GTX 660 sli vs 970

[gib6717]

I'm running the 660 sli now powering a 1440p screen and there's no real issues but was wondering what kind of performance gains I would see if I upgraded. Thoughts?

 

[okcnaline]

Not really any performance gains. Rather, technological gains for rendering, lighting, etc.

 

[Dazinek]

According to the benchmarks I've seen, GTX 970 is about as powerful as GTX 780, which is what GTX 660 SLI essentially performs at.

In the end my opinion, If you don't need to upgrade. Don't upgrade.

Tho, the new 970 has some nice features you may want. If performance is efficient for you right now, then stay. If your looking for a nice performance boost, consider the 980 instead

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

GTX 970

Have mine on the way.

 

[ohyes247]

GTX 970.. in ANY situation... ANY.. A single more powerful card will ALWAYS be more consistent and stable and less buggy and more efficient then a SLI or Xfire setup.

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

GTX 970

Have mine on the way.

Same here. Going from 660 to 970. Less heat / power than SLI and more features.

 

[rockie_]

.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The Strix and MSI Gaming are the good 970's.

 

[i7Baby]

2 x 660's will run about the same as a R9 290. A 780 will run better again. And a 970- better again - about 50% better than 2 x 660's.

But 2 x 660Tis will run about the same as a 970.

2x 660's need a 600W PSU. The 970 needs a 500W PSU. The 970 also has 4gb vram - handy for say 2 x 1440p's or Watch Dogs.

 

[photonboy]

The above benchmark indicates that the 2xGTX660 can't match the GTX970 in any scenario.

A stock GTX660 is roughly HALF the performance so we'd need 100% scaling with two card which isn't possible. At times perhaps 80% in some games so we can get close.

I wouldn't necessarily get the GTX970 if the SLI setup is working but it would be interesting to see what you could sell your 660's for. Aside from some of the new technology improvements (including MFAA which can further increase performance versus MSAA) a single Asus GTX970 Strix card can run in idle with the fans off so that would be a lot quieter than a 2xGTX660 setup and output a lot less heat which may be an issue for some.

 

[rockie_]

One card is always better

 

[ohyes247]

The above benchmark indicates that the 2xGTX660 can't match the GTX970 in any scenario.

A stock GTX660 is roughly HALF the performance so we'd need 100% scaling with two card which isn't possible. At times perhaps 80% in some games so we can get close.

I wouldn't necessarily get the GTX970 if the SLI setup is working but it would be interesting to see what you could sell your 660's for. Aside from some of the new technology improvements (including MFAA which can further increase performance versus MSAA) a single Asus GTX970 Strix card can run in idle with the fans off so that would be a lot quieter than a 2xGTX660 setup and output a lot less heat which may be an issue for some.

I dont mind heat in my system. It makes a really great foot warmer in the winter.. AMD Beats intel in that category by far.. I love it.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Having proved before that 100% scaling is indeed possible I can only assume that the people saying otherwise have never used an SLI rig.

 

[photonboy]

Having proved before that 100% scaling is indeed possible I can only assume that the people saying otherwise have never used an SLI rig.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that it's happened, but it would be pretty rare so not really a factor. I know NVidia has made claims but I've yet to see a professional reviewer like Techpowerup show that (they may have though).

 

[NONE4YOUU]

Are you on crack? 970 will r*pe and 660 sli

 

[delellod123]

I just did this upgrade. I was lucky enough to get a Gigabyte 970 at micro center yesterday, so there was no wait. I switched out my 660ti sLi to a single 970 for now. I saw someone was wondering, the 660ti's sold for approx 140 each on ebay., considering this made my upgrade cost under 100, this was a very inciting upgrade for me.

The 970 is so solid, and i assume, like many, will prove better with new drivers. The 4gb Vram was the primary reason I upgraded.
Watchdogs, on ultra textures etc...4xTXAA @ 1080p was running at 65 fps average. Huge difference considering the 660ti-sli couldn't run anywhere near these settings. Valley score, no OC 8xmsaa was 2548. Wolfenstein, performance was way over double and super smooth, maxed out. (I know sLI is not utilized in that engine). I have yet to test more, however, I am so impressed. No more stuttering between scenes (something sLi would do). Temperature maxes out at 61 degrees, always. Totally silent, which is amazing considering the huge 3-fan cooler. SLI cards were averaging high 70s to mid 80s.

This was a great upgrade and I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to test new features when available. I suggest anyone with 660ti SLI or 670/760 SLI sell then upgrade.

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

I just did this upgrade. I was lucky enough to get a Gigabyte 970 at micro center yesterday, so there was no wait. I switched out my 660ti sLi to a single 970 for now. I saw someone was wondering, the 660ti's sold for approx 140 each on ebay., considering this made my upgrade cost under 100, this was a very inciting upgrade for me.

The 970 is so solid, and i assume, like many, will prove better with new drivers. The 4gb Vram was the primary reason I upgraded.
Watchdogs, on ultra textures etc...4xTXAA @ 1080p was running at 65 fps average. Huge difference considering the 660ti-sli couldn't run anywhere near these settings. Valley score, no OC 8xmsaa was 2548. Wolfenstein, performance was way over double and super smooth, maxed out. (I know sLI is not utilized in that engine). I have yet to test more, however, I am so impressed. No more stuttering between scenes (something sLi would do). Temperature maxes out at 61 degrees, always. Totally silent, which is amazing considering the huge 3-fan cooler. SLI cards were averaging high 70s to mid 80s.

This was a great upgrade and I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to test new features when available. I suggest anyone with 660ti SLI or 670/760 SLI sell then upgrade.

So how are the new 344.16 drivers on that new card? Any bugs? I'm receiving my EVGA GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 today. Can't wait to fire up that puppy!!

 

[gib6717]

I just did this upgrade. I was lucky enough to get a Gigabyte 970 at micro center yesterday, so there was no wait. I switched out my 660ti sLi to a single 970 for now. I saw someone was wondering, the 660ti's sold for approx 140 each on ebay., considering this made my upgrade cost under 100, this was a very inciting upgrade for me.

The 970 is so solid, and i assume, like many, will prove better with new drivers. The 4gb Vram was the primary reason I upgraded.
Watchdogs, on ultra textures etc...4xTXAA @ 1080p was running at 65 fps average. Huge difference considering the 660ti-sli couldn't run anywhere near these settings. Valley score, no OC 8xmsaa was 2548. Wolfenstein, performance was way over double and super smooth, maxed out. (I know sLI is not utilized in that engine). I have yet to test more, however, I am so impressed. No more stuttering between scenes (something sLi would do). Temperature maxes out at 61 degrees, always. Totally silent, which is amazing considering the huge 3-fan cooler. SLI cards were averaging high 70s to mid 80s.

This was a great upgrade and I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to test new features when available. I suggest anyone with 660ti SLI or 670/760 SLI sell then upgrade.

I bought the MSI from Newegg and it arrives Tuesday. It was in Stock and I couldn't help myself. I'm hoping to get at least $100 per 660 so it should be a cheap upgrade.

 

[delellod123]

drivers seem good to me thus far, no real issues. Watch dogs seems to micro stutter, but i'm not sure if it is this driver or just the games engine. I was never able to use such high settings. Otherwise, driver is solid, not issue waking up from sleep, no startup issues, seems good thus far.

You will be happy with your MSI, I'm sure it is awesome. I would have purchased that too, though I am very happy with this Gigabyte.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Having proved before that 100% scaling is indeed possible I can only assume that the people saying otherwise have never used an SLI rig.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that it's happened, but it would be pretty rare so not really a factor. I know NVidia has made claims but I've yet to see a professional reviewer like Techpowerup show that (they may have though).

I have screenshots that show it and I have seen it happen enough times to know that it's not a rarity.

 

[Mousemonkey]

I just did this upgrade. I was lucky enough to get a Gigabyte 970 at micro center yesterday, so there was no wait. I switched out my 660ti sLi to a single 970 for now. I saw someone was wondering, the 660ti's sold for approx 140 each on ebay., considering this made my upgrade cost under 100, this was a very inciting upgrade for me.

The 970 is so solid, and i assume, like many, will prove better with new drivers. The 4gb Vram was the primary reason I upgraded.
Watchdogs, on ultra textures etc...4xTXAA @ 1080p was running at 65 fps average. Huge difference considering the 660ti-sli couldn't run anywhere near these settings. Valley score, no OC 8xmsaa was 2548. Wolfenstein, performance was way over double and super smooth, maxed out. (I know sLI is not utilized in that engine). I have yet to test more, however, I am so impressed. No more stuttering between scenes (something sLi would do). Temperature maxes out at 61 degrees, always. Totally silent, which is amazing considering the huge 3-fan cooler. SLI cards were averaging high 70s to mid 80s.

This was a great upgrade and I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to test new features when available. I suggest anyone with 660ti SLI or 670/760 SLI sell then upgrade.

So what's the PPD average? For me that's a factor as well and quite a biggie.

 

[delellod123]

So what's the PPD average? For me that's a factor as well and quite a biggie.

I could only answer this based off of other online sources like passmark. IF the 660ti(s) were scaling at 100%, the 970 is still better value. I am basing this of
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+970&id=2954

 

[Mousemonkey]

So what's the PPD average? For me that's a factor as well and quite a biggie.

I could only answer this based off of other online sources like passmark. IF the 660ti(s) were scaling at 100%, the 970 is still better value. I am basing this of
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+970&id=2954

That and scaling have nothing to do with PPD.

How well does that card Fold?

 

[delellod123]

If you are referring to folding, the decrease in wattage alone, going from the SLI to this super efficient 970 is great too! Someone on another forum is posting his/her folding numbers here:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1514912/gtx-970-folding-numbers

 

[delellod123]

I dont do the Folding@home so I couldn't give you personal numbers