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2 x GTX680 Classifieds or GTX670 4GB FTW? Buying from USA

OCP said:
Wouldn't I run into VRAM issues? I was thinking 4GB just in case this happens.
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Not with 2 GPU's. With 2 GPU's you run into low FPS from a lack of GPU power/256 bit bus limitations and as such have to lower settings to increase performance which in turn drops the amount of VRAM being used as well. I'm not even talking "snobby" levels of low performance - you're looking at minimums of 20ish depending on the game at settings which bring you close to the VRAM limit.

So you drop some AA to get better performance (the nVidia 600 series cards can't really handle high levels of AA at triple screen resolution with enjoyable frame rates) and you drop the VRAM way down away from 2GB.

Everyone's favourite example - BF3:

Ultra preset with FXAA and no MSAA = ~1450-1550MB of VRAM.
2x MSAA = ~1750-1850MB
4x MSAA = ~ 1950-2020 (approx)

Note I never ran out of VRAM in BF3 64 MP. However at the 4x MSAA the game is frankly unplayable due to low FPS, borderline OK at 2x MSAA and butter smooth without any MSAA. I have experienced VRAM running out so can state categorically that it's OK.

The point is that at the settings which you'll be playing at to get decent FPS, you'll be nowhere near the VRAM limit anyway.

Comparatively, 7950 CF can max out BF3 with decent performance althought I still dropped 4x to 2x.

With 670/680's you need triple screen and 3 GPU's to benefit from the extra 2GB on 4GB cards.

I had triple screen and 680 SLI for a while so speaking from experience and endless testing :p.
 
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Based on the OP I can't help but think common sense has little to do with this upgrade. it just doesn't make any sense to spend money on currnt gen cards when you won't be using 3 monitors for months yet, and then the new gen will be out.
 
OCP said:
Wouldn't I run into VRAM issues? I was thinking 4GB just in case this happens.

@whyscotty, why the change of mind? I'm thinking of buying them brand new since its pretty cheap in the US.
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Decided to give AMD and Eyefinity a go

My Classys have the Evbot connector also a Evbot,
so you can overvolt if you fancy.
 
@Rusty, very informative, thankyou. Personally, which would you choose? 7970 Xfire or 680/670 SLI? I also read that SLI works out the box with no problems.

@Richdog, My life would be so boring for the next few months if i don't have any new toys to play with :P. Its so much cheaper in the US so at least it will hold its value a bit longer considering the price I will pay for them. I did also say that I might forget it all together and just wait for next gen. Its a shame we don't have any idea what the next gen is going to be like!

@whyscotty, I wouldn't go that extreme and use the Evbot myself, I just like the bigger cooler on it. Have you tried selling them @ MM or a famous auction site?
 
A difficult one but I'm all about the performance while gaming and AMD are just far faster at that resolution. See my benchmarks and comments:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18455827

I hope they'll prove helpful :)

You're correct that Surround/SLI works better out the box over Eyefinity/CF but both can be brought to roughly the same level of usability.
 
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