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2 x GTX 560-ti 2gb in SLI or 1 x GTX 580 3gb?
KilorTheMeek
Member Posts: 260
My GTX 460 is taking a dump, so I'm looking to make a big upgrade in my GPU. Here's what I'm running:
i7-950 @ stock speed (will probably give it a 25% OC in the near future)
12gb (3x4gb) DDR3
ASUS Rampage III Mobo
Antec 1000-watt PSU
I know I have the capability to support two cards in SLI running at PCI-e 2.0 x16. I have just a single 23" monitor, 1920x1080 resolution. No plans on running multiple monitors or 3D.
Looking at pricing, a single 3GB GTX 580 runs about the same price as two 2GB GTX 560-ti cards, with the pair of 560s being only about $60-$80 more.
On paper, the 560s in SLI should be superior, but I can't really find anything online that will show me how MUCH more performance I'd get. I mean... if a pair of 560s will only be marginally better than a single 580, I'll go with the 580 (so I can SLI with a second in the future if I choose).
Please... no debates on brands, or Nvidia vs. ATI... not interested in specific brands, and I'm not looking to discuss ATI cards (will not be buying ATI). This is strictly a 2x GTX 560-ti vs. GTX 580 discussion. Any thoughts/experiences/opinions on this topic are appreciated.
Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
Comments
One thing to consider is the power supply load. It would bite to go SLI and find out the PS can't handle it.
I don't know the numbers for modern hardware.
560-ti's run at a powerscore of 2,971. So if they BOTH run at full power and BOTH share the load. You're looking at 5,942 in terms of "benchmarking powerscores".
The 580 3GB runs at a stock powerscore of 3,909. However, you MUST remember that SLI does NOT work for many games. So you end up only using only ONE of your cards. However, if you plan to play modern FPS games like Crysis3, BF3, Modern Warfail, etc etc that you KNOW support SLI at maximum efficiency then you're golden with SLI over single-carding it.
Otherwise, I'd just get a 580 and be done with it. You're less likely to run into compatibility issues, and the 580 will last you quite awhile. Not to mention the fact you have to factor in the MASSIVE heat 2xNvidia 560-ti's would generate over a single 580.
Hope I helped
sources: ClickMe
ps: I forgot to mention that using 2 560-ti's you can have up to 6 monitors (each card using 3) with maybe a 20% drop in overall performance. Then again if you've got TWO 560-ti's slied you're already 80% over the performance needs for modern games ATM. Not to mention you can record your gaming on one Card while playing on another, meaning upwards of 300+FPS when using fraps (if you have the internet connection to go with the performance recording).
The Theory of Conservative Conservation of Ignorant Stupidity:
Having a different opinion must mean you're a troll.
First things first :
There is absolutly no point in 3GB VRAM at the moment. You will bearly scratch at the 1,5 GB mark with BF3 HD and max settings, with some downsampling you might touch the 2 GB, at about 9 fps.
The 560ti*2 is a bit faster than one 580 generally (was about ~10 fps in crysis warhead), but you have the usual SLI problems.
Aside from the driver profile pain in the ass factor with SLI, there's also power consumption (2 560Ti's will be 170x2 W, or 340W, a single 580 is 244W) - now your power supply is big enough to handle that, but it will mean bigger power bills.
And there is the thermal consideration - 340W is more heat than 244W. That means more case fans, and that means more fan noise - both from the extra video card, the extra load on the power supply, and the extra heat inside the case.
And there is the layout consideration. 2 cards need more power cables, there's more interference potential with hard drives and such, and there's more case clutter in general. That can all be managed, but it still exists.
A single monitor at 1080, really a single 560Ti is enough to do nearly every game on High settings, and most every game on Max/Ultra. You can get a bit more out of going to a single 580, but honestly you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference playing side by side between a single 560 and a single 580 - let alone SLI anything.
Neither. The double memory cards only make sense at higher resolutions, i.e., 2560x1440 and up. You should be asking 2x GTX 560 Ti 1 GB or 1x GTX 580 1.5 GB.
Like Quiz said, you dont need the 3gb version as the 1.5gb version is sufficient enough.
GTX580 1.5GB, done deal.
as sli user, i will never buy sli cards again, unless performance is atleast 30% greater for same price , and its usually just 10-15% and all sli hassle just isnt worth it
Thanks for all the input guys. I'm aiming at the higher gb versions of the cards merely from a future-proofing standpoint... I do not like to upgrade every year and the only reason I'm upgrading prematurely now is because my 460 is on the fritz. I understand the 1.5gb will suffice for most any game out now, but I don't want to have to upgrade in 12 months when some new badass graphics engine is released and I can no longer sustain hi fps at max settings.
I think I'll just go with the single 580. That was my gut intent anyway until I had a lapse in judgement and started lurking on hardware forums. Hopefully it'll keep me satisfied until I'm ready to upgrade the entire rig and if not I'll have a free slot to add another.
Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
Depends on what he plays, Battlefield 3 for example is using 2GB vram if you have it available, other games such as FSX would also benefit.
Metro 2033 is the only game that video card reviews have found that can make use of that sort of video memory at 1080p.
Even with the lower amounts of video memory, it is highly improbable that your next upgrade will be driven by insufficient video memory, as opposed to insufficient GPU power or dead hardware.
the more basic question here is shouldn't your 460 still be under warranty?
my concerns are more towards what KILLED your 460 to begin with? if you have a thermal/power problem that killed your 460, putting a more powerful card (or worse SLi) in your system will simply compound the problem.
fix your system 1st before considering upgrading is my recommendation.
you may want to give us the make and model of the case you are using (a picture inside your case will also help in determining if your problem is dust related)
also the model of the powersupply. i know antec isnt "usually" junk, but the only powersupply i've ever had die on me was an antec:D
Nah it's not fella, i didn't mention BF3 and FSX for no reason. BF3 is using all my Vram on my new card and FSX with all the mods is use is barely keeping up even though i now have 2GB Vram.
Granted almost all games won't need more than around 1.5GB usually no more than 1GB but there are quite a few exceptions out there.
Toms Hardware does SLI and crossfire in their benches, and as you can see the GTX560 Ti SLI outperforms the GTX580 by a good margen.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2011-gaming-graphics-charts/Aliens-vs.-Predator-Enthusiast,2668.html
The drawbacks have (as always) already been mentioned.