GTX580 x2 mars edition

[JasonKnights]

Hi there, I'm just wondering if the new dual gtx580 will be faster than 2 separate cards? I know the advantage with the mars card is the quad sli option but I can't see anyone needing more than 2 580s just yet. Im thinking this card has just been made to kick dirt in amd's face?

 

[harmony]

Yes the card is doing a restoration of a dethroned monarch for nvidia. The overclockability is still poorer than two separate GTX580s.

There are indeed some games demanding more than two GTX580s in SLI, such like The Witcher 2 with Ubersampling, Metro 2033 with MSAA 4X and DOF, Shogun 2 max etc. 3-way SLI of GTX580s is minimum requirement to sustain 60 fps in these games. (1920x1200)

However the Mars II is not a good choice for quad-SLI, simply because it's still 1.5GB vram per GPU, which essentially shares the same weakness as the 2x GTX590 quad-SLI setup. For example, if you ask anyone with 1.5GB vram per GPU to run Metro 2033 benchmark at 2560x1600, he will never be able to post any results based on max settings.

Mars II is not as successful as its predecessor ARES.

 

[GJ02]

just get 2 anyway jason
you know you want them

 

[Freddie1980]

Quite why Asus would want to kick dirt in the face of their own partner is beyond me.

A Mars 2 would typically be faster then 2 stock GTX580's due to the overclock on the Mars but IMO Asus dropped the ball when they 'only' gave each GPU 1.5Gb of VRAM. If you can afford to spend £1K+ on a card like this I doubt you will be playing on a crappy 1080p TN screen. So if you running a multiple screen setup or have a 30" 2560x1600 you may find some of the more demanding games like Crysis, Shogun 2 and Metro etc may need a lot more VRAM then what's on offer so you might find yourself having to turn down the AA which kind of goes against what this card is all about.

Mars II is not as successful as its predecessor ARES.

I think the Mars II predecessor was the Mars 1.

 

[pgi947]

Remember your going to need a shipping container sized PC case to fit one in too

 

[JasonKnights]

Haha thanks for your replys guys, I wouldn't spend over a grand on a graphics card, especially as a faster one will probably be released a few months later. Think il will go for another 580 . I only run a single monitor configuration so should be enough for me

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

What psu is that 580 needing?.

 

[Freddie1980]

I would think you get away with a good quality 750 watt PSU with a card like this.

 

[MoRT489]

There are shuttle PCs smaller than that

just get 2 anyway jason
you know you want them

Dude saw ur For Sale thread, u crazy I only get to play about once per week but I wouldnt give it all up for a laptop, ever!!

 

[Yaayuh!]

Does she come with the card?

 

[cainey]

Does she come with the card?

Depends where she puts it.

 

[Wizzfizz]

 

[GJ02]

There are shuttle PCs smaller than that



Dude saw ur For Sale thread, u crazy I only get to play about once per week but I wouldnt give it all up for a laptop, ever!!

yeah im crazy i know see here

i'll just see what happens, its not going for any less than what its on the mm for