He should never have gone 4K in the first place really, it's a money pit... but what's done is done. 290X 8GB x2 in Crossfire is really the best choice right now... but as I say, don't expect that to satisfy him for THAT long. 4K simply isn't mature enough to provide longevity in the true sense of the word.

TNA · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:18

RanxZy said:
Yeah theres no need to have everybody's two cents on whether he's being spoilt or not. People will spend money how they wish (unless you have a wife ) so each to their own.

People love getting their two cents in. Funny to watch

Kaapstad · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:24

lionheart said:
Thank you so much for your answers. His system is top of the line X99 with an Intel 5960X Extreme 3.00GHz (Haswell-E) and a brand new 4K monitor. Tried to get my son to buy a second GTX 980 but, his card is maxed out, he tells me, it also has got an RM 1200i psu. Plus if anyone notices this is not a repeat post I am seriously begging for you help, Thanks again

Two of these

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-353-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

Sorted

There are cheaper 8gb cards but for your grandsons system the ones above are a better option.

Narn · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:44

surely the best advise in the long run is to tell the grandson to not act so entitled/demanding

mmj_uk · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:56

GTX970 SLI, ignoring the hysteria surrounding memory it's not much slower than GTX980 in reality and far better value, built with DX12 in mind as well unlike 290X/295X so he won't be pestering you for something new in a years time.

Shampoo · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:58

r7slayer said:
Also people calling his grandson spoilt you don't know his age nor how well off OP is so it may be nothing to OP really. Could be a birthday present. You seen what celebrities get their siblings? Moral of this is don't go and judge some one just like that without actually knowing them. Jeeze... Also don't solely reply to this bit and derail the thread either...

Well, given how the op was written, you weren't left with any other impression other than some poor granddad getting the run around from a brat kid. Reads like he's offering a 980 but getting told "no! not enough".

r7slayer · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:08

Shampoo said:
Well, given how the op was written, you weren't left with any other impression other than some poor granddad getting the run around from a brat kid. Reads like he's offering a 980 but getting told "no! not enough".

"I wil get him the Matrix GTX 980 but he wants someting better"

This is the only bit that does make it come across that his grandson wants something with more power granted.

Maybe he's exploring his options, he may like the 295X2 seen as OP mentioned that and tbh is better than 980 SLI setup. And is similar priced. Maybe that's what he wanted. Lets be honest it wasn't even worded that well and Marine put it well into perspective.

And put it this way i never got anyone ever buying me things this expensive. Most expensive thing bought me was the first xbox from my mum. I don't jump on the assumption he's spoilt.

You can't go ahead and assume hes spoilt, a brat, etc.

Anyways enough of this from me.

Two 290x 8Gb will be the best option in this scenario! This is the advice is what OP wants and asked for.

r7slayer · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:09

mmj_uk said:
GTX970 SLI, ignoring the hysteria surrounding memory it's not much slower than GTX980 in reality and far better value, built with DX12 in mind as well unlike 290X/295X so he won't be pestering you for something new in a years time.

Sorry what?? 970 cards certainly are the bottom of the food chain right now for 4k gaming. 1080p is a different story though.

arc@css · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:12

Without a doubt, 2 x 8gb 290X cards.

TNA · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:16

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-269-MS&groupid=701&catid=56

Two of those would be the best. Value for money.

£580 is not bad. Not far of the price of ONE 980. Best choice is he wants more power.

shankly1985 · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:20

lionheart said:
Thank you so much for your answers. His system is top of the line X99 with an Intel 5960X Extreme 3.00GHz (Haswell-E) and a brand new 4K monitor. Tried to get my son to buy a second GTX 980 but, his card is maxed out, he tells me, it also has got an RM 1200i psu. Plus if anyone notices this is not a repeat post I am seriously begging for you help, Thanks again

That system is crying for the fastest GPU on the market and that's the 295x.. 980, isn't enough for 4k either is a 290x but if you was picking either them two then the 290x is the better for 4k..

shankly1985 · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:22

mmj_uk said:
GTX970 SLI, ignoring the hysteria surrounding memory it's not much slower than GTX980 in reality and far better value, built with DX12 in mind as well unlike 290X/295X so he won't be pestering you for something new in a years time.

Just stop with this built with dx12 crap.. The 290x and 290 both support DX12 just as much as the 980 and 970..

Marine-RX179 · 20 Feb 2015 at 18:07

shankly1985 said:
Just stop with this built with dx12 crap.. The 290x and 290 both support DX12 just as much as the 980 and 970..

He's bloody playing with other peoples' money!

He's telling OP to ignore the 970 memory issue, despite there are 970 SLI users confirming they get stuttering issues etc, particularly at 2.5K and 4K.

Don't know if he's just die-hard Nvidia fanboy or troll, or both...

TNA · 20 Feb 2015 at 18:10

Marine-RX179 said:
He's bloody playing with other peoples' money!

He's telling OP to ignore the 970 memory issue, despite there are 970 SLI users confirming they get stuttering issues etc, particularly at 2.5K and 4K.

Don't know if he's just die-hard Nvidia fanboy or troll, or both...

This is what I was thinking. Just happy to see gregster is not in here backing him up. lol

slick rick · 20 Feb 2015 at 18:12

It depends on what games he is playing, if he is playing minesweeper then any card will do, if he is playing Crysis 3 the quadfire 290x 8gb!

lionheart · 20 Feb 2015 at 19:20

I am very sorry did not want this to happen. My grandson has just graduated as a teacher with top grades. Was hoping to get something special, My son his father bought him a Samsung 4K monitor. He cannot shell out any more money at the moment. I lent my grandson a Sapphire R9 290x Vapour-X OC 8GB which, i just purchased from Overclockers for myself. My grandson stated he was underwhelmed by it`s performance. Just to stop all this i wil say to him from my point of view It will the Matrix GTX 980 or nought. Thanking all very much indeed.