460 SLi to 560 Ti SLi - worth it?

[jarvis82]

Morning all,

My system is as per my sig, and although I can still play the latest games at high settings, its 18 months since I built it. I can't afford to do a CPU upgrade at present, since it would obviously necessitate mobo/RAM upgrade.

So for the time being, I thought I'd replace the GTX 460s with a couple of 560 Ti cards, since they remain the darling of the mid range, and the prices seem very attractive at the moment.

Is this a worthwhile upgrade though? The i7 930 still seems to hack it, but am I approaching CPU bottle necking, or do I have no worries on that front?

In terms of the 560 Ti - I was dead set on the Gainward Phantom, as a quiet system would be what I'd appreciate most (the 460s really whine in GPU intensive games), but this is out I think as due to the massive heatsink the bottom card would sit flush with my PSU (if it would fit at all), which can't be a good thing.

Anyone offer any knowledge on the next quietest card? Although frankly given that some 560 Ti cards are now available for as little as £150, maybe I'd end up going cheap rather than worrying about he noise.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[sandyle]

I was looking at this upgrade too but I think I'm just going to hold fire for keplar now.

 

[DamoTourettes]

Wait for Kepler - the GK104 (560 counterpart) will blow the socks off a GTX 580 and is apparently going to come in at the ~$300 mark. Belter.

 

[iBSOD]

Have you not overclocked your processor? Are you crazy?

 

[jarvis82]

Have you not overclocked your processor? Are you crazy?

Hehe, I was waiting for that comment. Yeah, I know I'm hardly getting the best that my CPU can offer at present. Just never done overclocking - should really do a bit of research and get on it!

 

[iBSOD]

Hehe, I was waiting for that comment. Yeah, I know I'm hardly getting the best that my CPU can offer at present. Just never done overclocking - should really do a bit of research and get on it!

And don't you dare use any auto OC program!

 

[coughs]

Wait for Kepler - the GK104 (560 counterpart) will blow the socks off a GTX 580 and is apparently going to come in at the ~$300 mark. Belter.

I don't understand are you saying the mid range from Kepler which will probably be called GTX660 will match a 580 (High-end) performance?

 

[Havana_UK]

I don't understand are you saying the mid range from Kepler which will probably be called GTX660 will match a 580 (High-end) performance?

Yes, that's what he's saying.

 

[coughs]

Yes, that's what he's saying.

Thanks for confirming this and is it true what he is saying? xD
when should it come out?

 

[sandyle]

Date TBC but realisitcally expected around the start of Q2 this year

 

[Havana_UK]

Thanks for confirming this and is it true what he is saying? xD
when should it come out?

The one million dollar question!

It's probable, based on the history that this is pretty much the gain that has been achieved with each "tock" architecural update. Also, if the rumours circulating at the moment are true then this could very well end up being the case.

As to when it should come out....I think nVidia are making some sort of announcement (widely believed to be related to the GK104) on Friday 17th. We'll probably get something fairly reliable then, but so far the rumour has been any time between late Feb and April for the first cards.