r9 280x crossfire

[zachthun]

Hello my dependable Tom's hardware forum community. I have a question about crossfire compatability on a pc I built about a year and a half ago. First off my build:

Mobo: Asrock z97 extreme4
Cpu: Intel 4690k
Gpu: sapphire Radeon r9 280x 3g
DDR5 dual-x
Psu: XFX XTR 750w gold certified
Ram: 2x4g g.skill ares ddr3 1600

I just recently ordered a new 144hz monitor and wanted to step my game up a bit. I would like to crossfire my existing gpu but have a few questions:
1. Should I go with an identical gpu?
2. Do I have any other options like
using an HD 7970?
3. Does it need to be of same
manufacturer?
4. Pcpartpicker totals the power
consumption at 708w when
adding an identical 280x gpu.
should I consider buying a 100w
Psu to replace the existing 750w?

Thanks for any help I can get.

 

[RCFProd]

Your power supply will handle R9 280X crossfire, but don't overclock on the system as you'll be rather close to the psu's maximum load.

It doesn't have to be the same brand of R9 280X.

Take the inconsistenties with AMD crossfire into account. In a lot of games it doesn't work optimally, and you don't have as many PCIE lanes supported on Intel's LGA 1150 and 1151 chipset compared to AMD 990FX AM3+ motherboards (Most ideal chipset for AMD Crossfire).

 

[emdea22]

1.Xfire will run at the lowest frequency of the 2 cards. So getting a card with similar freq and same amount of ram should be enough
2.Yes
3.no
4.Your XFX should power 2 280xs without problems as long as you dont overclock them much (a little OC should be ok tho)

I've powered 2x280x with a seasonic s12II620W without problems.

 

[SBMfromLA]

I'm assuming you made a typo:
"...should I consider buying a 100w
Psu to replace the existing 750w?"

Crossfire 280X's need about 800W

Will the monitor be the same resolution?

 

[zachthun]

Thanks for the quick response guys. Indeed it was a typo referring to the psu. I meant going to a 1000w. The monitor I have now is a samsung 20" 60 hz 1600×900. I just just ordered an Asus vg248qe 24" 144hz 1920x1080. It's a well needed upgrade. My wife is really into her fallout 4 right now so I figured I'd like to up her gaming experience. Im not sure how the 280x will run with the new monitor which is why I was considering the crossfire option. I'd like to get the full use out of the monitor and was wondering if 280x crossfire would acomplish this or maybe just upgrading to a new gpu. Any recomendations?

 

[Wisecracker]

I do not believe Fallout 4 currently supports CrossFire or SLI --- everyone is waiting for that patch.

2x R9 280Xs is roughly an HD 7990. In games with CrossFire support it should be a monster.

 

[RCFProd]

I do not believe Fallout 4 currently supports CrossFire or SLI --- everyone is waiting for that patch.

2x R9 280Xs is roughly an HD 7990. In games with CrossFire support it should be a monster.

In Battlefield 4 it will perform really well for sure.

 

[zachthun]

Thanks for the help guys. Sorry I could only pick one answer.