SLI or buy a new GPU?

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eslaver

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Jan 1, 2014
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Hi guys,

My rig has a GTX770 Asus DirectCU II 2 GB. I want to add some more memory in it.

What is the best option?
Buy the new GTX970 4gb? or buy another GPU 2GB and go SLI?
Also for SLI what is the best GPU to go for?
Can I go SLI with a GTX970 and a GTX770 if I want to?

Thank you :)
 
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TheConsiderateIlliterate
Mind posting the rest of your specs? We need to know if your motherboard supports SLI and if your power supply has enough juice to handle 770 in SLI.

It's really a personal preference. One stronger card is generally the better choice because it uses less power, produces less heat, and you won't run into SLI issues (if any). Keep in mind that not all games support SLI, at least at release. Most will get the appropriate drivers for support but you won't run into that with one card.

770 sli vs 970 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1064?vs=1355

Personally, I'd look into selling your 770 on ebay and getting a 970. The 970 runs very cool (as you'll see in the link I posted, towards the bottom) and this will allow for some...
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TheConsiderateIlliterate

TheConsiderateIlliterate

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Oct 4, 2013
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Mind posting the rest of your specs? We need to know if your motherboard supports SLI and if your power supply has enough juice to handle 770 in SLI.

It's really a personal preference. One stronger card is generally the better choice because it uses less power, produces less heat, and you won't run into SLI issues (if any). Keep in mind that not all games support SLI, at least at release. Most will get the appropriate drivers for support but you won't run into that with one card.

770 sli vs 970 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1064?vs=1355

Personally, I'd look into selling your 770 on ebay and getting a 970. The 970 runs very cool (as you'll see in the link I posted, towards the bottom) and this will allow for some overclocking room.

Also, the 900 series supports DX 12 when that comes out. I don't believe the 700 series will support that.

I'd get the 970.

 
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faalin

faalin

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Feb 22, 2012
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Hi guys,

My rig has a GTX770 Asus DirectCU II 2 GB. I want to add some more memory in it.

First off buying a second 2GB card and going sli will not give you 4gb of memory, sli does not work that way

What is the best option?
Buy the new GTX970 4gb? or buy another GPU 2GB and go SLI?
I would try and sell your 770 and get a 970
Also for SLI what is the best GPU to go for?
The best GPU to go with would be the exact same card you already have. That way everything matches across the board between the cards.
Can I go SLI with a GTX970 and a GTX770 if I want to?
No you cant sli a 970 with a 770, Sli has to be the same series. You can have different manufactures and even different speeds but they have to be the same model, so a 770 has to be paired with another 770.

Thank you :)

 
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kira70591

kira70591

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Feb 2, 2014
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Performance wise, the 770 in SLI will beat a single 970; however, it depends on if you need the extra VRAM or not. If you start to need more than 2 GB of VRAM, then the 970 will start to outperform. What resolution are you playing at and what sort of games are you playing? Also, remember that another 770 2GB will not bring your total amount of VRAM up to 4.

What PSU do you have? 770s can start to eat up the power when compared to a 970.
 
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quilciri

quilciri

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Mar 16, 2012
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Unless you're planning on buying a 4k display right now you're better off adding a second 770. A pair of 770's will perform much better than a single 970 at 1080 and 1440p.

Windows 10 will be out this year with DX12. Upgrading to windows 10 will be free for anyone running windows 7, 8 or 8.1.

DX12 will pool video resources instead of mirroring the buffer, so if you have a pair of 2GB cards in SLI, you will indeed have 4gb accessible and the 770's will be better in nearly every situation.

Cheers!
 
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faalin

faalin

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Feb 22, 2012
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When did Nvidia change this? Depending how you set your sli up, since there are multiple ways to do it. One card can render the first frame while the second card does the next, or one will do half the screen while the other does the other half. But sli does not share vram where 2gb + 2gb does not equal 4GB of vram. you still only get 2GB of ram.
 
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quilciri

quilciri

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Nvidia didn't change anything.....Direct X is a Microsoft product. DX12 will be in windows 10, which will be a free upgrade to anyone using 7, 8, or 8.1.

Under DX12, the cards no longer alternate frames. They've achieved synchronization such that each card renders a portion of the screen. Microsoft has stated that any card that supports DX 11.1 will support the majority of features in DX12, so Nvidia cards all the way back to the 400 series.

Cheers!
 
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quilciri

quilciri

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Oh, and just to blow your mind....

DX12 is reported to be able to pool graphics resources regardless of source. Based on that, a single system could conceivably use the graphics processing from an NVidia card, an AMD card, and Intel HD integrated at the same time.

If you want to see something even more bonkers, check out the Euclideon engine....the company has two games due out this year.

Have fun!
 
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quilciri

quilciri

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Mar 16, 2012
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I won't speculate on the 290X, but DX12 is based on AMD's mantle. Microsoft is using it's own implementation, but is copying the features of mantle.

A quick google search will confirm the DX12 features from dozens of reputable sources.

In any case, you best off waiting a few months. Windows 10 is due out later this year (the technical preview ended yesterday). The 390X is also due out in August. Even if you're not planning on getting a 390/390X, the debut will drive card prices down across the board.

Cheers!
 
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eslaver

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Jan 1, 2014
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my rig , intel i5 4670k, 2x 4GB RAM, 800 PSU GOLD XFX Black, ASUS Z87- PRO MOBA,

and mainly I want to expand the gpu ram. In the future I am planning to go for a 4k monitor as well.

so I guess I shall go for the 970 ?
 
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quilciri

quilciri

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Mar 16, 2012
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If you absolutely can't wait until august for 4k gaming, get a 970. Personally, I'm probably going to grab a couple of used asus/gigabyte/EVGA 780's off Ebay and wait for win10. I may even stick with my 670 SLI and see how that pans out in DX12.

Either way, have fun!
 
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