New Intel build...580 or 590?

JWD1989

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
77
Hello everyone,

I am currently in the process of making a new build and I am moving away from the AMD side (see sig). Here is what I have purchased so far:

Corsair 800D Full Tower Case
ASUS p8P67 WS Revolution LGA 1155
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600 RAM
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold Series 1000W
WD 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
WD 500GB 7200 RPM HDD

I am planning to watercool the heck out of this system with dual loops (1 for CPU, 1 for GPU)

As I said before, this will be my first Intel/nVIDIA build so I need some help choosing a graphics card.

My three choices so far are:

1)EVGA GeForce GTX 580
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

2)EVGA GTX 590 CLASSIFIED Limited Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130630&Tpk=EVGA 590

3) EVGA GeForce GTX 580 FTW Hydro Copper (the only reason this is an option is to bypass trouble of remounting waterblock on gpu and such)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681413060

Any pros/cons of the three would be greatly appreciated. I plan to do some generous OC'ing to whatever I get. Money is not a deciding factor ( to a point) so any type of SLi config could be considered also. Looking forward to your inputs.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
If you are going to OC you don't want a 590, they had to put limiters in that card so it doesn't draw too much power. But a single 590 at stock will outperform an OC'd 580. I'd go for 2 580's, but that might be out of your price range.
 
I have about a $1500 budget set aside for graphics cards so two 580s shouldn't be out of my range. The more I look at it the more I am leaning towards the Hydrocopper 580s since I will be watercooling them from the start...that is unless someone knows of a better waterblock. I really don't mind the work to put one on.
 
The DangerDen GPU Blocks are the best IMO. They keep the VRMs the coolest for better OCing. And they look way sexy, I have 4 with Nickel Bottoms and Black Chrome Tops. The EVGA ones require a parallel setup due to the highly restrictive flow and I very much dislike them unless you don't want to do your own block but then I say you shouldn't be water cooling then anyway you will have to take the block off at some point.
 
Hello everyone,

I am currently in the process of making a new build and I am moving away from the AMD side (see sig). Here is what I have purchased so far:

Corsair 800D Full Tower Case
ASUS p8P67 WS Revolution LGA 1155
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600 RAM
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold Series 1000W
WD 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
WD 500GB 7200 RPM HDD

I am planning to watercool the heck out of this system with dual loops (1 for CPU, 1 for GPU)

As I said before, this will be my first Intel/nVIDIA build so I need some help choosing a graphics card.

My three choices so far are:

1)EVGA GeForce GTX 580
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

2)EVGA GTX 590 CLASSIFIED Limited Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130630&Tpk=EVGA 590

3) EVGA GeForce GTX 580 FTW Hydro Copper (the only reason this is an option is to bypass trouble of remounting waterblock on gpu and such)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681413060

Any pros/cons of the three would be greatly appreciated. I plan to do some generous OC'ing to whatever I get. Money is not a deciding factor ( to a point) so any type of SLi config could be considered also. Looking forward to your inputs.

Thanks

What resolution are you shooting for? 1920x1200? Get a regular GTX 580. Shooting for 2560x1600? Wait for the EVGA 3GB GTX 580 (Maybe SLI 3GB GTX 580 for Battlefield 3.)
 
What resolution are you shooting for? 1920x1200? Get a regular GTX 580. Shooting for 2560x1600? Wait for the EVGA 3GB GTX 580 (Maybe SLI 3GB GTX 580 for Battlefield 3.)

Yes, I am planning on running everything at 2560x1600. I have a 27" full 1080p display that will be my only monitor (no eyefinity or anything).
 
Yes, I am planning on running everything at 2560x1600. I have a 27" full 1080p display that will be my only monitor (no eyefinity or anything).

at the rez you should go with 580 3gb or 6990. above 19 x 12 1.5gb will limit you. with a $70 price difference between the two, why go with the nvidia card?
 
Yes, I am planning on running everything at 2560x1600. I have a 27" full 1080p display that will be my only monitor (no eyefinity or anything).

Wait for the EVGA 3GB GTX 580 (which is coming out late this month). This should resolve any memory issues at 2560x1600.


http://twitter.com/#!/EVGA_JacobF

ryu4000eric storm


@EVGA_JacobF Any word when 580's 3gb comming it's april now

7 Apr


in reply to ↑
@EVGA_JacobFJacob Freeman


@ryu4000 Yup, still this month for 3GB 580

7 Aprvia TweetDeck
 
Yes, I am planning on running everything at 2560x1600. I have a 27" full 1080p display that will be my only monitor (no eyefinity or anything).

Unless you plan on upgrading your display in the near future, you are better off saving the money until the next gen of cards. Anything over a GTX 580 (which in itself) is overkill for 1920x1080.

And like mentioned, a 1920x1080 monitor (unless you are using a CRT I have not heard of?) cannot run at a higher resolution, then it is designed for.
 
Unless you plan on upgrading your display in the near future, you are better off saving the money until the next gen of cards. Anything over a GTX 580 (which in itself) is overkill for 1920x1080.

And like mentioned, a 1920x1080 monitor (unless you are using a CRT I have not heard of?) cannot run at a higher resolution, then it is designed for.

Yeah that's kind of embarrassing on my part haha. Goes to show you I have plenty to learn. So let me make a few corrections. I will start planning on just getting a GTX 580. In response to the 6990, the reason I haven't considered using one is based on this benchmark chart.

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

I have also looked at a few threads on [H] and it seems in some cases the 6990 isn't even performing as well as the 6970. Any tips/ info would be greatly appreciated. I kinda fell out of the loop after purchasing my 5870 last year since it is still performing beautifully( and the only reason for me building this new rig is because my 5870 rig is being sold to a family member).

Thanks for all your great replies guys :)
 
I wouldn't rely on a synthetic benchmark chart. While synthetic benchmarks have some uses, as a final determinant of performance, they are not a good idea. If you want a convenient source that compares a lot of cards, try Anandtech's Bench Tool, as they actually do use games and a wide variety. Tom's Hardware might also have something similar still, but I haven't used that site for quite awhile now. Techpowerup does have a large set of results for various cards in there reviews as well. It is always good to compare multiple sources for numbers as well.

To address your other concern about the 6990. Both the 6990 and GTX 590 are dual GPUs and the principal really works the same as actually having two physical cards, despite them being on one card. That being said dual GPUs have always had "issues" compared to a single GPU solution. This is why a lot of people will still go for the more expensive single GTX 580 solution, even though 2 lower end cards can offer more raw performance at a lower cost. So basically if the game in question for instance does not scale properly and has issues with crossfire, the 6970 will outperform the 6990, until the issue is fixed either by game patch or with a newer driver (most likely solution). The same applies to the GTX 580 and GTX 590 as well.

But yes for a resolution of 1920x1080 on a 60hz monitor, something like dual GTX 580s, a gtx 590, or the 6990 and etc. is not really needed. Those setups are basically aimed at 2560x1600 monitors, triple display setups, and 120hz/3D. A single GTX 580 for instance can handle a game like Metro2033 (one of the most demanding games out currently) at max settings at 2560x1600 even according to tests by HardOCP. You can even consider dropping down to the GTX 560Ti/GTX 570 or HD 6950/6970 really.

The reason I mention the next gen cards is that they will have a process shrink, something that was not done this generation (due to manufacturing issues). In theory the performance jump should be higher.
 
I wouldn't rely on a synthetic benchmark chart. While synthetic benchmarks have some uses, as a final determinant of performance, they are not a good idea. If you want a convenient source that compares a lot of cards, try Anandtech's Bench Tool, as they actually do use games and a wide variety. Tom's Hardware might also have something similar still, but I haven't used that site for quite awhile now. Techpowerup does have a large set of results for various cards in there reviews as well. It is always good to compare multiple sources for numbers as well.

Ok gotcha! I am actually really familiar with Anand and the tech reviews there. Thanks for your super helpful replies. Hopefully you will be seeing me in the worklog section in a few weeks :)
 
Yes, I am planning on running everything at 2560x1600. I have a 27" full 1080p display that will be my only monitor (no eyefinity or anything).

Why would you not consider running eyefinity or nvidia surround? IF you play games you really would benefit huge with having 3 monitors and seeing all around you. Would you want to walk around with your hands at the side of your eyes and onlying see straight.

I am planning my next upgrade for this and think this surround gaming has been the best thing for gaming in a long time.
 
Why would you not consider running eyefinity or nvidia surround? IF you play games you really would benefit huge with having 3 monitors and seeing all around you. Would you want to walk around with your hands at the side of your eyes and onlying see straight.

I am planning my next upgrade for this and think this surround gaming has been the best thing for gaming in a long time.

Oh trust me, if I had the money to make a surround gaming environment I would. My problem is I have already dumped close to 2500 dollars in computer components for this build (ordered a GTX 580 yesterday). If I am going to go surround, I would like to have high quality screens. It is definitely an interest but unless you can help me find a solution that is under 700 dollars ima have to wait :) Plus I am generally clueless about which monitors to consider for surround :p
 
I understand the cost completly, I am waiting for the 120hz 3D 27" samsung monitors to come out next month and I think I will purchase 3 of those. but your looking at around $500 a monitor. I would build your system around upgrading to surround gaming, like make sure you get a SLI motheboard and the 3gb version of the 580gtx, so that you can just add onto your current setup when you have the money.
 
Get the 580 3GB. That's the best version to have.

Can't recommend the 590 for you because it doesn't overclock well at all. Nvidia has released new drivers to keep the 590 from burning itself out but that also limits its voltage and thus its overclockability. That's why you're not getting 590 recommendations.
 
Get the 580 3GB. That's the best version to have.

Can't recommend the 590 for you because it doesn't overclock well at all. Nvidia has released new drivers to keep the 590 from burning itself out but that also limits its voltage and thus its overclockability. That's why you're not getting 590 recommendations.


Yeah I haven't heard too much good news about the 590 either. So I already ordered a 580 ...yesterday. But oddly enough I just had a friend fry his 470 and he is looking for a 580 so I'll probably just sell him mine when it comes in.

As far as the 3GB 580 goes are there any other brands out yet other than the Palit? I'd rather buy from a company that I have dealt with before (EVGA).
 
Well regardless of what you are doing I don't see a 590 being a worthwhile option. Dual 580's perfrom better, dual 570's/480's are cheaper. The 590 is something they seem to have put out just to say they have it out.
 
i would stay away from dual gpu's on a single board, always have and always will.

just get a single gpu for now and later on you can always get another one for SLI.
 
Yep. Stay away from the 590. Bad bad Nvidia drivers and VRMs design for that card.

You should go with 580 SLI, 6970/6950 Crossfire, or if you can wait, 580 with 3Gb of VRAM.

The 6990 is also pretty good, and people talking ''against'' it don't know what they are talking about. It's not the 5970 anymore. The 6990 launch was soooth, and the 11.4 drivers are pretty good for it. :)

But if you don't plan on watercooling, then 2X 580, 2X6970 or 2X6950 (unlock) are better choices. With a waterblock, the 6990 is a totally different card, and is even better then 2X6970, and can easily go head-to-head with 580 SLI OC.

But 2X 6950 Crossfire unlock to 6970, is still the best performance/cost option right now.
 
Well regardless of what you are doing I don't see a 590 being a worthwhile option. Dual 580's perfrom better, dual 570's/480's are cheaper. The 590 is something they seem to have put out just to say they have it out.

Yeah the option of a 590 has been dropped. After reading several reviews (including the [H] review on here), it seems the 590 is an unoptimized card that is just out for bragging rights haha. My friend purchased my 580 so now I am just waiting for the 3GB version and I'll be set :)
 
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