295gtx or 2x radeon 4890

[mystiksinner]

I recently had to RMA my 295gtx. I opted for replacement but newegg was out of stock so they gave me a refund. now I have all this cash and need to find a graphics solution. I liked the 295gtx but nvidia control panel is a little buggy. I have a mb with ati chipset and crossfire ready. Should get another 295gtx or switch to a pair of 4890's?

 

[erocker]

I don't know where you are going to find another GTX295, they seem to be sold out everywhere...

 

[mystiksinner]

i'm not in a huge rush, I can wait if that's my best option.

 

[erocker]

The reason you can't find them is because they no longer make them. Supposedly Nvidia is coming out with a new design using two GPU's on one PCB. There's been a large lack of information on it so I have no idea how that's going. Two 4890's will be no slouch though and you have the motherboard to support it. Not a bad choice, though I'd be weary of your PSU.

 

[mystiksinner]

I've been watching the 295's for months, every 3 weeks or so they dissappear and more arrive in stock a week later. I hope they aren't completely gone, I hadn't heard about them being discontinued. if thats the case, I might have to go ATI. as for PSU, I did some calculations, 2 4890's won't draw too much more than my 295, I think i'll be ok.

 

[Hayder_Master]

can i ask why other GTX295 , more FPS in games like games run at 50FPS up to 70FPS booth way games run perfect , ok more performance 3D mark scores go for 2x4870x2

 

[cdawall]

get a pair of 4850X2's will give you better performance than the GTX295 or 2x4890 can

 

[mystiksinner]

I have always useg nvidia and been happy, I've owned 1 ati card and I didn't like CCC. 2 4870x2's are out of my price range, I would consider 2 4850x2's if that would give better performance than 2 4890's. do we expect to see a 4890x2 from ATI anytime soon?

 

[a_ump]

lol, does a 2x 4850x2 setup even scale well? i couldn't see it since it's xfire 4x, which has never scaled well at all.

as for GTX 295 or HD 4890 xfire, you get a fair bit more performance with the HD 4890's than the GTX 295 in some games and edges it out in most others, check the xbitlabs review.

EDIT: um what monitor do you game at? i'm guessing 1440x900 with the 17"s. i'd recommend purchasing a GTX 285 or single HD 4890 and using the other cash to upgrade your monitor to actual make use the horsepower these GPU's have, as xfire of HD 4890's on any resolution below 1680x1050(even that is pushing it) is pretty much a waste as a single card runs lower resolutions in any game perfectly fine. no diff from 60fps to 90 or 110fps.

 

[mystiksinner]

1280x1024, yeah, i'm probably due for a monitor upgrade. that was on the list for next month's bonus check.

 

[a_ump]

i'd say go new monitor now and HD 4890, and then with your next check get the other HD 4890, as that will play almost every game out max at say 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 depending if you pick 20"-22" or 24", the xfire would be a waste at your current resolution.

 

[cdawall]

lol, does a 2x 4850x2 setup even scale well? i couldn't see it since it's xfire 4x, which has never scaled well at all.

it will scale well enough for better performance than 3x4890

 

[mystiksinner]

new monitor it is, I at least hope CCC is better than it was a few years ago. that is the biggest thing that has kept me from going with ATI

 

[a_ump]

well the benchmarks say it all my friend

 

[erocker]

new monitor it is, I at least hope CCC is better than it was a few years ago. that is the biggest thing that has kept me from going with ATI

Much better! Fan control and overclocking control. Of course you can just install the standalone driver and use a program like Rivatuner for your OC and fan speeds.

 

[PCpraiser100]

If you got a kW PSU, two GTX 295s. If you luv OC results, two 4890s (with waterblocks to match up in performance).