Gigabyte 780 GTX w/ SLI

Slyman2k4 · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:30

I am currently using a 570 GTX SC and it is struggling with my new 1440p monitor. I want to play BF4 with max comfort and I recently came in possession of Titan Fall so I guess it's time to upgrade!

My current specs of any valued worth are:
CPU: 2500k i5
MEMORY: 8GB Corsair XMS DDR3
PSU: Corsair HX850W
Motherboard: Asus P8P67 Pro

Currently I have my focus set on a Gigabyte GTX 780 1GHz Windforce.

My one concern is when I go to upgrade to SLI in about 6-12 months time that the positioning of PCI-E on my motherboard (practically hugging eachother) will cause problems.

So...

Regardless of budget in mind, what do the lurkers of /gfx recommend I do? Money isn't a restriction at the minute, although I feel reluctant to spend more than £800 (total for sli) on something that will lose it's value and need upgrading in about 3 years.

The current plan was to get a Windforce GHz 1 now, then get another + new CPU/MEMORY/PSU and a motherboard with better PCI-E positioning in the future.

Nickolp1974 · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:33

maybe better with referance/blower types if there close

Doogles · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:34

For 1440p one should do you well. If you wanted to you could get R9 290 crossfire for £50 more than a GTX 780ti.

Too Tall · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:41

I'd keep your eye on the members market I've managed to get SLI 780's for just over £500.

I highly recommend the inno3d 780 iChill, its runs very cool and quiet and boosts well too.

setter · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:42

Go with reference cards if board spacing is tight, one will run bf4 at 1440 but not max settings. Also when you do go sli, the 2500k will bottleneck two 780s particularly in bf4.

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 14:58

setter said:
Go with reference cards if board spacing is tight, one will run bf4 at 1440 but not max settings. Also when you do go sli, the 2500k will bottleneck two 780s particularly in bf4.

The 2500k won't bottleneck a 290 crossfire setup on Mantle though. Had my cpu down at 3ghz and still yet to bottleneck my crossfire setup on Mantle. 99% usage on both gpu's constant, even at 1080P on Shanghai.

whyscotty · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:03

LtMatt said:
The 2500k won't bottleneck a 290 crossfire setup on Mantle though. Had my cpu down at 3ghz and still yet to bottleneck my crossfire setup on Mantle. 99% usage on both gpu's constant, even at 1080P on Shanghai.

No mention of a 290 in the OP :confused:

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:14

Slyman2k4 said:
I want to play BF4 with max comfort

My current specs of any valued worth are:
CPU: 2500k i5

Doogles said:
For 1440p one should do you well. If you wanted to you could get R9 290 crossfire for £50 more than a GTX 780ti.

setter said:
Also when you do go sli, the 2500k will bottleneck two 780s particularly in bf4.

whyscotty said:
No mention of a 290 in the OP

Responding to what others have said and throwing in a suggestion, if thats ok? :confused:

Also noticed he has a 850W PSU,that will be cutting it fine for 780TI SLI. Will be enough for 290 Xfire or 780 SLI though. His cpu is going to be a massive bottleneck for ANY SLI multi gpu setup in Battlefield 4. However his 2500K would not bottleneck ANY AMD multi gpu setup because of Mantle. Something to consider i think given what's been said.

setter · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:18

LtMatt said:
Responding to what others have said and throwing in a suggestion, if thats ok?

Also noticed he has a 850W PSU,that will be cutting it fine for 780TI SLI. Will be enough for 290 Xfire or 780 SLI though. His cpu is going to be a massive bottleneck for ANY SLI multi gpu setup in Battlefield 4. However his 2500K would not bottleneck ANY AMD multi gpu setup because of Mantle. Something to consider i think given what's been said.

Op has asked about the standard wf gtx 780, which an 850w will power in sli ok. Wouldnt go too heavily on overvolting the cards though.

thefogo · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:21

LtMatt said:
The 2500k won't bottleneck a 290 crossfire setup on Mantle though. Had my cpu down at 3ghz and still yet to bottleneck my crossfire setup on Mantle. 99% usage on both gpu's constant, even at 1080P on Shanghai.

I beg to differ

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:26

setter said:
Op has asked about the standard wf gtx 780, which an 850w will power in sli ok. Wouldnt go too heavily on overvolting the cards though.

Well just throwing a suggestion out there. 780 SLI and a 2500k is not going to give pleasant results on BF4 using DX11. Gpu's won't go over 60% usage.

thefogo said:
I beg to differ

Probably the server you were on as you have an i7.

Trust me over the link to that server and ill try it out.

setter · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:31

LtMatt said:
Well just throwing a suggestion out there. 780 SLI and a 2500k is not going to give pleasant results on BF4 using DX11. Gpu's won't go over 60% usage.

Probably, had the same on sli 670's with a 3570k. 290's would be a good shout, allow the op to keep his current cpu. Though ref cooled 290's on a tightly spaced board could cause a few heat problems as they run a bit hot. Even non ref cards sitting jammed together can be worse as i found with a pair of wf 460's.

Ian Evey · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:35

LtMatt said:
Well just throwing a suggestion out there. 780 SLI and a 2500k is not going to give pleasant results on BF4 using DX11. Gpu's won't go over 60% usage.

Has anyone tested your theory on the new nvidia wonder sli drivers on bf4?

Or are you just guessing?

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:41

setter said:
Probably, had the same on sli 670's with a 3570k. 290's would be a good shout, allow the op to keep his current cpu. Though ref cooled 290's on a tightly spaced board could cause a few heat problems as they run a bit hot. Even non ref cards sitting jammed together can be worse as i found with a pair of wf 460's.

Reference 290's are fine spaced together, so don't worry. The question is if he can put up with the noise.

Had mine spaced together and they were fine, its why they're designed like that. They have intakes around the fan so that even if they are right on top of another card they can still breathe. If he can get a two slot space in between the cards then it might be worth looking at an AIB 290. Otherwise id go for reference from either side, depending on preference.

I feel that is a valid point about the cpu though, so im surprised at the reaction of some to my suggestion considering the game he wants to max out.

Ian Evey said:
Has anyone tested your theory on the new nvidia wonder sli drivers on bf4?

Or are you just guessing?

Based on previous testing done by myself, Setter and others. 2500k will bottleneck any multi gpu setup badly on BF4 unless its on Mantle. Not tested the new drivers but as they're just drivers and not a brand new API i wouldn't expect there to be a massive difference.

whyscotty · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:42

LtMatt said:
780 SLI and a 2500k is not going to give pleasant results on BF4 using DX11. Gpu's won't go over 60% usage.

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:44

whyscotty said:

Because ive seen a 2500k bottleneck a 7850 crossfire setup on BF4. I've heard first hand from setter how a 3570K overclocked bottlenecked his stock 670 SLI setup. Do you honestly believe a 2500k is going to give a nice experience with 780TI SLI in BF4? If he won't consider an AMD setup he should upgrade that cpu to an i7 2600k or better. Only then would an SLI setup be worth it in BF4.

whyscotty · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:45

LtMatt said:
Because ive seen a 2500k bottleneck a 7850 crossfire setup on BF4. I've heard first hand from setter how a 3570K overclocked bottlenecked his stock 670 SLI setup. Do you honestly believe a 2500k is going to give a nice experience with 780TI

Single card no issue

Damn your ninja edit

As they are using a 1440, I'd don't think the bottleneck will be anywhere near your max of 60% usage

OLDPHART · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:47

setter said:
Go with reference cards if board spacing is tight, one will run bf4 at 1440 but not max settings. Also when you do go sli, the 2500k will bottleneck two 780s particularly in bf4.

+1-2 780's to get the best out of your 1440 > ULTRA > 2500k will bottleneck.

Spot on setter.

setter · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:47

Noise, remember i used to own reference cooled gtx 470's, like industrial fans kicking in lol.

Not on sli here at present, but done a bit of testing with a single card on the new drivers. The popular spot on shanghai that is a known bottleneck, with the new drivers im seeing a very good increase, (60 vs 80fps on max settings). Most gains though seem to be for sli users. Iirc with the 3570k i was getting 80% gpu use on the 670's, very high cpu use.

LtMatt · 12 Apr 2014 at 15:49

Slyman2k4 said:
I am currently using a 570 GTX SC and it is struggling with my new 1440p monitor. I want to play BF4 with max comfort
My current specs of any valued worth are:
CPU: 2500k i5

My one concern is when I go to upgrade to SLI in about 6-12 months time that the positioning of PCI-E on my motherboard (practically hugging eachother) will cause problems.

whyscotty said:
Single card no issue

Damn your ninja edit

Until someone tests with the new driver - WE are all just guessing

Yeah of course. No issue at all single card but it will choke a 780TI sli setup.

Its a educated guess and a pretty good one i think. I'd bet my life savings on it. But i don't have conclusive proof no. Opinions though.