GeForce 285 FTW SLI: 1GB or 2GB version?

[Nomanor]

Going for SLI setup of GTX 285 FTW cards

Which version would be best performance wise:

1GB (total of 2GB in SLI) with a bit faster mem clock speed (2646 Mhz)

2GB (total of 4GB in SLI) with a bit lower mem clock speed (2448 Mhz)


?
😕

 

[vj8usa]

What resolution? Odds are you won't really see a difference past 1GB, unless you're playing at very high res with lots of AA. Keep in mind that going SLI doesn't give you the combined amount of VRAM; SLIing a pair of 1GB cards doesn't give you 2GB of VRAM to use in a game.

 

[Nomanor]

i got a 30" Dell so 2560 x 1600

anyway,

1GB versions in SLI = 1GB vram
2GB versions in SLI = 2GB vram

is that correct?

Is it possible to SLI same cards but with different mem amount? 2GB card +1GB card so I still get 2GB vram?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Nomanor
i got a 30" Dell so 2560 x 1600

anyway,

1GB versions in SLI = 1GB vram
2GB versions in SLI = 2GB vram

is that correct?

Is it possible to SLI same cards but with different mem amount? 2GB card +1GB card so I still get 2GB vram?

must be the same card (vram and GPU) or it will operate with the slower clocks or less vram (I think). If you're playing at the full 1600, I would go with the 2GB. Since you already have a 30", why not go to the top?

 

[OCGuy]

If it is in your budget, go with the more RAM. Also, post benchmarks 🙂

 

[Hauk]

I don't think you can have cards with different memory sizes. I'm thinking with SLI they have to be the same cards makes with allowance for different manufacturers and clock speeds. It will downclock the faster card to match the slower card.

Regarding 2GB vs. 1GB, you'll get differing opinions, but I say if you can afford it, go for 2GB without hesitation. Forget the "you'd see little difference" BS. At your res, I'd be hunting for 2GB cards too. Add in that 4xAA or higher chews up a frame buffer. Some people like AA even at that res.

You'd be talking about spending serious cash on the purchase. Sounds like you're savvy but I must ask. You're planning to keep even though DX11 cards are coming? Also, you know there's a 4870 2GB for $249? And soon likely to be a 4890 2GB? Just covering bases.. I have some 285's myself..

 

[Nomanor]

Originally posted by: Hauk
You're planning to keep even though DX11 cards are coming? Also, you know there's a 4870 2GB for $249? And soon likely to be a 4890 2GB? Just covering bases.. I have some 285's myself..

Yeah I can afford it no problem.

4890 2GB in CF would be quite intereting too. I heard they offer about the same performance but run cooler/quieter? That's a big plus.


As for DX11, I think i'll ride out the first couple generations and wait for when more stable cards come out - upgrade then. I'm dying to upgrade my current PC and figure that there's no need to jump on the DX11 ship right away.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: Hauk
I don't think you can have cards with different memory sizes. I'm thinking with SLI they have to be the same cards makes with allowance for different manufacturers and clock speeds. It will downclock the faster card to match the slower card.

It will ignore the extra VRAM on the larger card if you mix them as it has to keep the memory contents synced. IME, SLI does not downclock cards and is completely unaware of the cards actual performance capabilities beyond making sure the model string matches between the cards.

 

[Hauk]

Originally posted by: Nomanor

Originally posted by: Hauk
You're planning to keep even though DX11 cards are coming? Also, you know there's a 4870 2GB for $249? And soon likely to be a 4890 2GB? Just covering bases.. I have some 285's myself..

Yeah I can afford it no problem.

4890 2GB in CF would be quite intereting too. I heard they offer about the same performance but run cooler/quieter? That's a big plus.


As for DX11, I think i'll ride out the first couple generations and wait for when more stable cards come out - upgrade then. I'm dying to upgrade my current PC and figure that there's no need to jump on the DX11 ship right away.

aka1nas clarified a couple points regarding clock speeds and memory sizes, thanks. Yea you'll certainly want to run the same memory sizes.

Well 285 2GB SLI would certainly churn some pixels. That price though, damn. I usually don't bitch about cost but they're just too high IMO. I almost grabbed a 30" Dell and was looking at 2GB cards. Was also checking out GTX 275 1792mb cards. A few choices out there. If you plan on keeping a while, grab what suits you.

Sapphire will prolly be the 1st out with 2GB 4890's, and yea the Vapor-X versions are cooler and quieter. I'm reeealy liking those Vapor-X cards..

 

[faxon]

the main issue i would see is that you dont get the total combined Vram when you SLI 2 cards together, and with how many pixels 2 285s can push together, i would look at the 2GB version just to make sure you have enough Vram in newer games at that resolution

 

[error8]

GTX 285 2 Gb X 2 FTW!! 🙂

 

[Nomanor]

ok, thanks for the info everyone 🙂