This question might have been posted before But I really need a Community answer before I spend $$$ on something. My gaming friends are not Enthusiasts level and I only have the EVGA forums here to ask these questions.
 
So currently I am running two Nvidia 560 stock 1gb cards in SLI and I am really disappointed I even got them for my application of gaming i am doing, I love to play 2d Surround with three 23in monitors at 5760x1080 on everything now. BF3, SWTOR, Skyrim, etc. I have to play BF3 with Med settings to even have 40-50 FPS. Vram is taxed at 1015MB out of 1024. Skyrim with latest Drivers and everything is at 15-20 FPS with High to ultra settings. I would love to run skyrim on ultra and have 50-60fps.
 
So my question, Would it be better to get 2 570's 2.5gb cards(which are very easy to get) or try to get 1 680(Really hard to get) and also the 680 only has 2gb of ram, I know the 4gb one is coming later but I would like to order something soon and play now. even a 580 is an option too. But the idea is best for bang for buck. Please, any suggestions would be helpful.

Wait for the 4gb version of the gtx 680. I don't see the point of you spending money right now to get a gtx 680 2gb?

From what I understand, even a single GTX 680 won't be able to max those games on ultra settings with AA and keep a constant 60fps. You'll need two 680's or you'll have to lower the settings.
 
Look at tom's review here - 
 
A single 680 should be a step up from two 560's in SLI, though. I'm kind of in the same boat - I have two GTX 465's in SLI and am considering selling them and getting a single 680. It'll probably only be like a 20-30% improvement in performance, but I'm sick of the heat and noise these cards produce.
 
EDIT: Guess I can't post URL's yet but just google "gtx 680 5760x1080 review" without the quotes and the review will be the top result.

Hey brother!
 
For your requirements (60 FPS, 57x10, max settings) you will need at LEAST 2 cards for horsepower.  (Dual GPU cards aren't worth the trouble imho).   What is your budget?
 
 

Dont really care to much about buget, I was even thinking of 2 580's 3gb, should be able to get good fps and has alot of headroom for Textures and what not. i always thought that two 570's 2.5gb are the next step down from that for alot cheaper. I even see that the 680's in SLI dont use up that much vram. maybe the way the chips work? All i know is that 1 gb 560's (not even 560ti's) are really hurting me with 3 screen setup.

proctous


Dont really care to much about buget, I was even thinking of 2 580's 3gb, should be able to get good fps and has alot of headroom for Textures and what not. i always thought that two 570's 2.5gb are the next step down from that for alot cheaper. I even see that the 680's in SLI dont use up that much vram. maybe the way the chips work? All i know is that 1 gb 560's (not even 560ti's) are really hurting me with 3 screen setup.

 
Well then my suggestion for you is:  Either 2 x 680 2GB or wait and get 2 x 680 4GB.  It's that simple:)
 
If you want to save a bit of money, you can pick up 2 x 580 3GB's.

Well I think the cost of a Regular EVGA 580 3gb for 499 is pretty good. 680's are so hard to get right now, and no idea on a relase date for 4gb versions. The 580 comes in different flavors from EVGA (classy, Hyrdo, Normal) would a normal one be just fine? Also what is the power requirments for 2 580's I really think my 750w will not cut it. Current water cooling loop is just CPU only. but its using a huge thick 360 rad with push pull.

Wait for 4GB 680 like the rest of us... I have an entire room setup literally ON-HALT, because I cannot proceed until there is at least ONE 4GB 680 in that machine. Else I can't power all 4 of my monitors.
 
I had two 570 SC's on SLI, to play 5760x1080, and to be honest with you, even with the two cards, you still had to turn off HBAO, and MSAO in order to get ACCEPTABLE frames. The game STILL managed to dip well into the low 30's which is unacceptable in my book. And that's without even mentioning the amount of microstuttering I had to deal with at such frames.
 
You'd be wasting money if you went with Fermi right now. Just be patient and wait for the 4GB.. it shouldn't be much longer from now. I'd say 1 month TOPS.
 
While we're at it, I doubt that 1 4GB 680 will be able to run BF3 maxed out with AA on 2D Surround.

Yeah, I so compulsive, just want to buy now! I know i should prob save up and just get a 4gb 680 and be future proof for a while. at least i know if i do that I'm buying what I really want and not just settling for a 580 and then later upgrading to a 680.

Ok so after a whole day of looking around I really think that the 7970 would fit the bill right now and give me what I want. I guess I will need a AX1200w PS to power it all and Im even thinking of using after market water blocks on the 7970's and keep them in my loop with my CPU.
Does the Cards come with everything yo uneed to do CF and 3 screens, or do i need to look for adatpers. right now i use 3 DVI cables on two 560's. maybe if someone could shed some light on pluging that in it would help.

well ill be able to tell you tuesday whether crossfired 7970s pass muster for 3x24 gaming.
i have one right now and play BF3 and Crysis 2 without too much issue.  I guess it probably is not good enough for multiplayer though as it occasionally does hiccup.  
 
looking forward to (2) cards.
 
 

Well the All powerfull Wife has given me the green light to order my Two 7970's and a AX1200 PS. Although im not to sure on the power requirements for two high end cards im sure 750w wont cut it since im also OC my CPU from 3.2 to 4.8Ghz 24/7 for gaming. Also considering getting a water cooling block for the GPUs and connecting them with my CPU loop. My rad is quite big and im sure i can handle that. But i wont be water cooling those bad boys till later.
 
I feel like a traitor! I've been using Nvidia since Geforce4 TI 4600. Now im going to ATI. Eh, even my wifes computer has a 6950, which really kicks but in 1920x1080. well maybe when a newer series of cards from Nvidia come out in 3 years from now I will go back. BTW ATI already used there 8000 series and 9000 series numbers back in the day. So no idea what the new numbers will be. any guesses?