Should I go SLI or buy a new video card altogether?

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QuebecNationale

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#1 QuebecNationale
Member since 2013 • 146 Posts

Here's the deal, I currently have the following system specs:

Intel i7 2700K CPU

Seasonic 600 and something watt PSU

Nvidia 570 GTX

8 GB of RAM

 

Would it be more cost effective to buy another 570 GTX, or should I just get a 680 GTX or wait until Nvidia releases a new line of graphics card? I'v been able to max basically every game I'v played on my rig, but I want to be able to play Rome 2 Total War on max or near max, as well as being able to max upcoming games, so would two 570's suffice? I haven't been keeping up on the latest hardware news for about 3 years now regarding video cards at least. I did some research on the new types of motherboards and CPU's. I built this computer about a year ago, and if you're wondering why I got the 570, it was because I got it during a sale, and I heard good things about this card(Rightly so since I'm able to run basically any game on max).

 

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FelipeInside

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#2 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts
Why do people feel the need to upgrade some often? You have an i7 and a 570GTX....ur fine with that set up. My rig is 5 years old and even though I'm planning to build a new rig next month, it plays most games on high/max fine.
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Blistrax

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#4 Blistrax
Member since 2008 • 1071 Posts

Here's the deal, I currently have the following system specs:

Intel i7 2700K CPU

Seasonic 600 and something watt PSU

Nvidia 570 GTX

8 GB of RAM

 

Would it be more cost effective to buy another 570 GTX, or should I just get a 680 GTX or wait until Nvidia releases a new line of graphics card? I'v been able to max basically every game I'v played on my rig, but I want to be able to play Rome 2 Total War on max or near max, as well as being able to max upcoming games, so would two 570's suffice? I haven't been keeping up on the latest hardware news for about 3 years now regarding video cards at least. I did some research on the new types of motherboards and CPU's. I built this computer about a year ago, and if you're wondering why I got the 570, it was because I got it during a sale, and I heard good things about this card(Rightly so since I'm able to run basically any game on max).

 

QuebecNationale
Tom's Hardware did a comparison you might want to look at ( http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-6.html ). Two 570s beat a GTX 590 (better than the 680) in BF3. (This editor keeps breaking the links---cut and paste.)
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Elann2008

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#5 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts
I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.
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FelipeInside

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#6 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts
I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.Elann2008
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????
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Elann2008

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#7 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts
[QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.FelipeInside
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

Are you baking Nvidia cookies? :P Get a 600 series card already! I thought you said you were upgrading in Feb? Or are you waiting for 700 series? My 580 can cook eggs now.
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mitu123

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#8 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

I'm an SLI owner and even I would rather you wait for a new more powerful card.

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FelipeInside

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#9 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts
[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.Elann2008
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

Are you baking Nvidia cookies? :P Get a 600 series card already! I thought you said you were upgrading in Feb? Or are you waiting for 700 series? My 580 can cook eggs now.

I AM building a new rig in March, but I thought my 470 would do for the new rig :(
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deactivated-5cf4b2c19c4ab

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#10 deactivated-5cf4b2c19c4ab
Member since 2008 • 17476 Posts
[QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.FelipeInside
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now
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FelipeInside

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#11 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts
[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.ferret-gamer
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.
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mitu123

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#12 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.ferret-gamer
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

Yep, it's why I ditched my 1GB 460s for 4GB 670s.

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Elann2008

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#13 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????FelipeInside
Are you baking Nvidia cookies? :P Get a 600 series card already! I thought you said you were upgrading in Feb? Or are you waiting for 700 series? My 580 can cook eggs now.

I AM building a new rig in March, but I thought my 470 would do for the new rig :(

Ahh cool. Perfect timing, me thinks. AMD has a great deal, as you know. Great time to upgrade, even if you go Nvidia. Don't expect Maxwell to release till 2014, though Kepler and Kepler 'rehash' will be fine for now, and that's why I plan to SLi GTX 670's!

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QuebecNationale

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#14 QuebecNationale
Member since 2013 • 146 Posts

Thanks for the fast replies. Does anyone know if Nvidia are going to release any new GPU's this year? I figure I can get another 570 GTX which will hopefully be able to max Rome 2 Total War, and then I can start retiring the 570's near the end of the year, since I doubt they'll be able to run games on high settings in 2014.

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darksusperia

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#15 darksusperia
Member since 2004 • 6945 Posts
[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.

nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.
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mitu123

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#16 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] 1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings nowdarksusperia
Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.

nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.

With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

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FelipeInside

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#17 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="darksusperia"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.mitu123

nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.

With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

I played Far Cry 3 on mostly high at 1920x1080. Crysis 3 MP Beta Demo I could play with everything on low...but even then it struggled. It's mostly my CPU though (the Q6600).
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darksusperia

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#18 darksusperia
Member since 2004 • 6945 Posts

[QUOTE="darksusperia"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.mitu123

nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.

With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

my word yes. without MSAA I was around 1100MB+/-
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Elann2008

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#19 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

[QUOTE="darksusperia"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Darn it. My work PC has an i7 and the same card as me at home (GTX470), and it plays the games I can't play at home smoothly. That's why I thought the 470 would do.mitu123

nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.

With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

It already destroys mine without the MSAA xD
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mitu123

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#20 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="darksusperia"] nah, farcry3 came close to maxing out the VRAM on my 570's @ 1080p. Crysis 3, dont bother.FelipeInside

With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

I played Far Cry 3 on mostly high at 1920x1080. Crysis 3 MP Beta Demo I could play with everything on low...but even then it struggled. It's mostly my CPU though (the Q6600).

Without AA of course, which is barely over 1GB, once AA is added, it's game over. Also DX9 or DX11?

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FelipeInside

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#21 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="mitu123"] With MSAA Far Cry 3 would destroy your gpu's VRAM!

mitu123

I played Far Cry 3 on mostly high at 1920x1080. Crysis 3 MP Beta Demo I could play with everything on low...but even then it struggled. It's mostly my CPU though (the Q6600).

Without AA of course, which is barely over 1GB, once AA is added, it's game over. Also DX9 or DX11?

Yes, I had AA on the lowest settings. It was playable on DX11, but I put it on DX9 because I got better framerate.
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Elann2008

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#22 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

Thanks for the fast replies. Does anyone know if Nvidia are going to release any new GPU's this year? I figure I can get another 570 GTX which will hopefully be able to max Rome 2 Total War, and then I can start retiring the 570's near the end of the year, since I doubt they'll be able to run games on high settings in 2014.

QuebecNationale

I still stand by what I said. Sell them now before the 570's price depreciates. That's what I'm doing with my 580. The further you go along, you'll find that the 600 series GPU's are a lot more efficient, temps wise too. The boost in performance compared to the 500 series is impressive. Hopefully this trend continues, but I doubt it. We'll probably see a 15-20% increase from 600 to 700 series. In that context, I'd say wait for Kepler refresh, buy that, and wait and see approach for Maxwell in 2014.

Of course, if you can't wait, get a gtx 670/7970.

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_SKatEDiRt_

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#23 _SKatEDiRt_
Member since 2007 • 3117 Posts

i can take that 570 off of your hands ;)

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mitu123

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#24 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

i can take that 570 off of your hands ;)

_SKatEDiRt_

You better hope it's 2.5GB then.

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FelipeInside

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#25 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="_SKatEDiRt_"]

i can take that 570 off of your hands ;)

mitu123

You better hope it's 2.5GB then.

I don't care. Send me a 570 and I'll be happy...
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mitu123

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#26 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="_SKatEDiRt_"]

i can take that 570 off of your hands ;)

FelipeInside

You better hope it's 2.5GB then.

I don't care. Send me a 570 and I'll be happy...

That really isn't much of an upgrade from a 470.:P

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_SKatEDiRt_

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#27 _SKatEDiRt_
Member since 2007 • 3117 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="mitu123"] You better hope it's 2.5GB then.

mitu123

I don't care. Send me a 570 and I'll be happy...

That really isn't much of an upgrade from a 470.:P

lol serriously 

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FaustArp

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#28 FaustArp
Member since 2013 • 1036 Posts
I really don't see going with SLI in this case. There are plenty of faster single cards to upgrade to.
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#29 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="mitu123"] You better hope it's 2.5GB then.

mitu123

I don't care. Send me a 570 and I'll be happy...

That really isn't much of an upgrade from a 470.:P

Yeah it is...
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#30 kraken2109
Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

Guys stop it you're making me want to buy a new GPU.

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jun_aka_pekto

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#31 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.ferret-gamer
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

Some games are using more even at 1080p.

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hartsickdiscipl

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#32 hartsickdiscipl
Member since 2003 • 14787 Posts

I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.Elann2008

 

There's no such thing as a 1GB 570.  There's a 1.25gb.  

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#33 hartsickdiscipl
Member since 2003 • 14787 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.ferret-gamer
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

 

1GB is still cutting it for me just fine at 1080p.  

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mitu123

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#34 mitu123
Member since 2006 • 155290 Posts

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] I don't care. Send me a 570 and I'll be happy...FelipeInside

That really isn't much of an upgrade from a 470.:P

Yeah it is...

Nah, heck there's only a 10FPS increase in some games(and even less in some cases), I honestly believe skipping a gen would be better, so going from a 470 to a 670 seems more worth it.

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Elann2008

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#35 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="mitu123"] That really isn't much of an upgrade from a 470.:P

mitu123

Yeah it is...

Nah, heck there's only a 10FPS increase in some games(and even less in some cases), I honestly believe skipping a gen would be better, so going from a 470 to a 670 seems more worth it.

Yup, this. In most cases, but I believe the jump from 500 to 600 series was huge at 40-50% gains. That was an exception though. :D
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#36 FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts
[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Yeah it is...Elann2008

Nah, heck there's only a 10FPS increase in some games(and even less in some cases), I honestly believe skipping a gen would be better, so going from a 470 to a 670 seems more worth it.

Yup, this. In most cases, but I believe the jump from 500 to 600 series was huge at 40-50% gains. That was an exception though. :D

If it's free, IT'S ALWAYS WORTH IT !!!! :P
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#37 godzillavskong
Member since 2007 • 7904 Posts
[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Elann2008"]I take it that you have a 1GB GTX 570? If so, sell it, and upgrade.ferret-gamer
Really? I have a GTX470 and was thinking of using it on my next build (with 32GB RAM + i7)????

1gb of vram isn't cutting it anymore. Games are starting to use well over that on higher settings now

Yep.