GTX 760 (high end) vs lower end GTX 680

[alza6991]

Hello, I'm trying to decide on a graphics card for my system, with the main focus on performance as well as lasting as long as possible before needing to be replaced (in terms of FPS etc, not actually breaking).

In my budget, ~ $400 AUD, the best options available to me are high end GTX 760 cards, or lower end GTX 680 cards.

Here are the 680 cards:
http://tinyurl.com/ASUS-DCU2-680-2GB
http://tinyurl.com/EVGA-SC-680-2GB
http://tinyurl.com/Gigabyte-SOC-680-2GB

Here are the 760 cards:
http://tinyurl.com/Gigabyte-OC-760-4GB
http://tinyurl.com/MSI-760-HAWK-2GB
http://tinyurl.com/EVGA-760-FTW-4GB

For the record, I don't plan on manually overclocking the card itself.

If you want any of my other parts, just ask

Thanks in advance!

 

[clutchc]

GTX 680s are faster than GTX 760s: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/772?vs=854
If you are gaming at 1080p, you won't make use of more than 2GB of VRAM. The rest will sit unused.

 

[alza6991]

GTX 680s are faster than GTX 760s: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/772?vs=854
If you are gaming at 1080p, you won't make use of more than 2GB of VRAM. The rest will sit unused.

Thanks for the reply.

I checked that benchmark too, but thats for comparisons of reference models?
Does the same thing still apply for premium OC'd 760 models vs more stock 680 models?

Also, I heard of some games (eg Skyrim) using more than 2GB Vram?

 

[clutchc]

Factory O/C'd? Usually the small O/C from the factory won't change the comparison too much. Here's a review of a GTX 760 overclocked card that graphs it against other cards in popular games, including a stock GTX 680.
http://www.legitreviews.com/evga-geforce-gtx-760-superclocked-w-acx-cooling-video-card-review_2240

 

[alza6991]

Factory O/C'd? Usually the small O/C from the factory won't change the comparison too much. Here's a review of a GTX 760 overclocked card that graphs it against other cards in popular games, including a stock GTX 680.
http://www.legitreviews.com/evga-geforce-gtx-760-superclocked-w-acx-cooling-video-card-review_2240

OK, you've convinced me to go GTX 680.

Now which of the three do you recommend? I saw that the ASUS and Gigabyte are both 3 slot, which I'm not sure if is a good thing to be.

 

[Spec13]

EVGA make very nice cards, I'd go with them personally.

 

[clutchc]

Yeah, the EVGA card would be my choice too. Not as flashy looking as the others, but better made. And once it's in the case, you won't see it until the next time you open the case. Even then all you'll see is the back side.

As far as 3 bay cards, I see no reason to waste another bay or block off even more air flow without a reason. Maybe the extra big heat sync will pay off if you are trying to squeeze every last bit of O/C out of it. But it would have to pay off big time...

 

[alza6991]

Yeah, the EVGA card would be my choice too. Not as flashy looking as the others, but better made. And once it's in the case, you won't see it until the next time you open the case. Even then all you'll see is the back side.

As far as 3 bay cards, I see no reason to waste another bay or block off even more air flow without a reason. Maybe the extra big heat sync will pay off if you are trying to squeeze every last bit of O/C out of it. But it would have to pay off big time...

Thanks for the info.
Say I was willing to spend a little bit more for my graphics card, and the situation become Higher End GTX 680 vs stock-ish GTX 770, what would you then recommend?

 

[clutchc]

Well, first, I wasn't "recommending" the GTX 680. I simply wanted to present the differences and let you weigh the decision depending on your needs. The later tech is usually preferable to the older tech all else being equal. In the case of the GTX 680 OC vs GTX 770 stock, I would opt for the 770. It usually outperforms the 680 by a slight margin, can also be O/D'd, and has newer tech.

And if your MB/PSU has the capabilities, adding a 2nd 770 some day will extend the gaming capabilities further in the future.