Hey guys,
I have been using a pair of GTX280s since 2008. They have served me well. But now I am thinking about retiring both of them for one GTX680 to run some DX11 games. The only issue is my mobo supports only PCI express 2.0. This card is 3.0. Is the 2.0 bandwidth enough to take advantage of 680 and will be better than my twin 280s?
 
Thanks

You will be fine. PCIe 2.0 X 16x is the same for a GTX 680. The 680 doesn't saturate the lanes fully. 

dredd


You will be fine. PCIe 2.0 X 16x is the same for a GTX 680. The 680 doesn't saturate the lanes fully. 

 
+1 good to go, game on.

Thanks I have a 30" display. 2560x1600. Should I get the 2GB or 4GB? Looks like Nvidia reference design has only 2GB. Can the GPU actually use 4GB for 3D stuff or it's just for 2D frame buffer?

That call isn't so B&W imo. Without getting so involved in the pros&cons of 2vs4GB for 2560x1600, and tipping balances between enough gpu power to utilize >2GB vram usage, I'd just suggest this:
If the extra $ for 4GB isn't going to break your wallet, get the 4GB just to be on the safe side for a couple current games and who knows what the future holds. If you're barely making a budget, 2GB will serve you well and will likely not ever become an issue.
 
As far as 3D vram usage vs 2D vram usage, I have no experience running 3D gaming, so please keep that in mind with my opinion.

any more ideas how 4GB would play games vs. 2GB on 30" ?

Quagmire LXIX


That call isn't so B&W imo. Without getting so involved in the pros&cons of 2vs4GB for 2560x1600, and tipping balances between enough gpu power to utilize >2GB vram usage, I'd just suggest this:
If the extra $ for 4GB isn't going to break your wallet, get the 4GB just to be on the safe side for a couple current games and who knows what the future holds. If you're barely making a budget, 2GB will serve you well and will likely not ever become an issue.

As far as 3D vram usage vs 2D vram usage, I have no experience running 3D gaming, so please keep that in mind with my opinion.

+1...
 
And from the looks of it you use your system for a few good years. My $.02... Get the 4G version and call it a day. This removes all debates and makes for a stress free gaming environment with any new games and potential new monitors in your future...

with GTA 5 on the horizon, i can't imagine how much vram will be used. imo

  
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OK guys, I think I will try the 2GB for now. If it's not enough I will add a second card and go SLI like my current setup. That will handle whatever I throw at it for a few years just like my current 280's. Still kick bu** after 4 years!!

a second card for sli doesn't double your vram, you will still have 2gb vram. But your fps will definately be higher. I'm pretty sure anyways. :p

  
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