Need advice regarding crossfire/PSU

E

ELox

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
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My build is in my sig. I currently have a R9 290X and ended up also getting a R9 290. I am trying to decide if I should run them in crossfire or just sell the 290. I would just pop in the 290 and run crossfire now to see how I like it but my powersupply will not handle it.

The 290X is a powercolor turboduo and the 290 is a gigabyte windforce 3x.

If I do crossfire I am looking at a refurbished Corsair PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139100

Does that seem like a reasonable PSU to run?

I don't really NEED the extra power above the 290X since I am only gaming at 1920x1200 and spending most of my time playing Heroes of the Storm but if I'm going to end up crossfiring the cards I might as well do it now or sell the 290 now while it's still worth something.

I would like some advice around any concerns I might have running a 290X/290 crossfire (or recommendations on how well this will work and settings).

I've always shied away from running dual GPU on account of the hassle and generally the extra cost but since I have the card already I am seriously considering it. I'm open to advice. Thanks.
 
I would not waste money on a refurbished unit. Get a new unit so you get a longer warranty and the ability to migrate it to new hardware. If you don't have the money for a new one then save up so you can afford one. It will pay for itself in spades.

You should be able to run your system in Crossfire with an 850W PSU. Look at EVGA and XFX models. You save a little money while the components are supplied by high quality OEM suppliers. Super Flower is the OEM for EVGA, while Seasonic is the OEM for XFX.

Take a look at these:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011 ($149.99)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438030 ($119.99 after $15 rebate)

All that being said: With the 390X around the corner you could sell the 290 and put that money in the coffers as a down payment on the 390X. With the money you would have spent on a new PSU you should have enough to afford a 390X if you sell the 290X. You'll still be on a single 300W-at-most video card and get a sizable performance increase that you can run on the 750W PSU in your sig.
 
Thanks Armenius. You sure the 850 is sufficient with overclocks as well? I'm seriously tempted to just sell the 290 and bide my time....
 
ELox said:
Thanks Armenius. You sure the 850 is sufficient with overclocks as well? I'm seriously tempted to just sell the 290 and bide my time....
Click to expand...

I don't think the 850W is sufficient if you're overclocking both the video cards and CPU. HardOCP's test system with a Core i7 3770K OC'd to 4.8Ghz and two overclocked R9 290X cards use about 747W which is borderline for a 850W PSU:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014...tion_edition_crossfire_review/10#.VW0EPM_BzGc

So I recommend this PSU instead if you still want to do 290X Crossfire:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110&ignorebbr=1

Also, what case do you have?
 
Dangman said:
I don't think the 850W is sufficient if you're overclocking both the video cards and CPU. HardOCP's test system with a Core i7 3770K OC'd to 4.8Ghz and two overclocked R9 290X cards use about 747W which is borderline for a 850W PSU:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014...tion_edition_crossfire_review/10#.VW0EPM_BzGc

So I recommend this PSU instead if you still want to do 290X Crossfire:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110&ignorebbr=1

Also, what case do you have?
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. While that is a badass PSU it's complete overkill even for 290X in Crossfire. Your link shows 290X in crossfire with an overclocked 3770k consuming 747W at the wall which according to HardOCP's initial testing of the PSU they used it has a ~90% efficiency rating. Meaning the PSU is only outputting ~675W of power.

HardOCP did an overclocking review of 290X CF overclocked here:
1393271685gLxqNW5QLa_7_1.gif


As you can see 833W at the wall using the same PSU. That's ~750W.

Also OP has a 290X and a 290 and he's gaming at 1200P. He should sell one of the cards now unless he intends to upgrade his monitor in the near future to something 1440P or higher.
 
Ya I'm thinking even if I do upgrade my monitor to a more "gaming" monitor that offers higher refresh rate and lower response lag I would probably try to keep it around 1080P/1200P rather than higher to save cost of the monitor as well as potential future video card cost to keep up with the resolution later.

I don't think the additional cost of the power supply will make it worthwhile at my resolution anytime soon. Thanks for the advice.
 
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