is it worth crossfiring r9 280x's or do i just get one better card??

[RobCherry]

hey guys so my current build is as follows :

cpu - i3 - 4150 @ 3.5ghz
ram - 8gb 1600mhz
mobo - gigabyte z97p-d3
gpu - gtx660 2gb
psu - corsair cx600m
ssd - kingstong fury 240gb

so ive ordered a new processor which is a i5 4670k and i have ordered a new psu which is a antec high current gamer 80+ 750w psu.

i was looking at upgrading my gpu next from my gtx660 to a r9 280x. and then eventually after the new year add a second r9 280x for crossfire. however i know nothing about crossfire and i was hoping someone could tell me a little bit more about it........will my fps and graphics improve alot if i have two r9 280x's in crossfire? or is it worth just paying more for one better card?

any help would be appreciated.

cheers

 

[Suztera]

It would increase but crossfire can have issues with microstuttering. You also need to make sure the games you play support crossfire and there are profiles which scales well. Without profiles, you would only run it as a single gpu.
Crossfire isn't worth it really unless you already have the top end gpu and you looking for more performance.

 

[RobCherry]

ok i didn't know that, so the games i play are just the modern ones really, ie - battlefield/titanfall/borderlands ect ect. so maybe just one r9 280x would be a good improvement on my gtx660. or maybe a gtx770?

also what is microstuttering? ... thanks

 

[Suztera]

It's like when the fps suddenly drops but quickly recovers so it looks like it pausing. It's irregular delays between frames rendered by the GPU.
Although it is become less of a problem now with better driver optimisation, you have to be prepared to troubleshoot anything wrong that will come with crossfire.
I would wait and see what the R9 300 series offer before deciding adding a second R9 280X.

You would also need 750W Tier 1/2 PSU fro crossfire.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[RobCherry]

i have ordered a tier two class A psu, its a antec current gamer series 750w psu. see i didnt know that crossfire came with its problems, or as many problems as it has, as you say i may just wait for the newer generation cards to come out at a later date in the new year before i commit to crossfire. i have not bought a r9 280x yet, but i was drawn towards them for the crossfire and my motherboard is only crossfire ready not sli ready, so my next issue is, what are good cards to be looking at....i currently have a zotac gtx660 2gb, its not a bad card at all. but its time for a upgrade...

 

[Suztera]

R9 280X is a good upgrade or a GTX 970 or higher.