To upgrade or not to upgrade

[elmarko]

So,

I'm currently using

6970 MSI overclocked edition.
2500k @ 4ghz (can't overclock higher without problems - i got a duff chip).
16g RAM
128g SSD
1tb Storage

I'm considering upgrading but I'm unsure what to pick - my options are

1 6970 to go cross-fire. (currently using a 750w PSU - may need to upgrade for crossfire - but unsure)

1 7970 - Will be able to sell my 6970 maybe? - not sure how much they go for nowdays but it's already got an Arctic accelero extreme on it I put on a few days after getting my PC & runs almost silently.

The cost is similar for either option - I think I'd get more speed with the cross-fire solution - but then I'd have to deal with the noise/heat from the 2 cards (the aftermarket cooler will just chuck air at my other card) - also the potential PSU problem.

What kind of price can you get for a 2nd hand 6 month old 6970 (good condition, no problems at all with aftermarket cooler?)

 

[MOOGLEYS]

What res do you game at ?

 

[elmarko]

What res do you game at ?

Currently 1900*1200 but upgrading to a 27 hazro soon so 2500x from then on.

Even at 1900*1200 BF3 with everything on max does slow down a little from time to time.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

If you can afford it get the 7970 for that res. You also then have upgrade paths in the future.

 

[RavenXXX2]

6970 you're looking at 130-£160. I would bag another 6970, your PSU is enough if it's a good brand. BF3 will run significantly quicker with crossfire 6970 than a single 7970, of course multi-GPU gaming is not always a smooth ride. A 2GB 6970 is well enough for 2500x res, 3GB is not required even for eyefinity going by reviews done.

 

[elmarko]

6970 you're looking at 130-£160. I would bag another 6970, your PSU is enough if it's a good brand. BF3 will run significantly quicker with crossfire 6970 than a single 7970, of course multi-GPU gaming is not always a smooth ride.

Ay, that was my thoughts - the heat the inherent problems with cross-fire (lag on driver releases - skyrim being a good example) is what's putting me off.

I've also got to factor in the cost of sorting out the noise, as I'd only buy a 6970 that's as quiet as my current (hate loud graphics cards - can't believe how poor the stock coolers are) - but obviously that add's another £40 at least to the cost... grrrrr....