GTX 680 Sli for 120hz Monitor

Volatile_Mike · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:26

As above really, is it worth it? I game at 1080. I need people to talk me out of it, and tell me its a bad idea.

Jeps · 20 Mar 2013 at 14:06

I recently went for a second 680 for 1080p 3D gaming and I don't regret it. With 3D you need to maintain a high fps for smooth play as you are effectively seeing half the frame rate and a single 680 wasn't doing it.

If you're not into 3D, the choice is less clear and its really down to if you think you need it. I'd suggest playing your normal games without any kind of fps monitor displayed and see if you notice a lack of performance or smoothness. If not then maybe its not worth it.

Volatile_Mike · 21 Mar 2013 at 08:19

Skyrim dips quite low sometimes and goes sluggish while playing but that could be down to the vram being used up?

It is food for thought, especially since the cheap b grade 680s have now gone.

fantasticCG · 21 Mar 2013 at 08:27

I've had it not tried the 3d. But really good frames. Silky smooth in fps

Gregster · 21 Mar 2013 at 08:42

I am a massive 3D fan and Nvidia do this very well. I game in 3D on triple monitors and it looks awesome. I used 2 680's prior to jumping onto Titans and they coped fairly well but I did need to knock the odd setting down. With 2x680's at 1080P, you will be worry free and frame rates will be good.

Jeps talks sense

Arcane · 21 Mar 2013 at 12:09

Get another one, you know you want to.

Volatile_Mike · 21 Mar 2013 at 12:20

Yep I do, thing is I will probably need a new PSU as il have to use Molex to pci-e connectors for the 2nd card, which will make case more messy than it is, and after hearing about Nvidia 3D , I want that kit aswell!

kedge · 21 Mar 2013 at 17:40

Depends on the game and how taxing it is on hardware maybe other factors, i doubt many gpu's will even maintain a constant 60fps let alone 120 fps in some of todays newer titles. Even with 3D it's only 60 frames per eye probably only achieve 30 frames per eye?.

Volatile_Mike · 21 Mar 2013 at 18:03

If I get another card, will it make much difference performance wise on my mobo? I think the 2nd slot is 8x not 16x

MichaelM · 21 Mar 2013 at 19:11

Maybe there are more demanding games than BF3 @1080/120Hz (64 caspian border) out there now but when I had 670 SLI it felt like a waste of money. Perhaps it was because the 2500k bottlenecks them a bit but when turning off the FPS counter and I barely feel the difference.

3D might be a good reason to go SLI but I never bothered using it after tinkering with it the first couple of days.

Volatile_Mike · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:12

Which of these is best?

Gainward phantom 2gb
Evga ref 2gb
Gigabyte OC
Gigabye SOC

I haven't decided yet but just pricing up

Yaayuh! · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:20

Volatile_Mike said:
Which of these is best?

Gainward phantom 2gb
Evga ref 2gb
Gigabyte OC
Gigabye SOC

I haven't decided yet but just pricing up

IMO, EVGA. Warranty kings.

Volatile_Mike · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:34

Rossi~ said:
IMO, EVGA. Warranty kings.

Am I right in thinking non ref coolers would output more heat into the case, heating everything else up apart from themselves?

Yaayuh! · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:36

Volatile_Mike said:
Am I right in thinking non ref coolers would output more heat into the case, heating everything else up apart from themselves?

More than reference definately. You should try having 2 ASUS 7970 Matrix Platinum cards in your case. Get's toasty!

Parabellum · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:37

I really rate the MSI Twin Frozr its a pretty slim-line cooler with fantastic temp's. My Last 3 system builds have all been powered by MSI and all still running flawlessly

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-189-MS&tool=3

Volatile_Mike · 22 Mar 2013 at 08:48

Parabellum said:
I really rate the MSI Twin Frozr its a pretty slim-line cooler with fantastic temp's. My Last 3 system builds have all been powered by MSI and all still running flawlessly

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-189-MS&tool=3

I've seen this for 370 on a competitors site, does seem good. Might be better off with ref because of the heat issues for the other card though, not sure anymore!

Arcane · 22 Mar 2013 at 09:32

If you're going evga then get the FTW version.

Volatile_Mike · 23 Mar 2013 at 13:53

If I go Sli, will my current set up give me problems heat wise?
current idle is around 30c

as you can see, there isn't much space between the two

Gregster · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:13

If you get a ref style blower on the bottom, this would help with temps. It blows the heat directly out the back.

illuz · 23 Mar 2013 at 15:08

Volatile_Mike said:
If I go Sli, will my current set up give me problems heat wise?
current idle is around 30c

as you can see, there isn't much space between the two

You have good cooling, do you have a side fan? I pretty much have the same set up as you cooling wise and I keep my windforce SLI cool with a side fan.