Dual Graphics Cards(Medium) or One Graphics Card(High)?

[thekingzeroni]

I am looking to purchase graphic card(s) so I can use my 3 Monitors 1080p and record video for youtube. I was hoping to keep it bellow USD ~700.00, but it is okay if it is a little bit over. I did a bit of looking around and I know there are Screen Buffer issues with running SLI/Crossfire. I can provide technical information if requested.

GOALS:
1. Run 3 Monitors 1080p
2. Record Video in 1080p
3. Run Heavy(er) Games. (Example: Crysis 2/3, Portal 2, etc...)

I have been looking at the GPU Benchmarks and I want to know if a GTX 780 or 2 GTX 670s is better?

Thanks for the help.

 

[el etro]

For fit in USD700 range match an A10-6700 with a Radeon 7950. Awesome for gaming.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

For fit in USD700 range match an A10-6700 with a Radeon 7950. Awesome for gaming.

awesome first post, too bad you cant read proper. OP didnt ask for a CPU/GPU combo he asked for a GPU only.

On topic @1080P you might be able to get away with a GTX 770/780 or a HD 7970 but doubling up on either GTX 670/770 or 2 x 7950 would ensure performance in regards to your question. There are several other users that could prolly weigh in better as some already have the cards i referenced in question on multi screen setups.

 

[dark2099]

Pretty much as you referenced, running the dual card set up can run into various issues at times, being either driver related (hopefully less of that though) or in game support, the single card would obviously eliminate those, but lack so much performance. The nice thing with choosing 2 670's for SLI would be that the issues are less from the support in games and drivers being more mature than it would be with the 700 series cards in SLI.

Using W1zzards benches from reviews (using BF3 even though you didn't name it, since Crysis 3 wasn't available for the 670 benches), here are how a single 780 vs SLI 670's stack up. Slightly different drivers are used I believe, and his OC goes down from 4.7GHz to 4.6GHz on the 3770K in the 670 SLI to single 780, so that will influence the results a touch too.

670 SLI

Single 780

 

[happita]

What's the FPS expectation you want to get in regards to the recording? 30FPS, 50FPS, 60FPS, 75FPS, etc.?

What will you be using for recording the videos? A video recorder, a digital camera, FRAPS software, etc?

Also if you could go to User CP and just fill in your system specs, it would help us a little better in determining what's best suited for your needs

Personally, if it was me, I would just get 1 very powerful card. Less complications if a problem arises. Less heat and energy used. The 2nd video card is never 100% utilized, so there's a drop in value for having 2 cards in a system.

Like Alien said, I would also suggest getting a single GTX780.

edit: As a matter of fact, forget running Crysis 3 and expecting playable/recordable framerates with 3 monitors.

 

[Crap Daddy]

2 x 670 will give more raw performance than a 780. Problem is 2GB VRAM is not quite enough for three monitors in certain games with all the bells and whistles enabled. Next gen consoles will certainly push Vram needs for PC cards.

 

[newtekie1]

Wait, are you wanting to game in 1080p or game on all 3 monitors? Generally, if your recording in 1080p you'll be gaming in 1080p, which would really mean for gaming all your looking at is a single monitor setup, and it would take next to no extra power to drive the extra 2 monitors since they won't be doing anything while gaming.

 

[el etro]

With a pair of 670 you will have the performance of a 690 with less than 700 bucks... is the best way to spend your money. Otherwise you can go with an Overclocked GTX780 for around $650.

awesome first post, too bad you cant read proper. OP didnt ask for a CPU/GPU combo he asked for a GPU only.

I'm soo sorry.

 

[niko084]

SLI will generally give you better performance $4$, however... At what power / noise cost and then consider how well or not well your game supports SLI.

 

[el etro]

Doubled

 

[Batou1986]

If the games you want to run support sli then go for it, just don't be surprised in the future when one 690 outperforms 2 670's because of broken/not supported SLi
also make sure your motherboard can at least run 2 PCIE slots at 8x 8x PCIE 2.0, preferably 16x 16x 2.0 or 3.0

 

[thekingzeroni]

Thanks for all the help guys. Let me try to answer some of your questions.
Recording: Software - Fraps or Dxtory.
Recording FPS: Seeing as online video streaming sites such as YouTube limit you to 29.997(~30) FPS; I plan on keeping the FPS in the 30 FPS area, however when I am playing with friends(not recording) I would like the FPS on a single monitor to be close the frequency of my monitor(s) which is 120, but 60 is fine too.

Taking all the factors that I feel will effect me the most: sound, heat, FPS, and raw power (least to most important.)
I would as many of you suggested get 2 GTX 670s, but if I needed to upgrade I would only get 10-20% power increase from any additional GTX 670s. Then should get a GTX 780 and then later if I need to get another GTX 780 or a GTX 790 if they are out by then?