Author Topic: Which is better? (Video Card Setup) (Read 1287 times)

steve5451 · August 05, 2011, 01:25:18 AM

One card, because SLI isn't as reliable, plus, if it isn't supported by SLI, you only get to use your main card.
Which sucks.

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Ethan · August 05, 2011, 01:27:43 AM

Quote from: steve5451 on August 05, 2011, 01:25:18 AM

One card, because SLI isn't as reliable, plus, if it isn't supported by SLI, you only get to use your main card.
Which sucks.

Same happens to the 590. People don't realize that it's just 2 cards built into the same PCB, so if a card doesn't support SLI, you have to switch off one GPU.

Ethan · August 05, 2011, 01:30:31 AM

Quote from: Shocklink on August 05, 2011, 01:23:11 AM

Your saying its working at its edge now or when I upgrade?

Also, seems like im going for a SLI set-up. Any regrets? lol

Now.
800W is right on the edge. 850W is usually the minimum that is recommended, an 800W would work, but if you did push them in say a benchmarking trial or even a demanding game, it may damage the cards or even switch off your computer with a failsafe.

Shocklink · August 05, 2011, 10:14:16 AM

Quote from: Ethan on August 05, 2011, 01:30:31 AM

Now.
800W is right on the edge. 850W is usually the minimum that is recommended, an 800W would work, but if you did push them in say a benchmarking trial or even a demanding game, it may damage the cards or even switch off your computer with a failsafe.

so the 800w with the GTS 450 isnt a good idea, im barly at the edge with that one? I am sure 800 is more then enough considering the GTS takes about 400 on max load and I am not over clocking anything...

and forget that, Im not going to waste c.2k to SLI the 590, you guys are crazy.

If I am going to use one card, most likely I will buy something around the 580's but if I am going to SLI I will be getting either another GTS or buy 2 new ones and SLI them. Also, isnt it possible to dedicate one card for physics and another for graphics?

For those of you who are lost, options:
Buy one Beefy card: GTX 590
Buy 2 new good cards and SLI them: Undecided GTX
Buy 1 new video card that matches my old one and SLI them: GTS 450

Faoeoa · August 05, 2011, 01:58:05 PM

The GTX 590 isn't one card, it's two built into one,
I'd say go for a GTX 580.

or just buy a 6970.

Ethan · August 05, 2011, 04:42:21 PM

1. I meant the 800W with the 2 GTX 580s you were wanting to SLI?
Since a 590 is just two 580s on the same chip, I thought you wanted to know the better option.
And nobody said you were to SLI some 590s? forget, you've got me confused now.

Using a PhysX card is kinda useless if you have good cards as it is, but it would give a use for the 450 you have currently.

Anyway, starting fresh.
Buy one beefy card: 590
Yeah, if you refer to the posts in this topic I'd suggest against this for various reasons I've already pointed out.
Buy 2 new good cards and SLI them: I'd suggest 580s or 570s
Two 570s will give you similar performance to the 590, but the 590 is technically two 580s on the same card (PCB). The two 580s on the 590 are downclocked to stop heat, so it gives similar performance to the two 570s in SLI. If you want any more in depth, refer to the other posts I have posted. forget. The better option to the 590 would be to get two 580s and SLI. It's technically the same setup but way way better for reasons I've already pointed out on this loving topic...
Buy 1 new video card that matches my old one and SLI them: Lost loving cause. Don't.

Quote from: Faoeoa on August 05, 2011, 01:58:05 PM

The GTX 590 isn't one card, it's two built into one,
I'd say go for a GTX 580.

or just buy a 6970.

He said he didn't want an AMD card. God. Has nobody read the posts in this topic?

Shocklink · August 07, 2011, 12:11:40 PM

@Ethan: It looks like I might aswell SLI either 570 or 580. I knew from the start that the 590 is 2 cards mashed into one board and buying 1 GTS 450 to SLI would not only be cost efficiant but also (about) the same performance as one GTX 560. I am sure I read about making one card into physics and another graphics... Or I read wrong lol. No doubt regardless what I do, I need to buy a new Power supply. Might go up to the 1200 or something, be sure.

I think you gave me enough reason to SLI 2 new good cards. Thank you sir, you gave me a new insight, kudos for you.

@Faoeoa - I think we established long ago that the GTX 590 is 2 cards built in one... and again, I want to stick with Nvidia for sake of drivers, knowing them, and colors (Colors is not a deal breaker lol)

You guys are awesome, thanks for the input

Ethan · August 07, 2011, 05:19:46 PM

You can use a card for PhysX but the performance you gain is not really that good, unless playing a game where PhysX is a big part of it.
If you were to SLI some new cards, you could use your current 450 as a PhysX card as it's possibly just going to be sitting in a box somewhere anyway.

And trust me, you don't want to buy a new card just so you can get the performance of a 560.
They aren't that good, especially if you're running 2 cards to get there.

Shocklink · August 07, 2011, 07:23:57 PM

Thats true, very true.

I need to calculate how much power everything uses. I feel like just getting 1 GTX 570 is pushing the 800w :P

Ethan · August 07, 2011, 07:50:11 PM

No. If you were to SLI 2 GTX 580s, you'd want about 1000w to be safe. Make sure you have the right power connectors for them too when you buy a PSU.

Shocklink · August 07, 2011, 08:07:19 PM

1000w? It says "Minimum Wattage = 600w"

Ethan · August 07, 2011, 08:36:08 PM

What does?
You're confusing me man.

Shocklink · August 09, 2011, 10:12:47 AM

the GTX 570 says "Minimum wattage: 600"