Return 680 Classified?

[mog22wai]

Hi All,

Just wanted some input...I ordered a 680 Classified, as soon as it popped up on Amazon for sale on Friday. However, I haven't opened the box. I happened to read Anandtech's review of the 680 Classified Saturday morning, and it was somewhat dismal. It's not guaranteed to be binned any higher than a normal chip, and the voltage is only partially unlocked. I haven't even bothered ordering the EKbot since I read the voltage is only partially unlocked. Seems like a lot of money for not much. Thinking about returning the card and possibly going for a Toxic 7970 or something with a bit more bang for the buck. Or am I making too much out of this review? Plus there's not much compute power (but I already knew that).

[W1zzard]

what are you planning to use the card for?
what are you looking for? price/perf? raw speed? power? noise? overclocking?

[LDNL]

I used to be an upgrader like you, but then took a dose of reality and saved up for a car.

[the54thvoid]

I think the Anand review states it's the best GTX 680 on the market. But if you like extreme overclocking (LN2), the Lightning is better designed.

Seriously, you should never buy something so expensive without checking reviews first and knowing what it's purpose is.

That said, you have the fastest 680. What's the problem? It's a bloody good card.

As an add on, this is Anand's summary of the OV ability:

From an end-user perspective NVIDIA’s overvolting restrictions make the entire voltage manipulation process needlessly difficult. The fact that an external controller is required for voltage control and that it can’t easily be tied to overclocking settings is a considerable step back from what GTX 500 series cards could do. NVIDIA has purposely made overvolting more difficult, and while it’s not impossible it’s enough to give you pause as to whether the additional effort and the additional cost are worth it.

[mog22wai]

Thanks for the input all. To answer some of the previous statements. I'm not a continual "upgrader" my 5970 is shot and out of warranty. I do read reviews before I make purchases. I have been shopping for a new GPU since mid-May. I didn't buy the first thing I saw either. I've put up with terrible artifacting and striations on the screen for months, and couldnt even do something as simple as watch a movie, no games, and often couldn't even write simple code without a constant reboot to refresh the image. Unfortunately, there wasn't a comprehensive review of the 680 Classified until after I'd already purchased the card, even though it was released weeks ago. I scoured the forums/net for reviews on the 680 Classy, and most of the feedback seemed positive yet anecdotal, not a formal review. That is, until it's become more widely available. Now others are complaining its overclocking potential not living up to expectations...for the cost.

I loved my 5970, and I think it was great value for the money. 2 1/2 years later the 5970 is still competitive with newer cards. It's a Shane the warranty wasn't as great. I'm trying to get the same type of power/value. I think the 690 is too expensive, and not enough VRAM for later games. I want to be able to overclock as well, and was worries me is, apparently the cards (680's in general) are already maxed out, there may not be as much headroom as I previously thought. I don't mind spending money on a quality card.

The 680 Classified is a darn good card, but I'm not so sure it's worth $800+ once you add the EKbot and liquid cooling. Only to find out later the card won't OC past 1250 MHz.

All of you have given me much to ponder....I appreciate the input.

PS - That's wise to save for a car rather than buying computer parts just to stay on the bleeding edge.

[Phusius]

Originally Posted by mog22wai

Thanks for the input all. To answer some of the previous statements. I'm not a continual "upgrader" my 5970 is shot and out of warranty. I do read reviews before I make purchases. I have been shopping for a new GPU since mid-May. I didn't buy the first thing I saw either. I've put up with terrible artifacting and striations on the screen for months, and couldnt even do something as simple as watch a movie, no games, and often couldn't even write simple code without a constant reboot to refresh the image. Unfortunately, there wasn't a comprehensive review of the 680 Classified until after I'd already purchased the card, even though it was released weeks ago. I scoured the forums/net for reviews on the 680 Classy, and most of the feedback seemed positive yet anecdotal, not a formal review. That is, until it's become more widely available. Now others are complaining its overclocking potential not living up to expectations...for the cost.

I loved my 5970, and I think it was great value for the money. 2 1/2 years later the 5970 is still competitive with newer cards. It's a Shane the warranty wasn't as great. I'm trying to get the same type of power/value. I think the 690 is too expensive, and not enough VRAM for later games. I want to be able to overclock as well, and was worries me is, apparently the cards (680's in general) are already maxed out, there may not be as much headroom as I previously thought. I don't mind spending money on a quality card.

The 680 Classified is a darn good card, but I'm not so sure it's worth $800+ once you add the EKbot and liquid cooling. Only to find out later the card won't OC past 1250 MHz.

All of you have given me much to ponder....I appreciate the input.

PS - That's wise to save for a car rather than buying computer parts just to stay on the bleeding edge.

I say grab a 7970 3GB for 429.99 the xfx vlack edition one like mine, free ship still, then grab the arctic 7970 cooler (I plan to in the future). so around $500 and your talking an easy 1250 core... 1125/1575 is standard for 99% of 7970's with no voltage increase and the 3gb vram makes it a little future proof imo.

[Crap Daddy]

Originally Posted by mog22wai

I'm not so sure it's worth $800 once you add the EKbot and liquid cooling.

Liquid cooling is nice but for that kind of money 2xGTX670 stock will smoke any liquid cooled GTX680. If you want to spend less but still play with extra cooling and extreme OC the 7970 3GB is your card for much less than a classified EVGA 680. Just my opinion.

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by LDNL

I used to be an upgrader like you, but then took a dose of reality and saved up for a car.

+ 1 internet

[Phusius]

Originally Posted by Elmo

+ 1 internet

That was my thought on the matter. Some people seem to think everyone is poor.

[the54thvoid]

Originally Posted by Crap Daddy

Liquid cooling is nice but for that kind of money 2xGTX670 stock will smoke any liquid cooled GTX680. If you want to spend less but still play with extra cooling and extreme OC the 7970 3GB is your card for much less than a classified EVGA 680. Just my opinion.

Your opinion is rock solid. Couldn't agree more.

[Phusius]

Originally Posted by the54thvoid

Your opinion is rock solid. Couldn't agree more.

I agree if your budget is that large, just grab two 7970's, the CF on 2x 7970's scales better and beats out pretty easily 2x 680, and it is only $60 more than CF'ing 2 670's. Not to mention they OC like a beast and you wanted the extra vram buffer you mentioned.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU12...13.535.541.537

CF 7970 destroys Nvidia, and that is with no OC, easily CF at 1125/1575 with minimal fan noise increase.

[mog22wai]

I think I'll do just that...I'm gonna return the 1 680 Classified and go for 2 7970's CF

[techguy31]

If your an AMD fanboy, then go for the Toxic 6gb and if you're an nVidia fanboy go for GTX 680 4GB edition. Bench scores going to be pretty much neck and neck I bet.

[crazyeyesreaper]

gonna say this yes crossfire is nice yes it scales better,

SLI far less headaches then Crossfire in many games,

so while sure you may end up with better scaling youll end up dealing with more hassels, take it from someone whos been using crossfire for awhile

4870x2, 5850x2, 6970x2, 6950x2 and eventually settles on a single 7970. the SLI 670s may not scale as well in some titles as 2x 7970s, but quite simply they are the better deal for the most part.

if you want extra VRAM well GTX 670 4GB from Zotac uses the GTX 680 PCB has 4GB of memory and retails for $449 http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?...4691d00490d325

And instead of Warhead on DX10 lets look at DX11 after all thats what we buy these shiny GPUs for right?

BF3 SLI wins
Batman AC SLI wins
Civ 5 SLI wins barely overall multi gpu sucks here but it doesnt matter
Dirt 3 SLI wins
Metro 2033 Tie

essentially 2 overclocked 670 4GBs will be the same as 2x 7970s or 2x 680s offer slighly higher VRAM for games like Skyrim and SHogun 2 that use it, and performance is so close between all three it doesnt matter the wins i noted above are barely noticeable except in BF3 where SLI wins by nearly 15-20 FPS

doesnt matter what you go with really multi-gpu has its pit falls, but SLI just tends to work a bit better out of box for most games, key word MOST,

[Desert Eagle]

This generation Classified is gimped.