Two questions...

[Zachboy]

Hey everyone, just thought I might ask a couple of questions I got in my head....

Okay here they are:

- The first one; is it possible to Tri-SLI/Quad-SLI "dual core" graphics cards like the recent ones: GTX 590 and GTX690?
- And the second question is...well...now that the 600 series are out...is it still worth me investing in a good old stock GTX580 onto my computer which yet requires a dedicated gaming graphics card or should I go for the 680 sometime in the future?

Thanks in advance.^_^

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[Jaydip]

1.Quad SLI-Yes,Tri-nope,u must match a 590 with 590 and 690 with a 690
2.Depends on ur budget.but at this point 670 is a better value overall.

 

[3DVagabond]

If you mean more than 2 dual GPU cards, then no. 4x GPU total is the most.

 

[Zachboy]

1.Quad SLI-Yes,Tri-nope,u must match a 590 with 590 and 690 with a 690

...really? I heard that someone managed to SLI a GTX285 with a GTX580....I think it was to make that the GTX285 the "dedicated" physx graphics card while the GTX580 does the rest....

2.Depends on ur budget.but at this point 670 is a better value overall.

Well...as of today...the GTX580 sells for less than $500.....I'm not really keen on the 600 series as they're...a bit expensive.....not sure if they're worth extra money or not......and eventually the 500 series will be discontinued meaning I won't be able to get them ever again, either retail or not anymore.....or even online....though I prefer to buy retail....^_^

If you mean more than 2 dual GPU cards, then no. 4x GPU total is the most.

Um....are you saying that there's no possible way to stick in 3 or even 4 separate GTX690s or GTX580s together and either Tri-SLI or Quad-SLI them even if the motherboard supports that?

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[Jaydip]

...really? I heard that someone managed to SLI a GTX285 with a GTX580....I think it was to make that the GTX285 the "dedicated" physx graphics card while the GTX580 does the rest....
Well...as of today...the GTX580 sells for less than $500.....I'm not really keen on the 600 series as they're...a bit expensive.....not sure if they're worth extra money or not......and eventually the 500 series will be discontinued meaning I won't be able to get them ever again, either retail or not anymore.....or even online....though I prefer to buy retail....^_^


Um....are you saying that there's no possible way to stick in 3 or even 4 separate GTX690s or GTX580s together and either Tri-SLI or Quad-SLI them even if the motherboard supports that?

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U can do that,but that's not a tri sli setup.Its like a dedicated PPU.670 shouldn't be much expensive than a 580.

 

[Zachboy]

U can do that,but that's not a tri sli setup.Its like a dedicated PPU.670 shouldn't be much expensive than a 580.

...dedicated "PPU"...? What's that? ..is that what the GTX285 and the GTX580 setup is in that kind of SLI?

What do you mean it's not a "Tri-SLI" setup? There's 3 graphics cards...in this case three GTX690s...link them three together and you get Tri-SLI. or even Quad SLI - four GTX 690s together making a total of 8 GPUS woking together!! hahaha!^_^

Uh...the 670 cost around $600 mark....some are a lot less like around $560 and some a bit more around $640...I don't know if it's worth the "extra"....I know it's newer and such with all these interesting features not in the 500 series but are they gonna be worth it?

I was actually thinking of jumping straight to the GTX680...but just realised it cost around $800........[sigh] the only thing that's missing from my rig is a nice gaming graphics card....

Actually...I think I should put my rig specs down:

CPU - Intel Core 2 DUO E6750 @ 2.66GHz
GPU - [working on that...that's why I posted this thread...right now is using onbaord]
RAM - 4GB DDR2800 SDRAM
HDD - 120GB OS SATA Drive, 120GB Game SATA Drive and 160GB FRAPS SATA drive
MB - Intel DQ35JOE
OS - Microsoft Windows XP Professional x86 Edition and Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (Dual-boot)
SPU - Onboard

Well...I Hope that helps in posting your next reply.

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[MentalIlness]

First of all, your wanting to run a top end card with a E6750 Core 2 ?

You can run, 2 x 590's / 2 x 690's / 2 or 3 or 4 580's / 2 or 3 or 4 680's.

You cannot run a 690 and a 590. If you do, one card will "only" act as a physics card. So if the second card isnt like the other, it isn't SLI. You have a GPU for graphics and a GPU for physics.

PPU = Physics Processing Unit

690 = GPU
690 = GPU

680 - GPU
680 - GPU
680 - GPU
680 - GPU

690 = GPU
590 = PPU

680 = GPU
580 = PPU

And so forth. ONLY 2 DUAL GPU CARDS can be SLI'd. And to SLI anything else, the cards must be the same model, but can be different manufacturers.

Im sure this is how it is. Correct me if im wrong here guys.

 

[Zachboy]

First of all, your wanting to run a top end card with a E6750 Core 2 ?

Yeah - why not?:biggrin: Provided that I run games that are more GPU bound than CPU bound I should be good and to make sure the game(s) are GPU bound, I will max out all the graphics settings.^_^ On that note...I am guessing the Intel Core 2 DUO E6750 will bottleneck the 580, or does something else go first and then the CPU?

You can run, 2 x 590's / 2 x 690's / 2 or 3 or 4 580's / 2 or 3 or 4 680's.

...so...you can't go three or four 590s/690s together? Why not? If they're "SLI ready", wouldn't one assume it can do that?

You cannot run a 690 and a 590. If you do, one card will "only" act as a physics card. So if the second card isnt like the other, it isn't SLI. You have a GPU for graphics and a GPU for physics.

Uhhh...is that a good thing to have or not? To have one as the physics card? ..and if it only outcomes to that, can you choose which card to be the physics card?

PPU = Physics Processing Unit

Ah, I see. Thanks.

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[MentalIlness]

Yeah - why not?:biggrin: Provided that I run games that are more GPU bound then CPU bound I should be good. On that note...I am guessing the Intel Core 2 DUO E6750 will bottleneck the 580, or does something else go first and then the CPU?

It will run games yes. But will be "severely" bottlenecked.

...so...you can't go three or four 590s/690s together? Why not? If they're "SLI ready", wouldn't one assume it can do that?

No you cannot because a 590 and a 690 are already "DUAL GPU" cards. Can only run a max of "4 GPU's".

Uhhh...is that a good thing or a bad thing? To have one as the physics card? ..and if it only outcomes to that, can you choose which card to be the physics card?

It is a good thing if you want to offload the physics to another card. But that is a preference thing. And yes, you can choose what to use for the Physics card. Some people here use something like a 9800GTX for phyics which is several generations old.

Ah, I see. Thanks.

 

[MentalIlness]

Are these video cards something you have currently or are wanting to purchase ? If they are something your wanting to purchase, Id get a 670 or 2 of them, and upgrade CPU/Memory/Motherboard.

 

[Zachboy]

It will run games yes. But will be "severely" bottlenecked.

"Severely" by how much...? Does it matter if the games' GPU bound or not?

No you cannot because a 590 and a 690 are already "DUAL GPU" cards. Can only run a max of "4 GPU's".

..you can't have more than 4 GPUs?

It is a good thing if you want to offload the physics to another card. But that is a preference thing. And yes, you can choose what to use for the Physics card. Some people here use something like a 9800GTX for phyics which is several generations old.

...interesting....so then you have a dedicated PPU and a dedicated GPU? nice...just like getting AMD/ATI for pure graphics and leaving the CPU to do the physics....

Are these video cards something you have currently or are wanting to purchase ? If they are something your wanting to purchase, Id get a 670 or 2 of them, and upgrade CPU/Memory/Motherboard.

...I would....but due to the funds I got....it's either the 580 at $489 or something else.....or nothing at all...but "nothing" at all means this rig won't be game enough...............um, yes they're what I am wanting to buy.

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[MentalIlness]

"Severely" by how much...? Does it matter if the games' GPU bound or not?

Games like Starcraft 2...you probably choke. Games that are more GPU bound, of course you'll be able to max all details with a GTX 580, but it will still bottleneck the card.

..you can't have more than 4 GPUs?

Not to my knowledge. You can have "4" SINGLE GPU cards. Or you can have "2" DUAL GPU cards. Each setup would consist of "4 GPU's"

...interesting....so then you have a dedicated PPU and a dedicated GPU? nice...just like getting AMD/ATI for pure graphics and leaving the CPU to do the physics....

I suppose it works that way with AMD/ATI. But unless you care about physics, I wouldn't do it. Doesn't add "enough" to the game. Imo.

...I would....but due to the funds I got....it's either the 580 at $489 or something else.....or nothing at all...but "nothing" at all means this rig won't be game enough...............um, yes they're what I am wanting to buy.

Have you tried to overclock the E6750 ? It will make the 580 not choke as much, although there will still be some choking.

 

[Zachboy]

Games like Starcraft 2...you probably choke. Games that are more GPU bound, of course you'll be able to max all details with a GTX 580, but it will still bottleneck the card.

Eh...provided that it's better overall than my other build (exact same specs except that it's running only the 64-bit edition of XP and that it already has a graphics card - GTS250), I am happy.

Not to my knowledge. You can have "4" SINGLE GPU cards. Or you can have "2" DUAL GPU cards. Each setup would consist of "4 GPU's"

no? That's...interesting....has anyone here ever done three or four way TRI-SLI with dual core graphics cards here?

I suppose it works that way with AMD/ATI. But unless you care about physics, I wouldn't do it. Doesn't add "enough" to the game. Imo.

Aha....but the physics "would" be spread out amongst the GPUs if they were correctly placed and configured? So they take half load each of Physics if it was SLI and a third each of load if it was Tri-SLI and a quarter each if it was Quad-SLI?

Have you tried to overclock the E6750 ? It will make the 580 not choke as much, although there will still be some choking.

I would...but I think it's "locked"....it's on an Intel board....so I doubt I can OC it....otherwise I would've done it long before this thread started just to see if there was any difference.

Wait a minute...if the CPU is the bottleneck in all this, wouldn't the Intel Core 2 DUO E6750 "Choke" and not the 580? Because if the 580 is running perfectly fine, only the CPU needs to keep up somehow...and therefore the CPU would "Choke"...? Unless you mean the 580 has to...slow down a bit for the CPU to catch up?

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[Jaydip]

"Severely" by how much...? Does it matter if the games' GPU bound or not?

..you can't have more than 4 GPUs?

...interesting....so then you have a dedicated PPU and a dedicated GPU? nice...just like getting AMD/ATI for pure graphics and leaving the CPU to do the physics....

...I would....but due to the funds I got....it's either the 580 at $489 or something else.....or nothing at all...but "nothing" at all means this rig won't be game enough...............um, yes they're what I am wanting to buy.

1.The exact amount can only be seen during a gaming session.
2.U can on a hpc setup.
3.GPU is way more efficient at doing physics compared to CPU
4.What's the cost of a 670 at ur place?

 

[Zachboy]

1.The exact amount can only be seen during a gaming session.
2.U can on a hpc setup.
3.GPU is way more efficient at doing physics compared to CPU
4.What's the cost of a 670 at ur place?

Now I am confused about 4+ GPUs in custom built computers....one you're saying it IS possible and the other guy saying from what he knows it ISN'T possible....

Um, from this retailer, the cheapest is: http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/GCGTX670INNO3D/Default.aspx @ $529 retail (You can browse through the catalogue if you want to see if there are any better ones for price...)

One here from another shop, much cheaper??(Okay, I honestly didn't expect that...): http://www.netplus.com.au/product/VDGFGTX670-24/Gainward_GTX670_2Gb_DDR5_Geforce_GF_GTX_670_Nvidia_ @ $499 (Again, you can try browsing through if you see something better)

Another here: http://www.ple.com.au/ViewItem.aspx?InventoryItemID=609700&CategoryID=467 @ $499 again(Check if you see better one)

Err, from this one - I don't think the pricing is right....http://www.msy.com.au/default.jsp?category=20&page=2 But for the Inno3D brand GTX670 it's apparently $479...but the GT610 is $9999!?!?

And oohh.....this card sounds and looks interesting...MSI GTX 580 Twin Frozr III OC - 800Mhz - 1280MB DDR5 - 2xDL-DVI/1x Mini HDMI from http://www.navada.com.au/ - would this card still stand up?

Yeah...that's about all the retailers I can get to that sell those cards.

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[Jaydip]

Man at this point 580 isn't a good deal.Get a 670.Also as MI has pointed out ur processor will be a heavy bottleneck for either a 580 or a 670.

 

[MentalIlness]

Also as MI has pointed out ur processor will be a heavy bottleneck for either a 580 or a 670.

Like a watermelon being squeezed through a garden hose ?

The 580/670 will "not" be able to run its full potential due to the cpu slowing it down.

CMIW

 

[Don Karnage]

I've always wondered. Why only Quad SLI? Why not 5 way or 6 way?

 

[Jaydip]

Yup absolutely,I wouldn't pair a faster GPU with that processor.

 

[Jaydip]

I've always wondered. Why only Quad SLI? Why not 5 way or 6 way?

I think they have very few Dons in their target audience :biggrin:

 

[Smartazz]

Where is a 580 that much cheaper than a 670. I'd also high recommend a CPU upgrade.

 

[Denithor]

Ok, I think part of the problem is simply names.

The 590/690 are basically single card SLI setups. In other words, you have a single card with 2 GPUs on board.

There is a max of 4 GPUs in an SLI setup. All 2/3/4 must match. So you can run 2 GTX 580s or four GTX 670s in SLI. Or a pair of GTX 690s. But you cannot run a GTX 690 and a GTX 680 in SLI mode, it just doesn't work.

Now, that's not to say you can't run a GTX 690 (or two) for graphics along with a GTX 680/GTX 580/GTX 690/etc as a PPU just to handle PhysX. But this is seriously overkill. PhysX honestly doesn't slow down cards from like the GTX 280 level on much at all.

And all of this is kinda silly considering the rest of your rig. That 6750 is going to choke everything else badly. It's going to be like putting a fuel pump from an old Pinto into a Lamborghini and expecting to still get optimal performance.

Probably the highest card I would suggest for your CPU is a GTX 460 1GB (256-bit). Going much beyond that is simply going to be a waste of money as you don't have enough CPU to push it properly and you won't see any difference.

 

[pcm81]

Hey everyone, just thought I might ask a couple of questions I got in my head....

Okay here they are:

- The first one; is it possible to Tri-SLI/Quad-SLI "dual core" graphics cards like the recent ones: GTX 590 and GTX690?
- And the second question is...well...now that the 600 series are out...is it still worth me investing in a good old stock GTX580 onto my computer which yet requires a dedicated gaming graphics card or should I go for the 680 sometime in the future?

Thanks in advance.^_^

I would not buy 580 or 590 b/c they are old and power hungry architecture.

 

[Zachboy]

So I cannot go more than 4 GPUs per computer? So what happens if I stuck in 4 GTX590s or 690s and SLI them four together on a MB that can support Quad-SLI?

Hm...so don't bother getting a GTX580/670 and get a GTX460 instead? I'd upgrade the CPU if they still sold the LGA775 compatible processors....that are better than the current of course

I would not buy 580 or 590 b/c they are old and power hungry architecture.

They're not that old....2010....2 years...not that old....and I don't mind power consumption as I have a 850W PSU installed on that computer and I doubt a single card will break that barrier. ...though electricity bill is another question....I was actually expecting and hoping to stick in an "Enthusiast" graphics card in that build....

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[EliteRetard]

One person voted for a GTX 460, but I think a GTX 560 would be a fine option as well. I agree that a GTX 580 or GTX 670 would be overkill for the rest of the system.

I've also seen old GTX 480s for about $200 (similar performance to GTX 570), though they may not be available in your area and they do use a lot more power and produce more heat than any of the other cards here.

So GTX 460 GTX 560 under $150, or for $200 or less a GTX 480 is a decent buy. Id pick one of those for a better match to your system. Save the rest of the cash for a future PC upgrade (like an IVB i3 system). You might even be able to get a new faster CPU MOBO and RAM around $200 shopping the hot deals section.