670 2gb or 4gb

[Deathgod881]

Bought parts recently for a skyrim computer build heavily modded 130+ mods at the resolution of 1920x1080 and i cant make up my mind on the graphics card.

 

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

VS.

 

EVGA 04G-P4-3673-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW+ 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130824

 

Processor is i5 3570k ram 8gb ddr3 power supply corsair CX 750w and the difference is only 30

Edited March 21, 2013 by Deathgod881

[Rennn]

You gave us two identical links to the same card. :P

 

*All* other things held equal, the 4GB card will be a very small performance improvement, and would therefore be the better option. If the 4GB card costs any more, however, just go for the 2GB version, since a 670 doesn't have the bandwidth to use more than 2GB effectively (unless you run a triple-monitor setup or something).

[Deathgod881]

fixed links

[Rennn]

fixed links

 

Really like 99% of the time, you won't notice a performance difference between those two cards.

 

The 4GB model is $50 more, so normally I'd advise you to get the 2GB version. However, the 2GB version seems to be DOA for some people, whereas the 4GB version is just overflowing with praise.

Performance should be identical most of the time, so I guess it all depends on whether you want to spend an extra $50 for a some peace of mind.

[Deathgod881]

What about the vram? Will 2gb vram be enough for the 130+ mods i have + running game on ultra with good fps?

[hoofhearted4]

is there any reason youre not considering a 7970? just as cheap as the 2GB 670, a better card, and it comes with 3GB VRAM.

 

if not, then honestly i would say why not just get the 4GB version? better to be safe then sorry. i mean once youre paying $400+ for a card, whats another $50 at that point?

Edited March 21, 2013 by hoofhearted4

[Deathgod881]

Problem is that i have a amd card atm and its been nothing but problems so im kinda sick of them all together.

[hoofhearted4]

ah. li was just curious. im not here to push them on you or anything. i have a 7950 atm (Gigabyte) and i love it.

 

but my second statement still stands. just get the 4GB version and be happy :D

[Deathgod881]

Ah kk

[FMod]

There is no benefit for 670 running one display from having 4GB of RAM. Not even a tiny one. Or just in a small fraction of cases, or depending on mods, or anything. You bottleneck the chip and the bus long before you lose headroom in VRAM capacity.

 

There can be minor benefit for multiple 680's or driving multiple displays.

 

EVGA's 670s are pretty low-grade, I think it's actually a basic reference or a slightly improved design. Just get Gigabyte's 3-fan version on full 680 PCB.

 

 

i mean once youre paying $400+ for a card, whats another $50 at that point?

But then what's another $50? And it buys 680 2GB, which actually is better, not just in a hypothetical yet to be observed scenario, but right now in games.

 

edit: Actually, it gets better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133469

A 680 is actually offered cheaper than a 670 with pointlessly increased VRAM.

It's a better card, 670 is just... cut-rate 680, worth it only when it's much cheaper.

Edited March 22, 2013 by FMod