SLI or Crossfire?

[sharpshooter_992]

The life of the GTX 570 will be coming to a close shortly, and I've been planning on replacing some parts too.

So my question today is what would give me better performance?

X2 Lightning Edition GTX 680's
or
X2 Direct CUll 7970's

I don't care either Nvidia or Radeon, I'm not a fanboy. Just wanting the better dual card setup. The cards will most likely be running off a 850 watt PSU.

Thanks!

 

[Z1NONLY]

I vote GTX 680's because of power considerations.

 

[maestro0428]

I never recommend multi card setups unless you absolutely have to (three screen gaming). They still have too many issues. A 570GTX is still pretty fast (that's what I run), but if you need to go faster, one 7970 GHZ edition is plenty fast up to 1440p with the highest settings.

 

[sharpshooter_992]

I vote GTX 680's because of power considerations.

I saw some benchmarks and yes the 680's used less power under load but more power idle, not that I would be spending more time idle then actually playing games. I'm getting a new motherboard too, what are your thoughts on the AsRock Z77 OC Formula?

 

[sharpshooter_992]

I never recommend multi card setups unless you absolutely have to (three screen gaming). They still have too many issues. A 570GTX is still pretty fast (that's what I run), but if you need to go faster, one 7970 GHZ edition is plenty fast up to 1440p with the highest settings.

I only have one screen, I just wanted the other 680 to save the upgrade later...

 

[Z1NONLY]

I saw some benchmarks and yes the 680's used less power under load but more power idle, not that I would be spending more time idle then actually playing games. I'm getting a new motherboard too, what are your thoughts on the AsRock Z77 OC Formula?

AsRock is one of the names I have never put my hands on. It *looks* good though.

I'm not too keen on the 8X8, but PCI-E 3.0 is supposed to be beastly, so you will probably be fine if you are running an ivy chip that runs 3.0.

I like the spacing on the slots too.

 

[krazyjamus]

I'd vote 7970s. But that's only because the only reason to have such a powerful setup of video cards is to use them on extremely high resolution gaming. If you're not planning on doing high-res gaming, there isn't much point getting it.

That being said, you might be better off just getting another GTX 570 for $200 and wait till next generation to really upgrade. I only say that because the 570 is still an amazing card. The 500 series didn't have quite the same weaknesses as the 6000 radeons.

Also, the 680 isn't a great deal, It's usually better to opt for the 670s. Not much of a performance hit but big price difference.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

nvidias dual card solution has less noticeable microstuttering, i would go with that.

 

[sharpshooter_992]

So what everyone is saying is that on 1920x1080 two cards aren't required? And if not the AsRock motherboard then what else would be the best choice for a motherboard because I'm not going to settle for less...

 

[sam_p_lay]

+1 to taking a GTX670 over GTX680 - around 6% difference in speed. Also +1 to iam2thecrowe. And to everyone that said GTX570 is still a powerful card Maybe the best option is to wait a few months until the Radeon 8000s and GTX700s are out? Then you can get a genuinely major upgrade.

 

[renz496]

this review is about SLI, CFX and multi monitor gaming:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/12/04/gtx_680_vs_radeon_hd_7970_multidisplay_showdown/

 

[badtaylorx]

both cards are "flagship" cards and perform quite simalarly despite what fans of their respective brands will tell you.....i tend to think the 680 is a lil "smoother" than the 7970...that smoothness was one of the key addressed points of the 6series(yes i have both) but the 7970 def puts out higher framerates....

as far as mobos goz......

i have the oc formula, but im not done building it yet...wish i could help

i do have exp with some other good boards.....

asus maximus FORMULA is a great board......ive found the GENE has better sound than both of its bigger brothers tho....

asus p8z77WS

ablsolutly the most stable board ive ever had the pleasure of using......sound isnt as good as the maxGENE....but is ok...solid o/c er....pleanty of pcie16....pretty blue lights.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131822


anywho...hope this helps