GTX 670s upgrade itch !?

Gripen90 · 5 Jul 2013 at 09:36

Luxury problem I know... It's just the itch again. :rolleyes:

The last couple of weeks I've been thinking like crazy to upgrade my GTX 670's to GTX 770's but seeing at it's impossible to find reference design GTX 770 in my country I worry about potential heat issues in 3-way SLi. Therefore I've been looking at GTX 780 reference also.

I expect I could sell the 3x GTX 670 2GB for £485 total.

The cheapest GTX 770 in Denmark I can find is the MSI N770 TwinFrozr IV 2GD5/OC. I can get 3 of them for £996 (£332 each). If I can get £485 for the GTX 670's then this solution would cost me £511.

1348951769_videokaarten-msi-nvidia-geforce-gtx-770-2gb-n770-tf-2gd5-oc.jpg

The cheapest GTX 780 in Denmark is a KFA2 GTX 780 3GB for £530 so SLi would be £1060. If I can get £485 for the GTX 670 then I'd have to pay £575 out of my "own pocket" to run SLi.

videocard-pci-express-nvidia_kfa2_geforce_gtx_780_3gb_ddr5_2xdvi_hdmi_displayport_pcie-23743525-frntl.jpg

So my reason for upgrading ? better performance than GTX 670 3way SLi or at least the same (if going GTX 780 SLi) and possibly a bit cooler VGA setup. I game at 2560x1440 resolution, and I do not overclock, and it's not like the GTX 670 can't compete in the setttings, They run everything I throw at the...but again it's the urge to have the "latest" tech.

1) Should I buy 3x MSI GTX 770 TwinFrozr Gaming cards ?

2) Buy 2x KFA2 GTX 780 cards ?

3) Or stop scratching the upgrade itch and be happy with the GTX 670s ?

I know I know... it's a luxury problem and in reality I don't have the money, but I'm willing to take a little "loan" from my savings account if the above makes sense. :rolleyes:

Kaapstad · 5 Jul 2013 at 09:46

I would stick with what you have, even if you get a small increase in performance with the GTX 770s you probably will not notice it in games. Going for the two GTX 780s may actually result in a small drop in performance.

I would save the money and wait for another 6 months or so to see what's available then.

straxusii · 5 Jul 2013 at 09:48

You'd have to be crackers to upgrade sli 670s to 770s, only dual 780s/titans would see a decent gain.

Gripen90 · 5 Jul 2013 at 20:09

Yea, I guess you're both right

It's just almost been a year since I upgraded something, and the fingers just want to fiddle with hardware again.

Jony27 · 5 Jul 2013 at 20:25

Ever considered watercooling your rig?

Gripen90 · 5 Jul 2013 at 21:00

Jony27 said:
Ever considered watercooling your rig?

Yea... I did it once and it was fine, but I just have an OCD behaviour/paranoia when it comes to H20 in PC systems. I can't relax having it in my PC, I'm in constant fear of leakage and I need to quadruple check that everything is working and in order - I can turn the PC on/off every hour or so just to check all is fine. All in such a manner that the PC controls me and not vice versa. So actually I sold the whole H20 kit, and went air cooling again and could finally relax about the PC.
I know it sounds odd, but there's no logical reasoning behind this OCD like behaviour.

Jony27 · 5 Jul 2013 at 21:06

Nvidia surround with 3 of those Asus 27" 1440p monitors?

Gripen90 · 5 Jul 2013 at 21:45

Jony27 said:
Nvidia surround with 3 of those Asus 27" 1440p monitors?

Hehe yea that could be nice, but no room for such big screens on the table

Also 7680x1440 would required some serious GPU grunt !

I found this comparison video with GTX 670, 680, 770, 780 (single cards) running different game benchmarks.
At' it's best the GTX 780 seems to be 36 FPS better than GTX 670 and at it's lowest it's 8 FPS better.
http://youtu.be/BfMYb1Jk0FU

So I guess that going for GTX 780 SLi would probably give better temperatures but a bit lower performance overall.

Krisali · 5 Jul 2013 at 22:16

Seriously stick with what you have. I imagine it will be a long time until 3 x 670 is not enough grunt. Upgrading to 770 makes no sense since they are just basically overclocked 680s...

If you must spend money spend it in other areas

Kishywish · 5 Jul 2013 at 22:58

Out of curiosity, what are you using your pc for that the three 670's aren't up to scratch?

Jony27 · 5 Jul 2013 at 22:59

Farmville

IvanDobskey · 5 Jul 2013 at 23:35

Seriously, just keep the 670's. no point in just wasting money for the sake of it.

setter · 6 Jul 2013 at 00:19

Stick with what youve got, tbh the man that invents an ointment/pill that treats upgrade itch is onto a winner. It'll outstrip sales of viagra.

Kurisu Makise · 6 Jul 2013 at 02:07

straxusii said:
You'd have to be crackers to upgrade sli 670s to 770s, only dual 780s/titans would see a decent gain.

Gripen90 · 6 Jul 2013 at 17:34

Kishywish said:
Out of curiosity, what are you using your pc for that the three 670's aren't up to scratch?

Nothing really - it's just for the "fun" of going faster

I have been offered a brand new unopened MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB for £461 ... it's tempting but I don't know.

Jumper118 · 6 Jul 2013 at 18:23

down or side grade to some cheaper card or cards like gtx 570 or get 3 7950/70, then oc them to see what scores they can get and just keep ocing until they thermal shut down or until you hit a wall. Then sell them on again. that's what i do if i get bored.

Simple_Steve · 6 Jul 2013 at 23:07

I understand where you are coming from. It's not that it isn't enough, you just have the money and why not? Right? You are the people that keep the PC industry alive and I praise you for your constant pursuit of the new! If you really feel the itch, then the best option is gonna be to get a titan now and a titan later. The only thing I could say is wait a little longer. They have no single card that out performs the titan right now and I can't see them keeping that up for long. Maybe you should wait out for a GTX 790? It will most likely be cheaper than the titan and will either be an equal or out do it. Then you can save for another. The sensible option is to not buy a new card because nothing much can out do what you have right now and no games require it. But if you were sensible you wouldn't have 3 670's.

Gripen90 · 7 Jul 2013 at 16:36

Simple_Steve said:
I understand where you are coming from. It's not that it isn't enough, you just have the money and why not? Right? You are the people that keep the PC industry alive and I praise you for your constant pursuit of the new! If you really feel the itch, then the best option is gonna be to get a titan now and a titan later. The only thing I could say is wait a little longer. They have no single card that out performs the titan right now and I can't see them keeping that up for long. Maybe you should wait out for a GTX 790? It will most likely be cheaper than the titan and will either be an equal or out do it. Then you can save for another. The sensible option is to not buy a new card because nothing much can out do what you have right now and no games require it. But if you were sensible you wouldn't have 3 670's.

Yea I know ! you're right. It's just the "fun" of trying new - eventually my goal with GTX 780 would be 3-way SLi later (SLi now).
It's drivin me nuts

. I really want to try those GTX 780's so I'm going to get that used MSI GTX 780 3GB for £462, and then I'll get one of more when the GTX 670's are sold... and later when the cash is there a 3rd GTX 780 will be added.

Sensible maybe not, but it's my "hobby" and really the only thing I spend money on besides bills :rolleyes:

. I got hooked on 3-way SLi ever since I got hands on 3x GTX 280's. Before that I used to run SLi when PCI-E came around with that support.

Gripen90 · 11 Jul 2013 at 02:24

Went ahead - only live once - and bought a used MSI GTX 780 and a new MSI GTX 780 for SLi. Both cards should be coming friday

kaku · 11 Jul 2013 at 03:04

You crazy person xD

I only recently upgraded from a 6950 to dual 670s.