Is it worth the extra money for exrta GPU memory?

[Sirwalrus]

I'm planning on purchasing a GTX 680. I'm leaning towards the 2GB version, because my monitor will only support 1080p, but I'm planning on eventually running SLI 680's at possibly 1600p if I get the monitor, so Will it be worth it now to spend the extra for the 4GB? I know more GPU memory is mainly helpful at high res, but I'm not sure I want to spend more money right now.
I'll be buying the reference MSI version of the 680 because I preffer the way it exausts air over the Asus and Galaxy models.

So, would you suggest spending extra money now to have what I need in the future? Also, anyone here have a reference 680? What kind of temps and noise do you get under load? Thanks.

 

[stickmansam]

For 1600p I'm still pretty sure you'll do fine with 2GB

You could consider getting a 7970ghz

 

[Sirwalrus]

For 1600p I'm still pretty sure you'll do fine with 2GB

You could consider getting a 7970ghz

I was actually cosidering the 7970 HIS IceQ GHz edition, but the performance is about the same with both cards, so I decided I thought it was worth an extra $40 to not overload PhysX to my CPU, and a bit quieter and more efficient card. I love both cards but I'll pay a little extra for the Nvidia's features.

 

[completelyrandomname]

Spend the 4gb now. If you know for SURE you are going multi monitor then get lots of video memory because you will NEED it.

 

[Cons29]

is 1600p the next one after 1440p?
in such high resolution, i would suggest to get a 4gb one. i have a 670, and some games can eat almost 2gb @1080p, so a 4gb would help, esp at higher res

 

[Sirwalrus]

Spend the 4gb now. If you know for SURE you are going multi monitor then get lots of video memory because you will NEED it.

The problem is I have a certain amount of money, and I don't want to cheap out and bottleneck the memory I paid more for. I doubt I will go multiple monitor for a long time...

 

[Sirwalrus]

is 1600p the next one after 1440p?
in such high resolution, i would suggest to get a 4gb one. i have a 670, and some games can eat almost 2gb @1080p, so a 4gb would help, esp at higher res

I was actually thinking about getting a GTX 670. What kind of noise and heat do you get? Would you recommend a GTX 670 4GB over the 680 2GB?

 

[DarkSable]

You want a 670.

The 680 is only 5% faster than a 670, but it costs 25-30% more.
(In practical terms, you're paying $100 more... to get 2 more fps in crysis 3 maxxed out at 1080p.)

 

[Sirwalrus]

You want a 670.

The 680 is only 5% faster than a 670, but it costs 25-30% more.
(In practical terms, you're paying $100 more... to get 2 more fps in crysis 3 maxxed out at 1080p.)

Thanks. I'll probably get the 4GB Twin Frozr model then.

 

[Cons29]

well, 680 is faster, but a 670 oc'ed is as fast as a stock 680.

im using (for the first time) a brand that you might not be familiar with. using inno 3d ichill 670, but im happy with it. it's not noisy, the temps are good. getting 49-50 most of the time while at bf3 MP, yes i have aircondition but i used to have a 560Ti before (same room with ac) and i was having 60-70 degrees using the same game.

check the review, the cooler is really good. looks good also (the cooler), tho i hate the blue pcb lol

 

[Cons29]

well, 680 is faster, but a 670 oc'ed is as fast as a stock 680.

im using (for the first time) a brand that you might not be familiar with. using inno 3d ichill 670, but im happy with it. it's not noisy, the temps are good. getting 49-50 most of the time while at bf3 MP, yes i have aircondition but i used to have a 560Ti before (same room with ac) and i was having 60-70 degrees using the same game.

check the review, the cooler is really good. looks good also (the cooler), tho i hate the blue pcb lol

 

[DarkSable]

Thanks. I'll probably get the 4GB Twin Frozr model then.

That's a great model, just make sure you have a lot of space between your PCIe slots - preferably an extra PCIe slot between where you put the cards in.

If the cards are going to be back to back, you want to get reference cards - the ones that vent out the back of the case. (Rather than venting down and to the sides but being blocked by a PCB right in front of the fans.)

 

[Sirwalrus]

That's a great model, just make sure you have a lot of space between your PCIe slots - preferably an extra PCIe slot between where you put the cards in.

If the cards are going to be back to back, you want to get reference cards - the ones that vent out the back of the case. (Rather than venting down and to the sides but being blocked by a PCB right in front of the fans.)

That's true, I'll probably go with reference. If I have money I'll go with the 680.

 

[Sirwalrus]

well, 680 is faster, but a 670 oc'ed is as fast as a stock 680.

im using (for the first time) a brand that you might not be familiar with. using inno 3d ichill 670, but im happy with it. it's not noisy, the temps are good. getting 49-50 most of the time while at bf3 MP, yes i have aircondition but i used to have a 560Ti before (same room with ac) and i was having 60-70 degrees using the same game.

check the review, the cooler is really good. looks good also (the cooler), tho i hate the blue pcb lol

Thanks, I'll check it out. I may go with the reference 680 if I have money for the 4GB version. I don't know if I could stand the blue PCB since my case has a side window...

 

[DarkSable]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I may go with the reference 680 if I have money for the 4GB version. I don't know if I could stand the blue PCB since my case has a side window...

Why in the world would you spend the money for a reference 680, even if you have the money?

You're paying $100 for LITERALLY two more frames a second.

It's a waste that would be far better spent somewhere else in your computer or in your pocket.

(Wait... is it because of the blue PCB? That's JUST that card that has it - for example, an EVGA 670 will have a black PCB.)

 

[Sirwalrus]

Why go with a reference 680?

You're paying $100 for LITERALLY two more frames a second.

http://i50.tinypic.com/2r3fqlg.png

ARGH! I change my mind often.... I have a few months before I will actually be purchasing and buidling my PC, but now I'm leaning maybe 670 again.

 

[DarkSable]

ARGH! I change my mind often.... I have a few months before I will actually be purchasing and buidling my PC, but now I'm leaning maybe 670 again.

Unless a new card is released in a few months, go with a reference 670, and get a second when you upgrade your monitor.

The 680 is NOTHING but a waste of your money.

(EDIT: Read the above post, as well - you quoted me before I added in more information.)

 

[MasterMace]

is 1600p the next one after 1440p?
in such high resolution, i would suggest to get a 4gb one. i have a 670, and some games can eat almost 2gb @1080p, so a 4gb would help, esp at higher res

2160p is the next resolution after 1440p. The names are as follows

720p - HD
1080p - True-HD
1440p - Quad-HD
2160p - Ultra-HD

 

[MasterMace]

I'm planning on purchasing a GTX 680. I'm leaning towards the 2GB version, because my monitor will only support 1080p, but I'm planning on eventually running SLI 680's at possibly 1600p if I get the monitor, so Will it be worth it now to spend the extra for the 4GB? I know more GPU memory is mainly helpful at high res, but I'm not sure I want to spend more money right now.
I'll be buying the reference MSI version of the 680 because I preffer the way it exausts air over the Asus and Galaxy models.

So, would you suggest spending extra money now to have what I need in the future? Also, anyone here have a reference 680? What kind of temps and noise do you get under load? Thanks.

Question is: what CPU are you using? In order for me to recommend that you use 2x GTX 680s, you'd need to be using an i7-3930k or a Dual CPU board.

 

[MasterMace]

Why in the world would you spend the money for a reference 680, even if you have the money?

You're paying $100 for LITERALLY two more frames a second.

It's a waste that would be far better spent somewhere else in your computer or in your pocket.

(Wait... is it because of the blue PCB? That's JUST that card that has it - for example, an EVGA 670 will have a black PCB.)

Your chart looks like it's CPU bound (hence the minimum frame rates for all cards being the same)

 

[DarkSable]

Your chart looks like it's CPU bound (hence the minimum frame rates for all cards being the same)

The tests were run with a Core i7-3960X. That's 6 cores with 12 threads...

If it's CPU bound, then that's not going to change with an i5 or i7.

 

[Cons29]

never liked reference coolers, personal preference of course. i'd rather have heat inside the case and let the fans take care of it than exhaust it outside but the card is hotter (compared to non-ref).

yes i also do not like the blue pcb. but i have been concerned with looks before, but come to think of it, how often do i look inside the pc? not much. and since i love the cooling performance (not to mention i can dismantle the cooler for easy cleaning).
it is better than my twin frozr before (although yes it is not apples to apples since its 560ti vs 670).
without ac i hit 54-57 on bf3 MP at ultra. compare that to my previous card.

yeah, i agree, settle with a 670.

checkout the review of my card (even if you wont buy it), it might give you some insights. its inno 3d i-chill 670

 

[Sirwalrus]

Question is: what CPU are you using? In order for me to recommend that you use 2x GTX 680s, you'd need to be using an i7-3930k or a Dual CPU board.

I'll be using an Intel core i5 3570k, but i'll be cooling my CPU well so it'll be overclocked steadily. I don't plan on running a dual SLI setup off of my i5, by the time I buy another GPU I plan on using the Intel core i7 3930k or 3960X, so the CPU won't be a big factor by the time I'm running SLI.

 

[Sirwalrus]

never liked reference coolers, personal preference of course. i'd rather have heat inside the case and let the fans take care of it than exhaust it outside but the card is hotter (compared to non-ref).

yes i also do not like the blue pcb. but i have been concerned with looks before, but come to think of it, how often do i look inside the pc? not much. and since i love the cooling performance (not to mention i can dismantle the cooler for easy cleaning).
it is better than my twin frozr before (although yes it is not apples to apples since its 560ti vs 670).
without ac i hit 54-57 on bf3 MP at ultra. compare that to my previous card.

yeah, i agree, settle with a 670.

checkout the review of my card (even if you wont buy it), it might give you some insights. its inno 3d i-chill 670

Thanks, I checked it out. It's a great looking card. I will probably be running a blue/silver/black color scheme so the PCB probably wouldn't look bad at all.

 

[DarkSable]

never liked reference coolers, personal preference of course. i'd rather have heat inside the case and let the fans take care of it than exhaust it outside but the card is hotter (compared to non-ref).

Reference coolers don't cool as well, are slightly noisier, and look odd to some. That's true. However, in an SLI situation, you're dead wrong - you want to avoid non-blower style coolers at all costs, unless you have a SIGNIFICANT gap between the cards (as in, a motherboard that's extended-ATX or larger.)

The reason for that is pretty obvious - you put a non-reference cooler right up against the back of another card, and it gets stifled... meaning it either has to run hotter or louder. With two cards venting hot air into the case, that's a bad thing - you really want a reference card for SLI.

I'll be using an Intel core i5 3570k, but i'll be cooling my CPU well so it'll be overclocked steadily. I don't plan on running a dual SLI setup off of my i5, by the time I buy another GPU I plan on using the Intel core i7 3930k or 3960X, so the CPU won't be a big factor by the time I'm running SLI.

You can certainly upgrade, but know that an overclocked i5-3570k should be able to handle two 670s with ease.