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what CPU would i need to be able to run two 7990's at 100% in games?

beasty6

beasty6

beasty6

Soldato
Joined
22 Nov 2010
Posts
3,104
Location
Kettering
hey guys,

so ive just got a 7990 this week... and... well... i want another :D but i know for a fact my i5 wont cope so what CPU will be able to run such cards at 100%?

4930k?
4770k?
 
I'd go with the 4770K, overclock it hopefully to 4.6 (depending on quality) and be happy.
I have read a few posts saying the 4770K is better for gaming, not sure it's correct or not though.

I know my gpu isn't no where near as powerful as your 7990, but in every game i've played i get 99% usage, including BF4.
 
You know that 2 7990's is actually like running in Quad fire and most games don't scale well if not at all, then to top it the drivers of quadfire will drive you mad!
 
For quad xfire, i reckon the 4930k with its full blown x16 bandwidth would be the better choice. For dual card sli, ie 670/7950 etc the 4770k is fine though.
 
I think the question you should be asking is not about CPU but what kind of stupid resolution and games will you need to play to be able to max out two 7990s...
Do you have 3-6 screen eyefinity?
 
setter said:
For quad xfire, i reckon the 4930k with its full blown x16 bandwidth would be the better choice. For dual card sli, ie 670/7950 etc the 4770k is fine though.
Click to expand...

Setter can you tell me what GPU usage you get from your cards mate? in BF3 and 4.

I'm thinking of getting a 4770k to help my 7970s along.
 
Seeing upto 99% use in both games. Cpu use of 65% max in both as well. Cpu is at 4.5ghz, gpu's at stock.
 
It's really depending on what type of games you playing.

Take games like Guild Wars 2, Starcraft 2 and Company of Heros 2, Rome 2, there isn't a single CPU available at the moment anywhere near being capable of holding constant 60fps+, let alone 100fps+ for people gaming on 1920 res 120/144Hz monitors, despite high-end graphic set up should be capable of pushing 100fps+, if not being held back by CPU...

The games I mentioned above, you'd never see the GPU usage of the 7990 being at 99% at all time for 1920 res...not even close (except may be if you apply ridiculous out of this world level of SuperSample AA :p).
 
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A CPU that doesn't exist.

Also a tough one.
4770K will be best in the VAST majority of games, but there will be one or two the 4930K will pip it.
 
setter said:
Seeing upto 99% use in both games. Cpu use of 65% max in both as well. Cpu is at 4.5ghz, gpu's at stock.
Click to expand...

Cheers mate, looks like a 4770k it is then. Should be a nice upgrade from my 920.

How does this bundle look to you? Needs to fit my 2 7970s and an Asus Essense STX pci-e sound card.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-165-OE&groupid=43&catid=2512&subcat=2513

Or this one?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-160-OE&groupid=43&catid=2512&subcat=2513
 
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The gigabyte based bundle will have better slot spacing for your cards and the k2 cooler. The asus hero board is identical in layout to my maximus VI formula. On it ive lost the use of the pcie slot above the primary gpu slot. Therefore im unable to use my xonar DX audio card. There is a slot between the gpu's, but it would affect an already hot top card. Pic below.

 
A pcie audio card will work ok in a gpu slot. However on some boards such as mine, if your running sli/xfire if you use the very bottom slot the cards dont run in full x8 mode for sli/xfire. Hence the problem for me with the k2 blocking the best possible slot for my audio card. The gigabyte oc is a very highly reccomended board on here in the sub £200.00 category.
 
Ethermaster said:
You know that 2 7990's is actually like running in Quad fire and most games don't scale well if not at all, then to top it the drivers of quadfire will drive you mad!
Click to expand...

The reason they don't scale normally is because most people who try to run them are bottlenecking them with inadequate CPUs.
 
So would a 3930k be better than a 4770k? Reason I ask is I wouldn't mind getting a second hand bundle to save cost

So 3930k used?
Or 4770k new?
 
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