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Tri sli 970 for 4K?

xXxsephirothxXx

xXxsephirothxXx

xXxsephirothxXx

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Hi,
I'm currently running 2 970's in sli for 4k res and I'm thinking of adding a 3rd, however, I know there is inherent problems when getting 3 or 4 gpus but I'm not sure if the risks are worth it for 4k.
So my questions are:
1. Will 3 gpus improve my minimum fps?
2. Will I benefit from a 3rd gpu when DX12 games are released in terms of VRAM?
3. Do you think that the increased time between the frames is worth it considering that current gameplay at 4k is 30-40fps average and it already fairly laggy. (This question is only really worth asking if 3 gpus are going to improve min fps).

Cheers
-Hugh
 
At 4k, vram might become a problem. I'd look into the 980Ti with the prospect of going SLI somewhere down the road. I think running three cards is not a very good idea.

You could also buy two 390s which will give you a bit more oomph than a single 980Ti but also a lot more heat and a higher power draw.

I think your best bet is to get a single 980Ti and add a second one later.
 
xXxsephirothxXx said:
Hi,
I'm currently running 2 970's in sli for 4k res and I'm thinking of adding a 3rd, however, I know there is inherent problems when getting 3 or 4 gpus but I'm not sure if the risks are worth it for 4k.
So my questions are:
1. Will 3 gpus improve my minimum fps?
2. Will I benefit from a 3rd gpu when DX12 games are released in terms of VRAM?
3. Do you think that the increased time between the frames is worth it considering that current gameplay at 4k is 30-40fps average and it already fairly laggy. (This question is only really worth asking if 3 gpus are going to improve min fps).

Cheers
-Hugh
Click to expand...

I have 3 970s and 4K and no I wouldn't do it again ;)

1. Not on enough games to justify it imho
2. Doubtful
3. 60 fps via 3 GPUs (in something like crysis 3) is pretty darn harsh on the input lag


If I didn't have the cards and blocks in a watercooled loop I would sell up and get 2x Tis I think. :D
 
Aye yer I know VRAM is a problem and was thinking of getting a 980ti my only worry is that if I go sell the 2 970s and get a 980ti even though it has 2gb more VRAM its going to slower than the 2 x 970s.
 
For playable frames at 4k you're pretty much looking either 2 Ti's or 2 Furys. I went for the furys largely for the AIO and *potential* overclockability which we've yet to even get our hands on =(
You can safely ignore the one or two users that constantly harp on about the 4GB vram on the Fury's not "being enough" for 4k. I play almost maxed out settings and haven't come across any problems, and as far as I'm aware none of the other members running 4k on them have either. I'm currently working my way through Inquisition (which looks stunning in 4k I might add) and the only time my framerate stutters is in cutscenes, but I seem to recall having cutscene issues on my first playthrough too :/

4k, however, is the monster I wish I'd never bought. Cost me so much money just to be able to fully utilise it :(
 
xXxsephirothxXx said:
Aye yer I know VRAM is a problem and was thinking of getting a 980ti my only worry is that if I go sell the 2 970s and get a 980ti even though it has 2gb more VRAM its going to slower than the 2 x 970s.
Click to expand...

The single powerful card is a good option imo, the thing is you already have the 970s so it's a bit of a sidegrade to get just one 980Ti. With the 980Ti against dual 970s in this review, the 970s have lower minimums than the 980Ti in almost all games at 2160p http://www.maximumpc.com/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti-review/

Throwing more than two cards in a setup usually reaps diminishing returns, but that can be amplified with stretched vram at Ultra HD resolution.
 
Last edited:
xXxsephirothxXx said:
Aye yer I know VRAM is a problem and was thinking of getting a 980ti my only worry is that if I go sell the 2 970s and get a 980ti even though it has 2gb more VRAM its going to slower than the 2 x 970s.
Click to expand...

A single 980Ti is an upgrade, especially for 4k.
Smoother experience, higher lowest frames, higher value when you will sell it.
Depending on the overclock even the maximum frames will be the same.
 
xXxsephirothxXx said:
Aye yer I know VRAM is a problem and was thinking of getting a 980ti my only worry is that if I go sell the 2 970s and get a 980ti even though it has 2gb more VRAM its going to slower than the 2 x 970s.
Click to expand...

2x970 @ default clocks = 1x980ti overclocked and boosting to 1400+.
so if you overclock your 970`s you may gain around 5+ FPS more. but if running a 4K screen you would be better of with a 980ti due to the extra bandwidth from larger bus.
 
Go for the GTX 980 Ti options.

If you try 3 way 970s I don't think it will run very well and could be quite stuttery when you start hitting the VRAM limit.
 
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