Should I go for two GTX 680?

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LucasG

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Jul 2, 2004
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I currently have two 570's but I'm looking into triple monitor gaming and was told I should consider upgrading my video cards due to the required VRAM being at least 2GB and my 570's are 1.3GB.

Should I really consider upgrading? I personally don't mind, I'll have to wait some more time for the monitors though. I just don't want to get the three monitors and need more video card.
 
Going from 570 SLI to 680 SLI will get you ~40% or so more performance. On the other hand, you'll notice basically no difference at all (~5%) between 670 SLI and 680 SLI (the difference between 670 and 680 is even less in SLI than in single card comparisons). Although at 1920x1080 there is not a huge need for 4GB at the moment, at 5760x1080 4GB of VRAM will offer an advantage over 2GB. If I were you, I'd grab a pair of 4GB 670's over a pair of 2GB 680's. If money is not an issue, go for a 4GB 690 which draws a little less power and has hardware frame metering to make those frames come out slightly more consistently than 2-card SLI.
 
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geraltofrivia said:
The 570 isn't going to be enough for 3 monitor gaming, it's not so much the memory (although that is important) but just the overall speed of the card that is the issue. You'll notice a HUGE difference between a 570 and 680 SLI with 3 monitors. On the other hand you'll notice basically no difference at all (~5%) between 670 SLI and 680 SLI (the difference between 670 and 680 is even less in SLI than in single card comparisons). Although at 1920x1080 there is not a huge need for 4GB at the moment, at 5760x1080 4GB of VRAM will offer an advantage over 2GB. If I were you, I'd grab a pair of 4GB 670's over a pair of 2GB 680's. If money is not an issue, go for a 4GB 690 which draws a little less power and has hardware frame metering (more noticeable at the frame rates you'll be getting at 5760x1080).
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Agreed with everything here except the 4GB 690 is just ~2x 680s (so 2GB per card). He'd need an 8GB 690 (no such thing, currently - other than custom cards that ASUS and EVGA have shown) for 4GB per card.

Definitely go the 670 4GB SLI route for bang-for-buck at 5760x1080. But be prepared to be a bit disappointed in performance if you want 120hz. I recommend doing tri-SLI for the sweet spot at that resolution. If 60hz, you'll be all good.

I've owned a 570 SLI for 5760x1080/60hz and it wasn't bad. But 670 4GB SLI will really kill it at 5760x1080/60hz. You can always add a third (if your mobo/case/PSU supports it) if your power thirst continues. :)
 
sk3tch said:
Agreed with everything here except the 4GB 690 is just ~2x 680s (so 2GB per card). He'd need an 8GB 690 (no such thing, currently - other than custom cards that ASUS and EVGA have shown) for 4GB per card.

Definitely go the 670 4GB SLI route for bang-for-buck at 5760x1080. But be prepared to be a bit disappointed in performance if you want 120hz. I recommend doing tri-SLI for the sweet spot at that resolution. If 60hz, you'll be all good.

I've owned a 570 SLI for 5760x1080/60hz and it wasn't bad. But 670 4GB SLI will really kill it at 5760x1080/60hz. You can always add a third (if your mobo/case/PSU supports it) if your power thirst continues. :)
Click to expand...

Oops you're right about the 4GB 690. I also misread the OP (didn't notice he already had 570 SLI) and edited my post accordingly.
 
sk3tch said:
Agreed with everything here except the 4GB 690 is just ~2x 680s (so 2GB per card). He'd need an 8GB 690 (no such thing, currently - other than custom cards that ASUS and EVGA have shown) for 4GB per card.

Definitely go the 670 4GB SLI route for bang-for-buck at 5760x1080. But be prepared to be a bit disappointed in performance if you want 120hz. I recommend doing tri-SLI for the sweet spot at that resolution. If 60hz, you'll be all good.

I've owned a 570 SLI for 5760x1080/60hz and it wasn't bad. But 670 4GB SLI will really kill it at 5760x1080/60hz. You can always add a third (if your mobo/case/PSU supports it) if your power thirst continues. :)
Click to expand...

Hah I don't think I'll be able to have the luxury of a 120Hz setup anytime soon so a 60Hz setup is perfect for me. Actually I was about to grab two 680's 2GB good thing I made this thread as two 570's 4GB RAM seem to make much more sense and if performance isn't such a big difference than it's even better.
 
LucasG said:
Hah I don't think I'll be able to have the luxury of a 120Hz setup anytime soon so a 60Hz setup is perfect for me. Actually I was about to grab two 680's 2GB good thing I made this thread as two 570's 4GB RAM seem to make much more sense and if performance isn't such a big difference than it's even better.
Click to expand...

Typo - two 670s 4GB. :)

Yeah, go for the value and bang/buck...esp. with two cards in SLI.
 
So if I keep single display I should go for two 680's 2GB SLI and if I go triple display two 670's 4GB SLI right?
 
LucasG said:
So if I keep single display I should go for two 680's 2GB SLI and if I go triple display two 670's 4GB SLI right?
Click to expand...

Either choice is great. You really just need to decide two things:

1) 670 or 680 (I'd say 670 for bang/buck)
2) 2GB or 4GB VRAM (I'd say 4GB each if you're going to do triple monitor)

Beyond that, it's up to you what frills you want to spring for. If I were you, I'd probably get a couple 670 4GB cards and SLI them.
 
Hey guys, didn't want to start a new thread just thought I would bump a relevant thread.

I'm upgrading my rig and need some SLI advice, still fairly new to all this.

Just sold my two 580's and I'm looking at getting either 2 x 680 non reference cards or tri sli 670's reference models

this is my rig:
i72600k
8gb Ram
Asrock z68 extreme 4 gen 3
Enermax Revolution85+ 1020w PSU
HAF X Case
Dell U2711

My windforce 580's were all good in the temperature department, so I guess 2 windforce (or lightning) 680's would be good to, just not too sure how 3 reference 670's would go with temps? I guess I'm just not too sure if the extra power draw and temps is worth the performance upgrade.
Also my motherboard only has 2 x PCI 3.0 x16 slots so one 670 would be on PCI 2 x16 slot...does that affect performance??
here is link http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68 Extreme4 Gen3
 
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