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Thread: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

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    GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Hello,
    I am interested in purchasing a couple of GTX 680 4gb SLI OC, either KFA2 GeForce GTX 680 EX OC 4096MB or the EVGA GTX 680 4096MB classified. I am struggling to find evidence that more VRAM would benefit high resolutions, not sure if there would be a massive improvement from the 2gb version. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    It is unlikely to make any real difference on today's games, it might matter for future titles.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Quote Originally Posted by Willzzz View Post
    It is unlikely to make any real difference on today's games, it might matter for future titles.
    Thanks for the prompt reply. If I remember correctly it did make a difference in higher resolutions between the GTX 580 1.5gv vs 3gb.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    You are definitely going to be using the 2gb card close to the limit if you are playing BF3 max @ 5760, but it shouldn't need more.

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/201...-hd-7850-2gb/4

    2560x1600 needs more than 1gb, so 5760x1080 definitely needs more than 1.5gb, but you can see the 2gb cards holding their own at 5760.
    The 1.25gb 560 Ti 448 stays steady at 2560, so that is probably just the right amount of VRAM, scaling up that implies you need around 1.9gb for 5760x1080.

    You can see that the 2gb 7850 retains 77% of it's performance from 2560 to 5760, while the 3gb 7950 retains a similar 71%.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Quote Originally Posted by Willzzz View Post
    You are definitely going to be using the 2gb card close to the limit if you are playing BF3 max @ 5760, but it shouldn't need more.

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/201...-hd-7850-2gb/4

    2560x1600 needs more than 1gb, so 5760x1080 definitely needs more than 1.5gb, but you can see the 2gb cards holding their own at 5760.
    The 1.25gb 560 Ti 448 stays steady at 2560, so that is probably just the right amount of VRAM, scaling up that implies you need around 1.9gb for 5760x1080.

    You can see that the 2gb 7850 retains 77% of it's performance from 2560 to 5760, while the 3gb 7950 retains a similar 71%.
    Would 3D mode affect ram usage?
    (thanks for the reply)

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    has Baz put his blog up yet? he tested a 4gb gtx 680 for cpc magazine , and its not the amount of ram thats the limiting factor , its the bus bandwidth....

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Quote Originally Posted by HalloweenJack View Post
    has Baz put his blog up yet? he tested a 4gb gtx 680 for cpc magazine , and its not the amount of ram thats the limiting factor , its the bus bandwidth....
    Hello,
    Is there a link for that? Would you be kind to expand on the bus bandwith?
    Cheers,

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Several sites have reviewed 4GB versions of the 680, but rather stupidly only on single monitor set-ups.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    On a 3 monitor setup you will almost certainly see a big difference, ESP on demanding stuff like bf3

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Quote Originally Posted by PmanUk View Post
    On a 3 monitor setup you will almost certainly see a big difference, ESP on demanding stuff like bf3
    Thanks for the reply, that is what I am expecting however I cannot find any evidence of that with current kepler cards. As someone above posted there is an issue with memory bandwitdh.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    You don't see a big difference between 2gb cards and 3gb cards so I can't see that a 4gb card is going to make any difference since 3gb is plainly more than enough for BF3.

    When a card genuinely doesn't have enough vram it is obvious, you can't miss the performance drop.

    But if you can afford the 4gb cards it will definitely be more future proof and if you are investing in 680 SLI you will definitely want them to last a good few years.
    I'd be pretty gutted if I had spent £850 and couldn't max out games released in 2013/14.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Try reading here. http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=362953

    I know it's a 680 but the principal is the same

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    I am not sure I fully understand this but I frequently hit 1.7GB VRAM usage in BF3 at 1080p so I cannot imagine how you would get away with 2GB at such absurd resolutions.

    I personally feel that the extra they are charging for 4GB VRAM is a joke however if you can afford it I would be safe mate, for sure, go 4GB.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    It is very complicated, it's almost impossible to tell.

    There's a difference between how much VRAM is allocated, used and needed.

    The only way to fiind out how much VRAM is actually needed IMO is to find the point at which your FPS suddenly drops.

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    Re: GTX 680 4gb SLI, more suitable for 3d surround than the 2gb version?

    Quote Originally Posted by PmanUk View Post
    Try reading here. http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=362953

    I know it's a 680 but the principal is the same
    This would suggest for high resolution, high graphic setting gaming the 4Gb is worth it if you can afford it. I saw a large performance improvement by moving from 2x1Gig (5970) to 1x3Gig (7970) on SWTOR. On the 7970 with the same settings @2560 SWTOR can hit 1.7Gig on my set up. FPS went from sub 50 with frequent stuttering on heavy grassland planets (ie. Voss) to consistently over 90. The raw GPU power between the 5970 and 7970 isn't that large, considering I had my 5970 overclocked @950 (725 default).

    If you're planning on playing recent 3D games, in stereo mode at high resolutions I'd definitely recommend the 4Gb.

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