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Upgrade to 680 SLI specifically for BF3 - worth it?

Culinia

Culinia

Culinia

Associate
Joined
10 Jan 2010
Posts
662
I was thinking about upgrading to GTX 680 SLI and here's why...

Reason: to play Battlefield 3 at ultra detail with all options on high. Additional games also probably not demanding as BF3.

Why: for full visual enjoyment with the comfort of not stuttering/suffering low average minimum FPS.

Justification 1 (fun): my last proper summer holidays before I have to find employment and so will be maxing my games before I find work (graduating from Uni soon). Limited time so whilst I could wait for the big one, I don't think I would use it *as much* in terms of hours/week.

Justification 2 (money): I tend to keep my graphics cards for a relatively long time. My current GTX 295 in Quad SLI have been in here for 3 years now (I wouldn't probably personally go for quad again, not with my current experience). Paid £365*2 = £730 / 3 = £243 average per year. I am no means rich, but I make more than this in interest per year in my savings.

Question 1: Would this graphics update be unwarranted on my current system: i7 965 (although I realize now not worth the 'extreme edition'), 12GB RAM 1600MHz, 1250W power supply, 1920 * 1080 resolution?

Question 2: I also wanted to know whether or not it is worth going from the 2GB version to the 4GB version? As far as I know, it is the MSAA which takes up the most memory (is this correct?)

Question 3: Is there any specific brand I should consider. Out of the list, I was going to pick EVGA based on warranty and previous (good) motherboard experience (warranty & exchanges).

Questions 3: am I crazy to consider this?

For clarity, I did not intend to make this thread sound like a bragging thing if anyone interpreted it like this. I am simply listing my legitimate concerns and asking for advice.

Many thanks.
 
I'm thinking the same mate, but having second thoughts. My 2 580's run BF3 maxed out at 1920x1080 flawlessly so maybe think about a couple of them instead?
 
Culinia said:
£243 average per year. I am no means rich, but I make more than this in interest per year in my savings.
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You sound like a millionaire, lol. I maxed out a cash isa with lloyds tsb a couple of years back, 5k I think? don't remember. Anyway, I got £18 interest.

Shut the stupid thing down after that.

Oh, I'm looking at getting a pair too, lol.
 
@ Rossdh

Maybe -- but I think I was reading somewhere that BF3 uses something like ~1650MB memory? If that's true, I don't think it's worth the extra cost of going for the 3GB version, only spend a bit more for a 680 with 2GB if you see. Have to look into this more.

@ OptimaLnrg

Far from it lol...Search around for best interest rates, that's all I can say...

From your sig:
|Phantom 3gb 580 (please take it away -_-) @ stock|

LOL, is that a sign for me to get the 680 instead
 
Culinia said:
@ Rossdh

Maybe -- but I think I was reading somewhere that BF3 uses something like ~1650MB memory? If that's true, I don't think it's worth the extra cost of going for the 3GB version, only spend a bit more for a 680 with 2GB if you see. Have to look into this more.
Click to expand...

True, mine max out at around 1650Mb. That being said I gave BF3 a blast using one card and maxed out settings at 1920x1080 and got a pretty solid 60FPS :)
 
You say to play BF3 but other up coming titles are at least as demanding.
For example Nexuiz.

The beta is more demanding then BF3 is.
I can play BF3 on ultra above 60fps (apart from the odd v-ram stutter so I have had to drop settings a little).

I cant play Nexuiz beta maxed out above 45fps.
 
bobert50 said:
Could i ask if this is with 4xAA please? or no AA?
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From what mine runs at, with.
There's absolutely no reason to get two for the purpose of the OP.
It's a case of get one and see, but I have a feeling he'll get two regardless of what we say.

Also thinking that buying multi-gpu now and making it last 3 years instead of buying a second gpu years later for cheaper when you need it = saving money, no, that isn't true.
 
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One 2gb 680 does bf3 maxed ultra settings no problem, if I were you I'd just get the one 680 and spend the money you'd have used for a second on a z68-z77 mobo, sandy or ivy processor, good after market cooler and apply a hefty overclock.
Oops, sorry just saw you have the extreme 17 so don't know if you'd gain by going sandy or ivy, maybe some will advise on that, if not then yeah, why not 2 680's you don't really need two but it would be a good investment if you ever upped your resolution, went multi monitor or 3D vision.
 
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spankingtexan said:
One 2gb 680 does bf3 maxed ultra settings no problem(...) why not 2 680's you don't really need two but it would be a good investment if you ever upped your resolution, went multi monitor or 3D vision.
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-=Vect0r=- said:
At your stated res of 1920x1080 I would have thought a single 680 would be more than capable of maxing BF3
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scooby555t said:
it is
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Rusty0611 said:
It does max it with minimum frames around 50-60. Average 80-90.
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'Minimum frames of around 50-60' scare me. For me personally, that means the graphics card is at or near full capacity so I personally wouldn't describe it as "more than"
I know there are debates surrounding whether or not 60+FPS is worthwhile or even if the human vision can see past it blah blah blah, let's not go into the detail. The fact is I am one who subscribes to trying to maintain 60+FPS...

ChrisJSY said:
but I have a feeling he'll get two regardless of what we say.

Also thinking that buying multi-gpu now and making it last 3 years instead of buying a second gpu years later for cheaper when you need it = saving money, no, that isn't true.
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Well actually, due to Rusty0611 saying it does around minimum 50-60 FPS, I am more inclined to go for 2 of them :D That is not to say I haven't taken everything what you guys say. I appreciate it.

I'm not sure what you mean on the last comment? So are you saying you think it is not worth buying two now and buy one now and later pair them up when the second one is cheaper? Or do you mean it is not true to do that?

spankingtexan said:
Oops, sorry just saw you have the extreme 17 so don't know if you'd gain by going sandy or ivy, maybe some will advise on that...
Click to expand...

Current overclock is at 3.6GHz. When I tried to push more than 3.8GHz the temperatures rapidly rise to 90 degrees (even with a aftermarket cooler) which is why I have not tried to push further.

But hopefully with these two hot 295s out (high 88-92 degrees load) I shall be able to push the over clock further.

Hopefully this should be adequate to prevent partial system upgrade.
 
Culinia said:
'
Well actually, due to Rusty0611 saying it does around minimum 50-60 FPS, I am more inclined to go for 2 of them :D That is not to say I haven't taken everything what you guys say. I appreciate it.

I'm not sure what you mean on the last comment? So are you saying you think it is not worth buying two now and buy one now and later pair them up when the second one is cheaper? Or do you mean it is not true to do that?
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Minimum 50-60, MINIMUM, this is talking about sudden spikes in maybe, I don't know, stacks of c4 and a plane crashing into your nose, for the most part average is going to be higher, and max more so obviously. I think you're crazy for being worried about that :p

Also, yeah I meant get one now and if you need another down the line, it'll be cheaper for when you need it.
 
What resolution are you running at?

A single GTX680 will run all ultra on 1920x1200 without issue, full msaa.

If you are running at a higher resolution, something like 2560x1440, then sli 680 will be needed to be able to run on ultra with 60fps.

A single card will do you if you are keeping at a relatively low res.

Coming from someone who was on a 24" with a single 680, then moved onto a 27" 2560x1440, but had to buy a second 680 to be able to get the full performance I wanted in that res.
 
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