Noob question - Video Memory

[cHk4]

So I'm looking at getting a new card or two, and see the 680s have cards which have 2GB Memory and ones which have 4GB memory... Now me being a noob surely more is better?

Also what is the benefit of getting a 690 over 2x680? 690s have 4GB memory and so do 680s... So if I got 2x680 at 4GB that would be me 8GB Memory right? Also the 680s have faster core speeds?

Hope you understand what I'm trying to ask and hopefully someone can explain so I can get a better understanding.
Thanks

 

[JamesM]

Two cards in SLI doesn't increase the memory as they only use their own. So 2x680 2GB = 2GB per card, not 4GB in total.

The extra memory only really helps at higher resolutions and with lots of AA.

If you ran both cards, 2GB and 4GB at say 1080p resolution the results would be almost identical. However running the cards at 1600p with full settings and AA, I'd imagine the 4GB card would be better off.

 

[cHk4]

Ok mate thanks for that, looking at getting a 30' screen which can do 2560x1600 so the one with 4GB is going to be better? With that said I guess to answer my own question the 690 would be better than 2 680s?

 

[whyscotty]

Ok mate thanks for that, looking at getting a 30' screen which can do 2560x1600 so the one with 4GB is going to be better? With that said I guess to answer my own question the 690 would be better than 2 680s?

No a 690 is slower than 2 x 680

You'll need tri sli 4gb cards to benefit from the extra vram which would be overkill for that res.

A 670/680 could run that res but probably be better off with 2 x 670 2gb cards as vram will not be a issue as games will use it if its there whether its needed or not.

 

[OptimaLnrg]

Also, 690 is 2x2gb

 

[PorkPieCat]

i think at that res you'd definitely want more than 2gb ram.

 

[andybird123]

No a 690 is slower than 2 x 680

You'll need tri sli 4gb cards to benefit from the extra vram which would be overkill for that res.

A 670/680 could run that res but probably be better off with 2 x 670 2gb cards as vram will not be a issue as games will use it if its there whether its needed or not.

+1

for 2560x1600 you will want more than one of anything to max out games, 2GB isn't currently a limit with any games... 670SLI will be a lot cheaper and perform within a few percent of 680 SLI so that's the route I'm going

you might even get away with a single 670 if you are prepared to turn down a few settings (me, not, so SLI it is)

 

[PorkPieCat]

if i remember correctly, at that res don't texture modded games, bf3, shogun, and a couple of other titles use more than 2gb ram? i read somewhere that bf3 for example scaled picture quality based on how mcuh vram is available. of course i could be wrong

 

[Gripen90]

#8: Ya that's right. There are games utilizing 2GB+ vram now at extreme resolutions. Most 2GB cards with a fast GPU handle 2560x1200 resolutions acceptable, but with Anti-Aliasing they break in.

 

[cHk4]

So 1 4GB 680 in a way would be better than 2x670 at 2GB at that res or have I missed the point somewhere?

 

[whyscotty]

So 1 4GB 680 in a way would be better than 2x670 at 2GB at that res or have I missed the point somewhere?

If your going to go for a 4gb card your going to need 3 of them . 2 x 670's will handle that res , I know as I tried 2x Evga SC 4gb at 6040 x 1080 and saw no performance gain or more VRAM being used.

A game will use the VRAM if it's there but that doesn't mean it needs it.