Should I add a 3rd GTX 580?

[Fmstrat]

Hi all,

My setup:

ASUS P8Z68-V-PRO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730
i7-2600K, 16GB RAM
2x EVGA GTX 580 1.5GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130731

I'm currently running a single 1920x1200 in SLI with the two cards. I'm about to switch to a 3-monitor with each at 1920x1080 setup. I've used the two cards this way before, but have gotten used to the high settings I can use in SLI mode, that two cards just can't handle with 3 monitors.

Is stepping up to a third card a good idea in this situation, or should I be considering something else altogether? I've even considered picking up a used one to save some cash.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[fullvietFX]

I think you should sell them and go for a GTX780.

 

[jbltecnicspro]

You'll probably be VRAM limited with three monitors. I would probably sell the two that you have now, and get another setup altogether.

 

[Fmstrat]

I think you should sell them and go for a GTX780.

To run 3 monitors? Wouldn't I need two? Two would set me back around $1300. Even if I got $250 for each of my GTX 580's I'd still be shelling out $800 vs. the $200 I could pick up a used GTX580 for.

*EDIT* I see that I can actually run three monitors off one GTX780 now, but the performance would be on par with my existing GTX580 setup, not necessarily better.

You'll probably be VRAM limited with three monitors. I would probably sell the two that you have now, and get another setup altogether.

Now that's something I hadn't heard yet. I realize most cards out are using 3GB instead of 1.5GB. Given the price differential vs. jumping to GTX780's, would you consider this a huge factor?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[tonyftw]

Do you plan on switching motherboards too? Your current one, only supports two way sli.

I agree with the gtx 780 recommendations as well (two of them preferably).

 

[RadXge]

No. Tri-SLI should generally be avoided due to poor scaling.
Sell you 580s and get two 780 instead.

 

[jbltecnicspro]

Now that's something I hadn't heard yet. I realize most cards out are using 3GB instead of 1.5GB. Given the price differential vs. jumping to GTX780's, would you consider this a huge factor?

Thanks,
Ben

Well, I do know that users have reported certain games as using more than 1.5 GB of VRAM already. And I don't think they were using multiple monitors either. You're kind of in a rut it seems. Dual 580s and pretty powerful, and a single 780 probably is somewhat slower. But I don't know for sure (haven't really researched it). But yes, the memory will make the difference. Especially for multiple monitors.

And most cards are running 2GB, with the more expensive tiers using 3GB or more. Honestly, the VRAM limit is probably the Achilles' heel of the 580. Why they couldn't strap 2GB to the GPU is beyond me. I know the 384-bit bus is supposedly the reason, but if the 192-bit GTX-660 can have 2GB of RAM, why can't the 580?

 

[Fmstrat]

Do you plan on switching motherboards too? Your current one, only supports two way sli.

I agree with the gtx 780 recommendations as well (two of them preferably).

I would not be running SLI.. I would be running one card per monitor.

No. Tri-SLI should generally be avoided due to poor scaling.
Sell you 580s and get two 780 instead.

Should Tri-cards be avoided, or just Tri-SLI?

Well, I do know that users have reported certain games as using more than 1.5 GB of VRAM already. And I don't think they were using multiple monitors either. You're kind of in a rut it seems. Dual 580s and pretty powerful, and a single 780 probably is somewhat slower. But I don't know for sure (haven't really researched it). But yes, the memory will make the difference. Especially for multiple monitors.

And most cards are running 2GB, with the more expensive tiers using 3GB or more. Honestly, the VRAM limit is probably the Achilles' heel of the 580. Why they couldn't strap 2GB to the GPU is beyond me. I know the 384-bit bus is supposedly the reason, but if the 192-bit GTX-660 can have 2GB of RAM, why can't the 580?

Oh well. I'll hold off on the cheap route then unless one pops up for amazingly cheap. Perhaps the 780's will come down in price now that the Titan's are out.

Thanks!
Ben

 

[257Tony]

A single 780 would be a better choice than 2 or 3 580's for surround gaming, unless you are planning on doing your gaming on the center monitor only?

 

[CruisD64]

I agree that selling off your 580's in favor of a 780 would be the way to go. When I sold off my 470's for a single 680, I was blown away by the silkyness of the games I play. Max and average FPS decreased by a bit, but overall experience improved significantly.