Question for those who have managed to avoid a 980Ti impulse buy

[Kenmitch]

Always read the rest of the context, rather than a single line quote.

Its not 2 nodes. Its 1½ node at best and transistor cost is the main issue. Meaning GPU sizes wont be that large. Specially not since the node may last even longer than 28nm.

Uarch wise its not going to change much, if any. But still great benefits in performance/watt from the shrink. While the raw performance may be more limited due to cost.

Probably true if basing judgement entirely on NVIDIA offerings. Slow and steady bumps in performance seems to work for them.

We'll get an idea soon how AMD's future direction may go. AMD may force a larger initial jump in performance for those who prefer NVIDIA.

 

[Majcric]

Like you Op, it was a little hard to decide if I wanted to upgrade. But my single 680 2g was definitely showing its age at 1440p. Finally a card came along with double the performance and triple the Vram it was time to go for it.

As for Pascal it's probably a good year away and even when it does launch I can't see cheap prices personally. Also I've decided I want upgrade from big chip to big chip.

 

[sxr7171]

After ordering and cancelling my Amazon order for a 980Ti 3 times during the first 24 hours of it's release, my nerves have finally settled. To the point where I'm now actually considering holding onto my current cards until Pascal. Wonder if anyone else is going through the same thought process?

I know the waiting game, if you decide to play it, is potentially never ending and there's always something new around the corner, but something THIS new doesn't happen very often at all. New uarch, new processes node, new memory. A whole lot of new coming that I think I want to be a part of.

Looking at my backlog of games, I think I have enough to keep me occupied until then, that also runs reasonably well with my current cards.

Skyrim: Should be able to handle find if I don't add high res texture packs
TW2: Can max out with the exception of Ubersampling
Arkham Origins: Can max out
AC Unity: The one game in my backlog I would really like to max out, but probably won't be able to on my current cards
Watchdogs: Not sure how this game runs

TW3 is a game I plan on getting too, but I think I have plenty to keep be busy until 2016 and can pick it up then for $20 and run it on a Pascal card.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is one game I'm highly anticipating and certainly want to experience in all its glory, but it's release is far enough into the future that I don't think it will be a concern.

Are there any other games slated for release relatively soon that are supposed to be the next "Crysis" in terms of GPU demands?

I have a Titan X OC'd to about 1500MHz and it cannot max out AC Unity at 1080p so I wouldn't get it for that purpose. I have to downgrade some settings so it doesn't stutter during fight sequences.

As for Watch Dogs it will run maxed out at 1080p with some random stuttering.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Nvidia is just widening the gape and conditioning the loyal green to pay more, IMHO I would wait for AMD'S next card. Everyone has there reason's, I see the 680's still do well in most games. I have 2 GTX 580's that play BF3+4 well. I am interested in AMD'S next card and how they will do, they have made some great cards before so if i had money to spend id do it on them. I have a mix of both camps and don't lean one way or the other its all about best bang for a buck!

 

[RussianSensation]

Always read the rest of the context, rather than a single line quote.

Its not 2 nodes. Its 1½ node at best and transistor cost is the main issue. Meaning GPU sizes wont be that large. Specially not since the node may last even longer than 28nm.

Uarch wise its not going to change much, if any. But still great benefits in performance/watt from the shrink. While the raw performance may be more limited due to cost.

Don't kid yourself. You are betting against 15 years of GPU history here. 560Ti -> 680 was a 90% increase in performance. 680-> 980 was a 70%+ increase. 980 successor will be > 50% faster at $550-600. It's a big bet to think a 980 successor won't outperform a 980Ti at 190W power usage, unless NV specifically low-balls next gen and splits it into 3 parts.

The biggest leap in memory bandwidth from 336GB/sec to 700-1TB/sec - CHECK
An all new architecture from NV - CHECK (Fermi to Kepler to Maxwell were massive increases in performance)
The node shrink is HUGE - you keep downplaying it but NV increased perf/watt about 60-70% with Kepler. Pascal should match that at least which means 250W TDP Big Pascal will smoke the 980Ti, and even a 980 successor should have no trouble beating it once NV stops optimizing drivers for Maxwell.

Everything from you lately seems to be pessimism about everything but Intel and perf/watt. Get a grip.

IVizio p series is on sale for $420 refurbished so $1070 isn't a bad deal for 4k gaming.

How good is that for gaming? Read any semi-pro/professional reviews on that? Is that for the 43-inch or 46-inch model?

I'd step up to almost $2000 if it was worth it. But I don't game enough for that to be a smart buy. .

Now that TW3 and GTAV dropped, after Batman AK, it's somewhat of a drought for PC games for the next 8 months it seems.

The days of impulse buys are behind me and wait for both sides to offer their new generations --- and wait for drivers to mature and there is AIB differentiation to consider over reference. I'm waiting to see what AMD offers with their Fury offerings - its a short time -- in case they offer something amazing and a game changer.

So you'd actually buy an AMD card? I'd want pics! :biggrin:

Im more pissed off than ever at the current situation.

If i buy Gsync im stuck with Nvidia. If i buy Free sync im stuck with AMD, Monitors outlast GPU's and i wouldnt want to lose variable sync once i have it. This is whats stopping me buying. I feel like im being trapped into a manufacturer.

This sucks real bad. Intel should adopt FreeSync, forcing NV to adopt FreeSync and support GSync simultaneously.

I have a Titan X OC'd to about 1500MHz and it cannot max out AC Unity at 1080p so I wouldn't get it for that purpose.

:thumbsup:

 

[SirPauly]

So you'd actually buy an AMD card? I'd want pics! :biggrin:

Absolutely, have owned a lot of ATI products over the years. Very curious to see what AMD has done here and willing to wait and see.

 

[Zanovar]

I would wait a bit 2is aftermarket cards coming through etc.

 

[Silverforce11]

Im more pissed off than ever at the current situation.

If i buy Gsync im stuck with Nvidia. If i buy Free sync im stuck with AMD, Monitors outlast GPU's and i wouldnt want to lose variable sync once i have it. This is whats stopping me buying. I feel like im being trapped into a manufacturer.

Notebook GSync without a module and going through dp1.2a spec is a clear indication that once the monitor market matures and FS gets down to 30fps and supports overdrive (happening now), NV will likely end up jumping ship, they will just call it GSync2 or something, as its via an open Adaptive Vsync standard.

But if people keep on buying Gsync monitors for a big premium, NV will keep on selling it. So it's up to gamers to decide.

OP: 680 SLI isn't gonna hold for another 2 years til we see a huge GPU on 14nm for consumers. This the the current schedule for HBM2 at my last reading, start production Q2 2016, ramping volumes Q3. It takes a few months for HBM + GPU stacking into a single SoC. Sampling of the finished products, late Q4 2016.

What is going to be on 14nm first? Small GPUs and refreshes most likely. It's simply too risky to go with a new uarch, new node and new vram tech with a big GPU (recipe for disaster). Big GPU would come later, once the node is proven to be good yielding due to the costs associated with 14nm.

Now, when all of that is ready, the first big Pascal comes out and ready. Where will it go? NV is in dire need to refresh their Kepler-Tesla line as Maxwell was gaming focused. I imagine most of the big super computer projects would suck all the big Pascal out of consumer's hands for awhile.

So people who are expecting big 14nm consumer GPUs in 2016, they are dreaming. It's a long ways off. Titan X/Fury is going to hold the fort for awhile yet.

Some of the games you mention, you cannot max textures on 2gb vram. Textures make the biggest difference in the IQ, you can drop a few post processing from ultra to high or shadows and it won't affect IQ massively. But dropping high-res textures, will hurt IQ a lot. If you want to hold out and enjoy good looking games until big Pascal, the best bet is to grab something for cheap with 4GB vram once AMD reveal their stack. A single R290X/970 class is enough for 1080p.

 

[tential]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbish...42759d0cfd477&veh=aff&wmlspartner=lw9MynSeamY

$450 for 50 inch Vizio P series.

It's input lag is pretty low for a large screen display (not that 50 is large or anything it's just a stop gap 4K for me until 4K projectors are affordable). I think it'll be pretty good for gaming. Vizio seemed to push how important it was for gamers. That's why they have the 1080p/120hz mode available which is really nice as well for when you can't run 4K.

At worst, I'll just return it lol. It's went up $20 it was supposed to be at $430 but still a good deal. I'm just hesitating because the reviews are bad (not everyone who has a problem reviews obviously and people on slickdeals did get their tvs in good condition eventually) and I doin't want to keep driving back and forth to walmart. And if the Fury X doesn't live up to my pricing expectations I don't want to return it. I'll just want to spend more to get 4K working lol.

As for a drought in games...
List off 10 games. I bet you I haven't played 8 of them. I bet I only finish 3 games this year lol. Not worried about a drought in games at all.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbish...42759d0cfd477&veh=aff&wmlspartner=lw9MynSeamY

$450 for 50 inch Vizio P series.

It's input lag is pretty low for a large screen display (not that 50 is large or anything it's just a stop gap 4K for me until 4K projectors are affordable). I think it'll be pretty good for gaming. Vizio seemed to push how important it was for gamers. That's why they have the 1080p/120hz mode available which is really nice as well for when you can't run 4K.

At worst, I'll just return it lol. It's went up $20 it was supposed to be at $430 but still a good deal. I'm just hesitating because the reviews are bad (not everyone who has a problem reviews obviously and people on slickdeals did get their tvs in good condition eventually) and I doin't want to keep driving back and forth to walmart. And if the Fury X doesn't live up to my pricing expectations I don't want to return it. I'll just want to spend more to get 4K working lol.

As for a drought in games...
List off 10 games. I bet you I haven't played 8 of them. I bet I only finish 3 games this year lol. Not worried about a drought in games at all.

I hate Vizio TV and would not recommend it. Had 2, and both die out right after the warranty expire. Fortunately we had warranty cover under the credit card we use, and we got a different TV.

Vizio is a budget brand and you really get what you pay for. I would not recommend anyone to get Vizio.

 

[MrSlow]

My graphic card purchase is dependent on a monitor replacement and none of the Monitors I am interested in have been released yet. The new 32"-35" 21:9 3440 x 1440 or better curved screens have got me in

Secondly I currently run a 680 SLI gaming rig (2560x1600 monitor) so I am not in a rush to upgrade as most games I play run alright even if I cannot run them with max settings.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

My graphic card purchase is dependent on a monitor replacement and none of the Monitors I am interested in have been released yet. The new 32"-35" 21:9 3440 x 1440 or better curved screens have got me in

Secondly I currently run a 680 SLI gaming rig (2560x1600 monitor) so I am not in a rush to upgrade as most games I play run alright even if I cannot run them with max settings.

If you want immersion, curve screen are nothing more than gimmick. It won't make use of your peripheral vision.

 

[Kenmitch]

If you want immersion, curve screen are nothing more than gimmick. It won't make use of your peripheral vision.

Easy fix....Get 3 of them.

 

[Attic]

After ordering and cancelling my Amazon order for a 980Ti 3 times during the first 24 hours of it's release, my nerves have finally settled. To the point where I'm now actually considering holding onto my current cards until Pascal. Wonder if anyone else is going through the same thought process?

I know the waiting game, if you decide to play it, is potentially never ending and there's always something new around the corner, but something THIS new doesn't happen very often at all. New uarch, new processes node, new memory. A whole lot of new coming that I think I want to be a part of.

Looking at my backlog of games, I think I have enough to keep me occupied until then, that also runs reasonably well with my current cards.

Skyrim: Should be able to handle find if I don't add high res texture packs
TW2: Can max out with the exception of Ubersampling
Arkham Origins: Can max out
AC Unity: The one game in my backlog I would really like to max out, but probably won't be able to on my current cards
Watchdogs: Not sure how this game runs

TW3 is a game I plan on getting too, but I think I have plenty to keep be busy until 2016 and can pick it up then for $20 and run it on a Pascal card.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is one game I'm highly anticipating and certainly want to experience in all its glory, but it's release is far enough into the future that I don't think it will be a concern.

Are there any other games slated for release relatively soon that are supposed to be the next "Crysis" in terms of GPU demands?

Lots of good replies in this thread. I'm quoting your OP just to address the bug/itch you have. My recommendation is to scratch it. I'd look for a nice 980ti from MSI or EVGA or Asus once their non reference is available. Sell the 2x680's.

Then SLI the 980ti if/when necessary down the road. Or upgrade the 980ti to Pascal or AMD later. There is a reason the 980ti is attracting your attention, it's a really nice GPU that nails speed/features/price.

Basically if you are itching this hard (cancelled cart with a 980ti in it 3x) then just let go and enjoy a bit. Having the new toys is a lot of fun IMO, if you like that part in addition to the actual gameplay then perhaps not be so cut throat on buying at the perfect time.


I love immersive gaming with great art direction and a story I can put in multiple 12+ hour marathons into. For that I don't need the newest GPU. But I also really enjoy something like Crysis 3 maxed out just to indugle in incredible graphics. I had a 4690k at 4.4 and 2x290's, and though Crysis 3 doesn't excel at story or gameplay, the graphics were worth the rig build IMO.

Main thing, is to enjoy gaming beyond just the game or the hardware side and indulge a bit of both where/when necessary IMO. In your gaming list i'd dump AC Unity and Watchdogs and replace with TW3 and GTAV (maybe add Shadow of Mordor) and rock those on a 980ti.

 

[BroHamBone]

Ooh that is definitely a bad itch. If you can find a decent upgrade from the money both cards pull in...lets say ~$400 or so...you can probably hang onto that "newish" card for a while.

As for me, I am probably going to hold onto my x2 780ti classifieds till 2nd gen pascal. I will at that time do a whole CPU/GPU/RAM/MOBO change. Whats that...possibly 3 more years from now?

 

[ocre]

After ordering and cancelling my Amazon order for a 980Ti 3 times during the first 24 hours of it's release, my nerves have finally settled. To the point where I'm now actually considering holding onto my current cards until Pascal. Wonder if anyone else is going through the same thought process?

I know the waiting game, if you decide to play it, is potentially never ending and there's always something new around the corner, but something THIS new doesn't happen very often at all. New uarch, new processes node, new memory. A whole lot of new coming that I think I want to be a part of.

Looking at my backlog of games, I think I have enough to keep me occupied until then, that also runs reasonably well with my current cards.

Skyrim: Should be able to handle find if I don't add high res texture packs
TW2: Can max out with the exception of Ubersampling
Arkham Origins: Can max out
AC Unity: The one game in my backlog I would really like to max out, but probably won't be able to on my current cards
Watchdogs: Not sure how this game runs

TW3 is a game I plan on getting too, but I think I have plenty to keep be busy until 2016 and can pick it up then for $20 and run it on a Pascal card.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is one game I'm highly anticipating and certainly want to experience in all its glory, but it's release is far enough into the future that I don't think it will be a concern.

Are there any other games slated for release relatively soon that are supposed to be the next "Crysis" in terms of GPU demands?

I dont think big pascal will be here for a long time. But i dont think you should buy anything just yet. Just wait to see what fury is like and buy which ever is more awesome

 

[desprado]

If you just want Console experience than just go for GTX 750 Ti with I3 is enough on 1080p

 

[davel]

I had a gtx 680 2 GB, not SLI, so that might the difference there, but I could not wait anymore. Playing GTA 5 with single 2 GB VRAM I had to turn down most details to not get stuttering even on 1080p.

Now I got the 980 TI SC version, and it like night and day in terms of GTA 5, it so nice to be able to turn on every single setting to ultra/max, and not get one stutter or any sort of issue.

Also in other games that I was playing fine before, while I was able to enjoy them, now I can finally turn on AA and not really be picky, and just go for it. For example with BF4, and hardline I can now do 200% scale resolution and looks amazing.

I guess the next thing is to decide if I want to move to 1440p

 

[hawtdawg]

I'm fairly demanding. I've had dual 780's for 2 years now, and I run a 1440p 120hz monitor. the 780's haven't sufficed for a while now. I haven't bought the 980ti's yet, as I'm still waiting to see for sure what AMD brings to the table, but i'm not entirely convinced that we'll see Pascal next year, and if we do it will probably be lil pascal, and not necessarily a huge jump from big Maxwell.

 

[darckhart]

at this point, may as well see what AMD throws on the table.

but considering the prices and the games out, I'm more than likely going to hold on until the next round and pray nv gives kepler some driver love. of course by then, i'll have to move to skylake, ddr4, 4k monitors...

 

[RussianSensation]

If you just want Console experience than GTX 750 Ti with I3 is enough on 1080p

Wait, i7 3770K with 680 SLI is now only as good as an XB1/PS4?

Should we all adopt your upgrading strategy: 680/770 SLI -> 780 SLI -> 780Ti SLI -> 980 SLI, when are you ordering 980Ti SLI?

You know if the games he plays run well on his 680 SLI, maybe he can pick up dual 980Tis for less $ by Black Friday?

So people who are expecting big 14nm consumer GPUs in 2016, they are dreaming. It's a long ways off. Titan X/Fury is going to hold the fort for awhile yet.

I don't think anyone on our forum is.

Nov 7, 2013 -> GTX780 Ti SLI $1400
Sept 18, 2014 -> GTX970 SLI has similar or better performance for $660

You don't think 2 mid-range $400 Pascal cards will do the same to a $650 980Ti/Fiji XT? I do. NV didn't improve tessellation performance that much with Maxwell. I expect Pascal to improve this area, and 970/980 successors to have 8GB HBM2. Perhaps we will see 2nd generation hardware units in Pascal for handling VXGI.

Alternatively, if he runs into any game that cripples 680 SLI, he might be able to snatch better after-market cards. 980Ti reference is meh - it's too hot and loud once overclocked to 1.45Ghz. Imagine 2 of those in SLI. :awe:

 

[2is]

If you just want Console experience than just go for GTX 750 Ti with I3 is enough on 1080p

I have a PS4 for a console experience. And... Why? I already have SLI 680's and an i7. This is about upgrade options, not downgrade options.

Lots of good points in this thread though :thumbsup: certainly going to wait and see what AMD has to offer and if/how it will change the landscape and go from there.

 

[alcoholbob]

They are popping up on craigslist now though. Since Titan Xs are already down to $750 on craigslist this should be a good pickup around $480

 

[desprado]

Wait, i7 3770K with 680 SLI is now only as good as an XB1/PS4?

Should we all adopt your upgrading strategy: 680/770 SLI -> 780 SLI -> 780Ti SLI -> 980 SLI, when are you ordering 980Ti SLI?

You know if the games he plays run well on his 680 SLI, maybe he can pick up dual 980Tis for less $ by Black Friday?



I don't think anyone on our forum is.

Nov 7, 2013 -> GTX780 Ti SLI $1400
Sept 18, 2014 -> GTX970 SLI has similar or better performance for $660

You don't think 2 mid-range $400 Pascal cards will do the same to a $650 980Ti/Fiji XT? I do. NV didn't improve tessellation performance that much with Maxwell. I expect Pascal to improve this area, and 970/980 successors to have 8GB HBM2. Perhaps we will see 2nd generation hardware units in Pascal for handling VXGI.

Alternatively, if he runs into any game that cripples 680 SLI, he might be able to snatch better after-market cards. 980Ti reference is meh - it's too hot and loud once overclocked to 1.45Ghz. Imagine 2 of those in SLI. :awe:

It is all waste and tell me which game requires a GTX 980 or a R9 290X for a 1080p

Most of the games are 1:1 ports and more than 90% of users are stuck at 1080p resolution.

For 60fps gaming experience at 1080p a GTX 960, R9 285 or R9 280X is more than enough.

 

[Silverforce11]

Nov 7, 2013 -> GTX780 Ti SLI $1400
Sept 18, 2014 -> GTX970 SLI has similar or better performance for $660

You don't think 2 mid-range $400 Pascal cards will do the same to a $650 980Ti/Fiji XT? I do. NV didn't improve tessellation performance that much with Maxwell. I expect Pascal to improve this area, and 970/980 successors to have 8GB HBM2. Perhaps we will see 2nd generation hardware units in Pascal for handling VXGI.

Alternatively, if he runs into any game that cripples 680 SLI, he might be able to snatch better after-market cards. 980Ti reference is meh - it's too hot and loud once overclocked to 1.45Ghz. Imagine 2 of those in SLI. :awe:

1. 970 was priced very aggressive.
2. If Kepler wasn't neutered, SLI 780Ti > SLI 970.
3. The better normal comparison would be 980 SLI.
4. 14nm HBM2 is going to be cheap like 28nm? You dreaming. Expect mid-range Pascal to go for $500/800 instead of $330/600.
5. When do you think a 300-400mm2 Pascal with HBM2 will be launched? Q3 2016 is HBM2 ramping. Q4 would be building the GPU/HBM2 package.

I expect GM200/Fury will not be exceeded until 2017.