Will I get more performance upgrading to a GTX 680?

[JaseUK]

I have got the urge to upgrade my 2 x GTX 480's that I run in SLi.

I really want to get hold of a GTX 680 and sometime in the future get a 2nd one for SLi.

Will I notice any performance increase going from 2 x GTX 480's to 1 x GTX 680?

 

[psychodil]

No, the 480 SLI will be faster in most cases. I would keep the 480SLI through the winter, will help keep your room warm

 

[JaseUK]

Ah thats a shame

 

[Gregster]

No, the 480 SLI will be faster in most cases. I would keep the 480SLI through the winter, will help keep your room warm

+1

I understand the upgrade itch but I assume you are playing all games comfotably? If so, wait it out for the next gen of cards if you can. No idea on release but I would expect to here some news from both brands before Christmas.

 

[weehamish]

2x 480 is very nice, i wouldnt upgrade until you need a full new PC.

They will max most games at 1920x1200 for ages to come, theres not even any decent games being released due to the consoles dragging them down.

 

[JaseUK]

I suppose I could hold off until the next gen graphics. However I really do want to upgrade my PC.

I would like an IvyBridge CPU so may look into that.

Cheers guys

 

[weehamish]

Id wait for that too lol, they are oldish now im waiting same as u, gonna get the next i5k i suppose.

If i was in your shoes i wouldnt bother until some games are released that need such an upgrade.

 

[MeatLoaf]

I can answer you question as ive just done exactly what youre thinking..

I had SLI 480 and swapped them out for a single GTX680.

Gamewise performance is pretty much the same, ive not noticed any difference in the games i play - MW3, BF3, Metro 2033 and BL2

I got £180 for my 480s and paid £372 for my 680 so the change cost me just shy of £200, but i had the cash to spare and had the upgrade itch

So heres the pros and cons of the upgrade :

Pros :

1. Much less heat. Card runs really cool, maxxing at about 60C under load.
2. Much less cluttered in my case and improved airflow
3. Machine uses a lot less power. Im saving about £4 a week in electric ( prepay meter thats monitored daily )
4. Nice feeling from having a top of the range card
5. More VRAM - may be useful in the future.

Cons :

1. Cost. In hindsight not really worth the £200 it cost me.
2. No increase in performance compared to the 480s


So in summary, if you can afford it then go for it, but you wont see any increase in performance, but will get a cooler running and less power hungry machine

 

[arc@css]

I suppose I could hold off until the next gen graphics. However I really do want to upgrade my PC.

I would like an IvyBridge CPU so may look into that.

Cheers guys

I wouldn't have thought you'd see that much of an improvement coming from an i7 920.

 

[Cleeecooo]

I wouldn't have thought you'd see that much of an improvement coming from an i7 920.

+1

I've gone from a 930-2500K-3930K and the only differences I really noticed we're in flight sims and other CPU based programmes, practically no game differences.

 

[BrianB]

Q6600 to 3570K I noticed a big difference, no CPU slowdown in busy events. i7 920 I wouldn't upgrade until Haswell at least. 480 SLI is beast too, your pc is awesomeness.

 

[Mr. May]

+1

I've gone from a 930-2500K-3930K and the only differences I really noticed we're in flight sims and other CPU based programmes, practically no game differences.

Same here i went from 920 D0 to 3930k and there is no diffrence at all just wanted to upgrade TBH

So unless you want to upgrade and waste some money there is no need to swap your kit

 

[Gregster]

I wouldn't have thought you'd see that much of an improvement coming from an i7 920.

+1

I've gone from a 930-2500K-3930K and the only differences I really noticed we're in flight sims and other CPU based programmes, practically no game differences.

+2

SLI 680s needed an I7 for BF3 and an I7 was needed for FSX (to have all the trimmings).

 

[weehamish]

LOL greg your pc is overkill man :\ like for the next 2 years!!

If the new consoles dont use anything close to 1 680 then 2x 680 will play every game for the next 2 years at max res, maybe longer.

So aslong as it lives it will slay all :\ too right too for the cost but i bet a ps4 is like £500 so good investment.

But i bet im back here in 2 years maybe and you have all the latest **** again lol.

 

[Gregster]

You never know. I was hoping this rig will sit with me for a couple of years but if AMD/Nvidia/Intel release something special, who can say.

 

[Cleeecooo]

LOL greg your pc is overkill man :\ like for the next 2 years!!

If the new consoles dont use anything close to 1 680 then 2x 680 will play every game for the next 2 years at max res, maybe longer.

So aslong as it lives it will slay all :\ too right too for the cost but i bet a ps4 is like £500 so good investment.

But i bet im back here in 2 years maybe and you have all the latest **** again lol.

His rig is epic, but it can be brought to its knees by x plane 10

 

[Gregster]

His rig is epic, but it can be brought to its knees by x plane 10

You can't say nothing hunny Is X-Plane that demanding then?

 

[Cleeecooo]

You can't say nothing hunny Is X-Plane that demanding then?

I certainly can't, your rig is better for x plane with your bloody nvidia hax

X plane runs a 30ish fps at medium settings on my comp

 

[Gregster]

I certainly can't, your rig is better for x plane with your bloody nvidia hax

X plane runs a 30ish fps at medium settings on my comp

Geeez that sux. I would imagine the 3930K to eat it for breakfast. I couldn't believe how shoddy FSX looked with everything turned up max with SLI 680s and a 2500K @ 4.6. I knew it was CPU dependant but that was bad.

 

[whyscotty]

I certainly can't, your rig is better for x plane with your bloody nvidia hax

X plane runs a 30ish fps at medium settings on my comp

Aren't you running 3930k and crossfire 7970 lightnings?

And that struggles with X Plane 10