Considering replacing my Uncommon fattie.

[RazeredNaga]

Hey all, I'm looking to replace my Asus Nvidia GTX 570 Monster GPU with 2 newer and smaller cards. My current GPU takes about 3 spaces on my Mobo (Z8V68-V Pro/Gen3 Also Asus). My question is, what would one recommend for the price range of $250-$275 each and would a more current GPU be compatible with a Mobo from 3-4 years ago? I built my Rig in 2011. If needed, I can provide further specs from the CPU (i5 2500 3.3GHz) to the PSU(750w Corsair Enthusiast TX Series).

 

[maniac]

why 2 smaller cards and not one larger card?

 

[RazeredNaga]

Is 1 just as good as 2 of the smaller ones? I mean this one is decent, but it stutters on more graphic-intensive games like BF4, and ESO (Beta). Plays solid on WoW, Swtor, etc. But it does drop in Framerate when theres a heavy population loading in. Also wanted to really enjoy some of the 3D options since I have an Nvidia 3D enabled Monitor. With just this 1 card, I top out at 24Hz while running in 3D @ 1920x1080 Res, and full 60 if 1280x720 Res.

 

[maniac]

For that price point, you can get either 2 x GTX760 DCII or a single GTX 780 Classified.

The 760's might give a slight better performance but will generate more heat, consume more power while a single 780 will leave you with the ability to add another one later. Also I'm pretty sure you'll be fine using 3D on a 1080p monitor using a 780 Classy.

 

[RazeredNaga]

The 780 looks nice, but It seems risky. The lack of reviews seem to suggest that its not a very sought after GPU (probably because of the current cost). While something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121775 has more reviews, quite a bit cheaper, and its Asus, which is kind of preferred since much of my system is built from their parts.
Much as I'd like to get the 780, its way above the cost I'd pay for 1 GPU.

 

[Warchild]

1 GPU is far better than having 2 smaller ones. First the power usage is lower, secondly SLI/Crossfire always brings issues with gaming. There is still microstutter, and often depending on the cooler you use, the lower card dumps alot of heat onto the card above, unless you watercool them.

Single card for you is the better option. If the 780 is beyond your budget, consider looking at a single 280/280x/290 All depends where you live. In Norway the 780 is good value now but if in the UK i think the AMD series cards provide better bang for buck.

1 780 handled 3D easily for me at 1080p.

 

[RazeredNaga]

I'm in the US. My younger bro and roomate both use AMD, but I have a bias towards Intel. I suppose I could look at the GTX780 from Asus, this 1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121779. Question now is will my motherboard support a newer gen GPU? I've tried to look for compatibility lists, seems difficult to find for my particular mobo.

 

[Mr. Smith]

Just want to echo what has been said; a single powerful gpu is always better than two lower cards in xfire/sli - waiting for drivers/patches to play games sucks. Not to mention the additional heat/power usage. When it works, great, but you'll be spending time troubleshooting issues down the line...

Just get a non reference 290 (they run HOT) or one of the 780 variants - whichever is cheaper.

Rumours of Maxwell being released soon would see a drop in price for the 780s though.

 

[tinytomlogan]

I'm in the US. My younger bro and roomate both use AMD, but I have a bias towards Intel. I suppose I could look at the GTX780 from Asus, this 1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121779. Question now is will my motherboard support a newer gen GPU? I've tried to look for compatibility lists, seems difficult to find for my particular mobo.

If its got a PCIE slot it will work as long as you have the PSU to go with it.....

 

[RazeredNaga]

Fantastic. I'm pretty sure my 750w PSU 80+ will work then, if I should get the 780. Also, I'm pretty much running on Fan Power. I have the Corsair Carbide 500R series (Black) Gaming Tower. While I do have room for a Water Cooler system up top, I'd have to take my Coolermaster Heatsink off the CPU shell that holds it in place.