non-sli vs sli speed data

[JudgeJules]

Hi,

I'm starting to spec up a new machine and with such crazy spec'd cards as:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-122-MS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1966

how much real world benefit would SLI provide with two of these puppies?

Would you benefit from 2 or 3 580's over one of these in a gaming scenario?

Does anyone have a few links to side by side comparisons of the same cards sli/non-sli ?

Thanks in advance,

J

 

[harmony]

I don't recommend SLI of a pair of these. If you can get TRI-SLI of GTX580 3GB (e.g. three (3) of this) it would be better. Two reasons:

a) In terms of GPU power, TRI-SLI of GTX580 outperforms, if OC is taken into account on both setup;

b) In terms of vram capacity per GPU, the 1.5GB vram per GPU of GTX590s would become a bottleneck at high resolution, and even cause problems in a few games at 1920x1200.

The only problem with the TRI-SLI GTX580 setup might be clearance problems in your chasis, i.e. maybe you don't have sufficient number of free PCI-E slots.

If you insist buying a pair of GTX590s then I recommend you buy directly from EVGA Europe site, which is a lot cheaper.

 

[gurusan]

Avoid 590s...not only are they junk, but fairly volatile.

 

[arc@css]

As above, don't entertain buying a 590.

 

[Cleeecooo]

1.5 gb VRAM is enough.

But still, don't bother with the 590

 

[JudgeJules]

Thanks for the input peeps, I'll put my thinking cap on

 

[Wilderbeast]

I have a single 590, got it for free , and its simply awesome. I havent found a single game to slow it down at 1920x1200. Unless you're benchmarking is it really worth getting something even better?

 

[Cleeecooo]

I have a single 590, got it for free , and its simply awesome. I havent found a single game to slow it down at 1920x1200. Unless you're benchmarking is it really worth getting something even better?

yes. What if you...

i'll get back to you on that

The 590 is a rip off though. 6950 x fire is better value for money, also, the next gen is due out soon

 

[JudgeJules]

yes. What if you...

i'll get back to you on that

The 590 is a rip off though. 6950 x fire is better value for money, also, the next gen is due out soon

I've never really liked ATI drivers and tend to steer away from them be that good or bad I dont know any more as I've not built a machine in a number of years.

I also have a use for CUDA which is gravitating me towards nvidia.

So whats the low down on these 590 issues ? from the stats it looks like two 580's on the same board ?

 

[arc@css]

Two downclocked 580's. The performance is still very good, but as Cleeecooo says, you'll be paying above and beyond what you need to, unless you can source yourself a very good deal. Overall, I'd prefer to have two 570's than one 590.

 

[JudgeJules]

Good to know, cheers arc