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GTX 670/680 2GB/4GB - 3 Monitor setup

ed79 said:
Oh and this is surely wrong...


2560by1600 is 4,096,000 pixels,
5760x1080 is 6,220,800 pixels, so about 51% more pixels to calculate and draw.


"add them together" LOL
Click to expand...

Look over it again, all the maths is atleast vaguely correct by my reckoning :)

GoogalyMoogaly said:
Now this is interesting...

I'm in the same boat as the OP.

The thing is if I go 680s I'd get 2 4GB versions. If I went 670s I'd get 3 2GB version (as there are a limited amount of manufacturers making 4GB cards). So with the 680s I'd not need the 4GB VRAM but with the 670s I would.

Why wont people hurry up and make 4GB 670s with decent coolers! (I'm not patient enough to wait. I think I'm doing well by waiting until the 18th for the 4GB KFA2s!)

Also, for Tri-SLI, would Windforce (or similar) cooler be best or are you better off with reference cooler to exhaust heat? (Although I do risk Scougar not speaking to me if I get reference coolers).

Hopefully I've kept this relevant and not hijacked the thread.
Click to expand...

What you need to consider is that the only time you need 4gb is when you go tri SLI 670 or tri/quad SLI 680 or 690+680 or 690 quad fire.

Other than that, 2gb will be enough as the further 2gb will not be used due to te lack of GPU power.

Have you considered watercooling?

Otherwise, I'd get reference cards unless your case has really good airflow.

EVGA currently have the only 4gb 670s
 
*sigh*

after some mental wrestling while watching james bond tommorow never dies on tv....

i've decided to go for the giga windforce 670 2gb

+ a 60gb ocz ssd sata 3 for my windows 7

This should card should last me some time right? GIMME ASSURANCE LOL maybe few months down the line i'll sli to max my 120hz monitor out

the main games i'll probably play will be gw2 and diablo 3 as well as few upcoming sp games...aliens colonial marines, bioshock inf etc
 
Cleeecooo said:
Look over it again, all the maths is atleast vaguely correct by my reckoning :)



What you need to consider is that the only time you need 4gb is when you go tri SLI 670 or tri/quad SLI 680 or 690+680 or 690 quad fire.

Other than that, 2gb will be enough as the further 2gb will not be used due to te lack of GPU power.

Have you considered watercooling?

Otherwise, I'd get reference cards unless your case has really good airflow.

EVGA currently have the only 4gb 670s
Click to expand...

But that's the thing, 3 x 670s IS Tri-SLI, but most 670s are only 2GBs.

I'm just thinking if I get 2 4GB 680s, it'll be easier to add a 3rd down the line than if I get 3 x 670s and then later on decide I need to up each card from 2GB to 4GB.

And 2 x 2GB 680s seems like the worst of both worlds...

I did consider watercooling but that would add a massive expense. don't have the rad space in my current case, so would need an external rad, say a 1080 rad. With fans and a stand I think that'd come to over £200, now add in the 3 blocks and we're closing in on £500? The to get through 3 blocks and a cpu plus a 1080 rad I think you'd need at least 2 pumps in series? and a top and a res. So I'd say it'd add an additional £650-700 to do it right?

My case is a HAF 932. I was wondering if reversing the side fan to be an exhaust might help keep the cards (and case) cool. But then I'd have massive negative pressure, so might have to reverse the top fan too (but having a top fan blowing down just seems wrong to me)?

Anyway, don't want to derail the thread with my situation. Back to the OP's situation, is a single 670 gonna be powerful enough for 3 monitors?
 
GFXZombie said:
Wut!? Have i read this wrong or is it possible to Tri-XFire a 690 with a 680...? =O
Click to expand...

You can , except it's tri SLI :p

Googaly:

Firstly, chances are, you will choose to go for a new more powerful card instead of tri SLI 670, that's what I'd do anyway. If you will be going tri SLI, ten yes, 4gb cards are the best option, but IMHO, it's better to go for a new set f cards instea of tri SLI, this all depends on proces ofcourse.

A 1080mm rad?! Completely overkill!!!!!

A 480 would suffice.

Expenses:
480 rad: £100
Blocks: £200 ish
Pump: £100 (only one D5 needed)
Fans: £60
Controller: £40
Fittings: £30
Tubing: £10

Total is £500ish, that's just rough ofcourse.

As for a single 670 for three monitors; not going to happen at high settings on most modern games.
 
Cleeecooo said:
You can , except it's tri SLI :p

Googaly:

Firstly, chances are, you will choose to go for a new more powerful card instead of tri SLI 670, that's what I'd do anyway. If you will be going tri SLI, ten yes, 4gb cards are the best option, but IMHO, it's better to go for a new set f cards instea of tri SLI, this all depends on proces ofcourse.

A 1080mm rad?! Completely overkill!!!!!

A 480 would suffice.

Expenses:
480 rad: £100
Blocks: £200 ish
Pump: £100 (only one D5 needed)
Fans: £60
Controller: £40
Fittings: £30
Tubing: £10

Total is £500ish, that's just rough ofcourse.

As for a single 670 for three monitors; not going to happen at high settings on most modern games.
Click to expand...

a 480 rad for 3 graphics cards, cpu and mobo chipset?
Also, I'd have to buy some sort of stand for it if it's mounted externally (which a 480 would have to be).

But I take your point that 3 2GB card may be overkill.
 
GoogalyMoogaly said:
a 480 rad for 3 graphics cards, cpu and mobo chipset?
Also, I'd have to buy some sort of stand for it if it's mounted externally (which a 480 would have to be).

But I take your point that 3 2GB card may be overkill.
Click to expand...

oh, mobo aswell.

480 would be fine, but a 480 externally and a 120/240 internally would be very nice...

EDIT: why not just get an elysium?

360+240 rad support
 
GFXZombie said:
Sorry, that's what i meant ;) That's pretty cool though..



Hmm that's disappointing :/
Click to expand...

I'm no saying it won't be playable, but it won't be amazing either.

You can probably get medium settings at playable frames, maybe a bit more. I can't remember off the top f my head.
 
OK, since my 4GB 680 pre-order (KFA2 4GB 680 EX OC) is looking like it might be in stock in time for Christmas, what do I do now?

1) Wait for the KFA2
2) Get a couple of 4GB 680 Gainward Phantoms
3) get 3 Gigabyte 2GB 670s with WindForce coolers

I'll be running 3 x Samsung 120Hz 1080p monitors (5760*1080).
Also, for context, my spec should be:
a SB-e 3930K
Asus Rampage IV Extreme (probably shoulda got the Formula)
16GB Samsung Green
Corsair AX1200
CoolerMaster HAF 932
and SSDs, HDDs, DVDs, etc.
 
Ooohh, We har very similar rigs :D

My choice would be EVGA 4gb cards as you intend to tri SLI and spend the rest of your cash on watercooling.

Also, mobo blocks, IMO are a must for your mobo, the fan annoys the **** outta me
 
GoogalyMoogaly said:
OK, since my 4GB 680 pre-order (KFA2 4GB 680 EX OC) is looking like it might be in stock in time for Christmas, what do I do now?

1) Wait for the KFA2
2) Get a couple of 4GB 680 Gainward Phantoms
3) get 3 Gigabyte 2GB 670s with WindForce coolers

I'll be running 3 x Samsung 120Hz 1080p monitors (5760*1080).
Also, for context, my spec should be:
a SB-e 3930K
Asus Rampage IV Extreme (probably shoulda got the Formula)
16GB Samsung Green
Corsair AX1200
CoolerMaster HAF 932
and SSDs, HDDs, DVDs, etc.
Click to expand...

2Gb is enough for 5760x1080 ( or whatever bezel corrected res you'll run), running windforce 670sli now myself at 6050x1080 and the games all run fine, just stay away from sgssaa and remember to right click shortcuts and disable visual themes and another option i can't remember on vram intensive games, as an example metro 2033 uses about 1024mb@1080p and about 1700mb@surround (without themes etc disabled)
 
Cleeecooo said:
Who?
Click to expand...

what YOU posted you big mook :D

EVGA said:
AT this time, I think there is no choice but to go 4G GPU's for those running 2560x1440 3D and larger Resolutions.


Nvidia has really hit a grand slam with these 600's... For the perfect balance... Two GTX 670 4G cards are worth more to those demanding systems to do 95% of every game out and will be in the next 18 months, and in 2d 5760x1200 res @ 60Hz and below
Click to expand...

so to me that says that anyone running 1440p 3D, or 3 screen 2d, should buy 4gb 670 SLI...

personally I didn't think that 3D made that much difference so maybe that just calls in to question his entire credibility - however I agree with him that the best bet for people running 3 screen is 4GB if games like BF3 are setting a trend...

I will quite happily admit that right now 2GB does seem to be fine according to reviews... however I've read more than one person running BF3 saying that 2GB is an issue so that would make me nervous about going 3 screen with only 2GB, which is why I am going 2GB SLI, but sticking to 1600p instead
 
Last edited:
andybird123 said:
what YOU posted you big mook :D



so to me that says that anyone running 1440p 3D, or 3 screen 2d, should buy 4gb 670 SLI...

personally I didn't think that 3D made that much difference so maybe that just calls in to question his entire credibility - however I agree with him that the best bet for people running 3 screen is 4GB if games like BF3 are setting a trend...

I will quite happily admit that right now 2GB does seem to be fine according to reviews... however I've read more than one person running BF3 saying that 2GB is an issue so that would make me nervous about going 3 screen with only 2GB, which is why I am going 2GB SLI, but sticking to 1600p instead
Click to expand...

lol, i'm not saying anyone should go for 4gb cards unless they intend on 4gb tri SLI!

3D can make a difference due to 120hz, but obviously, GPU grunt is still much more important
 
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