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SLI 580 or something else?

James J

James J

James J

Soldato
Joined
4 Dec 2002
Posts
14,520
Location
North Lincolnshire
I'm looking at going to 1440p res in the near future, but don't own an SLI capable motherboard so I'm liable for a pretty decent upgrade to do it. I'm also probably going to watercool which ever option I actually choose, adding even more expense to it lol.

My options as I see it:

- Buy another 3gb 580GTX, probably second hand to save some cash and buy a second hand SLI capable mobo
- Sell my 3gb 580GTX, buy 2x 6950 2gbs + xfire mobo and better psu
- Sell my 3gb 580GTX, buy a 6990 4gb and keep mobo but buy better psu

Out of those options, which do you guys view as the better of the lot?
 
Because I have a 600w OCZ psu, which isn't multi GPU capable. I need to upgrade my PSU with all of the options I've listed.
 
Ah oki, was just curious.

Personally I'd go for a new mobo and second 580.. though I'm probably a tad little biased.
 
I don't think anyone can say for sure what stock will be like at launch but if previous releases are anything to go by it could be in limited numbers.

I made a similar decision a few months back and got a great deal on a 6990 and have not looked back. Watercooling really brings out the best in the 6990 and negats it's biggest con, noise.
 
JeffyB said:
I don't think anyone can say for sure what stock will be like at launch but if previous releases are anything to go by it could be in limited numbers.

I made a similar decision a few months back and got a great deal on a 6990 and have not looked back. Watercooling really brings out the best in the 6990 and negats it's biggest con, noise.
Click to expand...

Aye, I've read and heard most other users saying exactly the same thing, which is why having another launch around the corner is not putting me off. It's highly likely I'd end up watercooling the 6990 and probably going xfire down the line adding in a 6970 or something after the launch of the new cards if I ever needed more grunt. We'll see though!
 
And the 6990 blocks are pretty epic as well :p
6990uv1.jpg
 
Mightycamels said:
Is that the only high end ATI card that is a single slot when watercooled?
Click to expand...

As far as i am aware the ek blocks are the same thickness, others like aquacomputer look to be thinner. The other thing to look for is the single pci bracket that truly makes the card single slot as i have not seen these for the 6950/70.

file1312.jpg
 
I recently upgraded my screen from 1200p to 1440p, and actually I've found that my single 1.5GB 580 is just fine for it. Granted I need to turn some of the options down a bit in BF3 (probably vram related for me), but it still maxes skyrim at native res and is smooth as glass.

So I think that you're missing a fourth option, to just stick with your exsiting card for a while until Southern Islands and Kepler arrive. At which point you'll be able to run a new card that's close to twice as fast as your existing one, but without having to change your motherboard or invest in water.
 
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