So my GTX 580 FTW HC2's had some issues that I have not been able to pin point and resolve and so being within my 30 day return window I have decided to return the cards to my local store today. I however ran into a most interesting situation.
 
The store now has GTX 580 Classy Ultras in stock and yesterday the kepler cards were announced to be releasing very soon.
 
So my options are:
 

1. Just a straight up exchange for another pair of HC2's
2. Exchange the HC2's and add about $80 to get a pair of Classy Ultras
3. Get my money back and wait out kepler

 
The only downside to waiting it out, is that I will be forced to use an HD6850 to game until I buy new cards and of course I risk that the cards that come out disappoint me and at that point brand new GTX 580 3GB cards may not be available. I know we don't have too much concrete info but should I stick to the 580's because of the none reference 3GB or risk it for the sake of better performing 680's? I have it understand the reference 680's will have 2GB VRAM will this be enough for triple monitor 5760x1080?
 
Thanks for all your help guys!

If the 580 3gbs are doing very well for you, I see no reason to take the risk of waiting.. maybe you'll end up with some 2gb cards which I think is not enough for 2d surround at that resolution. If they are not doing well, then you have to wait. 
Im not sure if it is worth it to upgrade to the Ultras. If you need a solid OC then I would sure spend the extra 80$.

If you don't mind spending the $80 i would get the classys. Do the HC2's come with the same warrenty as the ultras?

Wait just a little longer for Kepler! It'll be announced quite soon
 

HeThing


If the 580 3gbs are doing very well for you, I see no reason to take the risk of waiting.. maybe you'll end up with some 2gb cards which I think is not enough for 2d surround at that resolution. If they are not doing well, then you have to wait. 
Im not sure if it is worth it to upgrade to the Ultras. If you need a solid OC then I would sure spend the extra 80$.

Doubles


If you don't mind spending the $80 i would get the classys. Do the HC2's come with the same warrenty as the ultras?

 
 

zimmie01


Wait just a little longer for Kepler! It'll be announced quite soon

 
Alright guys well based on what I truly want I'm still stuck between classy ultras and the kepler.
 
Again the 2GB is a huge worry, and the classys like the 3GB are non ref so once the keps are out they may be hard to find in stores (I prefer to purchase such a high value'd item direct with guaranteed lifetime warranty)
 
I've also heard that if I were to use triple cards it would circumnavigate the issue of multi monitor surround. Does anyone have some info on this? I heard that since the workload is split among the cards ( 1 monitor per card physical plug in) that the monitors take cost less overhead and therefore games use a reasonable amount of vram. Keep in mind that right now BF3 uses about 2.2GB but that is with 2 580's and with everything turned up including MSAA
 
I've also heard that kepler may be more efficient for surround, does anyone have some info on this at all? (I doubt it but I ask anyhow! :] )

Ok update! It seems the return is only good for exchange or store credit, and It seems the classy ultra is ONLY available online so I have the option of taking store credit (usable online for the classy) or taking the HC2 and then turning around and returning it to them unopened for my credit card refund :]
 
Please weigh in!

Just wait a bit for Kepler, who knows the lower end  performs near current high end.. And even if it doesn't you should see some price drops in the current line-up.

zimmie01


Just wait a bit for Kepler, who knows the lower end  performs near current high end.. And even if it doesn't you should see some price drops in the current line-up.

 
Yeah it seems I'll be doing something similar! My girlfriend had the great idea of me just exchanging the cards for store credit, buying the Classy ultras and not opening them and IF the keplers come out and aren't amazing just keeping the ultras. Otherwise return them unopened to the store for my credit once again and buy keplers :]
 
This way I cover myself from all angles.

smart girl hehe i have the same problem but i have decided to wait it out and get kepler  and my reason is no matter what kepler (i HOPE) use less power but puts out more so to speak

Seeing that we got non reference 3GB versions of the 580, I would bet that we will also see non reference 4GB versions of the 680.  Of course I don't know this, but why wouldn't they?  The 3GB versions seem to sell well and they know that there is a market for higher VRAM.
 
So my advice would be to just wait for the 680s.

So far the specs for the "680" state that it will only have 2GB of ram.  They are supposed to be between 30%-300% faster than a 580, and can run that singularity demo...but nothing is concrete until the cards hit the shelves and we get some real world benchmarks. 
 
Personally I'd wait, when kepler is released the 5xxs might have a nice price drop.

So I went I got my money back, and a lot of people are saying wait it out. While I would hate to miss out on classy ultras if release only sees 2GB cards  I would also hate to pay a lot more for less. So wait I will and hope that either 580's are still around should 680 disappoint or that I can afford 2 of them if they are amazing!

zimmie01


Just wait a bit for Kepler, who knows the lower end  performs near current high end.. And even if it doesn't you should see some price drops in the current line-up.

I I could've waited for the Kepler cards I would've waited, if had more money for upgradeing my Alienware into My own built computer and had more money I would've gone for the 3gig580s. In the end you have to make the decision of what u do or do not need Now, not later because if cr cards are doing ok on the tri monitor system which u said u aren't then u should upgrade and either spend the extra $80.00 or wait for Kepler.
 
I have it in good mind that NVIDIA will also release a 6gig card to, from some rumblings i've heard because NVIDIA isn't going to sit on their butts and let ATI get the upper hand so quickly to.
 
What anybodys way of thinking should be is what can I get now if I NEED it, if u don't then I'd wait for the Keplers. If I could've I waould've for a Kepler card or 2, but couldn't. I still havent even Registered my to 1.5gig 580s, just because i wish I could get 2 3gig 580s lol. :p

the 4gb Keplers are coming in April or May, I'd wait

Sucks to put 2 screens to waste, but you guys are right it's worth the wait. Thanks! :]

I really dont know how you guys can wait all that time.
 
I an impatient person, so i decided to buy the GTX 580 3GB and then use the Steup-Up program if it worth upgrading. Thats the best thing. you get the best of both worlds. you get to enjoy the GTX 580 3GB and can upgrade to a KEPLER GPU if needed.
 
My advice is that if the GTX 580 Classified Ultra supports the Step-up program, then i would totally get it and use it untill everything is revealed and benchmarks and prices are available.
 
BTW, if the Step-Up program is supported, then you have 90 days to upgrade :)
 
Hope i helped.
 
Regards.

Well the only problem is that the Classy is $720 each and if I buy two and the reference kepler is better but costs $500-$600 I will not only lose $200-$400 but I will have to buy 2 water cooling blocks so in the end I lose about $400-$600 if I step up.

Iorveth


I really dont know how you guys can wait all that time.

I an impatient person, so i decided to buy the GTX 580 3GB and then use the Steup-Up program if it worth upgrading. Thats the best thing. you get the best of both worlds. you get to enjoy the GTX 580 3GB and can upgrade to a KEPLER GPU if needed.

My advice is that if the GTX 580 Classified Ultra supports the Step-up program, then i would totally get it and use it untill everything is revealed and benchmarks and prices are available.

BTW, if the Step-Up program is supported, then you have 90 days to upgrade :)

Hope i helped.

Regards.

Never count on Step up being there for you.

Too bad for me as i am completely counting on EVGAs Step-Up program XD

I just built a system with to 580 classified ultras and enjoying BF3 every night. I hate waiting and waiting for whats coming around the corner. I am sure it will be a while before any game will not run decent on the two ultras... Now BF3 is even more amazing with my new Razer Tiamat 7.1 headphones. I actually got a little scared playing BF3 is sounds so real. hahaha :)

Yea, You will get tired of waiting also.. I got tired of waiting so I got the 590 instead.  It is one of the best card I ever own!!! And beside I heard that The 680 will not be a BIG different from the 580.  Just go for it, enjoy it while you can. Who knows if you or I will be alive tomorrow to wait for the 680 :). 

Exactly. I am sure like all other new cards it will be just enough upgrade to edge out the new ATi card. I have yet to see a new series card in my years of PC's that was a HUGE difference. They are all tiny steps. Going from a 5-6 year old card to a new one yes, but 4 to 5 then to 6 is all incremental.

phamtantai youre completely right. don't wait because tomorrow might be the last day you get to game. this may seem a bit drastic but it's completely true. SEIZE YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE!