trying to decide between 770 GTX 4gb, 2gb, and 780 for my new build?

[bitstream5]

Here is my parts ordered list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/bitstream5/saved/GBBTwP

I also ordered peripherals including a 1920x1080p monitor. I know the 550w power supply may be cutting it close but i got a great deal and if necessary can buy a more powerful one.

My dilemma is the GPU. Trying to decide between 770 2gb or 4gb or spend an extra 100+ for the 780. my primary gaming interest is heavily modded skyrim (been playing since arena/daggerfall but have been on console for past 3 games).

Main issue is that if i spend more for the 780 then chances are i will not be able to justify buying a top of the line 800 series when they finally come out in Q4 or 2015 for the same price. However, if i buy a 770 2gb now then i think i can justify the 800 series purchase based on what i saved by not spending too much on an interim card.

if the 770 2gb is capable of handling significant mods (i.e. S.T.E.P. and decent ENB) then that will suffice until 800s arrive and save me alot of cash. If 770 4gb is all i will ever need for my current interests then it is a no brainer since it only costs about $50 more. BUT. If the 780 is all i will ever need and unlikely to be significantly outclassed and outvalued by the 800 equivalent then i may splurge now knowing that i will forgo an 800 and be happy for at least a couple of years knowing that waiting for the 800 would not make much of a difference.

I have exhausted pretty much every forum discussion i can read on 770 (as well as the 760) 2gb vs 4gb debate and still feel like there is no satisfactory answer when it comes to vram usage and modded skyrim performance.

i apologize for the long winded question and thank you in advance for any guidance you may have to offer.

 

[GreekDude97]

I understand this is a tough decision for you. I know heavily modded Skyrim can get REALLY demanding, even with a 780Ti. TekSyndicate plays a heavily modded version of Skyrim and has made a video about that. He said he had a lot of crashes with the 780, but with the Ti version it was a lot better. If you can't afford a 780 Ti, then I would highly suggest you go for the 780. But, you will need to upgrade your PSU as well. 550W are not enough for a rig with the 780. And you should also ask yourself, "Do I need 4GB of VRAM?" A mistake many people make is to think that more VRAM will make their rig future-proof. That term doesn't even exist. Since you will be playing on a 1080p monitor, the 770 2GB will do just fine too. Maybe you could SLI your card later. Save your money and get a bigger case. The bigger the case is, the more airflow goes through your components.

 

[bitstream5]

I understand this is a tough decision for you. I know heavily modded Skyrim can get REALLY demanding, even with a 780Ti. TekSyndicate plays a heavily modded version of Skyrim and has made a video about that. He said he had a lot of crashes with the 780, but with the Ti version it was a lot better. If you can't afford a 780 Ti, then I would highly suggest you go for the 780. But, you will need to upgrade your PSU as well. 550W are not enough for a rig with the 780. And you should also ask yourself, "Do I need 4GB of VRAM?" A mistake many people make is to think that more VRAM will make their rig future-proof. That term doesn't even exist. Since you will be playing on a 1080p monitor, the 770 2GB will do just fine too. Maybe you could SLI your card later. Save your money and get a bigger case. The bigger the case is, the more airflow goes through your components.

thanks for responding. those are insightful thoughts. i think i will go with the 770 2gb as you suggest. it will probably take me into next year just learning how to mod effectively even though i have been reading about modding and studying mod guides for nearly a year before pulling the trigger on my build. the 780ti is doable but i was not really considering it because i do not want to spend that kind of money when the 800 series will be out in the next 6-12 months. if the rumors are true about 800 series capabilities/efficiency/prices then i would hate to be sore about owning a 780ti (as much as it would rock in the interim).

thanks again for the thoughtful input.

 

[FunSurfer]

To OP - I think you should go for the GTX 770 4GB, because I have a 1440x900 monitor and played Skyrim maxed out with only the official hi-res mode on a GTX 570 1.25GB and occasionally ran out of vram. Eventually the GTX 570 failed and I replaced it with a GTX 760 2GB, and to my astonishment I found out that I actually didn't played the game maxed because the field of view was greatly increased with the 2GB card. The game actually cut it down for the measly 1.25GB vram of the 570. Seeing further is a whole lot better experience in Skyrim. So if 1.25GB and one mode is not enough for 1440x900 screen in Skyrim, I don't think that 2GB will be enough for 1920x1080 resolution plus a lot of modes.

 

[bitstream5]

oh no, you are putting me back on the indecision train. i have the evga 770 2gb dual superclocked in my new egg basket but for some reason i have not been able to click buy yet. having a hard time letting go of the OCD research. i cannot believe there is no side by side comparison of gtx 770 2gb vs 4gb modded skyrim out there. believe me i have looked. plenty of "statements" without enough detail to be meaningful.

the card i was going to buy is $309 right now with rebate. that is close to $90 off the 4gb i pinned. (EVGA dual superclocked 770 4gb at $393).

your killing me. for another $100 i could get the 780...

 

[FunSurfer]

. i have the evga 770 2gb dual superclocked in my new egg basket but for some reason i have not been able to click buy yet.

The force is with you.

You don't need a 780 to play Skyrim, the 770 is powerful enough. Hell even the GTX 570 can max it out, if it just had more vram...

 

[GreekDude97]

oh no, you are putting me back on the indecision train. i have the evga 770 2gb dual superclocked in my new egg basket but for some reason i have not been able to click buy yet. having a hard time letting go of the OCD research. i cannot believe there is no side by side comparison of gtx 770 2gb vs 4gb modded skyrim out there. believe me i have looked. plenty of "statements" without enough detail to be meaningful.

the card i was going to buy is $309 right now with rebate. that is close to $90 off the 4gb i pinned. (EVGA dual superclocked 770 4gb at $393).

your killing me. for another $100 i could get the 780...

My very personal opinion is that you don't sacrifice performance for VRAM. Meaning that you should get a GTX 780 2GB instead of a GTX 770 4GB. I suggest you wait for more answers here or ask at your local computer store.

 

[FunSurfer]

Well my assumption was correct after all, a quick google search found this:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1272610/2gb-vram-with-heavily-modded-skyrim-has-anybody-had-issues/60
Someone with GTX 670 4GB is using 2942MB of his vram at 1920x1080 (Skyrim with modes).
Performance can also be good with 2GB vram BUT the player will not see the fog effects on distant mountains or waterfalls running far away and more stuff like that and that is kind of ruining the gaming experience..