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GTX 680 differences

majorlee

majorlee

majorlee

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Joined
28 Jul 2012
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33
What's the best GTX 680 to get at the moment? I'm trying to decide

Also, why do some of the 680s require an 8pin+6pin instead of 2x6pins?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-183-EA for example, where http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-093-GI is quite close in terms of specs but only needs 2x6pins. Unless 200mhz difference really means that much difference?

Does the 8pin+6pin cards allow for a better self-OC too once you get the card?

Lastly, do you recommend the brand "KFA2" ? I've never heard of them but they look good. Thanks!

EDIT: Is this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-EA better than my first link posted also due to the extra fan? How do I know if the hot air is been pushed out of the case from the 2nd graphics bay slot or pushing down INTO the case?
 
Rusty0611 said:
I've just bought a Gigabyte Windforce 3x and I got a decent clocker (1260). It's down to luck though really. If you want to take luck out of it then the KFA2 is the best out of the box clocker but as you see, it has a hefty price premium.

However, I would buy a Gigabyte Windforce 3x GTX 670 if I were you. I only bought a second 680 as I already had one from the 680 release day bonanza :).

Reason being is that there is around 5% performance in it and for the price it isn't worth it.

In answer to your question though, the difference between the models is out of the box performance, warranty and the cooler. You can overclock but the level of overclock you'll get is down to the silicon lottery.
Click to expand...

I'm after a 680, not a 670... or was that a typo? :)

Which is widely known to have the best cooler, roughly?
 
I was thinking the EVGA SC Two card would be nice. I don't think i'd benefit from unlocked bios and voltage tweaks, as I'd only ever basic overclock it with MSI afterburner and not faff around too much with settings.

The EVGA has the highest shipping clocks too, but it also requires 8pin+6pin...
 
With the KFA2, it only has Displayport and Mini hdmi. What sort of mini hdmi to HDMI lead should i be looking for? Since HDMI specs range widely. Also, will HDMI give me the same picture quality DVI would, or would that depend on the HDMI features on the cable I buy?

Little unsure if i should buy a card with no DVI connectors.
 
OptimaLnrg said:
with hdmi you can't do 120hz @ 1080p, otherwise it's essentially the same as dvi but can carry sound
Click to expand...

Didn't know that, as I have a 120mhz monitor... does display port to dvi allow for 120hz at 1080p?

There is a lot of different display port to dvi cables out there, im not sure which would be correct either. Thanks for that info!

EDIT: Did some research and going to get a card with DVI connectors!

I've rounded my choices to:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-EA (my favoured card atm)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-013-KF (only due to it being on this week only offer, I'm sure 4gb vram is overkill when I plan on going SLI)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-093-GI (3 fans could provide better cooling? unsure on this one, favouring the EVGA one as I say)
 
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Ok it's down to two now then. The KFA2 with 4gb of vram was too much esp when I plan on going SLI and it'll cost me £500 for one when i get one next time.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-EA
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-EA

I can't really find any reviews on the EVGA SC TWO card, is it really new or something?

A bit petty but gigabytes turquoise PCB is a bit off putting when I'm making my PC look pretty nice, however the 3fan may be better than EVGA?

Anyone have any EVGA SC TWO reviews as I don't want to make a naive decision :) Thanks.
 
Rusty0611 said:
You only need to consider 4GB if you're going tri-SLI and multi monitor in the future.

Otherwise the level of settings you need to hit the VRAM limit on a 2GB card won't be achievable anyway due to not having enough GPU power.

Adapter for 120 Hz:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-000-SR

Pricey.
Click to expand...

Thats mini displayport, not displayport. I don't plan on using displayport anyway, I'll be using DVI. Also I found an active display port to DVI for £20 on the rain forest, made by startech too! XD

In terms of this, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-093-GI

Due to it being 3 fans, do you need a backplate to prevent warping to the PCB?
 
Rusty0611 said:
Yes you're right - apologies. For some reason I thought the cards above (w/o DVI) had mDP.

Nah I don't think you need one a backplate. I haven't got one.
Click to expand...

You have SLI windforce right? How are all the temps in the case? I have an Antec 1100 with an Ivy i5 3570k on closed loop water cooling, corsair h60 and 200mm top fan and 5 internal 120mm fans.

My 3570k is currently sitting at 32c idle with no graphics card in the case, since ivy gets hotter than sandy, i guess this is a good temp for a H60 cooler?

I'm leaning towards the gigabyte windforce but don't want to buy it only to have bad case temps when I go SLI with it.
 
Antec1100Pic4.jpg


Antec 1100, has 4 120mm internal fans near the front, one 120mm internal fan behind the CPU backplate, one top 200mm fan, one back 120mm and two side 120mm fans. Not to mention the PSU fan is facing the BOTTOM of the case it pushes in/out from the bottom of the case, not from inside the case

Thanks for the advice and info, will help me make an informed decision :)


EDIT: Does the windforce blow air out or in? This looks quite good: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-003-LL
 
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evga_Lee said:
Hi All, The signature 2 is NOT the first time EVGA have used the dual coolers, we have done this on 580, 570 cards as well! FYI the signature 2 is the fastest selling EVGA 680 at the moment in the UK, from what I see and here from clients: it is outselling all other 680 cards 2-1! Also for you ref, we are just about to launch a 670 signature 2 as well :)
Click to expand...
Hi Lee

Is there any reviews out on some of the big tech sites showing the 680 signature 2? I'm after comparing it with the gigabyte windforce 3. I was told by a friend that his 580 DS Superclocked sounded like a jet engine and still hit 90c+ constantly in his HAF 912 case.

Although I don't really hold this against EVGA, as I follow reviews and stats to make an informed decision but unfortunately I can't find anything on the Signature 2 for the 680.
 
Just like to thank everyone again for their input.

Decided to go with this one: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-093-GI

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 WindForce 3x OC. With little to no information regarding the Signature 2 from EVGA. I had to go deep to find something on it, I did however find some youtube videos of the card in action whilst showing evga precision in the corner and noticed the card ran 77-79c for one guy consistently throughout the games he played.

Whilst the windforce has been reviewed and shown to only get low to mid 60s so I've opted for that card, £10 cheaper too...

So putting aesthetics aside, as I think the blue PCB really does look terrible but I won't be seeing that much, even with a window side panel!
 
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