some advice before i order my gpu.

[windheaven]

I think i've waited long enough, I want to order a gtx 680 2gb and I always keep my systems for 3 years before upgrading/overhauling, now i'm just a little concerned that all this talk of a gtx 685 with 25% more performance is around the corner in august/september?

Although I know the gtx 680 is a brilliant card for single monitor 1080p, I'm also a consumer that likes to get his moneys worth and the fact nvidia's original high end card was supposed to be the 685 at current 680's price point doesn't really sit with me well. (yeah i know...i have a mental block, *sigh*)

Is it really possible the 685 will be released this fall? I mean why would nvidia do this, the 680 is in such high demand selling out all over the place, (amd have nothing to counter) nvidia have manufacturing/supply problems surely they'd want to let the 680's saturate some more and release the GK110 in a years time at the least...as a 780.

Should i just buy the cheapest ref 680 keep that till this fall (if it comes out then), sell and swap out for a 685 which I would ultimately settle as my perma card for 3 years, or buy a slightly more exspensive non ref pcb such as the kfa 2 oc (twin fan) and keep that for 3 years.

that and also im an indecisive person

 

[Rusty0611]

I think i've waited long enough, I want to order a gtx 680 2gb and I always keep my systems for 3 years before upgrading/overhauling, now i'm just a little concerned that all this talk of a gtx 685 with 25% more performance is around the corner in august/september?

Not going to happen IMO. The GK110 GPU looks to be saved for the 7** series of which there is no reputable ETA. It's possible but I would say unlikely. Even if it is ready for release, there's no need for it yet. 25% performance increase as well? You'll be lucky.

Although I know the gtx 680 is a brilliant card for single monitor 1080p, I'm also a consumer that likes to get his moneys worth and the fact nvidia's original high end card was supposed to be the 685 at current 680's price point doesn't really sit with me well. (yeah i know...i have a mental block, *sigh*)

This is rumour and forum talk only. What difference does it make to your gaming performance what the GPU was destined to be at various points in its development cycle? The GTX 680 performs superbly (along with the 7970).

Is it really possible the 685 will be released this fall? I mean why would nvidia do this, the 680 is in such high demand selling out all over the place, (amd have nothing to counter) nvidia have manufacturing/supply problems surely they'd want to let the 680's saturate some more and release the GK110 in a years time at the least...as a 780.

As above - by all means do research before you purchase a new GPU but don't base your decision on un-sourced forum natter. It's crazy. It could be proper rumour or it could be absolute rubbish. Do you really want a £400 purchase/waiting for months to be made on such rumours?

Should i just buy the cheapest ref 680 keep that till this fall (if it comes out then), sell and swap out for a 685 which I would ultimately settle as my perma card for 3 years, or buy a slightly more exspensive non ref pcb such as the kfa 2 oc (twin fan) and keep that for 3 years.

that and also im an indecisive person

You're getting twiddled up in rumours still. The GTX 685 has never been announced or confirmed by nVidia. There will be a more powerful Kepler chip but for me, the GTX 685 is a long shot. I'm not saying it's not going to happen but I would be surprised.

p.s. It's Autumn not Fall

 

[windheaven]

ty for putting me straight..yeah i'll be happy with my 680 kfa2

 

[cmndr_andi]

The thing with the GF110 is that it is going to be a GPGPU focused chip with a relatively large die size. In contrast the, GF104 is a gaming focused chip with a relatively small die size - therefore it is relatively cheap to make, easy to cool quietly and doesn't draw a lot of power.

I think it makes sense that Nvidia are focusing on the GK104 first because it satisfies their gamer audience, they can make more of them per wafer due to the small die size and gives them time to perfect the GK110 (which is likely to be a bit of a monster - especially if you do work that can be accelerated by a GPGPU).

As rusty says, if you want a new card now then I really wouldn't wait for a GK110 GPU, it could be ages. The GK104 GTX 680 is a really excellent gaming GPU and when you have it running in your system I would be surprised if you feel you need more power (for a year or two at least).