Upgrade for my CF7970 (X99)

[Born_2_Kill_83]

In preparation for my next upgrade I'm currently narrowing down what my next GPU move will be in the summer when I change out my 3770k for the next X99/DDR4 hardware.

I'm currently using CF7970GHZ editions for 1080 and they have served me well, but where do I go from here, I'm liking the performance Mantle is giving in certain games but at the same time I'd swap to NV if the card is right.

My initial thoughts are to go for CF290X's as one wouldn’t see me any gains over what I currently have. I’ve not been up to date with the 290 scenario since release last year, I remember them being quite hot as standard and didn’t O/C well which is a small concern, I take it the aftermarket cooler versions are out now with slight O/C's?

I'm happy to wait for another 3/4 months if theres anything on the horizon. Opinions greatly received, thanks.

 

[humbug]

Yes the After Market cooled 290's are as good as any GPU. the 290 reference suffered from what was frankly a junk cooler, its actually the same underneath as the reference 7970 cooler.

The 290's also have True Audio, its basically a fancy sound processor built into the Hawaii GPU's, Thief currently uses it, i don't know but apparently its really good.

It gives you very good surround sound through normal stereo headphones or speakers.

The 290's also have xDMA xFire, so no more xFire bridge, the data is transmitted through the PCIe, its much faster.

The 290 is a little faster than the GTX 780, the 290X is just about as fast as the GTX 780TI and the 290/X are much cheaper.

IMO thats what i would get, Mantle, True Audio, xDMA, 4GB vRam and 512Bit bus advantages for less money vs GPU PhysX.

 

[Gregster]

Wait it out bud. Your 7970's are plenty for now and we will have some concrete news about what is coming.

 

[Alkalinepro5]

Wait for GTX800 / R390X series....

 

[whyscotty]

Wait for next Gen

 

[Tonester0011]

Wait till X99 then make your move, might have more word on Maxwell by then.

 

[Krisali]

Definitely wait it out. I should imagine there is little to trouble your current setup, especially at 1080p.

 

[Born_2_Kill_83]

Any ETA's on GTX800's or 390X then?

I'm not much of a fan of always holding out "see whats coming", normally turns out the wait isn't worth the increase in performance and you end up waiting again for the next lot.
Plus the next stuff will be stupendously expensive judging by prices of current gen.

 

[Gregster]

No mention of Maxwell at GTC, so..... 290's or 780's... Your choice

 

[BS Dave]

I went from cf 7970s to a 290 tri-x at 1100/1400 and with mantle the later feels smoother, even though the frames are less. Cooler on the tri-x is also very quiet. I've never seen my temps go over 60 degrees at 50% fan which is silent

Just waiting on z97 to put the 2nd one in