SLI 580GTX or single 680GTX

[Patriote]

Hey guys!

It's been a while!

Well, I'm still alive and well! Anyways, So yeah, I've been using my Asus 580GTX DirectCuII since November 2011 and it's been kicking asses ever since. Any game I have thrown at it, it kicked it's ass. Now, as more (and new) games are released, I am starting to feel the need to upgrade. Plus, Crysis 3 is coming out and I'd like to be able to run it 1920x1200 all maxed out just like I did with Crysis 2. I averaged 35FPS with everything maxed out and my current set-up.

So my question is ... What would be a better (wiser) choice money/performance wise. Should I just go out and grab a second 580 GTX or sell it and grab myself a 680 GTX ? There is one thing tho... If I decide to go down the road of SLI (again), I will have to get rid of my Asus 580 GTX DirectCuII anyways since it's triple-slot and won't let me fit a second 580 GTX if I am correct as I have a PCI Sound card as well. So that's one thing to consider for the hassle if would be having to sell this one then find 2 'used' 580 GTX cards.

So, what are your 'experts' (mostly updated as I haven't kept track of whats HOT and whatnot recently) thoughts on this?

Thanks a lot guys!

**Specs in sig**

[turtletrax]

Hey! Good to see you my friend


These are always the troubles I find with SLi/Crossfire. Do I get another card, or get a new gen, then SLi that one later?

Based on the fact you would have to sell your one 580 and then get two more, I vote get a 680. That gives you the ability to keep your other slots free and have a pretty sweet card that is efficient, and gives you the option to SLi easily if you stick to dual slot. I have 680 SLi right now and run 2560x1600 and have no issues playing anything, and I don't bother OCing them at all. Only thing I see the 680 is weak at is CUDA and I have a 580 for anything I use that for.

Either way you go, I would keep your eyes peeled in shopbot.ca for good 580/680 deals and price match with Memoryexpress.com and get their Uber Pricebeat and get 25% of the difference. Sometimes you can get some pretty sweet deals.

Cant wait to see what you decide!

[great_big_abyss]

I second turtletrax. Sell your 580 (I think you could get $250 - $300 for it) and go buy a new GTX680. Your system will consume less power (than with even just one 580) and run cooler and quieter. What's more, at 1920x1200 you'll be able to run anygame to come in the forseeable future.

If you're going to go that route, allow me to recommend the Galaxy GTX680GC. The heatsink shroud is made of aluminum, and looks just fantastic. More importantly, they have great customer service and an RMA center here in NA. I personally have one of these cards, and yes, while I'm sending it away for an RMA (could happen with any manufacturer's card), the process was quick and pain-free, made even easier by the fact that we have a Galaxy rep here on the forums.

You may be able to find it for cheaper somewhere other than NCIX, though. I didn't check anywhere else.

[Masteroderus]

680gtx all the way. Much less power consumption means a lower cost of ownership over time.

[turtletrax]

Originally Posted by Masteroderus

680gtx all the way. Much less power consumption means a lower cost of ownership over time.

True dat :) Also you can find some in the $440-$460 range. If you sell your 580 for a decent price should bea cheap upgrade for what you get.

[Dzzope]

Wait and see..!!few months may make a HUGE difference and a single 680 isn't that much of a bump for what you'll be putting into it.

Question on sli'ing the 580's.
Can you not put the Asus in a lower slot so the size doesn't matter?
Use an after-market cooler?
Buy a decent 2 slot cooler that someone doesn't need as they are under water or even a dead card just for the cooler?

[Patriote]

Thank you all for your input! I will definitely go down the GTX 680 path! :) Does asking 250$ CAD for my Asus Geforce 580GTX DirectCUII sounds correct?

[turtletrax]

Originally Posted by Patriote

Thank you all for your input! I will definitely go down the GTX 680 path! :) Does asking 250$ CAD for my Asus Geforce 580GTX DirectCUII sounds correct?

I would say that is a fair price. Start there and see if it sells.


Another thing I would add to the GTX 680 from GTX 580 argument is I have seemed to notice a increase in PQ. I have the Dell U3011 and there seems to be an increase in sharpness somehow. Especially in Blu-Ray playback. Was a nice surprise.

[Squeetard]

I'd wait for the next gen. In fact that's what I am doing.

[Patriote]

Originally Posted by turtletrax

I would say that is a fair price. Start there and see if it sells.


Another thing I would add to the GTX 680 from GTX 580 argument is I have seemed to notice a increase in PQ. I have the Dell U3011 and there seems to be an increase in sharpness somehow. Especially in Blu-Ray playback. Was a nice surprise.

That's a good news I have a Bly-Ray burner and a Dell Ultrasharp