eVGA GTX770 2GB vs 4GB (1080p BF4/Crysis3 Ultra)

[inphared]

Hi all, designing a new system and am having a hard time deciding what GPU to get. I will be using a ASUS VG248QE 24IN 1920x1080 144HZ 1MS monitor, so I'm looking to be able to run things like BF4, Crysis 3, Day Z Standalone, all on ultra in 1080p.

I have read quite a few benchmarks and it seems that with 0x MSAA it has no problem averaging 60+ FPS, with 2x MSAA it starts to struggle a bit more but is capable of almost a solid 60 FPS but with 4x MSAA it drops down to anywhere from 42-47 FPS average, which is acceptable, but not ideal. The specs of the system I will be using are:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VI Hero
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (or Trident X DDR3-2400, haven't decided if it's worth it yet)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

So, as you can see, I plan on overclocking the i5 as much as possible, hopefully 4.5+. So my question is, does the 4GB version make a significant difference over the 2GB version? I won't be buying for a month or so, so I'm not counting current sale prices. So the price difference between a GTX770 2GB and a 4GB is roughly $100, give or take.

Another thing to keep in mind is that within 3-6 months of completing this build, I plan on getting another GTX770 to run in SLi and also get another 24" monitor, to have dual screen gaming. I have been reading & some say the 4GB makes a difference when running SLi and 2 monitors. I had a look at the 780's and then just seem a bit out of my price range at the moment. Easier for me to do SLi 770 spread out, which should outperform a 780 anyways, no?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hakumisoso Terror]

You don't need 4gb for 1080p.

You don't do dual screen gaming, that doesn't work properly. If you do tri monitor or 1440p+ then go for 4gb.

 

[inphared]

You don't need 4gb for 1080p.

You don't do dual screen gaming, that doesn't work properly. If you do tri monitor or 1440p+ then go for 4gb.

Well I can safely say that I will NEVER do a triple monitor setup, so if you can't do that with two screens, then I guess that answers my question. Also, I won't be going to 27" monitors and 1440p for at least 2-3 years, so by then I would need a new card anyways. Sounds like running with a GTX770 2GB for now & then getting another in a few months to SLi will be the way to go.

Would 2x GTX770 2GB outperform a single GTX780? I don't quite have the money to afford a 780 right away, but if a single 780 is better than two 770's, maybe I will use the step-up program. Thanks for your answers!

 

[woltej1]

If you only plan on keeping a single 770, then you will never see a difference between the 2gb and 4gb. If you plan to SLI then get a 4gb. Don't SLI 2gb 770s.

At 1080p a single 2gb 770 will max out games for a while, with the demanding games having lowered AA. A 780 will be 1080p future proof for at least 3 years. 770 SLI is a bit faster than a 780ti, but after buying 2 4gb versions you've spent close to $800.

I say get a 780 since it will be very futureproof.

 

[ferwindjacks]

I have the EVGA GTX 770 SC and I can tell you, you may not be able to play those games maxed out. I've played Metro: Last Light (arguably more graphic intensive than Crysis 3, at least at some parts) maxed out and it was perfect. A few FPS dips here and there, but nothing huge. DayZ Standalone I have pretty much maxed out, however I toned down some settings to help with FPS that didnt bring down quality anyway. BF4 you should be able to play maxed out, maybe not at 60fps though. Don't get me wrong, I love my 770, but I wish I went for a 780 or Ti as the games I'm playing aren't always where I want them to be (especially Arma 3, but almost everyone has FPS dips or bad FPS, its just the game). Depending on what the new 800 series line offers, I will probably SLI my 770 as its just that good. Look up benchmarks to see the big difference, on most games its almost double if not more performance. And you'd get your 4gb from that if its a 2gb card.

 

[inphared]

If you only plan on keeping a single 770, then you will never see a difference between the 2gb and 4gb. If you plan to SLI then get a 4gb. Don't SLI 2gb 770s.

At 1080p a single 2gb 770 will max out games for a while, with the demanding games having lowered AA. A 780 will be 1080p future proof for at least 3 years. 770 SLI is a bit faster than a 780ti, but after buying 2 4gb versions you've spent close to $800.

I say get a 780 since it will be very futureproof.

I've seen multiple people say this but not explain why. Is there a reason why you want 4GB when doing SLi but it doesn't matter when not doing it?

Also, 2x 770 2GB = $700-$750 but spread out in 2 parts
1x 780 = $600'ish
1x 780ti = $800 was cheapest I saw

780 seems cheaper in total, which it is, but the 770's are spread out vs a one time payment. Plus, reading some benchmarks sli 770 smoke a single 780 but I haven't seen 770 sli vs 780 ti.

 

[woltej1]

You can find the 780 near $500 now.

The reason it doesn't matter in single cards is because the 770 GPU is not powerful enough to significantly render above its 2gb VRAM. When you have an SLI set up though, then they are able to go above 2gb of VRAM, and higher resolutions require more VRAM so thats where us saying the whole high resolution stuff comes in. In SLI, the total set up has only as much VRAM as the lowest card, so that's why you need 2 4gb cards to have 4gb total VRAM.

 

[Hakumisoso Terror]

I'm seeing $700 780 tis everywhere, not sure where $800 is coming from.

a 780 is also ~$510, not $600

 

[inphared]

Thanks for all the input so far. So since I will only be doing a single 1080p monitor for gaming, I don't need to worry about running 1440p or triple monitors.

Keep in mind I'm Canadian and using NCIX.ca for CDN prices. This is how the prices would currently break down from NCIX website:

GTX770 2GB - $390
GTX770 2GB SLi - $780
GTX770 4GB - $480 ($450 on sale)
GTX770 4GB SLi - $900 (on sale) -or- $960
GTX780 3GB - $680 ($560 on sale) *this is a NO brainer, if i have the money and it goes on sale again but it might not be there when I buy so ...*
GTX780 Ti 3GB - $780

4GB SLi seems like a waste, as it would be easier to go 780 or 780Ti. So basically it's 770 2GB SLi vs 780 or 780 Ti & after some quick looks the SLi 770 would beat a 780 easily. I can't find any 770 SLi vs 780Ti comparisons though.

Oh and also keep in mind single 1080p monitor. Since I can't do 2x 1080p monitors, only 3, I won't be doing that. I also don't plan on going to 27" & 1440p anytime soon, at least 2-3+ years.

 

[woltej1]

2gb 770 SLI is a waste as a single 770 will max 1080p and if you need 2 of them to max settings then the VRAM will be the bottleneck. I'm really pushing for the 780 here as it will max future demanding games where the 770 may struggle with, but at the moment the 770 will handle anything you throw at it.

 

[inphared]

I think you've swayed my opinion then. 4GB SLi is too much and 2GB SLi is a waste, so a 780 it is then. Plus, once I buy the 780, I will have 90 days to upgrade to a Ti if I choose, so that is also nice. I have about 2 months to piece this computer together so I guess I will just keep an eye on sales and snag it when it's cheap. Thanks a lot for your input Woltej1

 

[woltej1]

If you don't plan on buying for around 2 months, then I would keep an eye out for the 800 series as we should have some info in 2 months about a release date so you can use your 90 day step up for an 800 series.

 

[Kakorat119]

Thanks for all the input so far. So since I will only be doing a single 1080p monitor for gaming, I don't need to worry about running 1440p or triple monitors.

Keep in mind I'm Canadian and using NCIX.ca for CDN prices. This is how the prices would currently break down from NCIX website:

GTX770 2GB - $390
GTX770 2GB SLi - $780
GTX770 4GB - $480 ($450 on sale)
GTX770 4GB SLi - $900 (on sale) -or- $960
GTX780 3GB - $680 ($560 on sale) *this is a NO brainer, if i have the money and it goes on sale again but it might not be there when I buy so ...*
GTX780 Ti 3GB - $780

4GB SLi seems like a waste, as it would be easier to go 780 or 780Ti. So basically it's 770 2GB SLi vs 780 or 780 Ti & after some quick looks the SLi 770 would beat a 780 easily. I can't find any 770 SLi vs 780Ti comparisons though.

Oh and also keep in mind single 1080p monitor. Since I can't do 2x 1080p monitors, only 3, I won't be doing that. I also don't plan on going to 27" & 1440p anytime soon, at least 2-3+ years.

Ik the you probably bought the card by now, but just saying, the prices you talked about are WAY off. The 770 only costs for $350-400 for the 4 gb version and the 780 costs $489 for the factory OC version. Maybe the prices were high a when you posted but I might be wrong...if there is a chance that you haven't bought the card yet, i advise a gtx 780 if ur budget is $500, a 770 4gb OC version if you're budget is under $400.

 

[Kakorat119]

If you only plan on keeping a single 770, then you will never see a difference between the 2gb and 4gb. If you plan to SLI then get a 4gb. Don't SLI 2gb 770s.

At 1080p a single 2gb 770 will max out games for a while, with the demanding games having lowered AA. A 780 will be 1080p future proof for at least 3 years. 770 SLI is a bit faster than a 780ti, but after buying 2 4gb versions you've spent close to $800.

I say get a 780 since it will be very futureproof.

I've seen multiple people say this but not explain why. Is there a reason why you want 4GB when doing SLi but it doesn't matter when not doing it?

Also, 2x 770 2GB = $700-$750 but spread out in 2 parts
1x 780 = $600'ish
1x 780ti = $800 was cheapest I saw

780 seems cheaper in total, which it is, but the 770's are spread out vs a one time payment. Plus, reading some benchmarks sli 770 smoke a single 780 but I haven't seen 770 sli vs 780 ti.

The 780ti is the fastest singly gpu out yet(i think). The 780ti beats the 770 4gb SLI in relolutions above 4k. If it's near the 1080p range, the 770 SLI wins, in simple words, the lower the resolution the stonger 770 SLI gets.