I have a 27" monitor and like to max out graphics settings, so I'm deliberately making things hard for myself. At the moment I have two GTX 580s in SLI and they work well. I installed aftermarket coolers and the cards rarely go beyond 65C in my air-cooled case. However, I feel I'm lacking some grunt, for example with games like a heavily modded Skyrim and Battlefield 3 my rig can't quite cope. My PC has an old i7 960 with a mild overclock. A few possible options spring to mind: :: Wait for a next-gen card and replace my cards with one of these. :: Wait for a next-gen card, hope the existing prices slip and swap my two 580s for two 680s. :: Wait for a next-gen card, hope the existing prices slip and swap my two 580s for one 690. I have little experience with the Red team, but would be happy to consider anything from that end. What would you recommend? Of course the final option is to count my blessings that I've got quite a nice set-up as it is!
So? He isn't just upgrading it to play games for the next month or so, in a few months time a new game might make the most of it at that resolution.
This! Nothing more! If you are like me, and like adding all the bells and whistles, then more VRAM on the card's will allow for this. The GTX 580's have enough power to run every game maxed out at your res, but your 1.5GB VRAM is holding you back. I went from Tri SLI GTX 580's 1.5GB cards to Dual GTX 580 3GB cards, and was able to max BF3 on Ultra with 4xMSAA at 2560x1600. If you decide to upgrade, then look at either the GTX 670 4GB cards, or the HD7970 3GB cards.
Come on Simon that was on your 580s lol. The gpus on the kepler just doesn't have the grunt. Yes some games it will but on bf3 the 2gb cards will perform about the same as the 4gb its down to the memory bandwith on the keplers. You can chuck 8gb at them cards and the bandwidth will still the hold up
Yes I agree in that respect. I'm not denying that kepler has more memory bandwidth, which as we know can manage the memory much better, resulting in using less VRAM. If the OP is anything like ones self, then turning down AA when using all the extra mods in the likes of Skyrim, etc. Then 2GB VRAM is just not enough at the OP's res. Most of the latest titles are using all 2GB VRAM at 2560x1440, which IMO is right on the edge, leaving no room to run HD texture paks etc. I know must of us enthuiasts will sell and buy the latest and greatest Graphic cards, but for those that upgrade every couple of yesrs, will not benefit from the least amount of VRAM. Also I'm sure when the next gen consoles are released this year, that games will become even more demanding, requiring more VRAM.
I like bells and whistles! It's just a shame they cost so much. Hey ho, time to save up £750 or thereabouts. Thanks for your replies gents.
