GeForce GTX 690 Review: Testing Nvidia's Sexiest Graphics Card

By Chris Angelini
published

We already know that Nvidia's GeForce GTX 690 sports two GK104s and is priced at $1000. But hardware like this is fun to read about. Oh, you actually want to buy one? Expect performance just shy of two GTX 680s in SLI, and good luck tracking one down!

Benchmark Results: 3DMark 11 (DX 11)

Just as we expected, Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 690 4 GB falls in just behind two GeForce GTX 680s. Two Radeon HD 7970s take third place.

Almost surreally, previous-generation dual-GPU cards like the GeForce GTX 590 and Radeon HD 6990 get dramatically out-classed.

If you saw my day-two coverage of GeForce GTX 680, where I tested SLI, CrossFire, and 5760x1080, you’ll notice that these dual-card numbers are notably higher. We think it’s possible that the dual-card setups were pushing the overclocked Core i7-3960X harder, possibly throttling it. This issue doesn’t affect any of our other scores, and was addressed by simply bumping the maximum wattage and amperage up to 200.

Chris Angelini
Chris Angelini
Chris Angelini is an Editor Emeritus at Tom's Hardware US. He edits hardware reviews and covers high-profile CPU and GPU launches.
129 Comments Comment from the forums
  • robwright
    I wonder, given the price of the 690, just how limited the quanitities will be. Which brings up another question, one that Nvidia (and AMD as well) would probably be reluctant to answer: are they making and shipping fewer of the top-shelf Halo cards today than they did 5 or six years ago?
    Reply
  • milkshakez7z
    Looks very nice. Pity I'll never own one.
    Reply
  • guzami77
    im waiting for the 680 3gb sli
    Reply
  • Luscious
    Ah, the Bugatti Veyron of video cards... I'll take three, thanks!!!
    Reply
  • chumly
    It CAN play Crysis.
    Reply
  • rebel1280
    ....... Lamborghini’s Reventón ...... +infinity for mentioning that work of art T_T didn't even read the article until after I got my fix for the Lamborghini’s Reventón on the net haha. That car may be the only proof left to us of the old gods, in particular Mercury (god of transport) lol
    Reply
  • lahawzel
    680s are already nearly nonexistent, so I expect these 690s to be just as mythical and hard-to-find as the Radeon 6990.
    Reply
  • phamhlam
    LaHawzel680s are already nearly nonexistent, so I expect these 690s to be just as mythical and hard-to-find as the Radeon 6990.
    6990 aren't that hard to find. Back in January before the 7000 series came out, you could easily pick one or two up. I am pretty sure in 6 month, the 690 will be easy to grab.
    Reply
  • Marcus52
    That pair of 690s with the matching bridge looks so sweet, I want 2!

    ;)
    Reply
  • frombehind
    I wonder if someone will come out with a version that has a stock water-cooler built in? Then it really would the card to get ^^
    Reply