Dual Video Cards

**Nuckle** · 03-26-13, 12:06 AM

I am confused as all hell right now. It is on the subject of dual video cards versus a single card and the money spent on each option. I have heard over the past couple of days statements like 1 680 is better than 2 670's etc etc etc.

So whats the reality. Are you better off buying 2 $500 cards or 1 $1,000 card; 2 $250 cards or 1 $500 card?

I am running dual 570's and was considering an upgrade. Would I be better off purchasing 2 580's or 1 590? Maybe a single 580 now and a second when the price drops?

It is all so confusing to me. What are the key indicators?

**N-Ur-Face** · 03-26-13, 12:46 AM

I remember when looking at benchmarks, that often, price wise, you were better off to run two cards in unison, but they would be outdated sooner. If you wanted a better rig longer, you would pay for an expensive one now and run it in unison when you could afford to. IIRC, there like a 25% loss when running in that mode, so that helps in the argument sometimes.

I plan on grabbing another 6870 soon to get 2 1gig cards, but I won't be sitting at 2 gig.

So, if it was me, one 580 now, another one later.

**DJ Ms. White** · 03-26-13, 12:57 AM

Two 670s are definitely better than one 680. Two 680s (the normal version) are roughly the same as one 690. If you're using multiple monitors like Imis, then 2 of the 680s with the extra memory are the way to go.

If you're running one 27" monitor, then I'd go with the 690: less power consumption and runs cooler.

**BigHub** · 03-26-13, 01:36 AM

I really need to update my card..

I'm still rocking a 5770 XXX Edition.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

**SmokenScion** · 03-26-13, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by BigHub

I really need to update my card..

I'm still rocking a 5770 XXX Edition.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

I need to check my space but if you do upgrade I'll take that 5770 off your hands, Or sell you my 5770...

**HeavyG** · 03-27-13, 08:36 AM

Nuck,

This is an interesting question. I am a firm believer that if you are gaming at 1920x1080, then you are almost always better to have a single GPU card. In this case, I feel strongly that a GTX 680 or an AMD 7970 would fit the bill.

If you wanted more performance, you could go with dual cards, but two 680s would push you near or over $1k. At that point, maybe consider the GTX 690 as it is pretty much the same as two GTX 680s, but on a single card. Possibly seeking two GTX 670s or AMD 7950 cards would be more economical while still beating out the single GTX 680 or 7970.

I really think a single high end card is fine for gaming at 1080p, but you will absolutely get a better frame rate from two 670 or 7950 cards. It will just cost you a bit more, and the differences might be minimal.

Some people frown upon multi-GPU gaming because of "micro-stuttering", but I have never experienced it, or I simply haven't noticed it.

**GReYVee** · 03-27-13, 05:27 PM

I am also on the side that you are better off with a good single GPU. The biggest pro being reduced heat footprint. I also find maintaining a single card (removing from the case and cleaning) to be cumbersome enough. Let alone doing it to two cards. However for an over-simplified but objective answer:

A dual GPU setup will out perform a single GPU of the next tier (e.g. 670 SLI vs Single 680)

2x670 vs 1x680 - SLI costs ~15-25% more. Performance boost of 60-75%. Which is very impressive.

The next tier this sharply evens out.
2x680 vs 1x690 - SLI option is currently cheaper. Very marginal increase in performance.

You could go further and look into triple GPU with 660TI but I really have no experience in this realm and imagine it would cost more for mostly superficial increase in performance.

Good questions to consider beyond cost: (though this is just for anyone reading this not just Nuck)

If I buy one card now will a compatible card even be available by the time I decide to add a second card for SLI? Many cards have ~16 month cycle before it becomes more difficult to purchase one of the same series/tier.

Is my motherboard / case suitable for multiple cards? Many of these are 2 or 3 slot wide cards and things can get cramped easily and do generate more sound and heat.

Does my power supply output and connectors support two cards? (this could end up another cost if it doesn't)

Do you have a backup card or PC when the GPU goes out? (this is where SLI is super handy, since you -should- have one good card still)

I personally have stuck with nVidia and a single tier 8 Xtreme card with each build (6800, 8800, 580 etc). Interestingly the GPU has been the first component to go out on every single build I've done and does so right around the time I am ready to move up in architecture anyways. The only personal benefit I see from it is redundancy and only considered SLI recently after intel/nvidia hammered out their chipset problems.