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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 SLI 4K Video Card Review

tommybhoy

tommybhoy

tommybhoy

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Frame Rate Consistency and Scaling

We experienced something with SLI we aren't use to at 4K gaming. We experienced some inconsistent frames, some low efficiency and poor SLI scaling. We were used to seeing this on AMD GPUs until AMD fixed their issues. AMD implemented a technology called Frame Pacing, and ultimately went the hardware route with XDMA on the AMD Radeon R9 290/X.

At the end of the day, what we find is that GeForce GTX 980 SLI performance is left wanting at 4K, not because Maxwell isn't fast, but because the current implementation of SLI is more inconsistent and less efficient compared to AMD's XDMA technology on the AMD Radeon R9 290X. This is a case of aging SLI actually hindering very capable GPUs. SLI needs an upgrade, it needs to evolve.

We do not think the true potential of the GeForce GTX 980 GPUs are being exploited with current 4K SLI gaming. It is being held back from its full potential. If GTX 980 could be fully and efficiently tapped, two GTX 980 GPUs have the potential to offer a better gameplay experience.

AMD hit NVIDIA hard with this new XDMA technology. Everyone was expecting NVIDIA would strike back with Maxwell by offering its own evolved SLI technology. However, it did not for this generation. That may end up biting NVIDIA in the butt as far as 4K gaming goes in the future.

The Bottom Line

The end result of this evaluation is a bit shocking, a bit unexpected. We thought we were going to be able to conclude praising GeForce GTX 980 SLI as the hands down best 4K gaming experience to date. However, our testing has revealed that this is not necessarily the case. GeForce GTX 980 SLI has stiff competition with its competition. AMD Radeon R9 290X CrossFire is hitting back hard and showing us that it can compete at 4K gaming.

We think this just ultimately comes down to AMD's better implementation of multi-GPU technology using its XDMA technology. Since the Radeon R9 290/X has been out its efficient and smooth CrossFire performance has been heralded. Ultimately, we think that Maxwell may be held back by its current implementation, at least at 4K gaming. Is it better than the previous Kepler generation? Oh hell yes, a lot better.
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http://hardocp.com/article/2014/10/27/nvidia_geforce_gtx_980_sli_4k_video_card_review/1#.VE6sKPmsXlE

Nvidia have some work to do on the SLi front hopefully some driver work will get it up there with Radeon.
 
So, when only one user with 290X's posts a 4K result and there are no other entrants, that counts as "dominating"?

I like how when 90%+ of people buying cards are buying for 1080p, the one thing AMD can cling to is the 1% of people who buy cards for 4K :D
 
Would the Titans fare any better?

Not surprised at all, people will just have to remortgage their house when the 980ti is released, im guessing it will have 6GB ram? :D

I bet the new AMD cards will be good value for money, and even more ram! :)
 
I think its hard to know if its sli itself, drivers or the smaller memory bus being more limiting with more cards.
Hopefully its drivers and this can be sorted a bit better for some users
Personally i look at the current 900 series as a 770/280x replacment and i'm waiting for a full fat maxwell 390X
 
According to Tom Petersen from NVidia the sli bridge made it work better instead of flooding the pci-e bus like with xdma. Seems they have some work to do.
 
It wasn't that long ago you weren't allowed to post HardOCP reviews in here without being jumped on by cretinous fanboys. It basically goes that they're rubbish / amazing depending on the outcome of their article.

The actual content seems to get left behind in the tedious brand wars... :D
 
Gerard said:
? Why are they now "biased" again? Seems to be swings and roundabouts with people's opinion on review sites, one year they're for this manufacturer then the next year the other guys.
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No, i just hate the way they benchmark with the whole "highest playable settings" thing. Its ******** and a terrible way of comparing hardware.
 
Rusty0611 said:
It wasn't that long ago you weren't allowed to post HardOCP reviews in here without being jumped on by cretinous fanboys. It basically goes that they're rubbish / amazing depending on the outcome of their article.

The actual content seems to get left behind in the tedious brand wars... :D
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Aye, i'm still trying to wrap my head around the fascination for spanking the monkey to a specific gpu brand. Takes all sorts I suppose. I couldn't give a **** what's in my pc as long as it does what I need of it.
 
The 980 is very impressive at 4K considering the limitations of it's 256bit bus. 40% faster GDDR and compression help, but there's an awful lot data to push down a narrow pipe at such high-res. Matching AMD's big guns whilst using a third less power is where the 980 really wins at 4K. Just a shame the 980 is £120 more expensive.
 
Mal X said:
that review is with both cards not overclocked yet, so it's not a full and finished review.
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I never overclock my hardware so for me that would be better. I hate it when reviews don't leave in the non-overclocked scores.
 
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