Which GPU to go for?

[mr 333]

I am planning to buy a Laptop from ORIGIN. I chose an i7 6700k as the processor and i am stuck between two 8gb vram 980m in sli or a single 8gb vram gtx 980 desktop class gpu (in the laptop).Which is more powerful and which one to go for???Please help!!!

 

[joex444]

Not 980M SLI, but 980M vs 980: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwRmBf06sGE

Figure an average game gets an 80% boost from SLI, you can take the 980M numbers and multiply by 1.8 to compare.

I'm also seeing on ORIGIN's site that only the EON17-SLX is available to have dual 980M or single 980. That's a 1080p screen, and you can only get a higher resolution on one of the 15" models. Keep in mind that 1080p doesn't exactly need a 980 or dual 980M, but 4K (3840x2160) is a separate story.

 

[Barty1884]

I'm not entirely sure what they mean by a 980 desktop class GPU in a laptop............are Origin putting desktop GPU's inside laptops now? Or is it an external add-on?

If they're putting a desktop GPU in a laptop, it would be a complete waste of time as there's no way it could be cooled appropriately.

Simply put, you'd be better served by a single desktop 980 than SLI 980m's. The 980m's are low-powered, lower clocked, mobile 980's, with reduced clocks etc to lower temps (although they still sit pretty high), SLI is still 2x lower performing cards. In some games SLI can be a huge benefit, that's not consistent across the board.

If it's an external bay where you can use a desktop PCIe 980, then that would be much, much better option, but then removes the portability element of a laptop - and you'd be better off building/buying a desktop.

 

[nopatienc3]

they have been putting desktop grade GPUs in laptops for almost a year now, if not longer. the temp does get a little warm but in my opinion it would be a better option.

 

[Guest]

GPU desktop-class translated simply means, that the mobile GPU has an equivalent/comparable performance to an existing desktop GPU. Look here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-980M.126692.0.html

If I'm looking at the chart correctly, the 980m performs better than an R9 280X (and just below an R9 290X desktop GPU) in performance terms, if it where a desktop GPU... Providing, notebookcheck.net is accurate in it's reporting.

As a note, SLI setups in laptops run EXTREMELY hot, so make sure whatever brand you go with has a more than adequate cooling solution and warranty option.

 

[Barty1884]

Interesting to hear.....my lack of knowledge on newer laptops is clearly showing.

If temps are controlled reasonably well, the single desktop class 980 would be my recommendation.