GTX 660TI SLI upgrade from GTX 680?

[nadim615]

Hi all

So uh, I was considering an "upgrade", if you can call it that. So I'm planning on getting two 600TI's (which according to benchmarks does a pretty good job, and is great for the value), and selling my GTX 680. Someone is offering to pay me a whopping $450 for it, and I only paid like $515 (with shipping and tax). So that's a pretty good deal, pretty much get all my cash back. But is it worth it? About $700 for two 660TI's ($300 each, +tax and shipping is about $700). So a net loss of about $250, which isn't bad.

But I was just wondering, when is the 700 series for Nvidia coming out? Is it this spring, or is it September? And regardless of that, would it be more worth the value to grab two 660TI's and sell off my 680 while the offer stands, or hold out for the 700 series and grab just one of those cards?

Any suggestions would be great

EDIT: Seems great controversy seems to be going on over my performance due to other factors (my system specs).

Here they are:
AMD FX-8350 @4.0GHz
Nvidia GTX 680
Mushkin 16GB DDR3 @1866MHz
Antec 1000W
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z

And yes, I do have a front intake fan, a top exhaust fan, and a back exhaust fan. The temps of my CPU and motherboard are great, so I don't think case cooling is the issue.. Motherboard and CPU usually are at around 30C on idle, not bad imo. Mobo gets up to 35C tops under full load, and CPU at like 50C.

 

[djangoringo]

If you can sell it at 450$, then yes, it's worth, getting a new card, since it's about that price, you won't lose anything.

 

[nadim615]

If you can sell it at 450$, then yes, it's worth, getting a new card, since it's about that price, you won't lose anything.

Well technically I'd lose about $65 (got the card for $515 with tax and shipping), and I guess you can really count the extra for getting a sexy cooler.

 

[djangoringo]

Yes, but if you really have that problem with the card, then get another one, it's worth.

 

[nadim615]

Ok thanks

 

[blazorthon]

You could get a 670 with proper cooling (nearly identical performance to a 680 and in some cases, better than a reference 680) and actually make money on that sale if you want to.

 

[photonboy]

My 2 cents:

- I have GTX680. the ONLY game I'm not running at full, or near full quality at 60FPS (VSYNC'd) is Far Cry 3 and I've put that game on hold hoping they'll solve some graphical issues

- SLI will introduce microstutter (with two cards) so your frame rate will improve but you'll get effects that will REDUCE your gaming experience (the fast stuttering at times and also a sluggishness at times depending on the scenario).

- The best advice can't be given without knowing your basic specs (CPU, RAM, motherboard, PSU).

- dual-cards will also add a lot of heat and noise.

Conclusion:
- Tweak your games to hit 60FPS if needed.
- Wait and get a single GTX780, 880 or equivalent AMD card as an upgrade.

 

[blazorthon]

Micro-stutter is rarely an issue with very high end Kepler and GCN cards, even in dual-GPU solutions. Saying that OP will get it is like saying that every day of winter in the USA is cold enough to get frostbite in a few minutes. Sure, maybe it'll happen, but it's not likely and to say that it will happen is misleading, especially since it usually doesn't.

 

[photonboy]

Update:
I read everything again:
- I don't know what "throttling" issue you have but getting at least 45FPS in BF3 with that CPU is normal (assuming high settings)

- *TWEAK your BF3 game quality to raise the frame rate.

- in BF3, also DISABLE "deferred AA" as it creates a horrible muddiness, especially noticeable in dark areas

- if you play Batman AC, disable both DX11 and PHYSX.

- NVidia's new "Geforce Experience" software is not recommended for many by me. The quality settings are all chosen so people hit 40FPS in a game. I prefer to tweak slightly and maintain 60FPS with VSYNC.

Summary:
You've got a nice gaming rig. There will always be a new game that taxes your rig. Try to tweak the quality to achieve 60FPS VSYNC'd rather than just raising the quality bar on the game. If you keep hitting 45FPS in BF3, then drop a few settings in Shadows, AA or whatever gives you the best balance of quality to achieve 60FPS.

You really don't have any major issues.

 

[photonboy]

Micro-stutter is rarely an issue with very high end Kepler and GCN cards, even in dual-GPU solutions. Saying that OP will get it is like saying that every day of winter in the USA is cold enough to get frostbite in a few minutes. Sure, maybe it'll happen, but it's not likely and to say that it will happen is misleading, especially since it usually doesn't.

This is the best guide:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

BF3 and micro-stuttering:
http://rigadvice.blogspot.ca/2012/09/microstutter-exposed-all-hail-inside.html
"Ultimately, as Scott Wasson has shown irregularity of frametime delivery is something none of us can escape. However, the best way to mitigate it, is by investing in single fast GPU, rather than two mid range cards - both setups might achieve 60fps, but it will only feel and look like 60fps on one."

Kepler:
NVidia's rep talked about microstutter and Kepler's "Frame Rate Metering"; he admitted it SLIGHTLY improved the situation but microstutter was still an ongoing issue.

 

[blazorthon]

This is the best guide:
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2995.html

BF3 and micro-stuttering:
http://rigadvice.blogspot.ca/2012/ [...] nside.html
"Ultimately, as Scott Wasson has shown irregularity of frametime delivery is something none of us can escape. However, the best way to mitigate it, is by investing in single fast GPU, rather than two mid range cards - both setups might achieve 60fps, but it will only feel and look like 60fps on one."

The first link is a pretty useless link considering that it has nothing to do with current graphics cards and drivers. Modern graphics cards usually don't have issues about micro-stutter these days. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it's usually just not an issue with cards such as two 680s or 670s. I'm not saying that I wouldn't prefer a single GPU solution, but there is no viable single GPU solution that's much better than a 680 at this time and the soonest that there will be, at best, is the upcoming Nvidia Titan and at worst, the next generation which is probably delayed almost until the end of the year, if not even longer for Nvidia. Considering the option of Titan now, that would probably be better than two 680s- I concede that much.

Still, this is all ignoring the more likely scenario where OP's problems were caused by throttling, not insufficient performance.

 

[photonboy]

That's a pretty useless link considering that it has nothing to do with current graphics cards and drivers. Modern graphics cards usually don't have issues about micro-stutter these days. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it's usually just not an issue with cards such as two 680s or 670s. I'm not saying that I wouldn't prefer a single GPU solution, but there is no viable single GPU solution that's much better than a 680 at this time and the soonest that there will be, at best, is the upcoming Nvidia Titan and at worst, the next generation which is probably delayed almost until the end of the year, if not even longer for Nvidia.

Still, this is all ignoring the more likely scenario where OP's problems were caused by throttling, not insufficient performance.

Let's just agree to disagree.

Throttling?
He claims he's being throttled due to TEMPERATURE (possible). Then how exactly will adding ANOTHER card help?

We may need to look closer at his COOLING instead, or determine if he's really being throttled. By throttling, I mean dropping to basically a SAFE frequency.

Maintaining at least 45FPS in BF3 means he's not dropping to the safe frequency to protect the GPU. GPU Boost only gives about a 5% boost if the temperature is low enough too.

Summary:
- is there even an issue here?
- better cooling?
- How does ANOTHER card help with temperature issues?

 

[blazorthon]

Let's just agree to disagree.

Throttling?
I read the entire post, but I'm not convinced he has any throttling issue. I assume he means that the graphics card is stuck at the IDLE frequency. However, if he's getting a minimum of 45FPS in BF3 (I assume HIGH quality settings) I find the throttling scenario unlikely.

It's possible to MONITOR the GPU frequency to determine if this is happening:
1. Start monitoring the GPU frequency
2. Play BF3
3. Close BF3
4. Look at the HISTORY of the graph (should toggle between Base and Boost clock such as between 1000 and 1050 or whatever).

Some people have made the mistake of ALT-TAB'ing a game which basically idles the game then observing that the GPU frequency was low. No. You need to look at it's graph history.

OP said that temps were getting dangerously high. That can cause the GPU to throttle to avoid damage.

 

[photonboy]

OP said that temps were getting dangerously high. That can cause the GPU to throttle to avoid damage.

Sorry.
Was changing my post as I missed that. Read above.

 

[blazorthon]

Let's just agree to disagree.

Throttling?
He claims he's being throttled due to TEMPERATURE (possible). Then how exactly will adding ANOTHER card help?

We may need to look closer at his COOLING instead, or determine if he's really being throttled. By throttling, I mean dropping to basically a SAFE frequency.

Maintaining at least 45FPS in BF3 means he's not dropping to the safe frequency to protect the GPU. GPU Boost only gives about a 5% boost if the temperature is low enough too.

Summary:
- is there even an issue here?
- better cooling?
- How does ANOTHER card help with temperature issues?

I never claimed that adding a card would help temps. OP was first talking about an upgrade to SLI and I specifically ended my previous post by saying that since OP's issues were probably throttling (caused by temps getting out of control), not insufficient performance, it was now a waste of time to discuss upgrades such as going up to a second card for SLI.

 

[photonboy]

I never claimed that adding a card would help temps. OP was first talking about an upgrade to SLI and I specifically ended my previous post by saying that since OP's issues were probably throttling (caused by temps getting out of control), not insufficient performance, it was now a waste of time to discuss upgrades such as going up to a second card for SLI.

Okay. I agree.

I don't think his GPU is actually throttling to safe mode, however I think the first step should be to look at his case cooling.

Does he have a FRONT case fan? etc.

(Also, I wasn't implying that YOU told him to get a second card; I was pointing this out to HIM.)

 

[iceclock]

sell it and get a decent cooling system card.

 

[nadim615]

Thread updated. System specs now posted for reference.

 

[iceclock]

nice specs. just ordered a 8350

680 for the win. u dont need sli not for a while anyways

 

[photonboy]

Thread updated. System specs now posted for reference.

If you're really unhappy with that card, then sell it for $450 and pay a little more to get this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121634&Tpk=asus%20680%20dc2t

This card (Asus GTX 680 DC2T) is probably the best 680. It's great. It's up to 13% faster than a stock 680 and is very quiet due to its 3-slot cooling solution (large heatsinks make a big difference under load).

This is an older review but still relevant:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/55064-asus-gtx-680-directcu-ii-top-review.html

 

[babernet_1]

Does your case have a side fan on it? A fan blowing right on your 680? You may try running it without the side panel on, maybe with some sort of fan on it, see if it helps. Your main problem seems to be simply an overheating 680 card.

 

[nadim615]

Yea my case comes with a glass window and a mesh panel, I tried switching out the glass window for the mesh and sticking a fan on there, it didn't really help my temps much. Maybe 2-3C.. :\

 

[iceclock]

if your having temp issues. id bring it back. and choose another model.

maybe a 4 gig evga 670 . or something like a 7970

 

[babernet_1]

Yea my case comes with a glass window and a mesh panel, I tried switching out the glass window for the mesh and sticking a fan on there, it didn't really help my temps much. Maybe 2-3C.. :\

Okay, did you try the boards one at a time? Could you borrow someone's SLI cable?

 

[nadim615]

Yea I cant really bring it back now, might be just a little past that return date.. And uh, yea the mesh and glass are two separate inserts. And what would borrowing an SLI cable do? xD

 

[babernet_1]

Yea I cant really bring it back now, might be just a little past that return date.. And uh, yea the mesh and glass are two separate inserts. And what would borrowing an SLI cable do? xD

Sorry, I think I am answering the wrong thread.