Should I get 2x GTX680 4GB, or 1 GTX680 and upgrade CPU?

[ParseMeHard]

Hey guys, current system:

AMD FX-8150 @ 5Ghz
16GB DDR3 1866 GSKILL Sniper
3xGTX260
AX1200i PSU
H100i

I had 2xGTX680's (the 2GB versions) and I returned them, planning on getting back 2xGTX680's in the 4GB version, but I know this CPU is holding me back...

So I guess, my question is:

Do I pickup the 2 GTX680's

Or

Pickup 1 GTX680 and a 3770k + Mobo

They equal up the the same price.

I do run Surround (3x 23.6" LCDs, 1920x1080)

 

[3DVagabond]

Because of your resolution I'd go with the dual 680's. With your CPU @ 5.0 GHz I believe you'll still be GPU limited unless you opt for low IQ settings.

 

[ParseMeHard]

Because of your resolution I'd go with the dual 680's. With your CPU @ 5.0 GHz I believe you'll still be GPU limited unless you opt for low IQ settings.

Thing about that, is so far I have found, there are few games that really work with Surround. Crysis 2 and Borderlands 2 seem to work the best. I'm not sold on the whole Surround thing anyways. It's cool, but even brand new games such as Dishonored wont work with it.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

You will be CPU limited with 680 sli. Get a 3770k or 3930k based on your budget.

 

[ParseMeHard]

What is the biggest difference between 2011 and 1155 with Ivy Bridge? Just memory limitations?

 

[Grooveriding]

For surround the dual 680s with your current CPU will be much faster than a new CPU with a single 680. But, you seem to be having second thoughts on surround.

You should decide on that first. If you're just going to end up going one 1080P monitor, a single 680 and the Intel CPU would be a better a choice. LGA2011 / 39XX CPU is only going to be better than an Ivy in a few games; Battlefield 3 multiplayer, possibly Crysis 3 going on the alpha CPU benchmarks. Other than those and a few other titles you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two apart from the price.

 

[moonbogg]

Would it be possible to get two 670 4gb versions to save some money, sell your AMD and have enough to get a sandy/ivy?

 

[brandon888]

Would it be possible to get two 670 4gb versions to save some money, sell your AMD and have enough to get a sandy/ivy?

+111111111111111

great! save 200$ and get sandy or ivy

 

[3DVagabond]

+111111111111111

great! save 200$ and get sandy or ivy

For $200?

 

[ParseMeHard]

For surround the dual 680s with your current CPU will be much faster than a new CPU with a single 680. But, you seem to be having second thoughts on surround.

You should decide on that first. If you're just going to end up going one 1080P monitor, a single 680 and the Intel CPU would be a better a choice. LGA2011 / 39XX CPU is only going to be better than an Ivy in a few games; Battlefield 3 multiplayer, possibly Crysis 3 going on the alpha CPU benchmarks. Other than those and a few other titles you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two apart from the price.

Well, I already have the monitiors. And I like Surround, but like I said, the current games that "Get it right" IMO, are few and far between. But I would imagine all the new games will start supporting Surround/Eyefinity.

Would it be possible to get two 670 4gb versions to save some money, sell your AMD and have enough to get a sandy/ivy?

Wow... I actually had no idea the 670's where THAT much cheaper... I was thinking going towards the 3970k, but Haswell is only ~4/5 months away. I could always wait for for the R3 Chips (or whatever it will be) and pick those up when they come out. I can ride out the 6 months. I think I may pick up two 670's TBH, and pocket the rest.

+111111111111111

great! save 200$ and get sandy or ivy

Yeah. I would imagine I could OC the GTX670's to about the speed of a 680. When I had 2x 680 SOC's, the overclock performance I managed to squeeze out was very minimal.

 

[joshhedge]

Well, I already have the monitiors. And I like Surround, but like I said, the current games that "Get it right" IMO, are few and far between. But I would imagine all the new games will start supporting Surround/Eyefinity.



Wow... I actually had no idea the 670's where THAT much cheaper... I was thinking going towards the 3970k, but Haswell is only ~4/5 months away. I could always wait for for the R3 Chips (or whatever it will be) and pick those up when they come out. I can ride out the 6 months. I think I may pick up two 670's TBH, and pocket the rest.



Yeah. I would imagine I could OC the GTX670's to about the speed of a 680. When I had 2x 680 SOC's, the overclock performance I managed to squeeze out was very minimal.

Get the 670s based on the 680 reference design.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

IIRC the EVGA 670 FTW's shared the same PCB as the 680 reference cards. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[joshhedge]

IIRC the EVGA 670 FTW's shared the same PCB as the 680 reference cards. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Yep you're right, along side the Asus TOP that I know of.

 

[MentalIlness]

:thumbsup:

 

[ParseMeHard]

Ah. Well I'll pick up those as soon as I get my refund from Newegg then!

 

[moonbogg]

Ah. Well I'll pick up those as soon as I get my refund from Newegg then!

Sweet. Yeah man, the second the 670 was released the 680 became a bad choice, period.