Graphics cards and VRAM: Nvidia 770 vs 760, and 2 GB vs 4 GB

**Potemkine** · 09-27-13, 06:18 PM

So with BF4 right around the corner, I am in sore need of updating my system and graphics card. For now, I am just going to focus on the graphics card because that is the one in most need of being upgraded after looking at the recommended specs (currently I have an ATI 5870)

The recommended specs: nVidia GT 660 with 3 GB graphics memory.

I am looking at either the 760 or 770, in the 2 GB or 4 GB variants. I've been browsing various websites, and there is some question as to how future proof the 760 is. While the 760 in a 2 GB configuration is an AMAZING price point, it looks like I am missing out on the VRAM. BUT, as soon as I go to the 770, it jumps from $200 to $400 instantly. In the 4GB variant, it's a lot more.

So, what are your recommendations, oh wise, and well informed builders? I am leaning towards the 760 in a 4 GB variant: Newegg.com - EVGA 04G-P4-3768-KR GeForce GTX 760 FTW 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card w/ EVGA ACX Cooler

Thoughts?

**deputyfestus** · 09-27-13, 06:30 PM

770 is what I'll be going after others will have differing op's but that's a damn fine card just hope the price drops a bit.

**Kanati** · 09-27-13, 07:14 PM

I don't know about BF4 obviously... but I have a 2GB 680GTX and it plays BF3 just fine on highest settings. I doubt BF4 is going to be a lot more VRAM hungry. So... I'd be comfortable with the lower priced 2GB. But then again, who knows what's around the corner and if you want to future-proof as well as you can, then obviously the 4GB card is going to be better in the long run.

**gehn** · 09-27-13, 08:02 PM

I was actually just talking about vram and bf4 on another forum. How much vram you need completely depends on how high of a resolution you are running. If you play at 1080p on one monitor and don't plan to change that anytime soon, no reason a 2 GB one won't work for ya. If you plan to start using NVIDIA surround or get a higher resolution monitor then plan for the future with a 3GB one or something.

**Potemkine** · 09-27-13, 08:15 PM

Yeah, I run dual monitors, both at 1080P, but only play on 1 actively. The other has other programs up like teamspeak, or various admin tools, etc. So it sounds like then, the 2GB version of the 760 should be fine then?

**gehn** · 09-27-13, 08:35 PM

Oh yeah. I run three monitors but only one of them I game on.

It is the textures that take up all the VRAM, not screens themselves. Those other screens aren't taking up more than like 15MB each most likely. Depending whats on it.

**HeavyG** · 09-27-13, 11:00 PM

Pote,

I just got an EVGA GTX 760 to replace the 660 in my living room. I ran two before and after benchmarks:

Tomb Raider

GTX 660 2 GB
Min - 52 FPS
Max - 75.9 FPS
Avg - FPS

GTX 760 2GB
Min - 64 FPS
Max - 93.4 FPS
Avg - 77 FPS

Summary
On Min, Max, and Avg, the GTX 760 delivered 23% higher frame rates for Tomb Raider.

I also ran the Batman Arkham City Benchmark on the GTX 660 with DX9, and tesselation off, and then ran it with DX11 enabled as well as normal tessalation. I was able to achieve the same average FPS with the GTX 660 on DX9 compared with the GTX 760 on DX11 with details cranked.

Overall, I think the card is easily worth the $250 price point. If you get one now, nVidia is giving a free copy of Batman Arkham Origins. If you get one from EVGA, they will give you a free copy of Rise of the Triad. I only upgraded because I had a friend that needed a GPU and offered me $170 for the GTX 660. When I saw the price/performance of the 760, I simply couldn't resist... especially with free games.

**HeavyG** · 09-27-13, 11:03 PM

Oh, and for reference, my system I am running in my living room is as follows:

CPU - Core i7-860 S (82w) @ 2.6GHz/3.5GHz Turbo
Memory - Patriot 2 x 2 GB DDR3 1600MHz

So it doesn't have a lot of memory, and it is a first generation Core i7 on the 1156 platform.

**Potemkine** · 09-28-13, 12:23 AM

Alright Heavy, you sold me. 760 GTX 2GB

**ZoranDaWicked** · 09-29-13, 07:22 PM

So I'm computer dumb. Got an i7 950 overclocked to 3.7. I have 12mb of ram. I'm running 2 GTX 580's in SLI. Only use 1 monitor at resolutions 1980 to run the game, the other for TS etc. All my setting for bf3 are ultra.

Will I have an issue when BF4 comes out?

Thanks,
Chris