Graphics Card Delimma...

**HeavyG** · 05-13-12, 05:57 PM

So I am about to pull the trigger on two GTX 670s. But in reality, I might be better off getting the GTX 690. It would likely offer similar performance as the GTX 670s, while requiring much less of a hassle.

Since you all know, I would be water cooling any card(s) I purchase, so I need to tack on the additional cost of water blocks, any new links, etc. Sure, a GTX 690 is $1000 out of the gate, with likely $150 extra for a water block. The GTX 670s would be $800 out of the gate, with likely $250 for water blocks. I would only be paying $100 extra for the GTX 690.

In addition to the blocks, I would be getting backing plates (est. $30 each, 2x for the GTX 679, only 1x for GTX 690) and a parallel link for the GTX 670s (est. $30). This means the gap would only be $40 between the two options.

If you would have asked me to choose between the GTX 590 and two 570s, I would have told you 570s hands down because of their ability to overclock while under water. Also the GTX 590 was not based on 2 x GTX 580 GPUs, but rather 2 x GTX 570 GPUs. The newer 690 is actually based on two GTX 680 GPUs, and pretty much performs as such. Because the difference in price is going to be so minimal, I will likely go with a single GTX 690. EK is about to release the water block for it, while the GTX 670 water block will not be out for a while unless you get a non-reference series card based on the GTX 680 PCB, which will likely cost you more.

I will keep you posted on what I decide… but looks like ole HeavyG is at it again…

**HeavyG** · 05-13-12, 06:02 PM

All of this, of course, is if I can find one in stock...

**DJ Ms. White** · 05-13-12, 06:09 PM

Heavy, the 690 is actually 2 680s together unlike the 590. I've also read that it looks like you might be able to push it farther than even 2 680s.

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**DJ Ms. White** · 05-13-12, 06:13 PM

Of course, the 690 might have the need of pcie3.0 since it might oversaturate 2.0. Another something to consider. That means that in your case, going with 670s might give better performance.

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**HeavyG** · 05-13-12, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by DJ Mr. White

Of course, the 690 might have the need of pcie3.0 since it might oversaturate 2.0. Another something to consider. That means that in your case, going with 670s might give better performance.

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Already ahead of you. While it doesn't require PCIe 3.0, there were some worries about the difference between the two BUS options. Looks like the difference is minimal.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 Review - Page 25

Also, I actually noted in my first post that the 690 is based on 2 x 680s, which is really a step up from the previous generation 590.

**DJ Ms. White** · 05-13-12, 07:45 PM

Why is Shogun 2 so demanding?!

**SapiensErus** · 05-14-12, 12:03 AM

Look at a 690.

Don't worry about water cooling... check out that insane magnesium housed cooler with fluid filled cavities over each separate 680 GPU on the PCB.

The 690 is a thing of wonder, and I bet it's air cooling with that insanely over-engineered hunk of metal will perform awesome.

As long as an app supports SLI, (and since it is not Cfire, what app does not support SLI shortly after a driver update from nVidia?

) you are golden; even if it does not, the 690 still rocks 1500+ cores but with a lower temp; and only for a week or so.

If I had the dough for 2x680 or a 690; the 690 hands down. The actual performance difference won't matter. If I can afford done of these lovelies I can probably throw money at a fire or a second one. If I am still using the same rig but approaching the need for a new GPU the difference between 2x680/1x690 won't matter even more than it did not previously. But that magnesium housed fluid filled cooler is intense. Not true watercooling but I bet watercoolers will be pressed to cool the same degree as that jobbie... (now to go look up specs... <sigh>)

Such a shiny GPU...

**HeavyG** · 05-14-12, 07:12 AM

Soy, I agree that the 690 wouldnt need water cooling, but my rig is already setup for GPU cooling, so I might as well just add it to,my current loop, or $350 worth of water cooling would go to waste.

Besides, I bet I could get a beast of an overclock out of it.

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