1440p graphics solution

[mclainlk]

Currently I have a gtx 660 with a 1080p monitor and it has served me well, but I am ready to make the leap to 1440p, but i realize that one gtx 660 will not be enough, so my question to you is this: do i get another 660 for $200? or save for a while and get something like a 770  or 280x. I'm not asking about pure performance, im asking which is going to smartest for price, performance, and smartest decision

[Recon-UK]

660 is the cheap, lazy way, but i would save.

[JAKEBAB]

If the 660 has 2gbs vram id just get another one it will cost less and pretty sure it will beat both the 770 and 280 but remember the game has to support sli which most do these days.

[Paralectic]

I'd get a 780 first and than 1440p and maybe add a second 780 later.

[WhatTheQuack]

'Always go for the highest performing single card setup that you can afford': Linus Sebastian.

Go for the GTX 770 or 280x, then continue to save up and get another one. Even those cards will struggle with new releases at 1440p

[Guest]

I WANT YOUR 660!

I would buy another one.

[Niblolkik]

2x 660 not worth it since i had 2x 670 and still it wouldnt top end it at high res  

[hawthorne]

Currently I have a gtx 660 with a 1080p monitor and it has served me well, but I am ready to make the leap to 1440p, but i realize that one gtx 660 will not be enough, so my question to you is this: do i get another 660 for $200? or save for a while and get something like a 770  or 280x. I'm not asking about pure performance, im asking which is going to smartest for price, performance, and smartest decision

 

Waiting and upgrading to one card would be a smarted move, you generally want to go for the best single gpu due to extra heat output and power use of two gpus. 

 

However I recommend upgrading to a 780 or a r9 290 as it would help you more at 1440p. 

 

If it was me though... I would not upgrade my monitor and then get a gtx 770 as they are excellent at 1080p.

[othertomperson]

'Always go for the highest performing single card setup that you can afford': Linus Sebastian.

Go for the GTX 770 or 280x, then continue to save up and get another one. Even those cards will struggle with new releases at 1440p

 

That quote by Linus isn't really relevant here. It's aimed at someone who is buying an entirely new GPU (or two), what's most worth it for them? If someone already has a 660 and wants better performance in new games at 1080p then it makes far more sense to buy another 660 than to buy a 770. They'll perform about the same but the single card will be a shit-tonne more expensive.

 

The second part, about neither the 660s or 770 really being up to it, is relevant, but that's not really a criticism of SLI which I've never had a problem with.

Edited May 18, 2014 by othertomperson

[hawthorne]

That's sound advice for someone buying outright. If someone already has a GTX 660 SLIing is the cheapest way to get the same performance as a GTX 770.

However you might have to upgrade your power supply... 

 

I haven't done any math in either scenarios though so i can't say which one make more sense. 

[WhatTheQuack]

That's sound advice for someone buying outright. If someone already has a GTX 660 SLIing is the cheapest way to get the same performance as a GTX 770.

Yes, but a single GTX 770 or equivalent, will start to struggle at 1440p as more demanding games are released. And seeing as the GTX 660 doesn't support 4 way SLI, nor is it recommended, the smartest option is to go for a single GTX 770 and add another later on 

[mclainlk]

I understand that saving and getting a 770 will help me in the long run but it doesn't perform as well as sli 660s and will cost me more, which is why if I were to upgrade to another single GPU I would save for a (long) while and get a 780, but right now the 660s are looking like a big boost in performance.

[Thebman712]

get  a 770 4gb or a 280x, the extra vram will help at higher resolution

[othertomperson]

Yes, but a single GTX 770 or equivalent, will start to struggle at 1440p as more demanding games are released. And seeing as the GTX 660 doesn't support 4 way SLI, nor is it recommended, the smartest option is to go for a single GTX 770 and add another later on 

 

yeah I edited my post to better say what I wanted to say ^^;

 

 

I understand that saving and getting a 770 will help me in the long run but it doesn't perform as well as sli 660s and will cost me more, which is why if I were to upgrade to another single GPU I would save for a (long) while and get a 780, but right now the 660s are looking like a big boost in performance.

 

That'd be more than fine for 1080p but not at 1440p. I'd probably suggest an R9 290, but it's like £300. The SLI 770 and the 780 are about £400, so cost to performance is there, I think.

[Sharp_3yE]

I understand that saving and getting a 770 will help me in the long run but it doesn't perform as well as sli 660s and will cost me more, which is why if I were to upgrade to another single GPU I would save for a (long) while and get a 780, but right now the 660s are looking like a big boost in performance.

Actually, it will be about the same price. A 770 is $315-350 for a 2gb version and the 4gb version is $350-400. So, really two 660s would cost the game. Just sell the one 660 you have after buying a new card. I would say that either the r9 280(x) or the gtx 770 4gb version would be better simply because more pixels means it takes up more memory. the R9 280(x) has 3gbs. I would say the best rout would be something like a gtx 780 but a 770 or 280 would work.

[MurderousTitaniumPuffin]

I have a 1440p monitor and am using an AMD 7850 HD (a midrange GPU).

I was considering getting 2 R9 290s in crossfire, but I intend to buy a (single) next generation replacement from AMD or NVidia...

 

because multiple GPUs require excellent case cooling (esp with AMD);

because dual GPUs require considerably more power;

because upgrading over two generations of GPUs wiil result in a more tangible graphics increase than over one - esp. if I get a high-end card;

because my 7850 works fine on 80% of games at 1440p and resolution can be downscaled for the rest;

because some demanding (FPS) games don't provide a huge benefit at 1440p compared to 1080p (e.g. Farcry 3).

 

because I have good word that the oculus rift won't perform well with SLI or Crossfire (and it looks like a cool bit of hardware);

because Star Citizen won't be fleshed out until next year anyway (and it looks like a cool bit of software);

because I'm considering a big SSD upgrade instead of a second GPU, providing a more rounded boost to gameplay;

because giving myself more time to save means I can purchase whatever I want later (not that I'm particularly constrained right now).

 

TL;DR version: Just wait.

[mclainlk]

I've made my decision and i think i am just going to save and wait for either the 800 series or new amd series, thanks.