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GTX 680 - Better than 2x SLI GTX 260?

Tags:
  • Homebuilt
  • Computers
  • SLI
  • Nvidia
  • Gtx
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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March 26, 2013 6:57:20 PM

My current computer has two GTX 260s (896MB ea) in SLI. That has seemed to work brilliantly for pretty much any game I throw at it, usually at the highest or almost-highest settings. However, it looks like I may need to build a new computer ( http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1635832/psu-blew... ).

I was considering getting a GTX 680 (2GB memory). How will that compare to my dual 260s? As I say, my dual 260s have been able to handle pretty much anything, but they're also 3 years old. Will one GTX 680 be able to do as well or better? I'd rather not get two cards unless necessary (SLI does have occasional hiccups), but I also don't want to take a step back in terms of performance when building a new computer.

So, what do you think?

More about : gtx 680 sli gtx 260

March 26, 2013 7:02:23 PM

The GTX680 is massively better than SLI 260s. A single 480 is almost as good. The extra memory will give a nice addition to help with bandwidth. You can also go with a 670 and overclock it to 680 specs if you want. Either way you'll get much more performance. Any game on ultra.
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March 26, 2013 7:05:28 PM

I just keep being surprised that even 3 years later, I can still run pretty much any game on pretty much the highest setting, so I wasn't sure if it would be much of an improvement.
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March 26, 2013 7:09:08 PM

I doubt you have MSAA all the way up. I can run anything on ultra on my GTX465, but not all the AA settings. You'll probably see your FPS triple (maybe even quadruple) with a 680.
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March 26, 2013 7:09:10 PM

NJAldwin said:
I just keep being surprised that even 3 years later, I can still run pretty much any game on pretty much the highest setting, so I wasn't sure if it would be much of an improvement.



Hi :) 

I know how you feel...I had twin 5870`s (the rare 2 gb ones) ....and they still played my fps amazingly well, but I noticed a HUGE difference with my 7990 ...but a 680 will be better for you but NOT a HUGE difference...

All the best Brett :) 
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a b B Homebuilt system
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a c 678 U Graphics card
March 26, 2013 7:13:42 PM

Your 260's are DirectX 10 cards, so the GTX 680 will allow you to enable better graphics options within the DirectX 11 family, tessellation for one.
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March 26, 2013 8:00:07 PM

Brett928S2 said:
NOT a HUGE difference...


Should I go for a 690 then? Or a Titan?
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March 26, 2013 8:01:41 PM

NJAldwin said:
Brett928S2 said:
NOT a HUGE difference...


Should I go for a 690 then? Or a Titan?


Hi :) 

I would.... or my 7990....

All the best Brett :) 

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March 26, 2013 8:07:39 PM

Wow, or maybe I'm confused about the naming scheme. People are saying a 590 is better than a 680?
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March 26, 2013 8:08:27 PM

Oh, gee, and now I have to choose between the 2GB 680 and the 4GB one.
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a b B Homebuilt system
a c 468 Î Nvidia
a c 678 U Graphics card
March 26, 2013 8:33:38 PM

You first need to decide your budget, but you should absolutely upgrade. Once you have your budget, then get the corresponding card that fits within. Logic right now favors the GTX 670 as a great cost-performance all around deal. If you can afford the GTX 680, then don't hesitate.

A single GTX 680 is going to be about 25% faster than 2 x GTX 460's; which in turn are about 50% faster than 2 x GTX 260 (check the linked charts below for my logic...). So you will absolutely see a huge performance increase, in addition to the improved DirectX 11 graphics upgrade.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_4...
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_6...
(680>5970>460SLI>295>260SLI)
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a b B Homebuilt system
a c 468 Î Nvidia
a c 678 U Graphics card
March 26, 2013 8:35:53 PM

NJAldwin said:
Oh, gee, and now I have to choose between the 2GB 680 and the 4GB one.

This one's easy, only get the 4GB card if you are gaming on multiple monitors. It will be a waste of money otherwise.
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March 26, 2013 8:38:06 PM

17seconds said:
NJAldwin said:
Oh, gee, and now I have to choose between the 2GB 680 and the 4GB one.

This one's easy, only get the 4GB card if you are gaming on multiple monitors. It will be a waste of money otherwise.


This. 4GB of bandwidth simply isn't necessary unless you're using a multi-monitor setup for gaming.
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March 26, 2013 8:54:26 PM

danieljvdm said:

This. 4GB of bandwidth simply isn't necessary unless you're using a multi-monitor setup for gaming.


I run two monitors (each at 2048x1152), but usually only run a game on one, though sometimes I'll have some other stuff on the other screen. 2GB ok for that? Or will 4GB be noticably better? It's a ~$90 difference...
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a b B Homebuilt system
a c 468 Î Nvidia
a c 678 U Graphics card
March 26, 2013 9:20:47 PM

NJAldwin said:
danieljvdm said:

This. 4GB of bandwidth simply isn't necessary unless you're using a multi-monitor setup for gaming.


I run two monitors (each at 2048x1152), but usually only run a game on one, though sometimes I'll have some other stuff on the other screen. 2GB ok for that? Or will 4GB be noticably better? It's a ~$90 difference...

2GB will be no problem for that scenario, as long as you aren't gaming on both screens. Even then, the performance loss isn't exactly going to be catastrophic. The only reason to go with the 4GB is to "future-proof" your purchase. The only games that can use more than 2GB of memory are Crysis 3 at the ultimate highest settings and Skyrim with a lot of texture mods. It's possible more games will use more than 2GB in the future, and you are on a higher resolution, so maybe that's worth the extra $90.
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March 27, 2013 6:00:37 AM

I have bought GTX titan and recommended you to buy too...
All new drivers will go for it; it very good for future SLI; it use less power; (then 690 or radeons);
I hear some where GTX690 don't alow ultra for some games because use 2Gb per CPU (i.e. GTX690 is two 680 in one plate)
(my prev. video was GTX260 too :)  with acelero plusII coller)

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