Graphics Card Upgrade Help

[albingo]

I currently have this 2GB GTX 670 and I'm thinking of getting another one in SLI, but I have a few questions. I'll only be using 1080p.

1. Is it worth it to get another 670 as opposed to another single card?

2. I currently have this 620W psu, will I need a new one for 670 in SLI?

3. I can buy any 2GB 670, correct?

Current Specs:
i5 3570k @ 4.2Ghz
Overclocked 2GB GTX 670
8GB RAM

 

[Termie]

GTX 670 SLI is quite powerful at 1080p, where the 2GB of VRAM won't cause issues in any current game. And you can use any 670 2GB model.

Your PSU isn't ideal for it, though. First, you don't have enough PCIe cables, so you'll need to run adapters, and second, with 48A on the 12V rail, it's closer to a lower-end 600W unit. Your setup with dual 670s would draw about 450W, so it's within the limits of the PSU, but you'll be driving it at least 75% capacity whenever you game, meaning it will run hot and loud, most likely.

 

[albingo]

GTX 670 SLI is quite powerful at 1080p, where the 2GB of VRAM won't cause issues in any current game. And you can use any 670 2GB model.

Your PSU isn't ideal for it, though. First, you don't have enough PCIe cables, so you'll need to run adapters, and second, with 48A on the 12V rail, it's closer to a lower-end 600W unit. Your setup with dual 670s would draw about 450W, so it's within the limits of the PSU, but you'll be driving it at least 75% capacity whenever you game, meaning it will run hot and loud, most likely.

Any PSU you recommend? Preferably one that's not too expensive.

 

[Termie]

Any PSU you recommend? Preferably one that's not too expensive.

Well, to get four PCIe cables, it can't be too cheap. One of the least expensive options is the Corsair CX750. It's not a whole lot higher-quality than your PSU, but it's a least as good and has power to spare.

 

[nwo]

Each card only draws about 200W, more or less, depending on OC. All you would have to do is spend a few bucks on some PSU adapters. Something like this will do.

48A is nearly 580W on the 12v rail... I don't think that is considered low end for a 600W PSU. It's about average I'd say.

If you are not overclocking anything then your PSU will be sufficient. If you are planning to overclock both graphics cards as well as the CPU, then you would definitely be coming awfully close to or potentially exceeding 100% of the PSU capacity in which case you would have to upgrade to a 700W+ PSU.

My advice is to stick with the PSU you have now, run both cards at stock and keep your CPU OCed. If you are adding another GPU to the rig, I see no reason to overclock them both out of the gates. Save your money for a higher quality PSU down the line when you need the extra power instead of trying to squeeze in a budget PSU.

 

[albingo]

Thanks for everyone's help so far, but now I have a different question.

I recently installed the Star Citizen Hangar module and put the settings on very high (max) and at 1920x1080. I realize that this is nowhere close to the finished product, so there will probably be improvements, but I'm not sure if a 2GB card will be enough, one ship in a hangar was using 2015MB Vram with around 35fps. Games like Skyrim (with mods) use pretty much all of my Vram and BF4 is using around 1900MB.

So, should I still get a second 2GB 670 card? Or should I go for a 770+ 4GB card?

 

[nwo]

If you have the option of selling the 670 and adding a few bucks for a 4GB GTX 770, I would definitely go that route. A single card is often better for gaming anyway since not all games scale with mutliple GPUs equally.

At current prices, you probably won't have to add more than $50 for a GTX 770 if you can find a buyer for your GTX 670.

 

[albingo]

If you have the option of selling the 670 and adding a few bucks for a 4GB GTX 770, I would definitely go that route. A single card is often better for gaming anyway since not all games scale with mutliple GPUs equally.

At current prices, you probably won't have to add more than $50 for a GTX 770 if you can find a buyer for your GTX 670.

Alright, I might do that. Also, is there a significant difference between the GTX 670 and 780? Besides going from 2GB to 4GB? If not should I save a little more and get a 3GB 780? Assuming a 670 goes for about $200.

 

[Termie]

Alright, I might do that. Also, is there a significant difference between the GTX 670 and 780? Besides going from 2GB to 4GB? If not should I save a little more and get a 3GB 780? Assuming a 670 goes for about $200.

See this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2357336

A 770 will be about 20% faster, the 780 is 40% faster at 1080p and 50% faster at 1440p.

 

[DI3S3L]

Hi All!

I'm new on this forum, and I want a little help. I'm sorry for my language, but I'm not a perfect english

I want to upgrade my rig with a new graphics card. Currently, I have a Intel Core i5 760 CPU (OCed to 3,5GHz), 8GB of RAM, Gigabyte H55M-UD2H mobo and a Gigabyte HD5770 video card, 570W Gigabyte PSU.
So, I want to upgrade to HD7850 or HD7870, but i don't know what is the better choice. I playing in 1440x900 resolution, and I don't want to upgrade my display to FullHD.

What is the ideal choice for my configuration? The OCed i5 760 is enough for 7850 or 7870?

 

[Techhog]

Hi All!

I'm new on this forum, and I want a little help. I'm sorry for my language, but I'm not a perfect english

I want to upgrade my rig with a new graphics card. Currently, I have a Intel Core i5 760 CPU (OCed to 3,5GHz), 8GB of RAM, Gigabyte H55M-UD2H mobo and a Gigabyte HD5770 video card, 570W Gigabyte PSU.
So, I want to upgrade to HD7850 or HD7870, but i don't know what is the better choice. I playing in 1440x900 resolution, and I don't want to upgrade my display to FullHD.

What is the ideal choice for my configuration? The OCed i5 760 is enough for 7850 or 7870?

Yep. That won't bottleneck those cards in most games. Maybe a bit since that resolution is a bit low, but it's still more than good enough.

 

[nwo]

Hi All!

I'm new on this forum, and I want a little help. I'm sorry for my language, but I'm not a perfect english

I want to upgrade my rig with a new graphics card. Currently, I have a Intel Core i5 760 CPU (OCed to 3,5GHz), 8GB of RAM, Gigabyte H55M-UD2H mobo and a Gigabyte HD5770 video card, 570W Gigabyte PSU.
So, I want to upgrade to HD7850 or HD7870, but i don't know what is the better choice. I playing in 1440x900 resolution, and I don't want to upgrade my display to FullHD.

What is the ideal choice for my configuration? The OCed i5 760 is enough for 7850 or 7870?

Your overclocked CPU definitely will not bottleneck either one of the two cards.

If you give us the prices of the 7850s and 7870s you are looking at, then we would be able to tell you which would be a better choice. If there is a big price difference (more than $30) I'd say you would be better off going with a 7850 as long as it is the 2GB version because the performance difference is really small.

 

[Leyawiin]

I have that exact card paired with a much less capable CPU (Phenom II @ 3.9 Ghz) and it doesn't really bog down in any game I play @1920x1200. Can't really understand the need for more power @1080p.

 

[albingo]

See this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2357336

A 770 will be about 20% faster, the 780 is 40% faster at 1080p and 50% faster at 1440p.

Alright, thanks. I think I'll get a 3GB 780. Also I'm assuming a 620w PSU will be enough?

 

[DI3S3L]

Thanks for the reply for everyone!

The price difference of the 7850 and 7870 is really small currently. I've better choice the Radeon HD7870.