SLI GTX 770 vs. GTX 690?

[swchoi89]

Hi guys,

Sorry I feel like I've been posting way too many questions. My GTX 780 isn't giving me the performance I expected...

So, I wanted to buy a GTX 690, but it's almost impossible to find a used one in Toronto Canada. So I am deciding to go with 2 x GTX 770 hence the drop in price for those. What do you guys think? Should it beat GTX 690?

I use NZXT Phantom case with like 6 fans on it so I don't think heat would be an issue. I also use 800W PSU.

Any opinion/suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bystander36]

What is the rest of your system and what resolution do you use?

What performance are you wanting?

You may find that 770's will give you no better performance, depending on the rest of your system.

 

[MrK6]

What resolution are you playing at and what is your GTX 780 not doing that you're hoping another setup will? Also, what's the make and model of your PSU?

That said, GTX 770's would be the way to go, especially considering the recent price drops. I would get some with great coolers and games: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130919 (or blower designs if you case airflow is low). The GTX 690 is really past its prime and its price doesn't reflect it yet.

 

[swchoi89]

What is the rest of your system and what resolution do you use?

What performance are you wanting?

You may find that 770's will give you no better performance, depending on the rest of your system.

i5-4670K @ 4.2Ghz
NZXT Phantom Full Tower
Fractal Design 800W PSU
UD3H Gigabyte MB
8GB RAM Ripjaw G.Skill
SSD 240GB by Samsung 840
S23A700D 120Hz Monitor (23" monitor, 1920x1080)

Currently GTX 780
Looking for GTX 690 or GTX 770 SLI set up

I want to be able to go over 60FPS since my monitor can support up to 120 FPS with v-sync on. Hope this is sufficient information.

 

[blackened23]

GTX 780 doesn't perform enough for you? Do what now? That doesn't make sense.....Anyway, In the US, the GTX 690 still has a 1000$ MSRP. The 770 is 330$ minimum, although it can be higher for aftermarket designs. To me this is a no brainer - 770 SLI is both faster and significantly cheaper. Get 770 SLI, no question. But your first statement about the 780 makes little sense to me.

 

[Face2Face]

Hi guys,
My GTX 780 isn't giving me the performance I expected...

Have you tried overclocking the card? Keep in mind SLI/CFX doesn't work in every game and scaling can vary quite a bit.

 

[swchoi89]

Have you tried overclocking the card? Keep in mind SLI/CFX doesn't work in every game and scaling can vary quite a bit.

Yes, I used the eVGA precision X to overclock it. From 863Mhz base, to 980 Mhz. I don't feel any difference whatsoever.

 

[bystander36]

i5-4670K @ 4.2Ghz
NZXT Phantom Full Tower
Fractal Design 800W PSU
UD3H Gigabyte MB
8GB RAM Ripjaw G.Skill
SSD 240GB by Samsung 840
S23A700D 120Hz Monitor (23" monitor, 1920x1080)

Currently GTX 780
Looking for GTX 690 or GTX 770 SLI set up

I want to be able to go over 60FPS since my monitor can support up to 120 FPS with v-sync on. Hope this is sufficient information.

If you want to game at high FPS, you will have to turn down settings on any GPU's, but yes, 770 SLI will be more capable of those FPS.

You also have to realize that to get 120 FPS in many games is just not possible due to CPU limitations.

 

[swchoi89]

GTX 780 doesn't perform enough for you? Do what now? That doesn't make sense.....Anyway, In the US, the GTX 690 still has a 1000$ MSRP. The 770 is 330$ minimum, although it can be higher for aftermarket designs. To me this is a no brainer - 770 SLI is both faster and significantly cheaper. Get 770 SLI, no question. But your first statement about the 780 makes little sense to me.

I may have made a wrong impression here. I downgraded from Radeon 7990. That's why I am wanting to go GTX 770 SLI to get back on par but this time, with GeForce cards.

 

[bystander36]

I may have made a wrong impression here. I downgraded from Radeon 7990. That's why I am wanting to go GTX 770 SLI to get back on par but this time, with GeForce cards.

You wouldn't happen to be interested in 3D Vision as well, given the 120hz monitor and move to Nvidia. I personally made the switch from AMD to Nvidia for that, and love it.

Anyways, the Gtx 770 SLI or 690 would be the closest to what you had. You may also want to go 770 4Gb SLI. With BF4 liking more VRAM, you may want to be prepared for future next gen console ports. I doubt most will need more than 2Gb at your resolution, but we aren't sure yet.

 

[swchoi89]

You wouldn't happen to be interested in 3D Vision as well, given the 120hz monitor and move to Nvidia. I personally made the switch from AMD to Nvidia for that, and love it.

Anyways, the Gtx 770 SLI or 690 would be the closest to what you had. You may also want to go 770 4Gb SLI. With BF4 liking more VRAM, you may want to be prepared for future next gen console ports. I doubt most will need more than 2Gb at your resolution, but we aren't sure yet.

4GB as in... 4 GB version for each card?

 

[bystander36]

4GB as in... 4 GB version for each card?

Yes.

Though this is more of an assurance plan, than a requirement. BF4 beta has been reporting stuttering on cards with less than 3Gb of vram. Though it is possible that may be fixed, but it is also possible that the new console generation unified memory is going to bring about higher vram usage.

 

[BrightCandle]

The 2x770( or 2x 680 or 690) is definitely quicker than a 780 in almost all circumstances. It does occasionally not work as expected due to profiles and sli scaling issues but by and large just works.

The problem is really that 120/144 hz is really hard to get at in a lot of games. I find I am CPU limited in a lot of cases and its not uncommon to find games topping out in the 60-90 fps range. Some games however work great and you need sli to get up to the higher frame rates at high settings. But you should find the 780 at lowered settings a notch will get you to the same frame rates.

You seem to be doing a lot of side grading and jumping about in the same generation. Its far from economic to do this especially considering what is likely coming in 6-9 months with 20nm. Its the end of the 28nm process, now is just a bad time to invest new cards (or old ones like the 680/690).

 

[swchoi89]

Yes.

Though this is more of an assurance plan, than a requirement. BF4 beta has been reporting stuttering on cards with less than 3Gb of vram. Though it is possible that may be fixed, but it is also possible that the new console generation unified memory is going to bring about higher vram usage.

Now I'm worried. I was planning to buy BF4... hmm I'll have to reconsider this option then.

 

[swchoi89]

The 2x770( or 2x 680 or 690) is definitely quicker than a 780 in almost all circumstances. It does occasionally not work as expected due to profiles and sli scaling issues but by and large just works.

The problem is really that 120/144 he is really hard to get at in a lot of games. I find I am CPU limited in a lot of cases and its not uncommon to find games topping out in the 60-90 fps range. Some games however work great and you need sli to get up to the higher frame rates at high settings. But you should find the 780 at lowered settings a notch will get you to the same frame rates.

You seem to be doing a lot of side grading and jumping about in the same generation. Its far from economic to do this especially considering what is likely coming in 6-9 months with 20nm. Its the end of the 28nm process, now is just a bad time to invest new cards (or old ones like the 680/690).

I change my build very frequently so I'm not too concerned but yes, I get what you are trying to say. I know I won't get 120FPS on all games even with the 4970X maybe... but I'm trying to see if I should invest in the SLI card vs. GTX 690. I can find various people who are willing to sell GTX 690 for cheaper than the retail.

 

[bystander36]

Now I'm worried. I was planning to buy BF4... hmm I'll have to reconsider this option then.

Just get 770 4Gb editions to be safe. It will still be cheaper than a 690.

 

[swchoi89]

Just get 770 4Gb editions to be safe. It will still be cheaper than a 690.

Alrighty then. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[Techhog]

So, why is buying a second 780 not an option? Just curious.

 

[BrightCandle]

Given you have so much money to constantly throw at the problem I would concur that getting a second 780 seems like a better option.

 

[Majcric]

I also recommend getting a second GTX 780, especially with the very recent price drop.

 

[toyota]

you are never going to maintain 120 fps vsynced in all games with that cpu or any current cpu for that matter.

 

[Techhog]

you are never going to maintain 120 fps vsynced in all games with that cpu or any current cpu for that matter.

Yeah, this. Really, your best choice based on your desires is to keep what you have and save up for a top-tier liquid-cooled Haswell-E system next year. Even then you'd probably still be CPU bottlenecked at 1080p.