EVGA Z68 FTW 4 GPUs

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Swolern

Swolern

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I just bought 3 EVGA GTX 670s. Hoping for good 3-way SLI support in the future. So i was wondering could i add a 4th GPU in the future to this mobo if i wanted to. Or is it only 3-way compatible? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-188-098&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

Also was contemplating the Asrock Extreme 7. But i did read this only goes up to 16x/8x/8x. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=uyakyvr1ixli
 
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jaquith

jaquith

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jaquith

jaquith

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My only issue with 4-WAY is 2GB vRAM on 'most' GTX 600 series *, and clearly the only justification for 3 or 4-WAY SLI is multiple monitors. * the 4GB aren't available readily, about the only way to get (1) is direct sales of EVGA - if you need more you need a friend(s) (1 per household limits).
 
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Swolern

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I I just bought 3 Asus 3d monitors and going to be running 5760x1080 3d. I was going to wait for the 4gb versions but I saw some 4gb 680 benchmarks and they did not help the performance at 5760x1080 compared to the 2gb versions.
 
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Ya I would have went with the 7970 3gb VRAM with much better 5760x1080 CF scaling, but Nvidia's 3d is soooo much better. I don't think Eyefinity is even 3d compatible. I could be wrong.
 
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Swolern

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U could possibly be right. That's why I started with 3x EVGA 670s for $1200, only $200 more than 680sli. It should get me pretty good performance, hopefully. I'm sure I will have to turn down the AA in some games.

Just pumped to see what 3d Surround looks like. And in faster paced games I can just switch to 5760x1080 in 2d @ 120hz
 
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jaquith

jaquith

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Games like BF3 especially with high settings are going to run >2GB so you will have a 'vRAM Bottleneck' -- the cure is to lower your settings. Now for 3D count on a vRAM bottleneck. I'm replacing my daughter's older 3-WAY GTX 470 (OC) because on some games it's a wall and I've seen plenty enough evidence to conclude 4GB or forget it.

For others, look for the problems -- not the exceptions -- that is unless 0~5FPS is your thing or mediocre details. Google is your friend - use it ;) I hate vRAM arguments and I simply don't care to engage folks in a debate -- your rig -- deal with it -- my rig & my way!
 
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Swolern

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How much does 3d increase VRAM usage? Does 3d double VRAM like it doubles performance needs? I could try to exchange the 670s for the 4gb versions still if I can find some proof that it's going to to make that much of a difference. The benchmarks I've seen between 2gb and 4gb 680 showed no performance difference in bf3 ultra. The link I provided earlier to a different review showed lower framerates in 3-way and 4way sli. I'm not sure that was VRAM bottleneck or driver error.

Im a bit confused with the vram usage on the 600 series. So im all ears to your suggestions. I know for sure BF3 5760x1080 on ultra uses more than 2gb vram, but these new bechmarks dont show any bottleneck. I found this 690 3d surround review from PCPer. http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-690-Review-Dual-GK104-Kepler-Greatness/3D-Vision-and-3D-Vi

690 is comparable to 670sli in performance and both have 2gb VRAM x2. So the 690s vram would stay at 2gb and not 4 correct?

So on PCPer 690 review in shows BF3 5760x1080 with ultra settings at 70fps average. Now when 5760x1080 in 3d it shows 37fps average. So that is @ the normal 1/2 rate that 3d implies on performance, so I don't see a bottleneck there. But I was sure there would be a bottleneck on bf3 at that high setting with 3d surround. So that's why I'm confused.
 
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jaquith

jaquith

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First of all all of this depends entirely on the game and the game's detail settings. Next, 3D again all depends on the games 'rendering engine' -- some games are better for 3D than others, meaning in order to take full advantage of the 120Hz [60Hz/right | 60Hz/left] you need i.e 120FPS (2D) some games don't have a 50% drop.

Therefore, for 'myself' and especially with the investment, it seems kinda ... stupid ... to spend all that money for mediocre 3D. Lower details to 'me' pooch the 3D look, and higher details are fine.

The link is a GTX 690 review, and in reality it's an internal GTX 680 2GB SLI so what you want to compare is GTX 680 2GB SLI in 3D vs GTX 680 4GB SLI in 3D.

If you want 37FPS then be my guest, I prefer 45FPS+ minimum.

What we 'try' to do is use the highest possible details and 4xAA or better.

Again, there's so little information you really need to look for i.e. search for GTX 670 2GB 3-WAY vs GTX 670 4GB 3-WAY + 3D vision and sort through all the BS and find what it takes to hit a 'vRAM bottleneck' -- I didn't make-up the term 'vRAM bottleneck' I know what it takes to hit one. Perhaps once I can get a (3) full length PCB GTX 670 4GB that support EK or Koolance blocks I can run some tests, as it is more than likly we'll be waiting on GTX 680 4GB GPUs due to the blocks. The only thing I hate worst than poor frame rates is the noise of a lawn blower a few feet from my ears.
 
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