970 SLI (Eventually) or 980 (Even further, eventually)? - 680 SLI currently

[amanfr01]

Hey all,

I'm in a bit of a debacle. I currently run 2 680 GTX 2gb in SLI for a 1080p 60hz 1920 x 1080 monitor. It runs fairly well, aside from the 2gb limitations in textures with recent games. It's probably best that I upgrade.

However, after about an hour of research on whether or not I should do the 970 (eventually in SLI when I can get the second card) or the 980, I'm still stuck. I eventually plan on going up in resolution size with a monitor, perhaps at 1440p, but that won't be for a while.

What do you think I should do? I'd like to play games like Watch Dogs and Shadows of Mordor with the higher quality textures, so my 2gb stuff isn't cutting it.

Single 970 temporarily, only to get a second after a few months? Or purchase the 980, eventually getting a second one of those in about a year or so?

 

[ubercake]

You can get the 980 and fund most or all of the cost by selling the 680s.

Also, if you can get your hands on one, get a G-sync monitor as they become available. You'll probably find all you need is the single 980 and a G-sync monitor.

 

[rhysiam]

Even 970s in SLI are complete overkill for 1080p 60hz. It's kind of tough though because a single 970 is really only a sidegrade to 680s in SLI (in games that make good use of the second card). Can you sell or otherwise get use out of your 680s? If so, going to a single 970 is a bit more palatable as you're kind of preparing for a future upgrade rather than forking out a big chunk of cash for little benefit.

A single 970 will do a reasonable job at 1440p. You've got a few options, but my choice would be:
A single 970, as soon as enough saved get a 1440p monitor, then get the second 970 when I could afford it.

If you go both new cards before the monitor you'll hardly see any benefit as it's just overkill on 1080p @ 60.

 

[rhysiam]

I didn't mention... the gap between the 970 and 980 is pretty small. You pay a hefty chunk extra for that 15%. That's why I'd be putting the money into a nicer monitor if it were me.

 

[amanfr01]

I guess I'm just thinking long term; I will have enough budget to eventually have two 980's. Would the single 980 be equivalent to my 2 680's until I have a chance to get a 1440p monitor, then I could get a second 980? What about a 4k monitor?

 

[rhysiam]

The 980s are not a bad choice at all, they are faster. The issue is that cost wise you're stepping up from $350 to $550 for about a 15% performance increase. With the same memory bus, feature set and underlying architecture, it's not like the gap will ever widen either.

The 980 is a solid card no question, but if it were my money I'd pocket the $200 for the sake of 15%. You obviously have a healthy budget though and perhaps the added investment is worth it to you.

IHMO 4K is still pretty early days. I'd go with ubercake's suggestion and get a 1440p G-sync monitor, they're just starting to appear on the market.

 

[amanfr01]

The 980s are not a bad choice at all, they are faster. The issue is that cost wise you're stepping up from $350 to $550 for about a 15% performance increase. With the same memory bus, feature set and underlying architecture, it's not like the gap will ever widen either.

The 980 is a solid card no question, but if it were my money I'd pocket the $200 for the sake of 15%. You obviously have a healthy budget though and perhaps the added investment is worth it to you.

IHMO 4K is still pretty early days. I'd go with ubercake's suggestion and get a 1440p G-sync monitor, they're just starting to appear on the market.

I went with your first suggestion and chose the two 970's. Mainly because each one could be OC'd to stock 980 speeds. It makes more sense for a better sense of investment, as you said.

 

[Borge80]

2 970's of course. I wish 1440p's weren't $500usd...the $264 asus 144hz really has my attention. Might have to get that.

 

[ubercake]

If you're not going with a G-sync monitor, definitely get a high-refresh rate monitor for the best gaming experience.

 

[Borge80]

[strike]I'm pretty that ASUS VG284QE 144hz monitor is g-sync enabled.[/strike] Second thought I think you need it modified ..Oh well. Still a good deal for 144hz.