Should I add a third GTX 580 (1.5)? 2 in SLI is amazing, but..,

[Silverforce11]

But seriously.... who wouldn't want 2 590's???!!

I don't.

All that power use and heat will annoy me more than seeing the dubious benefits at 1080p: 200 fps vs 300 fps.

And if you were to game on 3 monitors, you need more vram than reference 590s, so quad sli 1.5gb vram cards is an utter failure by all measure. It's a good thing they released 3gb versions.

 

[Throckmorton]

Doesn't that mean 3 frames render-ahead? That's quite a bit of input lag unless framerates are very high.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Sounds like you have MAJOR input lag somewhere

 

[TheUnk]

Instead of getting another card I think you should get rid of one. Multi Gpu is for people who want to trade smooth frame rates for higher frame rates. That single 580 is more than adequate at 1080p. Why on earth you want to trade a smooth frame rate for one with higher numbers is beyond me.

In my experience with SLI that is absolutely not the case at all.

 

[lavaheadache]

In my experience with SLI that is absolutely not the case at all.

I was referring to microstutter. Some see it, some don't... Truth is, it's always there with AFR.

 

[Grooveriding]

But seriously.... who wouldn't want 2 590's???!!

I would take 3 580s over 2 590s any day, time or week. If the choice were between 2 590s and 2 580s, I'd take the 590s, sell them, and get 3 580s

 

[AdamK47]

I was referring to microstutter. Some see it, some don't... Truth is, it's always there with AFR.

I've seen the problem far worse with ATI than with nVidia. I've played many many games with SLI. I can play through the majority of my games where I will never see it the entire time I'm playing. I typically see it if the framerate drops slightly below 60, but not always. With ATI, even if I can maintain 60 FPS with vsync enabled, I can see it.

You make it seem like it's a huge problem. When overall it isn't.

 

[Grooveriding]

I've seen the problem far worse with ATI than with nVidia. I've played many many games with SLI. I can play through the majority of my games where I will never see it the entire time I'm playing. I typically see it if the framerate drops slightly below 60, but not always. With ATI, even if I can maintain 60 FPS with vsync enabled, I can see it.

You make it seem like it's a huge problem. When overall it isn't.

I can't say I saw the difference you did with my 5870s and now my 480s. I find microstutter to be highly dependent on the game/engine that you are playing.

Some games seem immune to the effect while in others it's hard to miss. Biggest microstutter suspects in my experience are Crysis/Warhead, Source engine games and BF3.

 

[lavaheadache]

The fact that it is noticed at all is a problem.

What is the point to multi gpu?

A. to increase frame rate
B. to make settings previously unplayable, playable
C. e-Peen

Yes, Frame rate is increased, when stars are aligned and everything is working properly. This does allow the user to increase settings and what not and you do infact have a larger e-peen as soon as you edit your sig to include dual gpu.

The problem is that you need a higher frame rate threshold with Multi Gpu to maintain the illusion of fluid frame rates. This is fact and proven everywhere and repeatable on every rig and multigpu setup.

I make it a big deal because it is a major caveat to some people even if they aren't aware of the phenomenom. I'm only trying to be a messanger and spread the word to peeps before making expensive gpu upgrades.

I notice microstutter probably more so than the average person. Be glad it doesn't bother. I would love to have a 580 sli setup for my U3011 and 3d monitor. It would really help me out but my eyes don't cooperate and see the jittery frame rate with Multigpu.

I have had

480 sli
5870 crossfire
4870 trifire
8800 GT sli
7800 GT sli
6600 GT sli

I think I know what I'm talking about. Anyhow, I most likely will have next gen sli at somepoint just to see if the guys over in Santa Clara care about people like me. =)

 

[Grooveriding]

I sort of see where you are coming from, but only in a few titles on very extreme settings. If my cards are not pushing at least 50FPS+ then it becomes very stuttery and this I attribute to microstutter.

You need to overpower and smash framerate issues in the face with multi-gpu to get the right experience I always try games on a single card with SLI disabled and then with it on. In games where a single card is nowhere near enough for 2560x1600, for me, the experience is far superior using multi-gpu and getting playable frames vs getting a slideshow at 25-30fps.

 

[jacktesterson]

haha.. if your waiting for encouragement?

Encouragement, yes!

Seriously, Your not going to see any benefit at all. Even at 2560x1600, your setup now is great.

I had a U2711 (2560x1440) for a while (my eyesight was too bad for it, I didn't like it) and I was powering it with 2 x 560 Ti's just fine for any game I threw at it.

 

[mattdallastx]

I asked for opinions and I got a bunch. Most of which were about my bad display to gpu ratio, and not about past experience with tripple card sli setup. Thank you everyone for the imput. If i choose to add the third card. I'll post links to some pics.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I sort of see where you are coming from, but only in a few titles on very extreme settings. If my cards are not pushing at least 50FPS+ then it becomes very stuttery and this I attribute to microstutter.

You need to overpower and smash framerate issues in the face with multi-gpu to get the right experience I always try games on a single card with SLI disabled and then with it on. In games where a single card is nowhere near enough for 2560x1600, for me, the experience is far superior using multi-gpu and getting playable frames vs getting a slideshow at 25-30fps.

He has the 1.5GB versions though, the amount of power wasted is over the top.

 

[lavaheadache]

I asked for opinions and I got a bunch. Most of which were about my bad display to gpu ratio, and not about past experience with tripple card sli setup. Thank you everyone for the imput. If i choose to add the third card. I'll post links to some pics.

I have had Triple crossfire...

Performance was good but then again I was on a 2560x1600 diplay and could use the extra horsepower.

I didn't notice any additional input lag