2560x1660 Gaming - Which GPU?

[samorf]

Hello.

I am in the process of ordering for my new build. I am a bit worried about the resolution I game at on a 30" 2560x1660 monitor. Using battlefield ultra with a target of 60fps for reference.

This is my build.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/158TWUEEP7SO2/ref=topnav_lists_2

I originally wanted to get the asus or gigabyte 670 and they both come with 2gb of vram. I have read this isn't great for the resolution I am gaming at and that 3gb or more would be ideal. The only 4gb board at this point is the evga board which looks ok but I prefer the cooling on the asus and gigabyte.

EVGA 670 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130785

Asus 670 2Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121637

Gigabyte 670 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423&Tpk=gigabyte%20670

So people with actual experience at this resolution. Would I be better off with the 4GB 670, 2GB 670, SLI 4GB 670, or SLI 2Gb 670? What would suffice?

Thank you.

 

[g-unit1111]

Do you already have this build or not?

If you don't I'd drop the extra case fans, the 3770K, the thermal compound, and the $150 keyboard. With the amount of money saved there you could easily run 2 x GTX 670 on that budget.

 

[samorf]

75% of my computing is Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign so thats where the 3770 comes in. The case fans are for a cm cosmos 2, that's why the quantity. The keyboard is a down the road item.

But the only budget concerns I have are regarding the GPU and my needs concerning the 2560x1660 resolution.

Thank you.

 

[g-unit1111]

75% of my computing is Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign so thats where the 3770 comes in. The case fans are for a cm cosmos 2, that's why the quantity. The keyboard is a down the road item.

But the only budget concerns I have are regarding the GPU and my needs concerning the 2560x1660 resolution.

Thank you.

A single GTX 670 will be able to handle that resolution fine then. I'd personally go with the EVGA model but that's me.

 

[redeemer]

Get the 7970 install 12.7 cats and overclock

 

[samorf]

Thank you for your reply.

I guess what worries me most is the benchmarks here on Tom's.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-5.html

It's not breaking 60fps and that's without AA. 60fps is certainly the goal so my question remains if a 4gb 670 would suffice and run over 60fps with AA well, and consistently, or if SLI 670s is needed to attain that goal.

Looking for someone who might have real experience with this build and resolution right now.

Thanks again.

 

[samorf]

Get the 7970 install 12.7 cats and overclock

I've heard this before. I will look into it. Thank you.

 

[eddieroolz]

I think Tom's review put the advantage on the 7970 for 2560x1600 and multi-monitor gaming. I suppose the higher memory bandwidth and 3GB VRAM helps achieve that.

 

[g-unit1111]

Thank you for your reply.

I guess what worries me most is the benchmarks here on Tom's.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-5.html

It's not breaking 60fps and that's without AA. 60fps is certainly the goal so my question remains if a 4gb 670 would suffice and run over 60fps with AA well, and consistently, or if SLI 670s is needed to attain that goal.

Looking for someone who might have real experience with this build and resolution right now.

Thanks again.

The problem is that benchmark is comparing to cards that the average gamer will most likely never use or be able to afford. What they do show is that you is that for the money it does handily beat out other cards in it's class like the 7970.

I think Tom's review put the advantage on the 7970 for 2560x1600 and multi-monitor gaming. I suppose the higher memory bandwidth and 3GB VRAM helps achieve that.

Are you talking about the one they put up last week regarding the new firmware? http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232.html

 

[bob_38]

I think this is the key page. 3rd graph

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-8.html

What does this mean?:
Although not confirmed it is said the new drivers for all existing 7970's should preform like the GHz edition. The 7970's scale really well to the higher resolutions. However

Note: you will only achieve the 60+ fps with "no AA".

SLI/ Crossfire: is the best option for "AA on"

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7950-overclock-crossfire-benchmark,3123-17.html

Best of luck

 

[g-unit1111]

I think this is the key page. 3rd graph

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-8.html

What does this mean?:
Although not confirmed it is said the new drivers for all existing 7970's should preform like the GHz edition. The 7970's scale really well to the higher resolutions.

It basically means that 7970 - some models will support the new firmware update, some won't.

 

[Agent911]

I would go with the EVGA. I had an ASUS 580 GTX that had problems from the beginning. Their support is absolutely horrible. After months of sending the card back and forth (on my dime) they ended up replacing the card with a new .... REFERENCE 580 GTX card.

Been using a Dell 30" Monitor @ 2560 x 1600 resolution. Everything I've thrown at the card on max settings has been playable. If you can swing it, I would get a 680.

 

[samorf]

I would go with the EVGA. I had an ASUS 580 GTX that had problems from the beginning. Their support is absolutely horrible. After months of sending the card back and forth (on my dime) they ended up replacing the card with a new .... REFERENCE 580 GTX card.

Been using a Dell 30" Monitor @ 2560 x 1600 resolution. Everything I've thrown at the card on max settings has been playable. If you can swing it, I would get a 680.

Thank you that's valuable first hand knowledge. What kind of games do you play? What are your general settings/frame rates?

 

[g-unit1111]

I would go with the EVGA. I had an ASUS 580 GTX that had problems from the beginning. Their support is absolutely horrible. After months of sending the card back and forth (on my dime) they ended up replacing the card with a new .... REFERENCE 580 GTX card.

Been using a Dell 30" Monitor @ 2560 x 1600 resolution. Everything I've thrown at the card on max settings has been playable. If you can swing it, I would get a 680.

That's exactly why I don't recommend purchasing GPUs from the big motherboard vendors - if something goes wrong you're not likely to get a replacement that easily and if you do it's like pulling teeth almost.