Advice on a new GPU

[caledonianblues]

Hi there

I'm new to the forum so thought I would start by asking for some advice on which graphics card to get next. First, my current rig:

Asus Sabertooth X79
Intel i7-3960X
32GB Quad Channel DDR3 G.Skill Ripjaws
MSI GeForce GTX 680 OC Twin Frozr
Asus Xonar DX Soundcard
2 x 120GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSDs
2 x 2TB WD Black SATA 6Gb/s HDDs

My case is a Thermaltake Level 10 GT. I have a custom cooling loop (240mm radiator) which cools my CPU. At the moment my GPU is air cooled, hence I went for the Twin Frozr, which at the time was one of the best air cooled GTX 680 cards (not sure if it still is).

My dilemma is whether I should buy another GTX 680 (same one) or upgrade to a GTX 690, a GTX 780 or a Titan. I've run cards in SLI before so I'm no stranger to how it all works. However, the last time I did it was with 2 x GTX 480s and the heat and noise levels were almost intolerable, especially in the summer.

I should point out that I have 3 monitors. My main one (centre) is a 27" Dell U2713HM which I run at 2560 x 1440. I also have 2 x LG W2442PA monitors which are 1080p. I only ever use 3 monitors when developing, never for gaming. Even on a single monitor running at WQHD though I've experienced less than impressive framerates; in the likes of Tomb Raider for example. This is a game I thought I'd get blistering framerates in but with everything cranked up I average only a fraction over 30fps.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this has ended up being a longer post than originally anticipated.

Thanks,
David

 

[nokiddingboss]

Hi there

I'm new to the forum so thought I would start by asking for some advice on which graphics card to get next. First, my current rig:

Asus Sabertooth X79
Intel i7-3960X
32GB Quad Channel DDR3 G.Skill Ripjaws
MSI GeForce GTX 680 OC Twin Frozr
Asus Xonar DX Soundcard
2 x 120GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSDs
2 x 2TB WD Black SATA 6Gb/s HDDs

My case is a Thermaltake Level 10 GT. I have a custom cooling loop (240mm radiator) which cools my CPU. At the moment my GPU is air cooled, hence I went for the Twin Frozr, which at the time was one of the best air cooled GTX 680 cards (not sure if it still is).

My dilemma is whether I should buy another GTX 680 (same one) or upgrade to a GTX 690, a GTX 780 or a Titan. I've run cards in SLI before so I'm no stranger to how it all works. However, the last time I did it was with 2 x GTX 480s and the heat and noise levels were almost intolerable, especially in the summer.

I should point out that I have 3 monitors. My main one (centre) is a 27" Dell U2713HM which I run at 2560 x 1440. I also have 2 x LG W2442PA monitors which are 1080p. I only ever use 3 monitors when developing, never for gaming. Even on a single monitor running at WQHD though I've experienced less than impressive framerates; in the likes of Tomb Raider for example. This is a game I thought I'd get blistering framerates in but with everything cranked up I average only a fraction of 30fps.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this has ended up being a longer post than originally anticipated.

Thanks,
David

just buy another 680 and it'll run circles vs a single 780 and even on a titan, leaving both in the dust. pretty much the same vs a 690.

 

[dish_moose]

Ya - I hear your problem - I tried running same type of monitor on my SLI GTX460s - did not work well. SLI 680s on the other hand should put a smile on your face.
-Bruce

 

[13thmonkey]

you could buy a cheap passive card for the other two monitors. as they don't need gpu horsepower. I'm running my gaming monitor off my gtx580 and my auxiliary monitor from a GT210.

 

[caledonianblues]

just buy another 680 and it'll run circles vs a single 780 and even on a titan, leaving both in the dust. pretty much the same vs a 690.

In terms of heat though, would it not be like having my 480s again? Having 2 graphics cards side by side just seems like another recipe for a hot room to me. Plus in SLI, one card always ends up hotter than the other. I guess at a push, I could increase my loop and buy a couple of GPU waterblocks.

 

[caledonianblues]

you could buy a cheap passive card for the other two monitors. as they don't need gpu horsepower. I'm running my gaming monitor off my gtx580 and my auxiliary monitor from a GT210.

I don't have an issue running my 3 monitors from my 680. I only use 3 monitors for work, which is software development (not graphically demanding). I also don't game using multiple monitors. I'm happy to game on a single monitor @ 2560x1440.

 

[Devon1997]

Do you need to upgrade? Is your current one not meeting your demands?

 

[caledonianblues]

Do you need to upgrade? Is your current one not meeting your demands?

No, as I said in my original post, I am disappointed with the framerates in some games. I gave Tomb Raider as an example but there are others. Plus there are games coming out that I want to be able to play at max settings at 2560x1440. Watch Dogs for example. Right now I only get just over 30fps average in Tomb Raider and even then the minimum can be as low as 22fps. That's unacceptable. I want better.

 

[nokiddingboss]

Do you need to upgrade? Is your current one not meeting your demands?

No, as I said in my original post, I am disappointed with the framerates in some games. I gave Tomb Raider as an example but there are others. Plus there are games coming out that I want to be able to play at max settings at 2560x1440. Watch Dogs for example. Right now I only get just over 30fps average in Tomb Raider and even then the minimum can be as low as 22fps. That's unacceptable. I want better.

playing on 1440p is a really fickle proposition. not even an sli'd titan can last the next two years without dialing down on the settings or risk dipping down 30fps territory. the best thing to do is play on 1080p and just be done with it. not everything can be solve by throwing money at it. sooner or later something has to give and my bet is gonna be on your wallet.

 

[13thmonkey]

you could buy a cheap passive card for the other two monitors. as they don't need gpu horsepower. I'm running my gaming monitor off my gtx580 and my auxiliary monitor from a GT210.

I don't have an issue running my 3 monitors from my 680. I only use 3 monitors for work, which is software development (not graphically demanding). I also don't game using multiple monitors. I'm happy to game on a single monitor @ 2560x1440.

so when you are gaming what happens to the other two monitors? if they are displaying anything (even temp monitors etc.) then you are consuming gpu power. Also the gpu's never idle when running more than one monitor. so whilst not gaming you are still running gpu at full clocks as opposed to 2d clocks.

I'd also go down the SLI 680 route though + a small passive card.

 

[caledonianblues]

so when you are gaming what happens to the other two monitors? if they are displaying anything (even temp monitors etc.) then you are consuming gpu power. Also the gpu's never idle when running more than one monitor. so whilst not gaming you are still running gpu at full clocks as opposed to 2d clocks.

I'd also go down the SLI 680 route though + a small passive card.

When I'm gaming I disable the other 2 monitors and only have my main one active.

I'm considering getting a second 680 at the weekend. I'm just not sure whether to get a couple of GPU waterblocks while I'm at it, incase the heat from the 680s becomes unbearable like it was with my 480s in SLI.

 

[dish_moose]

480s and 680s are not at all alike in power consumption/heat generation. Using one of the other monitors to display other basic info like Afterburner and Team Speak will not be that taxing on your GPU(s) especially if you SLI.
-Bruce