GTX 760 2-way SLI vs. GTX 970?

[FuzzyGreg]

Heeeello!

 

So I already have a single GTX 760 in a BitFenix Prodigy build, but I'm looking to expand to a mid tower for cooling reasons. (My apartment gets crazy hot, even in winter)

 

Because my new build will have an ATX motherboard, and I plan on cranking AC Unity, and GTA V with graphics mods, I decided I could either pick up another GTX 760 and SLI the two, or get a GTX 970.

 

The goal is future-proofing, Ultra-proofing and cutting down on heat, which makes me think twice about the SLI, but after a new motherboard and case a little more money wouldn't hurt. Which should I go with? (Other suggestions welcomed)

 

P.S. Off topic, but does anyone have any suggestions for Z97 gaming mobos with a good deal of OC and SLI ability?

 

Thanks,

FuzzyGreg

[aidenrelkoff]

760 SLI will wreck a 970, maybe not a 980 Ti (if/when they release it)

[Deletive]

Heeeello!

 

I'm looking to expand to a mid tower for cooling reasons. (My apartment gets crazy hot, even in winter)

you just answered your own question.

[connorpiper]

760 SLI. Love mine. More heat. But more performance.

 

But if you get the 790 now, you can SLI it later. 

[AlwaysFSX]

970, easy.

[ComradeHX]

970.

 

Buy 970 now(price/performance ratio rivals AMD, but with all the gimmicks of Nvidia); SLI it later when you actually need more power.

 

That's the most future-proof(a stupid thing to do, because there is always something better around the corner) thing to do.

[ArrayGamer]

970 all the way. guy's 2 760's will produce WAY MORE heat!

[Darkman]

970, it is always better to run a more powerful card instead of two weaker cards. Remember not all games support SLI and/or Crossfire.

[TheKDub]

970, that way you can SLI it down the road.

[CCap]

970, it is always better to run a more powerful card instead of two weaker cards. Remember not all games support SLI and/or Crossfire.

But OP already has a 760. SLI usually isn't recommended for buying an entire new system outright.

 

OP I would just buy another 760 and call it a day if you're looking for performance. You did say that temperatures were getting hot in your room. In this case, I'd likely recommend a 970, but don't expect temperatures to be dropping that much, if any, even with liquid cooling.

 

Liquid cooling isn't a magical witchcraft, all the heat taken away from the CPU/GPU goes right back into your room anyways, unless you mount the radiators externally.

 

 

970, that way you can SLI it down the road.

This is exactly what people probably told him when he bought his 760.

[RubyRoks]

Get the 760 if money is an issue. Otherwise, it's always smarter to get 1 stronger card rather than pair up 2 weaker ones.

[Bustapalapeno]

If you can sell yoru 760 and get aa 970 that would be optimal. That is what I did with a friend of mine. 

[Blecter]

If you want to stick to single cards then sell the 760 and grab the 970.

 

I actually just compared the SLI 760 setup that I have to a buddy's single 970 that I installed. Used Heaven/Valley for some quick benchmarks. Here's what I came up with (remember, these were quick benchmarks):

 

System 1: My System

i5-4670k @ 4.4GHz

2x EVGA 2GB GTX 760 SC w/ ACX cooler (factory OC)

ASUS Z87-A Mobo

16GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair RAM

The 650w EVGA PSU I have is too small for overclocking everything at the same time, therefore I used the CPU overclock and the factory OC settings on the GPU's (So 1202/1215MHz core under boost/ and 3004/6008MHz Mem)

 

System 2: His system

i7-2600k @ 4.4GHz

1x EVGA 4GB GTX 970 SC w/ ACX Cooler FTW Edition (1216MHz base/1367MHz boost core, 3505/7010MHz mem)

ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe Mobo

16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM

 

So what I ended up with (both ran at 1080p max settings available on the free versions):

 

Valley

 

Card                                                              Min FPS       Max FPS        Ave FPS        Score

2GB 760 SLI - Factory OC                              32.6              145                 75.9              3178

4GB 970 Factory OC                                       22.7              114.4              58.9              2464

4GB 970 +125MHz core/+200MHz Mem        30.1              114.7              62.5              2615

 

Heaven

 

Card                                                              Min FPS       Max FPS        Ave FPS        Score

2GB 760 SLI - Factory OC                              18.9              139.2              59.9              1508

4GB 970 Factory OC                                       8.40              121.5              56.0              1411

4GB 970 +125MHz core/+200MHz Mem        26.5              128.9              60.2              1518

 

So there's some quick numbers for you. The 970 takes OC's like a champ, and I wish I had more time to dial in that 970 before my buddy needed the system back, but alas, it is stable with the +125 Core/+200 Mem OC over factory.

 

While I am enjoying my 760 SLI, the 970 does open up more options for you in the future, and produces less heat. Actual performance between a 970 and 760 SLI are not too far off each other, so if I were going to choose today I would go with the 970 hands down. Hope this helps you make your decision.

[connorpiper]

Basically. The 970 is more future proof in the vRAM sense. Because it has 4GB (Unless your 760 is the 4GB Model)

But in raw power, the SLI 760s slap the 970 in the face. My 760s outperform the EVGA 980 Classified. (When 2GB vRAM is used)

 

1080p = SLI 760s

3840x1080p = SLI 760s

1440p = 970

4K = You're screwed

[annoor123]

760 SLI. Love mine. More heat. But more performance.

 

But if you get the 790 now, you can SLI it later. 

i think you mean (But if you get the 970* now, you can SLI it later. )

[connorpiper]

i think you mean (But if you get the 970* now, you can SLI it later. )

 

I did. Thanks.