EVGA 670 VS EVGA 670 4GB

[Gravatrax]

Back again with some GPU related questions.

 

I am considering purchasing the EVGA 670, but I happened to notice that that there was a 4GB version available as well for almost an additional 80-100$. Now I know most modern games, and even games to come would not fully utilize the 4gb, but wouldn't skyrim in theory all modded with a plethora of graphical mods top benefit from such an extreme amount of VRAM. Basically I am wondering even with Skyrim modded out would this in actuality be useful? Also any other games on the way that use such high amounts of VRAM?

[Rennn]

Back again with some GPU related questions.

 

I am considering purchasing the EVGA 670, but I happened to notice that that there was a 4GB version available as well for almost an additional 80-100$. Now I know most modern games, and even games to come would not fully utilize the 4gb, but wouldn't skyrim in theory all modded with a plethora of graphical mods top benefit from such an extreme amount of VRAM. Basically I am wondering even with Skyrim modded out would this in actuality be useful? Also any other games on the way that use such high amounts of VRAM?

 

Skyrim with a lot of HD textures would benefit from 4GB at a high resolution, but your HDD might still limit you at that point. Unless you have a really, really fast HDD or any SSD, 4GB is probably not worth the price increase. Then again, if you play at resolutions higher than 1080p, 4GB might be worth the price in many new games.

 

My advice would be to go with the 2GB version if you don't play at extremely high resolutions, but that's just my advice. I don't even have a 2GB card so my usefulness is limited on this topic.

[Gravatrax]

Ill probably stay at 1080p, but I definetly want high resolution textures packs, I guess if it that a big of a deal, I could get a GTX 670 now and then when the prices plummet pickup a second and SLI it

[FMod]

670 4GB is a joke. Even 680 4GB barely ever extracts even a minimal benefit over its 2GB version.

It's not all about memory size. 670 also has a narrow 256 bit memory bus, which doesn't let it access the memory fast enough to make use of it.

 

If you want high resolutions and massive textures, you should be better off with 7970 which has 3GB on a 384-bit bus. I'm personally waiting to see if GK110 lives up to the expectations.

While at that, if you do buy a 670, try to get one of the versions that use a 680 PCB, like Asus DC2.

 

Anyway, I doubt that Skyrim loads up even 2GB of RAM. Oblivion and even Morrowind have a lot more volume in texture mods and don't come close to it. By default Skyrim is a console game, and they only have 256MB.

[Erik005]

Don't wait for the GK110, It'll probably never be sold as geforce card just as tesla.

 

The only reason you need more than 2 or 3gb VRAM is when you have more than one monitor.

[FMod]

I'm aware of what's going on in the industry, not an insider, but have to work with them enough.

It's not clear what will happen to GK110, it may be released, it may not. GK104 just isn't that good, it's slower than GF110 (GTX580) in computing tasks, not to mention Radeons, has fairly low theoreticals so it lacks scalability to high resolutions, multiple monitors or more demanding tasks. Now, it isn't bad, but not something to jump at.

[eltucu]

If you plan to use that card for say, 2 years or more, buy the 4Gb version. If you plan to change it next year, buy the 2Gb version.

[Gravatrax]

You don't think that GK104 Architecture is all that great? Can you explain your reasoning because I have been hearing that the architecture is a lot more effective than that of the 7950/7970s

[Dan3345]

You don't think that GK104 Architecture is all that great? Can you explain your reasoning because I have been hearing that the architecture is a lot more effective than that of the 7950/7970s

My understanding of GK104 is that it is a rushed version of GK110. Gk104 was put out at lower clocks and slower bus speeds because nVidia had last minute issues with it. GK110 is the real 670 chip and is said to be released sometime within the next few months. Me thinks at least.. :P

 

Also FMod will a 7970 even reach those memory bus speeds at pcie2.0? Or are bus speeds always the same no matter what pcie speed granted it isn't below 2.0?

[Gravatrax]

You don't think that GK104 Architecture is all that great? Can you explain your reasoning because I have been hearing that the architecture is a lot more effective than that of the 7950/7970s

My understanding of GK104 is that it is a rushed version of GK110. Gk104 was put out at lower clocks and slower bus speeds because nVidia had last minute issues with it. GK110 is the real 670 chip and is said to be released sometime within the next few months. Me thinks at least.. :P

 

Also FMod will a 7970 even reach those memory bus speeds at pcie2.0? Or are bus speeds always the same no matter what pcie speed granted it isn't below 2.0?

 

Bah trivial details, Im go with a GTX 670 lol. Better drives, more efficient, cooler