Which is the most efficient out of these?

[Xhexk]

First post building a pc and everything is in there except for a graphics card and psu. I've narrowed down to about three or four options:

Two 780's in sli
One 780 ti (probably evga classy)
One 290x (most likely tri-x or msi lightening if I can wait for it )
Two 290's in xfire (same as above)

My heart is going towards the 290s but the 290x sounds very nice. With either of the single cards I will most likely sli/xfire in the future and upgrade from single 1440p to triple or 4k.

I'm planning on overclocking heavily, but it's my first time being serious about it (water cooling and stuff)

Build so far:
I7 4770k
Asus maximus vi hero
Gskill trident x 1600 MHz 16gb
Wd black 2tb
840 evo 250gb
Psu most likely 860w seasonic platinum or 1050 x series gold depends.
Cm Storm trooper case.

 

[SeekaX]

290s/780s
whichever you think looks better.

 

[WYP]

290s/780s
whichever you think looks better.

pretty much this ^

if you plan on water cooling be sure to get cards with reference PCBs

i believe the aftermarket 290 from sapphire can use a reference block and the 290 from MSI looks like it is compatible (please TTL look into this for your review!!!)

don't know about 780's was only looking into the 290s for another forum member.

 

[NeverBackDown]

pretty much this ^

if you plan on water cooling be sure to get cards with reference PCBs

i believe the aftermarket 290 from sapphire can use a reference block and the 290 from MSI looks like it is compatible (please TTL look into this for your review!!!)

don't know about 780's was only looking into the 290s for another forum member.

It does use a reference block. I have no clue about the lightning however.

From the few reviews i have seen the 290 performs better at 1440p and up than a 780. But since you can afford a single 290x and plan on doing 4k in the future i say get one 290x now and later on xfire it in the future.

 

[Xhexk]

It does use a reference block. I have no clue about the lightning however.

From the few reviews i have seen the 290 performs better at 1440p and up than a 780. But since you can afford a single 290x and plan on doing 4k in the future i say get one 290x now and later on xfire it in the future.

I read that the difference between the 290 and 290x is around 5-8%, does that really make a difference in real?

 

[barnsley]

I read that the difference between the 290 and 290x is around 5-8%, does that really make a difference in real?

The risk is that it ends up like the 7950 and 7970 was. At first there was little difference but now the drivers have matured as such, and there is a bigger difference. I'd go with the 290 though, as part of what sells it is the small performance difference between it and the 290x.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I read that the difference between the 290 and 290x is around 5-8%, does that really make a difference in real?

True but at 4k every frame counts dude
Unless your hope of playing 4k in the future was an exaggeration then a 290 is well worth it and tbh spend a little more and you could get 2 290's in Xifre. Or could start out with one and buy a 1440p monitor now and judge whether or not you need another.

 

[notcool]

One 780 ti (probably evga classy)

This but just get the cheapest the stock cooler is more than good enough, looks awesome, and is quiet most importantly.

 

[Xhexk]

True but at 4k every frame counts dude
Unless your hope of playing 4k in the future was an exaggeration then a 290 is well worth it and tbh spend a little more and you could get 2 290's in Xifre. Or could start out with one and buy a 1440p monitor now and judge whether or not you need another.

Thanks for your answers. getting the 290 and xfire down the line, by the time I get around to 4k I'll probably be due an upgrade anyway.

Final question, out of the two psu's I've listed which one?