I compared two Guru3d.com test results with almost exact same system specs.  Drivers are the major difference as GTX 580's were launch drivers but then again, GTX 590 are launch drivers
 
GTX 580 3-Way SLI System setup
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-580-3-way-sli-review/4
GTX 590 Quad SLI System setup
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-590-sli-review/6
 
FARCRY 2 DX10
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 156
GTX 590 Quad SLI 2560X1600 = 145
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 129
GTX 590 Single SLI 2560X1600 = 105
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 165
GTX 590 Quad SLI 1920X1200 = 161
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 164
GTX 590 Single SLI 1920X1200 = 142
 
Crysis Warhead DX10
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 2560X1600 =  81
GTX 590 Quad SLI 2560X1600 =  80
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 2560X1600 =  70
GTX 590 Single SLI 2560X1600 = 59
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 89
GTX 590 Quad SLI 1920X1200 = 86
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 90
GTX 590 Single SLI 1920X1200 =  83

METRO 2033 DX11
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 56
GTX 590 Quad SLI 2560X1600 = 62
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 39
GTX 590 Single SLI 2560X1600 = 32
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 91
GTX 590 Quad SLI 1920X1200 = 84
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 65
GTX 590 Single SLI 1920X1200 =54 

COLIN McRAE DIRT 2 DX11
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 138
GTX 590 Quad SLI 2560X1600 = 155
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 119
GTX 590 Single SLI 2560X1600 = 104
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 143
GTX 590 Quad SLI 1920X1200 = 155
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 149
GTX 590 Single SLI 1920X1200 = 143 

BATTLEFIELD BAD COMPANY 2 DX11
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 116
GTX 590 Quad SLI 2560X1600 = 120
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 2560X1600 = 86
GTX 590 Single SLI 2560X1600 = 70
GTX 580 3-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 140
GTX 590 Quad SLI 1920X1200 = 154
GTX 580 2-Way SLI 1920X1200 = 108
GTX 590 Single SLI 1920X1200 = 106 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Great info thanks for the thread

hugz my 3 way =D

3 way scaling is finally amazing for high resolutions with the 580s. But it seems like 4 GPUs is just too much. The fact that the GF110's in the 590 are downclocked plays a part as well, but really even 4x 580's is only a small gain over 3. Especially at the resolutions these review sites test at. I understand not everyone has 25x16, but the only way to show the true power of these multi-gpu configs is to start including surround and eyefinty resolutions in the reviews, as well as 19x12 and on down. Then the masses would get an accurate picture of multi-GPU setups with 3 or 4 GPUs are really capable of.  Its just not worth it for single monitor.

I have to say im a touch dissapointed, although it goes to show what a great set up 580 tri sli is!

The hardwarecanucks review has pretty much everything a review should have.... Also Surround / Eyefinity benchmarks 
take a look its one of the better reviews I have seen on the card 
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/41903-nvidia-geforce-gtx-590-3gb-review-17.html 

Thanks for this! But dont forget guru3d use different driver, since last new driver help improved BC2, Dirt 2, Far Cry 2, and other for gtx 580. Here link show chart how improved w lastest driver
http://www.geforce.com/Active/en_US/shared/images/articles/r265-driver/1-large.png
 
Im wait for new review with same driver. GTX 580 3 way is good choice! Glad I got GTX 580 sli, will get 3 way sli later.

Yes Saiyanjin2, the SLI 580's are beating the Single 590 in the Hardwarecanucks review, especially with the latest drivers, but that was predictable.  I have added a single 590 from the same review for a snapshot comparison in the original post.  The 590 is very appetizing if you just want one card in your rig, but if you're going SLI, a pair of 580's is the cherry point still for enthusiasts or for the best bang for the buck at same price point, the SLI 570's I would think.  Adding a second 590 just isn't a good upgrade path. 

ok, im sold, instead of 2x570s  im going with 2x580s, thanks for comparing

I figured with the driver differences, you can add 10fps per benchmark for the GTX580 benchmarks.  Leave the GTX590 the same.  It gives a more realistic idea with the current 266.58 driver set.

IMHO, one of the most critical aspects was not mentioned here - microstuttering.  Part of the reason why I decided to go with a Tri-SLI GTX580 setup was because of I knew if I ran two dual-GPU cards in Quad-SLI I would have to deal with the never resolved issue of microstuttering.  This occurs when the logical linear sequence in which the frames are rendered are placed out of order.  This usually occurs in quad-SLI setups when rendering a 3D environment in real time (such as a computer game).  The result is ugly to say the least.  Game play becomes noticeably choppy and sometimes even unplayable.  This was an issue when I was running two GTX295s in quad-SLI.  I ended up selling the cards to some friends of mine (separately) because of the microstuttering was so bad in the games I played at the time (Crysis, Crysis Warhead, BF2142, etc).  I LOVE my three GTX580s and running them in 3-Way SLI is a wonderful experience.  I initially had a problem running Battlefield Bad Company 2 in SLI and 3-Way SLI until a driver update fixed that.  Also, another consideration is that you can buy three GTX580s and have your choice to run them in 3-Way SLI, or two-Way SLI and run the third card for physics :)  So, if you want the best overall performance I highly recommend buying three GTX580s or even three GTX570s over two GTX590s. 

nVidia addressed most microstuttering issues with the GTX4xx series (and perfected the drivers therein).  Thus, why the forum is not seeing threads with microstuttering issues with a newly released GTX 590 (performance issues aside) or any GTX5xx series.  The GTX4xx series could not utilize single PCIe slot dual GPU card implementation due to heat issues.  The GTX590 is the first attempt since the GTX295
 
But "control" of your Graphic Card Environment is what I strongly concur with your very insightful and perceptive input.  Kudos

sk2play


nVidia addressed most microstuttering issues with the GTX4xx series (and perfected the drivers therein).  Thus, why the forum is not seeing threads with microstuttering issues with a newly released GTX 590 (performance issues aside) or any GTX5xx series.  The GTX4xx series could not utilize single PCIe slot dual GPU card implementation due to heat issues.  The GTX590 is the first attempt since the GTX295

But "control" of your Graphic Card Environment is what I strongly concur with your very insightful and perceptive input.  Kudos

huh? FIxed the microstuttering in the 480+ cards???  NOT!
 
I had a 8800GTX SLI system 5-6 years ago and my first purchase since then was my newest rig with GTX480 SLI, then upgraded to Tri-SLI and then went Quad GTX580 soon afterwards.. Microstutter all the way after 2 cards on both the 480s and 580s.
 
No matter what people say.. every freakin time a new card comes out the member braggin about it says, "Absolutly butter smooth! No microstutter at all!"  NOT!
 
Hell i upgraded to the 580s from the 480s just cause i thought i'd get rid of the microstutter!
 
I believe its more to do with the motherboards in that the strength or signal is weaker from other PCI-E slots then slot 1 or 3. Seems to notice it testing all 4 cards while installed by disabling 3 of the slots and using just one card in whatever slot at a time. Some seemed smooth and others the game/bench would stutter.
 
 

What games microstutter?  Are these games with Surround enabled only?  Many with 3gb GTX580 cards say with Surround enabled it makes the micro stuttering go away in selected games. The extra VRAM is a necessity with Surround.  Have not heard others including myself see microsuttering with one monitor even of high resolution.

For comparison sake:
2 HD 6990's Quadfire @ 1025 core/1500 mem & 990x @ 4.6
2560x1600 Gamer Dx10 64bit @ 2AA
  2560x1600 Enthusiast Dx10 64bit @ 2AA

2560x1600 Enthusiast Dx10 64bit @ 4AA

2560x1600 Enthusiast Dx10 64bit @ 8AA 
 

OMG!  That's almost what I went through with my GTX295s.  I originally had two GTX285s in SLI and was happy with the performance, but decided that I had to have the latest and greatest and sold them and bought two GTX295s to have a quad-SLI setup.  Biggest mistake I ever made!  Hind sight, I should have just bought a third GTX285 and ran a 3-way SLI setup and saved myself a huge hassle and wouldn't have lost nearly as much money in the process and would have enjoyed better performance without the microstutter.  Couldn't get rid of my GTX295s fast enough when the GTX480 came out.  Bought three of them fully aware that it meant having a small space heater/gaming PC in my small den area in the basement.  Besides the heat and fan noise, I was happy with the performance.  Then, less than a year later the GTX580s were released.  Sold the GTX480s and bought three of the GTX580 SC cards right away and set them up in 3-way SLI and have loved it ever since.  Yes, they do produce a lot of heat too - though they don't exhibit as much heat or noise as the GTX480s did.  Now I'm looking at water cooling them.  I ran a price estimate and a water cooling kit (rad, resv, and tubing included), coolant, and three GTX580 waterblocks will run me around $700...UGH!  So, the bottom line question to you is:  "Is it really worth the investment to go to water cooling over air cooling?".  I noticed that you are running four GTX580s in a water cooling setup and have to ask if you think it was worth the investment?  With the new Kepler GPUs coming out 1st quarter 2012, should I wait for them to go to water cooling?  Thanks for any advice you can give a fellow gamer!

I've owned both (quad 590 and Tri 580) and the Tri SLI 580's are definitely better. More performance, cooler gpu and case temps, and even lower power consumption.

Awesomeness info Jdookie, Thanks

does this surprise anyone? 

great Thanks!

Very nice comparison there
 
But to be very honest, I am morely impressed on how the Quad SLI setup can keep up or defeat the 3-way SLI setup, which is obvious since the Quad SLI setup has 512 CUDA Cores more than the 3-Way SLI setup hehe, for a person that only has two PCI_E x16 slots the Quad SLI is byfar the best setup to go for if GPU and GPGPU performance is your thing over more VRAM per chip
 
I have been using Quad SLI quite some time and iit is more complex and it does need more attention driver wise but once setup the correct way you can take on most 3-Way SLI setups with ease rofl