GTX 580 SLI vs GTX 680

[BreadFan]

I'm currently running a single GTX 580 (1.5gb ram). I'm also running the P67 chipset so I'm limited to PCIE 2.0 (instead of 3.0). I was looking at upgrading to the GTX 680 but noticed newegg.com has my video card (exact model) on sale for $369.99. Looking for advice on which way to go. I'm kinda leaning towards getting the second GTX 580 and running SLI. I have enough juice in my power supply to do so (1200w).

Would the 680 GTX be hindered running at PCIE 2.0 instead of 3.0? I was looking at doing an upgrade but as of now I'll be staying with my current rig for at least another year, if not more. Thanks.

 

[Fx1]

PCI 3 makes no difference

 

[BallaTheFeared]

I would only go SLI at this point if the 1.5GB frame buffer won't limit you.

Performance wise, the 580 isn't too far off from the 680, maybe 35%? So clearly 580 SLI is going to win out when it comes to raw FPS. But there are also disadvantages, such as the smaller frame buffer and AFR draw backs (requires great drivers, updates, support).


I think $370 is too steep for a 580 in the current market, it's performance is similar to that of the 660 Ti and 7870/7950 at stock, all of those cards are noticealy less costly, and perform better overall with larger frame buffers, better overclocking, and better perf/watt.

Unless you can find a 580 for $200 or less I wouldn't consider it, there is also news of GK110 releasing soon(ish), my guess is you're the kind of guy that would consider such a card.

 

[Jaydip]

Don't do it, 580 is extremely overpriced at $370.I would advice to wait for a couple of months.580 can still play modern games with reasonable settings.Titan is probably dropping some time soon, if it is too expensive for your taste you can always sell your 580 and grab a 670/7950 instead.

 

[Tweak155]

You can get the 580 used in the FS/FT area for ~$230 or less. The cheapest I've seen it still NIB is $300 on the Egg.

I'd recommend getting a 670 at that price, though.

 

[MrK6]

What resolution are you playing games at? Also, what are you hoping to gain from an upgrade? Unless you can get the GTX 580 <$200, it wouldn't a good deal to upgrade. The GTX 680 isn't much faster than a GTX 580 (~30%), although you could sell your current GTX 580 to defray some of the cost.

 

[imaheadcase]

I got my SLI GTX 580 zotax 1.5gigs sitting here, if you want can sell you both for $350. I went with single GTX 680 a few days ago because needed more GPu ram for new monitor I want to sell them both together though, makes them more attractive than single.

 

[Termie]

I'm currently running a single GTX 580 (1.5gb ram). I'm also running the P67 chipset so I'm limited to PCIE 2.0 (instead of 3.0). I was looking at upgrading to the GTX 680 but noticed newegg.com has my video card (exact model) on sale for $369.99. Looking for advice on which way to go. I'm kinda leaning towards getting the second GTX 580 and running SLI. I have enough juice in my power supply to do so (1200w).

Would the 680 GTX be hindered running at PCIE 2.0 instead of 3.0? I was looking at doing an upgrade but as of now I'll be staying with my current rig for at least another year, if not more. Thanks.

Which P67 motherboard? The actual specs on the PCIe slots matter a lot, as in whether they are x8/x8 or x16/x4. Wouldn't hurt to give the rest of the rig's specs too, like CPU.

And a $370 GTX580 is an enormous waste of money. Your best upgrade is to a single HD7970, which will outperform your current card by about 40%. Whether that's worth it to you actually depends on why you're upgrading in the first place? Are there games that are giving you problems, or are you getting a larger monitor? Don't do it just to do it. The GTX580 is a very fast card.

 

[raghu78]

as said above a GTX 580 for USD 370 is horribly overpriced. the best option would be to sell your GTX 580 and invest that towards a new high end card .

since you are already looking for a GTX 680 go for the GTX 680 Lightning. the best GTX 680 card. with LN2 unlocked voltage BIOS you can hit 1.35 - 1.4 ghz and you would be atleast 40 - 50% faster than an overclocked GTX 580

 

[Lepton87]

While 25% overclock on the core might sound impressive, remember that the biggest bottleneck in GTX680 is its memory bandwidth that's why you get diminishing returns by increasing core clock in most games. Overclocking the memory is more important especially if you have a 2560 monitor.

 

[Puppies04]

I got my SLI GTX 580 zotax 1.5gigs sitting here, if you want can sell you both for $350. I went with single GTX 680 a few days ago because needed more GPu ram for new monitor I want to sell them both together though, makes them more attractive than single.

Jebus.... if I didn't think I would get shafted by customs and excise I would buy them off you and pay to have them shipped to the UK.