GTX TITAN 2-way SLI with PCIE-2.0 (2 x 8x)

[jez_uk1]

I'm considering an upgrade for my 3-screen rig, and 2-way TITAN looks very appealing. It would be hooked up to my Z68 mobo which is PCI-E 2.0, in a 2 x 8 lane configuration. Would this be a limiting factor? I'm guessing not because people are running 3-way TITAN in reviews in a 3 x 8x configuration (albeit PCI-E 3.0). I don't currently consider the bus bandwidth to be limiting with the 680 SLI, those GPUs are working as hard as they can without any restrictions. What do you guys think?

[ZTylerDurden]

I'm on the exact same boat. I see some differences between pcie 2 vs 3 on this website for games like witcher 2 and skyrim. I'm heavily considering an ivy bridge now to ensure no bottlenecks.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/...mance_review/3

[jez_uk1]

Interestingly enough some of the results in 2 and 3-way on the 680 are better with PCI-E 2.0. Where PCI-E 3.0 is better it's only very marginal. I think this reassures me to a certain extent. Certainly I think my Z68 can survive until Haswell arrives.

[Agent-A01]

A titan is 50% faster than a 680... im guessing there will be a decent bottleneck there.

[dr.noob]

Originally Posted by agent-a01

a titan is 50% faster than a 680... Im guessing there will be a decent bottleneck there.

50%?On TPU i see 30% in 1600p.

[Gripen90]

GeForce GTX Titan Performance Summary (2560x1440) vs. GTX 680 = +47% average.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6774/n...mance-unveiled

[Fox2232]

On Titan:
Running three screens in 2-way SLi Will be limited by PCIe 2.0 x8/x8.
I guess up to 10% up performance will be lost compared to PCIe 2.0 x16/x16. and then maybe another 2% from PCIe 3.0 x16.
So, total is about 12% down. 3-Way SLi would see higher impact on Titan.

[sykozis]

Originally Posted by jez_uk1

I'm considering an upgrade for my 3-screen rig, and 2-way TITAN looks very appealing. It would be hooked up to my Z68 mobo which is PCI-E 2.0, in a 2 x 8 lane configuration. Would this be a limiting factor? I'm guessing not because people are running 3-way TITAN in reviews in a 3 x 8x configuration (albeit PCI-E 3.0). I don't currently consider the bus bandwidth to be limiting with the 680 SLI, those GPUs are working as hard as they can without any restrictions. What do you guys think?

PCIe 3.0 x8 has the same bandwidth as PCIe 2.0 x16

[---TK---]

Originally Posted by jez_uk1

I'm considering an upgrade for my 3-screen rig, and 2-way TITAN looks very appealing. It would be hooked up to my Z68 mobo which is PCI-E 2.0, in a 2 x 8 lane configuration. Would this be a limiting factor? I'm guessing not because people are running 3-way TITAN in reviews in a 3 x 8x configuration (albeit PCI-E 3.0). I don't currently consider the bus bandwidth to be limiting with the 680 SLI, those GPUs are working as hard as they can without any restrictions. What do you guys think?

I think 8x pcie 2.0 may be a bottleneck because it is much faster than a 680. pci e 8x 2.0 isnt really a bottleneck for sli 680, its when you go tri and quad sli high end pci e 3.0 really shines

[angmar]

If you have enough money to spend 2000 dollars on graphics cards why don't you just spend the measily 130 dollars more and get a pci 3.0 motherboard


.....

[(.)(.)]

Originally Posted by angmar

If you have enough money to spend 2000 dollars on graphics cards why don't you just spend the measily 130 dollars more and get a pci 3.0 motherboard


.....

Or a sign that says "My girlfriends ugly, but my new rig'll make you jealous."

Sorry, that was uncalled for. I should probably leave now.

[yasamoka]

Originally Posted by Agent-A01

A titan is 50% faster than a 680... im guessing there will be a decent bottleneck there.

Not too related. Depends on what data is being sent to and from the card. Higher FPS does not necessarily mean the card is shifting more data on the PCI-e bus.