3rd evga 480 ftw hydrocopper?

[Elganja]

I have a chance to get a 3rd EVGA 480 FTW Hydrocopper (brand new) for 325 bucks (and would have to get a new PSU, don't think my 1000HX will cut it w/ 3 480's)

I'm trying to decide if it is "worth" it... As it is, my setup isn't stressed that much, from any game I play (2560x1600 max settings)... but I'm trying to decide if I should buy this card or not.

 

[JAG87]

Considering that you have to switch your PSU, I wouldn't bother. The additional performance isn't really worth the hassle. Plus soon you'll be able to get two 680s (Kepler) or two 7970 (Southern Islands), that will be much faster and more power efficient, and will scale a hell of a lot better at 2560 than 3 GPUs.

If it was only the $325 for the card I'd say go for it, but the additional cost of the PSU (even if you sell the HX1000), plus the effort to re-wire everything... not worth it IMO.

 

[artvscommerce]

How certain are you that you would need a new PSU? I realize 3 of those cards would be cutting it really close, but I have a friend that is running (3) GTX 480's in SLI with a 980X and he hasn't had any issues, but he is running everything at stock clocks. I agree with everything Jag said, but at the price you're able to get that card for i'd imagine it would hold its value fairly well even after the next generation cards come out.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

GTX 580's are much better for epeen enlargement. Although 3 GTX 480's are also nice for the epeen.

 

[Elganja]

How certain are you that you would need a new PSU? I realize 3 of those cards would be cutting it really close, but I have a friend that is running (3) GTX 480's in SLI with a 980X and he hasn't had any issues, but he is running everything at stock clocks. I agree with everything Jag said, but at the price you're able to get that card for i'd imagine it would hold its value fairly well even after the next generation cards come out.

I wouldn't be comfortable running 3 480's on a 1000HX... IIRC, my current setup pulls around 800-900watts at load (can't remember exactly, but can't be more then 900, my ups never complains at stock clocks but will with any overclock on the GPU)

 

[Elganja]

GTX 580's are much better for epeen enlargement. Although 3 GTX 480's are also nice for the epeen.

heh... try playing at 2560x1600 w/ one card (no sli)... my intentions were not for "epeen" reasons as you think... There are only a couple games that really bog down my system (like metro 2033 and gtaIV) that I was hoping a 3rd card would help with.

Is it "worth" it? I don't know, that is why I ask Anandtech.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

On a serious note though pc gaming isn't getting any more demanding. With the release of crysis 2 it might be a sign that pc gaming might be going backwards. Truth is pc gaming just isn't that profitable and most developers have just given up and just give us console ports now. Sure we get better resolution and smoother gameplay but I'm wondering if it's worth the cost anymore. The graphics look better on pc but not by a whole lot. I got a ps3 for $260 and my gaming pc cost me over $2,000. Am I getting 8 times the graphics out of my pc since I spent roughly 8 times more on it? Not even close. Personally I might have built my last high end pc. I'll see what happens this year with Battlefield 3 and the new Oblivion game but if I'm just going to keep getting console ports then I see no need to buy the 28nm GTX 680's coming at the end of the year.
I'd say wait and see what happens.

 

[Grooveriding]

I added a third 480 and play at the same resolution you do. For games that needed it, the difference was quite noticeable. Crysis is 55-65fps maxed out with 8XAA, Metro 2033 is near 60fps maxed, Stalker series again 60 maxed out. Previously I would be around 40fps in those games.

You need a new psu though, I had an HX1000 and had to replace it. I never tried the 3 480s with it for fear of frying my system, but other users I saw with 3 480s were all using 1200+ psus.

This late in the game might as well wait for 28nm. The new PSU won't be cheap because you need a good one.

 

[nanaki333]

On a serious note though pc gaming isn't getting any more demanding. With the release of crysis 2 it might be a sign that pc gaming might be going backwards. Truth is pc gaming just isn't that profitable and most developers have just given up and just give us console ports now. Sure we get better resolution and smoother gameplay but I'm wondering if it's worth the cost anymore. The graphics look better on pc but not by a whole lot. I got a ps3 for $260 and my gaming pc cost me over $2,000. Am I getting 8 times the graphics out of my pc since I spent roughly 8 times more on it? Not even close. Personally I might have built my last high end pc. I'll see what happens this year with Battlefield 3 and the new Oblivion game but if I'm just going to keep getting console ports then I see no need to buy the 28nm GTX 680's coming at the end of the year.
I'd say wait and see what happens.

IF a new xbox is truly in the works though, consoles usually get a top-end graphics card. so at least, if the xbox is coming, it may have a 7970 variant card. that should at least bring us up to a whole new level of detail and features, even for console ports.

 

[rolodomo]

I wouldn't be comfortable running 3 480's on a 1000HX... IIRC, my current setup pulls around 800-900watts at load (can't remember exactly, but can't be more then 900, my ups never complains at stock clocks but will with any overclock on the GPU)

I have a similar setup, 2 evga GTX 480(s) including one hydrocopper and a 920 at 4.2 powered by a Seasonic 850W M12D that I know can't handle a third 480.

I'm only at 1080p, but I'm using 3DVision.

I installed an EK water block onto my first 480, but for the second GPU, I snagged the hydrocopper used for $250 and at that type of savings, it is very tempting to grab a third.

I'm holding at two though. I don't want to upgrade the power supply nor modify my water loop. Also, the hydro-copper is harder to "pass down" to my second line equipment, where I don't usually use water, so I don't want a second one. Finally, FPS is very good for most games.

I think I'll probably upgrade to socket 2011 before I do anymore GPU upgrades.

So you're pulling 800 to 900 watts with the GPU(s) overclocked, yikes. I was afraid of that. I never crack 600 watts at load, but I'm running both GPU(s) at stock. Guess I will have to be very careful when I start overclocking them.

 

[MentalIlness]

IF a new xbox is truly in the works though, consoles usually get a top-end graphics card. so at least, if the xbox is coming, it may have a 7970 variant card. that should at least bring us up to a whole new level of detail and features, even for console ports.

No, they do not. The Playstation 3's GPU is comparable to a Nvidia 7900.

 

[Elganja]

No, they do not. The Playstation 3's GPU is comparable to a Nvidia 7900.

what was the top of the line GPU when the PS3 came out? wasn't the 7900 near the top? I honestly don't know...

 

[MentalIlness]

what was the top of the line GPU when the PS3 came out? wasn't the 7900 near the top? I honestly don't know...

Not exactly sure to be honest. But I think I have read that it was 2 generations old when the PS3 launched. I could be wrong though.

Unless I am just thinking, that even though how far GPUs have came since the launch of the PS3, that the GPU inside "comparable 7900" just seems old. :\

But I recall, thinking that we already had the G80 series at the PS3 launch. Of course, don't take this as gospel.

 

[nanaki333]

No, they do not. The Playstation 3's GPU is comparable to a Nvidia 7900.

and if you look at the launch of the ps3 and the launch of the 7900, they're within the same year.

 

[RussianSensation]

Not exactly sure to be honest. But I think I have read that it was 2 generations old when the PS3 launched. I could be wrong though.

PS3 launched November 11, 2006. Its GPU is 7950GT with half the memory bandwidth of the desktop version. 7950GTX Go Mobile was a mobile version of the desktop 7950GT variant (which would be a natural fit into PS3). This chip launched October 12, 2006.

Of course the 79xx series were refreshes. 8800GTX launched November 8, 2006. Therefore, the GPU in PS3 was exactly 1 generation behind on the desktop but the lastest generation of GPUs for mobile offerings from NV. This means if PS4 were to launch in 1.5 years from today, it would at least have a GTX570 or an HD6970 style GPU if history were to repeat itself. Alternatively, it would be the fastest mobile GPU offering at the time.

Elganja, I would stick with 2 480s for now. Upgrade when 28nm GPUs arrive.

 

[n0x1ous]

Id have to agree with those who say no to getting the third card, but only since you would need a new PSU. The third card would help at your rez no doubt, but at this stage I would wait for 28nm and re-evaluate.

If you you do go ahead and get it, you can check Nvidia's site for certfied PSU's for 3-480s. I would think 1200 watt would be the minimum, Corsair has the 1200watt AX-1200 now.

http://forums.anandtech.com/.220%204x8 V06 White Suede / raw on MDF $420/msfhttp://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

I have an HX1000 as well, but with 3 GTX 260's and they sip power compared to the 480s

 

[SlowSpyder]

what was the top of the line GPU when the PS3 came out? wasn't the 7900 near the top? I honestly don't know...

As Russian said, I remember a bit in the AT 8800 review that mentioned how Nvidia claimed that they would have a more powerful GPU out before the PS3 was out, and they obviously pulled it off.

edit - Found it, first paragraph of the Final Words section.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2116/29

 

[nanaki333]

so worst case, a new xbox console would have something like a gtx 580 in it since kepler is due out this year. that should give all games a nice boost in visuals and features!

sorry to derail the thread so much

 

[JAG87]

so worst case, a new xbox console would have something like a gtx 580 in it since kepler is due out this year. that should give all games a nice boost in visuals and features!

sorry to derail the thread so much

That's great, and then we're stuck with those graphics for what, another 6-8 years?

Plus they won't be able to pull something like that off, GF110 uses way too much power and makes way too much heat to be used inside a console.

 

[nanaki333]

That's great, and then we're stuck with those graphics for what, another 6-8 years?

Plus they won't be able to pull something like that off, GF110 uses way too much power and makes way too much heat to be used inside a console.

you're right.. better to stay with what we have now (7900 graphics) than to advance even the slightest bit.

they'd have to modify it slightly like they do with every other console GPU. even the original xbox had a modified geforce 3/4. they're obviously not going to just drop in a pcie gtx 580. they were able to downclock the 580s just fine to get 2 of them on a card with the 590 just fine.

anyway... best to start another thread about this if we want to keep going

 

[RussianSensation]

That's great, and then we're stuck with those graphics for what, another 6-8 years?

No, more like 10 years given the current generation's trend. :awe:

Plus they won't be able to pull something like that off, GF110 uses way too much power and makes way too much heat to be used inside a console.

They could get NV to manufacture a special 28nm GTX570 GPU for PS4. Alternatively, a mid-range 28nm Kepler GPU would likely be almost as fast as a GTX570.