Triple Monitors - GTX 760 vs GTX 760 4GB vs GTX 770 vs GTX 770 4GB

markshuttle · Aug 9, 2013

Hello!

I'm currently picking out a new GPU for my system to replace my aging 9800GT. I plan to have three monitors. However, I don't expect to game much (as I'm currently a student); I'll be programming (involving "intensive" 3D graphics), doing homework (i.e. MS Office), CAD work, occasional video editing for school projects, and in my spare time, gaming (BF3, TF2, Portal, FSX, etc.). I don't expect to use all three monitors for gaming (except for FSX).

Given this, would it be more wise to get a GTX 760, a 760 with 4GB RAM, a 770, or a 770 with 4GB RAM?

I've read online that the 4GB doesn't really matter because of the bandwidth of the cards.

Here are some cards I've been eyeing:

Gigabyte GTX 770 4GB
EVGA GTX 760 4GB
Gigabyte GTX 760
EVGA GTX 770
Gigabyte GTX 770

Thanks!

DarkSable · Aug 9, 2013

If you don't expect to be gaming on ultra settings, then any of those are overkill, to be honest.

Just grab a normal 760 - I'd go with EVGA for the warranty. The 760 represents insane value, and is honestly plenty for what you're looking for.

ThermalV · Aug 9, 2013

I'd go 770 just for longevity and that little bit of extra grunt is always good!

DarkSable · Aug 9, 2013

ThermalV :

You can buy a 760 for $250. A 770 is $400. The longevity isn't even close to an issue; they're both built on GK 104 cores; good ones. The "little bit of extra grunt" seriously isn't worth $150, especially when he's not going to be gaming that much and even then isn't going to be gaming on three monitors the majority of the time.

byogamingpc :

First of all... come on man, use links. They aren't that hard to put in. Second of all... while I agree that a 4GB 760 is pointless, why in the world are you recommending a $650 video card when a $250 one will be more than sufficient for the OP's needs? Read what he's doing again - he does not want to be gaming on triple monitors with ultra settings - there's no need for a 780.

teddymines · Aug 9, 2013

If the OP is doing intensive 3d, why not the GTX 650 Ti boost? From what I've read, most applications that utilize CUDA work on the 6xx series, and have not yet been ported to use the 7xx series. Plus it it only around $170 IIRC.

markshuttle · Aug 9, 2013

byogamingpc :

Doesn't the 770 also not have enough bandwidth for the 4GB?

DarkSable :

So a GTX 760 2GB is enough?

teddymines :

In my programming, the GPU won't be used for computing, but just for rendering.

I also forgot to mention that I'll be using the GPU for CAD. Is the GTX 760 still enough? Also, is the 770 worth the extra money? I'm not "afraid", per se, of spending extra for the 770, but it's whether or not it's really worth the extra price (in terms of power, not what my current usage goals are, for future-proofing reasons)?

DarkSable · Aug 9, 2013

^ Which is what I've been saying, yes.

OP, the 770 isn't really worth it, since all it will do is shave a little bit of time (not all that much) off your renders. As for future proofing, there is no such thing - you're better off buying the budget option now and then selling it and buying another budget option further down the road - you'll end up with a more powerful card in the end and will have spent the exact same amount of money.

As for 2GB vs 4GB, the only thing that's talking about is the amount of video ram the card has. 2GB should be more than enough unless you want to render at 4k resolution or something silly like that.

markshuttle · Aug 9, 2013

DarkSable :

Ok, so I've decided to go with a 760. I'm thinking of getting a 4GB card though, since that gives me space for debugging my code.

Which of these would be the best GTX 760 4GB card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gtx+760+4gb&N=-1&isNodeId=1

DarkSable · Aug 11, 2013

Also, I believe that you're confusing the Video RAM with the system ram.

You can have 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB of VRAM (either GDDR5 or GDDR3) and still have 512MB, 4GB, or 16GB of system RAM (DDR 3) - they're totally separate. All the video ram does is store the image before it's sent to the monitor.

markshuttle · Aug 12, 2013

DarkSable :

Yes, I know that the VRAM is separate from the system RAM. My applications can take upwards of 600MB of VRAM and when debugging, and I run multiple instances at a time to test networking code. With only 2GB of VRAM, I can only run ~3 instances at a time. I have a GTX 680M with 4GB of VRAM on my laptop, and I certainly want my desktop to have at least the same usability as my laptop in terms of graphics.

I will admit however, I'm not as experienced with the hardware side of things compared to the software side of computer graphics. Is what byogamingpc saying (bandwidth restriction) completely true, as in I won't even be able to use the extra 2GB?

DarkSable · Aug 12, 2013

Ahh, all right - in that case the larger VRAM budget is a decent option.

It's pointless for gaming, where all the ram has to be accessible at once for it to be helpful; it should be just fine for what you're doing.

markshuttle · Aug 13, 2013

DarkSable :

Thanks for clearing that up! So should I go with EVGA or Gigabyte? Both are $299.99 on newegg.

DarkSable · Aug 13, 2013

I personally would go with EVGA for their outstanding customer service and warranty, especially since I've had a few sour interactions with Gigabyte, but the Gigabyte probably has a better cooler. (Though I'd have to see the exact models to tell you.)

markshuttle · Aug 14, 2013

DarkSable :

These are the two:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130937
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125470

DarkSable · Aug 14, 2013

My answer then depends on your case.

The EVGA cooler isn't going to keep the CARD as cool, but will vent all of that heat out of the back of the case. The gigabyte cooler will keep the graphics card slightly cooler, but will recycle that heat back into the case.

On the other hand, EVGA will be a much nicer company to deal with if something goes wrong, and you probably won't be stressing the card that much that often anyways... though I'm not positive on that part.

markshuttle · Aug 14, 2013

DarkSable :

I have an HAF 922. If it matters, I have a Hyper 212 Evo on an i7 4770K, and it current idles at ~40 degrees celsius.

cemerian · Aug 14, 2013

4gb card is a must have for multi monitor setup 2gb wont cut it so always go for the most memory available

cemerian · Aug 14, 2013

4gb card is a must have for multi monitor setup 2gb wont cut it so always go for the most memory available

DarkSable · Aug 14, 2013

That's big enough and has good enough cooling that you shouldn't have to worry about having a recycling cooler, but Haswell does run hot.

Ultimately the decision is up to you, but I'd probably take the EVGA due to the warranty and customer service.

markshuttle · Aug 14, 2013

DarkSable :

Going with EVGA! Thanks for all the help.

Triple Monitors - GTX 760 vs GTX 760 4GB vs GTX 770 vs GTX 770 4GB

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Judicious

Distinguished

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Judicious

Honorable

Share this page