Q: Buy 2 of GV-N670OC-2GD or just 1 of GV-N680OC-2GD ?

[AliTweel]

I plan to build a gaming/media pc and finally I decided to go with the following:

2 of Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10)

Intel Core i7-3770K Quad-Core Processor 3.5 GHz 8 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80637I73770K

Corsair Hydro Series Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler H100i

Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 Dual Lan 4Way/3Way/2Way CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI Dual UEFI BIOS E-ATX Motherboard G1.SNIPER 3

Crucial m4 32GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive CT032M4SSD3

Corsair CC600TM Graphite 600T Chassis Black ATX Mid Tower / Computer Case

Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze (TX750)

Intel 520 Series Solid-State Drive 240 GB SATA 6 Gb/s 2.5-Inch - SSDSC2CW240A3K5​ (Reseller Kit)

Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001

Regarding the Graphics card and for compatibility reasons I chose the Gigabyte GTX card (since my main board is Gigabyte) but my only question now is:

Is it better to buy 2 cards of GV-N670OC-2GD and make them SLI or just buy 1 of GV-N680OC-2GD ? in terms of performance which is better option?

Thanks!

 

[clutchc]

Depending on your resolution, number of monitors, etc, a single GTX 680 will be more card than any game requires at this time. But 2 x GTX 670s will out-perform the single 680 as I'm sure you are aware. It all depends on how important money is to you. If cost is no object, go for 2 x 670s. But keep in mind that each GTX 670 can max out at 170W. That relates to over 14A on the +12V rail(s) for each card.

 

[redeemer]

If your running 120Hz display or mult-displays with resolution beyond 1080p than go the SLI 670 route, if not a single 680 would be optimium!

 

[srafig4]

Since you are going to use Corsair Hydro Corsair Hydro H100i top-mounted liquid cooler, I would recommend you purhcase single graphics card (GV-N680OC-2GD). You can have better cooling. Some gamers actually don't like SLI. If you plays BF3, you should buy the one with 4GB memory. The game title consumes over 2GB memory...

 

[AliTweel]

actually I would not go far than 1680x1050 x60hz but I prefer if the setup is more future-proof, so I might buy 2 monitors with higher refresh rate.

I believe the two 670 GTX will get me more performance than a single 680 GTX I'm wondering if the the difference worth it or not.

Also pointing out to the idea of the heat that might happen because of my Corsair Hydro H100, was not in my mind, thanks @srafig4 for pointing out to this, and yes this is changing everything for me now, because I live in Libya and it's not as cold country as others so I will have to think of the temperature side of the build.

Now I would like to have one card instead of 2 because of the heat the 2 will generate! unless it's incorrect.

Also I do't mind if I have 2GB memory, I can' deal with lower resolutions, and I'm fine with 1680x1050.

But guys, do you think it is necessary to have the same manufacture of the VGA and the Mother Board for compatibly? or is it fine to have a Gigabyte motherboard and an ASUS or EVGA graphics card?

if it's ok then do you recommend a model/brand of a graphics card? if there is no compatibility issues then my eyes are on the "EVGA GeForce GTX 680 2048MB GDDR5"

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-DisplayPort-Graphics-02G-P4-2680-KR/dp/B007KC1R3A/ref=pd_sim_pc_17

is there a card that is not over-clocked so I guess it generates less temp.?

What do you think?

 

[zander1983]

A single 670 would be more than enough to run anything max at 1680x1050 (if not everything)

Personally, I'd go with a single 670GTX and get a 27" 1440p screen and add a 2nd 670 a year down the line if needed.

[EDIT] Using different brands should not affect performance. But each brand will tell you their cards run better on their platform.

 

[antonisrsx]

A single 670 would be more than enough to run anything max at 1680x1050 (if not everything)

Personally, I'd go with a single 670GTX and get a 27" 1440p screen and add a 2nd 670 a year down the line if needed.

[EDIT] Using different brands should not affect performance. But each brand will tell you their cards run better on their platform.

+1

 

[AliTweel]

Best answer selected by alitweel.