Hey guys, I've had a single GTX690 since their release. I recently bought GTA5 (again) for PC and noticed the 690 couldn't run it at max due to VRAM. I've got The Witcher 3 pre-ordered and I have the opportunity to grab a second 690 for cheapish. My question is, with quad SLI, will that give me more VRAM to play with both games? I really would like to max out the Witcher and also GTA5. I've just heard alot of people say quad SLI is not worth it and that you don't get full access to all the VRAM from both cards. As you can tell I'm relatively simple when it comes to this stuff. Would just like some good advice.
Using gpu's in sli mirrors vram, it doesnt duplicate it So wether youre using your 690 with sli disabled or enabled, each gpu only had 2gb vram, and nothing can change that (unfortunately).
Cheers! I thought it was something like that, so realistically should I be looking at moving on from the 690? And if so what would be a strong performing card?
Depends if you can live with the limitations the 2gb vram gives, as the 690 still has plenty gpu power. Regarding upgrade, it depends what your budget is
Hold out for the 980ti or 390x if you can - apart from vram, current single gpus cards are more of a sidestep then an upgrade... Shouldn't be too long a wait now... hopefully! If you can't wait then go sli 970 or 980 - or AMD 295 if you want to stick with a single card solution!
I suggested that as he may not have room in his pc for 2 cards, so the 295 would be the next best thing if he can't wait for the new releases...
Don't get a titan x too expensive omfg, just wait for 980 Ti.. should be a lil less expensive.. bit more "affordable" lol, or wait for the amd counter part, 390X.
Yes it would, but how much more does it cost? And how much more VRAM does it have.. You know, the question is if it's worth it.
Well if we go by previous titan vs ti, then the Price difference would be about 30%, for twice as much vram on the titan If its worth it will ofc be up to the individual to decide... but looking in the hindmirror, i sure wish that i had spent a bit more (as in gotten titan instead of 780 ti), so i wouldnt be struggeling to keep vram consumption below 3gb in all new games...
Ah yeah I understand. That's... that. Well now there won't be such a worry anymore because everyones (amd and nvidia) increasing the size of VRAM anyways, 6GB is becoming the norm and I'm sure it's more than enough, or should be.. Though hopefully the 390X will have more than 4GB or something? .. Although, for 1440p I'm sure that's fine too. Totally fine. But yeah more is always better.
Some games are already pushing 6gb at max quality now - what about in 3 years? Thats what i mean when i say future proof... just cause its enough now, does in no way mean it will in just a few years. And honestly, 3 years ago, no game would use more than 2gb vram - now several games are pushing 6gb vram... so in 3 years... But hell, if people want to buy gpu's with just enough vram for the games that are out now, then be my guest.
The Titan X is $1K the 690 was $1K I don't think the OP is bothered that much by the MSRP. Currently the best card is the Titan X but if you can hold out the 980Ti or the 390X should be out soon. That is my suggestion.
Yeah you're right, it's better to futureproof I guess ofc. Otherwise you're a stupid customer buying 4GB cards while they MAY run out in a year or two. But the thing is with extra future proofing is that if you do it too much, then - just as an example - you might run out of gpu power before those games will be able to utilise it lol in a few years time, although you have the VRAM. Just speaking in strict terms of VRAM. So you need to find the balance or the exact "amount". For which, I think 980Ti's will do.. but damnit, those cards are way too expensive for me anyways so.. gotta go with the poor mans budget brand, AMD .. Although if nvidia has anything good to offer I will go with them, it just depends. AMD just seems to be cheaper that's all.
Man a dual gpu setup like the 690, and only 2gb shipped with it. That card should have had 4gb easily!
Thats the thing, there is no "balance" - more vram will allow you to use higher visual quality, especially in regards to textures and shadows, which uses exponentially more vram the higher the resolution of them gets. And honestly, id always take ALOT more vram than i need, than have a bit less than i need (as the latter WILL cause stutter).
I entirely agree, and people who bought 680 sli should have choosen the 4gb version, instead of the 2gb versions, although some very persistant trolls will claim otherwise.