CPU bottleneck with GTX480 (x2?)

[Zoeff]

Hello,

I'm currently thinking of buying an EVGA X58 SLI mobo with an i7 960 CPU, OCZ DDR3 1600Mhz 3x2GB (Triple channel) and a GTX480. However, I'm not sure if an i7 960 will be enough for a GTX480. If it isn't, how much would I have to overclock my CPU to compensate?

Also, when the GTX480 becomes cheaper I might buy a second or even a third one. I wouldn't at all be surprised if the CPU ends up being a major bottleneck in this configuration. When overclocking it would a good air cooler even be sufficient? What about the RAM, would this become a bottleneck? (The native resolution of my monitor is 1920x1080)

Thanks!
- Zoeff

 

[totalnoob]

For that $$, why don't you just buy a Ferrari instead?

 

[Zoeff]

For that $$, why don't you just buy a Ferrari instead?

I'm not going to buy it all in one go... ;p

 

[toyota]

that cpu will be just fine for a single gtx480. if adding a second one then yes overclocking the cpu a little closer to 4.0 will basically ensure that it is not a limiting factor at all. at just 1920x1080 I cant imagine that you would ever need three gtx480 cards.

 

[Zoeff]

That's reassuring, thanks toyota.

 

[brybir]

that cpu will be just fine for a single gtx480. if adding a second one then yes overclocking the cpu a little closer to 4.0 will basically ensure that it is not a limiting factor at all. at just 1920x1080 I cant imagine that you would ever need three gtx480 cards.

Not to mention a 3x 480 + your system is going to require a 1200W or higher PSU (if the rumors are true). That is one hell of an energy draining system!

 

[KamiXkaze]

Not to mention a 3x 480 + your system is going to require a 1200W or higher PSU (if the rumors are true). That is one hell of an energy draining system!

That is a lot of power I will pass if that is true.

kXk

 

[cbn]

http://www.semiaccurate.com/2010/03/12/semiaccurate-wrong-about-nvidia-480gtx-power-use/

SemiAccurate wrong about Nvidia 480GTX power use. (sounds like they might be pretty close though). We will have to see what the official reviews say.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

http://www.semiaccurate.com/2010/03/12/semiaccurate-wrong-about-nvidia-480gtx-power-use/

SemiAccurate wrong about Nvidia 480GTX power use. (sounds like they might be pretty close though). We will have to see what the official reviews say.

That post is sarcasm they predicted 280w and it turned out to be 275.

 

[cbn]

That post is sarcasm

Yep.

 

[happy medium]

Crossfired 5790's with a core i7 @ 3.7, bottleneck is the gpu @ 1900x1080.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

With more intesive games comming you might need that tri sli gtx 480.

 

[pjkenned]

For that $$, why don't you just buy a Ferrari instead?

As a data point, funny thing is since I realized that Crysis wasn't THAT fun, and started on MW:2, I sold off my second GTX285, and about the same time bought a Porsche. I guess my box doesn't benchmark crazy numbers, but I find driving the RL Porsche is more fun than driving fake cars in Need For Speed @ 120FPS.

However, RL Porsche driving like NFS seems to get me pulled over, so it may, in fact, be more cost effective to buy expensive video cards.

Just a thought.

 

[Shmee]

As a data point, funny thing is since I realized that Crysis wasn't THAT fun, and started on MW:2, I sold off my second GTX285, and about the same time bought a Porsche. I guess my box doesn't benchmark crazy numbers, but I find driving the RL Porsche is more fun than driving fake cars in Need For Speed @ 120FPS.

However, RL Porsche driving like NFS seems to get me pulled over, so it may, in fact, be more cost effective to buy expensive video cards.

Just a thought.

lol.

@ OP, a 960, or even a 930, should be fine. I would recommend just getting the 930 and ocing it.

 

[Zoeff]

lol.

@ OP, a 960, or even a 930, should be fine. I would recommend just getting the 930 and ocing it.

Are they identical except for the clock speed being set differently, or will a 960 be easier to overclock towards the 4Ghz mark?

Overclocking isn't something I've done a lot, when I did the results weren't all that much greater. I also lack most of the knowledge required to truly get the most out of an overclocked system...

EDIT: I noticed that the multiplier is at 21x rather than 24x. Is it possible to change and if so, is that wise?

 

[Shmee]

Are they identical except for the clock speed being set differently, or will a 960 be easier to overclock towards the 4Ghz mark?

Overclocking isn't something I've done a lot, when I did the results weren't all that much greater. I also lack most of the knowledge required to truly get the most out of an overclocked system...

EDIT: I noticed that the multiplier is at 21x rather than 24x. Is it possible to change and if so, is that wise?

no, the multi is locked on the non extremes. You overclock using BLCK increase. Both should have fairly similar max OCs, limited by the Vcore required/temps/chip, not by the mulitplier. Either one could do 4 GHz with some work and good cooling, MB higher.

 

[Zoeff]

no, the multi is locked on the non extremes. You overclock using BLCK increase. Both should have fairly similar max OCs, limited by the Vcore required/temps/chip, not by the mulitplier. Either one could do 4 GHz with some work and good cooling, MB higher.

Sounds like the 920 or 930 with a decent cooler and some effort would be the cheapest solution. I'm looking at Zalman's CNPS10X Extreme, will this cooler allow me to reach 4Ghz?

 

[cbn]

Crossfired 5790's with a core i7 @ 3.7, bottleneck is the gpu @ 1900x1080.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

With more intesive games comming you might need that tri sli gtx 480.

Can we really say $1200+ worth of video cards is bottlenecking a "console port" when the average FPS is over 170+ for 1920x1200 and over 130+ for 2560x 1600?

I think the only way to truly challenge that level of hardware would be Eyefinity or Nvidia surround view.

 

[happy medium]

Can we really say $1200+ worth of video cards is bottlenecking a "console port" when the average FPS is over 170+ for 1920x1200 and over 130+ for 2560x 1600?

I think the only way to truly challenge that level of hardware would be Eyefinity or Nvidia surround view.

I see your point,but if they used Crysis Warhead,Bad Company 2,Stalker the bottleneck would STILL be the gpu. ANd you would not get over 60 fps.

I was just showing that a core i7 @ 3.7 will push 2 5970's easy, therefore the GPU is the bottleneck. That was the op's question.

Except I used 5970's instead of gtx 480's

 

[toyota]

I see your point,but if they used Crysis Warhead,Bad Company 2,Stalker the bottleneck would STILL be the gpu. ANd you would not get over 60 fps.

I was just showing that a core i7 @ 3.7 will push 2 5970's easy, therefore the GPU is the bottleneck. That was the op's question.

Except I used 5970's instead of gtx 480's

you might want to look at all the games because its clear in 2 or 3 of them that adding a another 5970 did little at 1920x1080.

A problem with COD5 is that we are running into CPU limitation, hence the flat line. The two GPUs literally are waiting on the processor to feed them data, and as such are not utilized 100%.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/12

 

[happy medium]

you might want to look at all the games because its clear in 2 or 3 of them that adding a another 5970 did little at 1920x1080.

A problem with COD5 is that we are running into CPU limitation, hence the flat line. The two GPUs literally are waiting on the processor to feed them data, and as such are not utilized 100%.

REsident evil 5? Thats it. And thats because a 6800gt can run it.

Please tell me what you are talking about with Cod 5 because I see it dropping 30 fps from 1024x768 to 1900x1080.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

 

[happy medium]

you might want to look at all the games because its clear in 2 or 3 of them that adding a another 5970 did little at 1920x1080.

A problem with COD5 is that we are running into CPU limitation, hence the flat line. The two GPUs literally are waiting on the processor to feed them data, and as such are not utilized 100%.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/12

You are looking at a single 5970...look at my link..it's for crossfired. 5970's

 

[toyota]

REsident evil 5? Thats it. And thats because a 6800gt can run it.

Please tell me what you are talking about with Cod 5 because I see it dropping 30 fps from 1024x768 to 1900x1080.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

what? I have the link right there in my post. http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/12

never mind I was looking at the wrong link.

 

[happy medium]

Toyota look towards the end of the article and check CROSSFIRED 5970 benchmarks. The fps keeps going up. You are looking at single 5970 benchies.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

 

[toyota]

Toyota look towards the end of the article and check CROSSFIRED 5970 benchmarks. The fps keeps going up. You are looking at single 5970 benchies.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5970-review-test/23

yes I just figured that out a couple of minutes ago.

 

[happy medium]

yes I just figured that out a couple of minutes ago.

you got it buddy

That core i7 has some power dude.D: