MSI GTX 260 SLI Should I upgrade?
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Last response: in Graphics & Displays
sentiax
January 6, 2012 2:20:16 PM
Hello everyone,
This is my first post here, and I apologize if it's been asked before. I've found a couple threads concerning the question but none that answer my exact question so I figured I'd join the community and go ahead and ask.
Basically I have 2 MSI GTX 260s running in sli. Q6600 running at 3 GHZ and 8 GB ram if any of that is relevant as well, 1920x1080 and up to three monitors depending on what game I'm playing or what I'm doing. I've noticed lately that my 260s are finally starting to lag behind and I can't max a few games coming out in the recent past, not many, but a few. I think this is laregely dependent on whether the game is optimized for SLI rather than my cards not being able to handle the game itsel, but I'm still looking up upgrade. My question is what is my best option. I'm looking to spend about 300 or less possibly slightly more. I've looked at both 560s and 570s and they both seem like good options. ATI/AMD cards ARE an option but I'd like to avoid it because my current motherboard only supports SLI and not XFIRE and I would like to have the option to add a second card to sli in the future. Should I look into a 570 for a single card solution that will last quite I while, I'm sure if I'm patient I can get one for close to 300 or less. Or should I grab a 560 and be able to pick up a second one much more quickly than a second 570? Are there any other cards I should be looking at? What should I examine in terms of possibilites in that price range. Will any of the 6xx series be worth waiting for? Any help is very much appreciated.
This is my first post here, and I apologize if it's been asked before. I've found a couple threads concerning the question but none that answer my exact question so I figured I'd join the community and go ahead and ask.
Basically I have 2 MSI GTX 260s running in sli. Q6600 running at 3 GHZ and 8 GB ram if any of that is relevant as well, 1920x1080 and up to three monitors depending on what game I'm playing or what I'm doing. I've noticed lately that my 260s are finally starting to lag behind and I can't max a few games coming out in the recent past, not many, but a few. I think this is laregely dependent on whether the game is optimized for SLI rather than my cards not being able to handle the game itsel, but I'm still looking up upgrade. My question is what is my best option. I'm looking to spend about 300 or less possibly slightly more. I've looked at both 560s and 570s and they both seem like good options. ATI/AMD cards ARE an option but I'd like to avoid it because my current motherboard only supports SLI and not XFIRE and I would like to have the option to add a second card to sli in the future. Should I look into a 570 for a single card solution that will last quite I while, I'm sure if I'm patient I can get one for close to 300 or less. Or should I grab a 560 and be able to pick up a second one much more quickly than a second 570? Are there any other cards I should be looking at? What should I examine in terms of possibilites in that price range. Will any of the 6xx series be worth waiting for? Any help is very much appreciated.
More about : msi gtx 260 sli upgrade
Hey there , the best card for you would be either a 560ti 2 gb or 570 2.5gb.
Since you want to stick with nvidia cos of your mobo these cards will perform very well, do not consider a 1gb version of the 560ti as you are running 3 monitors, you will need a 2gb version for your set up to run perfectly.
EVGA makes a 570 2.5 gb version , I dont think the 1.2gb version of this card would be enough vram either for your 3 monitors and you can always SLI later.
Since you want to stick with nvidia cos of your mobo these cards will perform very well, do not consider a 1gb version of the 560ti as you are running 3 monitors, you will need a 2gb version for your set up to run perfectly.
EVGA makes a 570 2.5 gb version , I dont think the 1.2gb version of this card would be enough vram either for your 3 monitors and you can always SLI later.
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EVGA 012-P3-2066-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores FTW 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$289.99 and a $10 rebate makes it $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The 570's are currently going for over $300 and if you can catch a sale or rebate offer then you could get below the $300. The card listed is actually between a 560Ti and a 570 with the addition of the 64 processor cores , so the performance should be a little better than a 560Ti and just less than a 570. Plus there is a small rebate.
$289.99 and a $10 rebate makes it $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The 570's are currently going for over $300 and if you can catch a sale or rebate offer then you could get below the $300. The card listed is actually between a 560Ti and a 570 with the addition of the 64 processor cores , so the performance should be a little better than a 560Ti and just less than a 570. Plus there is a small rebate.
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 2:40:56 PM
sentiax said:
I should note that MOST of my gaming would occur at 1920x1080 on a single monitor, so the multiple monitor deal is basically a non issue. Seems like you guys are suggesting exactly what I was looking at. Will a single 560TI outperform my current setup? I know a single 570 will.Ok if you are gaming on a single monitor then definately consider the 560ti 448 core, I believe it will out perform your current set up.
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 2:58:23 PM
sentiax said:
What wattage should I be looking at to run two of the 560s? I have an 850 right now that two 260s can't even touch.Are you thinking of two 560's or two 560Ti's or the 560Ti 448 core , it does make a difference in the recomended power supply. I would say that the 850w psu that you have will work for the 560Ti's in SLI. Can you post the Brand and model of the psu?
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 3:14:35 PM
It will eventually probably be two of the 448 cores. Apparently it's a 750watt I haven't looked at it in forever. Here
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 3:49:28 PM
sentiax
January 6, 2012 4:07:28 PM
Red Team FTW
January 6, 2012 4:12:55 PM
Requirements:
•550 watt or greater power supply with a minimum of 38 amps on the +12 volt rail.
•PCI Express or PCI Express 2.0 compliant motherboard with one x16 graphics slot.
•One 6-pin PCI Express power connector or two available hard disk power connectors and one 8-Pin PCI Express power connector or two available 6-pin PCI Express power connectors.
•Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP
http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/video-cards/14955?s...
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-co...
You can look at these two sites and see what it may take to run two 448 cards. You can also do a Google search for "Ge-Force GTX 560Ti 448 cores voltage"
•550 watt or greater power supply with a minimum of 38 amps on the +12 volt rail.
•PCI Express or PCI Express 2.0 compliant motherboard with one x16 graphics slot.
•One 6-pin PCI Express power connector or two available hard disk power connectors and one 8-Pin PCI Express power connector or two available 6-pin PCI Express power connectors.
•Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP
http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/video-cards/14955?s...
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-co...
You can look at these two sites and see what it may take to run two 448 cards. You can also do a Google search for "Ge-Force GTX 560Ti 448 cores voltage"
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 4:19:29 PM
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Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
This psu has 40a on the 12 volt rail and would then work for the 448 core cards.
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
$104.99 and a $10 rebate makes it $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
This one has 62a on a single 12 volt rail.
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
This psu has 40a on the 12 volt rail and would then work for the 448 core cards.
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
$104.99 and a $10 rebate makes it $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
This one has 62a on a single 12 volt rail.
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sentiax
January 6, 2012 4:50:05 PM
I used to game with 2 gtx260's in sli. you are extremely limited by lack of vram. the 1gig cards can't cut it either. ( don't care what some of you think about that )............. if you don't get the GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores listed above that has more than 1gig or a single 6950 or 6970 with 2gigs you'll still be hurting. I don't think the q6600 will push 2 cards to their limits anyways.
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sentiax said:
Yeah looks like I might have to get a new PSU as well, mine doesn't have enough amperage on the 12v rails.It may be a good idea to do so although it's a shame that you can't use the psu that you have and another good reason to go with a quality brand name. Keep your eye out for sales and rebates and maybe you can snag a good quality psu for a good price.
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