Get with a 295x2 or wait?

[harmattan]

I'm currently using a single 290x on a 4k monitor. Most games play surprisingly well at 3840 X 2160, but recent titles really bring a single card to its knees e.g. DA:I, ACU, GTA V (I expect).

I have the option of getting a 295x2 for around $600. After selling my 290x2 for around $280 (I will be selling locally in the UK), the net cost would be around $320. I also need to get a new m-itx case (to fit the 290x and PSU), and upgrade my PSU costing around $75, so...

All in, the 295x2 upgrade will cost me around $400 for an avg. of 70% improvement. From the rumors, 390x will be around 60% faster than a single 290x, and I'd venture to guess that it will cost around $550.

Is it worth waiting for the new cards in Feb./March e.g. 980 ti, 390x? I normally hate these hypotheticals, but my schedule/job dictate that x-mas time and January are normally the only periods I can play games (at least as much as I want to) so that's a factor.

 

[chenw]

If those figures are correct, then I would opt to wait, because the performance of 295x and 390x is so close that there is simply no reason to go with 295x (for similar performance, single card ALWAYS beats a dual card, lack of stutter, no Xfire issues, less power, no need to upgrade rig, etc etc).

You will also less likely to feel buyer's remorse if you went for a new card just when it's released.

 

[lavaheadache]

buy now, buy then. It's that easy

 

[sk3tch]

buy now, buy then. It's that easy

This.

You've already crunched the numbers. You love the hobby. Get a new card now - have fun, play with it, learn things...then when the new cards do come out take another look and sell the old and buy new again - if you like.

 

[Rav3n]

Personally if money didn't grow on trees, I'd wait.

 

[harmattan]

This.

You've already crunched the numbers. You love the hobby. Get a new card now - have fun, play with it, learn things...then when the new cards do come out take another look and sell the old and buy new again - if you like.

The problem is, although I've been on the upgrade merry-go-round since about 1993 with computer hardware, I have some upcoming expenses e.g. new house, wedding, recent move overseas etc. that will force me to stretch my next purchase out a while. Whatever purchase I make next, I'll likely need to skip a refresh or two until I can get something else. I'm therefore looking for the best bang for the buck. On the other hand, I have a problem to solve right now which is running games at 4k.

 

[atp1916]

The only thing that would keep me from pulling the trigger right now on the 295x2 if i were the OP is not knowing how much ram the 390x is launching with.

With this push to 4k and beyond, 4GB ram may not be enough in a year's time. I know current benchmarks don't put much of an advantage toward more than 4GB, but that will change soon enough as higher resolution displays become mainstream and devs follow suit.

 

[sk3tch]

The problem is, although I've been on the upgrade merry-go-round since about 1993 with computer hardware, I have some upcoming expenses e.g. new house, wedding, recent move overseas etc. that will force me to stretch my next purchase out a while. Whatever purchase I make next, I'll likely need to skip a refresh or two until I can get something else. I'm therefore looking for the best bang for the buck. On the other hand, I have a problem to solve right now which is running games at 4k.

If money is an issue - then definitely downgrade settings and wait until Spring '15. The 295x2 will have a limited resale market anyway - because your average computer user won't want to deal with the special config it requires or have the knowledge to know if it is compatible.

 

[harmattan]

If money is an issue - then definitely downgrade settings and wait until Spring '15. The 295x2 will have a limited resale market anyway - because your average computer user won't want to deal with the special config it requires or have the knowledge to know if it is compatible.

"Downgrade settings" -- I'm not familiar with this term... Is this a new type of AA?

 

[sk3tch]

"Downgrade settings" -- I'm not familiar with this term... Is this a new type of AA?

It's relatively unique to the AMD side of things.

 

[AndreRio]

you going to need space inside your case for the extra cooler!!! I have a 290x but I would not get a 295 because 1. its too hot 2. it requires extra space my small case. I would go with a NVidia card. or!! wait to see if the 390x's will have the huge cooler or not....

 

[ccityinstaller]

you going to need space inside your case for the extra cooler!!! I have a 290x but I would not get a 295 because 1. its too hot 2. it requires extra space my small case. I would go with a NVidia card. or!! wait to see if the 390x's will have the huge cooler or not....

Not you again..I thought you were gone for good...

1) It isn't too hot, it runs cooler then your 290X thanks to it's excellent hybrid cooling solution.

2) Your case's lack of room has ZERO bearing on the OPs issue. He is aware of the room it takes and plans on buying a new case as it is.


Please just crawl back into the hole you have been hiding in instead of posting useless crap.


OP, Considering you are facing a need now, the time period you will need the card is well before the launch of the 3XX series, I saw all signs point to buying the 295X2 and enjoy that ~60FPS 4K goodness..The card will easily handle everything through 2015, and will most likely hold it's value like the 7990 did..They bottomed out dirt cheap but once the new stock was all sold out their resale value actually went UP a good bit. Buy it and enjoy it.

 

[harmattan]

Thanks for the advice all. I think I'm going to hold off until more info on 390x and 780 ti is released. It's too much of a ball-ache to replace my current case (which I really like) and PSU, and am afraid I'd be kicking myself if the new cards perform within 10% of a 295x.