GTX 680 FTW+ SLI Temperatures

[computeguy]

What would the temperatures be for 2 of these cards? They will be very close together, little space in between (I don't have access to the next PCI slot) with blower style fans. I've heard that blower style fans are better if they are going to be close together, is this true? I also have 2 front case fans blowing air on them. What temperatures would you guys think I'll be getting? Would it be normal to get around 75C while gaming?

 

[computeguy]

Don't use SLI or CF if you can't have a slot of space between the cards, simple as that. Though if you're going to do it anyways, blower fans are indeed better.

I would expect temps far higher than 75C on the top card unless it throttles itself to keep temps low.

By "slot of space" do you a PCI socket between them or the slots that you have to screw out to fit the display sockets out. If you mean the things you have to screw out, then I do have a slot in between. What should the temps be then? Also, most vids I've seen on youtube dealing with SLI/CF have no space in between at all between the cards. I thought that would have been a problem too, but they don't seem to care.

 

[computeguy]

Don't use SLI or CF if you can't have a slot of space between the cards, simple as that. Though if you're going to do it anyways, blower fans are indeed better.

I would expect temps far higher than 75C on the top card unless it throttles itself to keep temps low.

Also, since I do actually have some space in between, would blower fans still be the best?

 

[computeguy]

I just mean one empty PCI slot between your cards in CF/SLI. So that means typically for dual-slot cards that your second card is 3 PCI-e slots below your top card.

Blower fans are probably the best for noise levels but if there's a slot of space you can get custom cooled cards as well and be fine. You'll have to check 680 SLI reviews to see what sort of temps people were getting... I don't know off the top of my head how hot/cool that setup is.

Does this look like ample space? I can't measure right now because I'm not at home, but here's a picture of the motherboard. The top 2 slots will be used, I don't have access to the third because I have a 2500k, and that slot requires an Ivy Bridge.

 

[ilysaml]

In terms of temperature, 2 non reference designed cards will be better... and run cooler than stock designed cards. The theory about hot air inside the case is just a theory and doesn't have a serious impact on temps.

But in terms of noise, for eg, 2 Gigabyte Windforce 3X cards in SLI will be noisy than 2 reference designed cards, depending on your custom fan profile settings, and the temperature of both cards.

 

[ilysaml]

The third PCIE is the X4 one, it will hit your SLI performance even you use it. Yes kinda, the first card will block the second PCIE X1 slot, and the second card will block the fourth PCIE x1 slot, what cards will you settle on?.

 

[computeguy]

The third PCIE is the X4 one, it will hit your SLI performance even you use it. Yes kinda, the first card will block the second PCIE X1 slot, and the second card will block the fourth PCIE x1 slot, what cards will you settle on?.

Erg..sorry, I should have been more specific with the PCI slots. I mean the 3 PCIE 3.0 slots. I will be using the first 2 3.0 slots, so the 2nd and 5th PCIE slots. I cannot use the 3rd 3.0 slot, or the 7th PCIE slot, because my CPU is Sandy Bridge, and that 3. slot requires an Ivy Bridge to work. I wouldn't be able to use that slot for a 680 anyway because it's just too big. It would hit the tops of the front I/O cables.

 

[ilysaml]

I know exactly what you said, and I know what I mean. I meant as well the third PCIE 3.0 slot, which is rated for X4 speed.

 

[ilysaml]

 

[computeguy]

Oh sorry! What exactly is the X4 3.0? I was under the assumption that it was just another 3.0 that requires Ivy to use.

 

[ilysaml]

The Last PCIE slot is a PCIE 3.0 supposedly operating at X16, but due to other factors it operates at the speed of PCIE X4 which bottlenecks the performance.

 

[computeguy]

Oh, I see. How would people use that slot for graphics cards anyway? I guess if you put a waterblock on it, which makes it a lot thinner. Otherwise, a regular shroud would be blocked by the front I/O connectors. Anyway, if I put my 2 graphics cards in those top 2 3.0 slots, I will have 1 slot of space in between. Do you think that is sufficient? I would think so, because I've seen a lot of people putting them in with no space in between.

 

[ilysaml]

Usually they don't use it.
It won't make any difference anyway, just grab your cards. but I prefer non reference designed cards with aftermarket coolers. And why 2 GTX 680s? 2 GTX 670s would perform almost the same and you'll save around $150.

 

[computeguy]

Usually they don't use it.
It won't make any difference anyway, just grab your cards. but I prefer non reference designed cards with aftermarket coolers. And why 2 GTX 680s? 2 GTX 670s would perform almost the same and you'll save around $150.

I'll take a look at the 670s. They are a lot cheaper, after all. Also, I find this weird. Some non reference design 4gb are a lot less than the FTW 4gb card...maybe because it's EVGA?

 

[ilysaml]

I don't think so.

 

[bystander]

To put your mind at ease, you have good air flow, and you have good temps. If you wanted slightly better temps, you could create a more aggressive fan profile with MSI Afterburner or PrecisionX, but it will result in more noise.

 

[computeguy]

To put your mind at ease, you have good air flow, and you have good temps. If you wanted slightly better temps, you could create a more aggressive fan profile with MSI Afterburner or PrecisionX, but it will result in more noise.

Out of curiosity, what are you temps like, since you have SLI 680s also? And how much space do you have in between the 2 cards?

 

[bystander]

To put your mind at ease, you have good air flow, and you have good temps. If you wanted slightly better temps, you could create a more aggressive fan profile with MSI Afterburner or PrecisionX, but it will result in more noise.

Out of curiosity, what are you temps like, since you have SLI 680s also? And how much space do you have in between the 2 cards?

I have a slot of space between my cards, and they typically get to ~75C when gaming. Some benchmarks can push it to 80C.

 

[bystander]

I've been very happy with their noise to heat ratio. Especially having the reference coolers. They can go to about 60% on the fans before they get pretty noisy. I can use a more aggressive fan profile to keep them under 70C, but the noise is higher than I like.

 

[computeguy]

I've been very happy with their noise to heat ratio. Especially having the reference coolers. They can go to about 60% on the fans before they get pretty noisy. I can use a more aggressive fan profile to keep them under 70C, but the noise is higher than I like.

So, would you say that reference coolers are the best for 1 slot of space in between the cards?

 

[bystander]

I've been very happy with their noise to heat ratio. Especially having the reference coolers. They can go to about 60% on the fans before they get pretty noisy. I can use a more aggressive fan profile to keep them under 70C, but the noise is higher than I like.

So, would you say that reference coolers are the best for 1 slot of space in between the cards?

I haven't used any others to compare, but I've been happy with what I have. More so than I expected.