4K..980TI SLI or G Titan X

[lazduc]

Titan X has 12gb ram...can DCS use this? The Titan X has one gpu. This means that shudders and such should not be an issue. Sli is not optimized in DCS. SLI support was supposed to be in 2.0 now currently called 1.5. SLI seems to introduce sutters due to either DCS or Nvidia drivers not being optimized.

 

Some have said SLI is currently offering better performance, but not identifying what is better? Those of you that have an SLI ( 2x 980-ti's or Titan X or 2x Titan X's ) setup, what have you found with the current version of Edge? Is your monitor 4K?

 

(Titan Z is a dual gpu card like a SLI setup....therefore only uses 6gb out of their 12gb (unless some software enables that configuration). This SLI in effect, introduces the studders and artifacts as it is a SLI type device on one card.) This card is not on my list and is eliminated as 2x 980TI's are less money than one Titan Z.

 

I have obtained information on a number of forums:

 

What, in your opinion would be best: 1x Titan X or 2x 980-TI's ?

When do you think DCS will actually be ready to support SLI? Is Nvidia or ED responsible for this?

 

Laz :D

[jcbak]

My specs are in my signature. I am getting over 100 fps consistently in 1.5 with everything cranked up to HIGH.

[Brisse]

A single 980ti is all you need. Anything more than that is just a waste of money, even if you happen to be filthy rich.

[Ricoo1]

I use SLI, and I will for sure get rid of it for my next upgrade. it's not worth the extra trouble.

If you have money buy the fastest mono GPU, and change it by a new faster when needed, not by wasting money in a second same one for SLI.

A fast clocked GTX980TI is probably faster than a Titan X in DCS.

[fixen]

Titan X is a waste of money. 980TI is almost as fast. The 12GB memory does nothing for you, except in some special cases.

 

1 980TI is more than enough to run 4K in DCS.

[GregP]

Things have radically changed at 4K with the 1.5 beta: a single 980Ti is enough to get you 100FPS. In 1.2.16, however, even two 980Ti's in SLI won't get you up that high.

[nigelmcelwee]

I have a Titan X and I have most settings cranked up. I turn shadows and DOF off though just to save frames but I never drop below 60 fps locked at vsync in any condition ive thrown at it.

 

that being said, when I do a CTRL+PAUSE and check my texture load on the GFX, it can get as high as 6GB in some situations so if you max that out, you will see frame drops but since I have 6GB to spare on my card, I never see any drop.

[SharpeXB]

I'm using a 4K monitor and two Titan X SC cards in SLI. The 980ti wasn't available at the time so I could have saved some cash there. Most reviews put them about equal in performance. Clearly at this moment the 980ti is the best option.

 

Whether or not you need two cards depends on the game. 4K is extremely demanding if you want to set the Ultra graphics and get a good 60 FPS. I haven't tried DCS 1.5 but 1.2 runs quite well in SLI. I can run 1.2 completely maxed at 60 FPS. Note you also need a very strong CPU or that will cap your performance no matter what GPS you have.

Many games need two cards. Battle of Stalingrad will run both GPUs up to maybe 70-80%, one Titan X was not enough there. Also stuff like Far Cry 4 and Crysis 3 need SLI as well.

 

4K is really really gorgeous especially for flight sims but the current crop of GPUs is not quite up to the task. They can handle it only at extreme cost, literally requiring GPUs that cost as much as some PCs

Now in about 6 months the new Pascal line from Nvidia is coming with cards equipped with 16-32GB. That should let 4K become more mainstream. Maybe it's worth waiting, I never have that kind of patience though.

 

I guess the answer to the OP question is, neither. In 6 months there will be a new and better lineup.

Edited November 8, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Abburo]

In close future video RAM will make a big difference. DX12 performances in 4k will really make use of your video RAM. If you are in urge to change it then take in consideration an AMD 395 with 8G... for now it is enough and better than any 4G ...

If you can wait... wait for next Nvidia generation... might be something revolutionary, otherwise AMD will win.

[lazduc]

Thanks for the responses. I was in Costco and really like the 4k systems. So I do want video cards that can drive 4k. Reading about all the trouble with sli systems I am leaning towards a single card.

I have built several systems with sli and found very few software titles that really take advantage of sli.

 

Your thoughts on this: 6700k processor, 16gb, 1kw power, water cooled cpu, Asus Maximus viii extreme 3d-3 motherboard, evga 980ti, 2x 480gb ssd, 50in 4k monitor, (add another 980ti if needed) another mb choice is the Asus z-170 deluxe.

Or wait for newer gpu's and Edge 2.0.

Maybe 2.0 will support dx12......

 

I also read now that sli systems introduce studdering and artifacts, even the latest cards. Hopefully this sli problem will be fixed...or maybe a single card will be released that will address the 4k standard.

[TomOnSteam]

I would wait till june next year if you can - those new nvidia graphics cards are supposed to be twice as fast (according to nvidia of course).

 

Of course you will always find a buyer for a 980ti if you can't wait till then

[Brisse]

Your thoughts on this: 6700k processor, 16gb, 1kw power, water cooled cpu, Asus Maximus viii extreme 3d-3 motherboard, evga 980ti, 2x 480gb ssd, 50in 4k monitor, (add another 980ti if needed) another mb choice is the Asus z-170 deluxe.

 

Sounds good. Personally I prefer to stay away from dual GPU, and in a year or two there are going to be new cards on the market. Instead of putting another 980ti in there, I prefer to sell the old card second hand and get a more modern card instead. If you go that route you can also subtract 300W off the power supply.

 

Graphics cards that are just a few years old are easy to sell second hand for a fair price. One time I have literally put one up for sale in the morning, and had it sold before the evening the same day.

 

Or wait for newer gpu's and Edge 2.0.

Maybe 2.0 will support dx12......

 

There is no EDGE 2.0. There is only EDGE, which we already have access to in the open beta. Don't expect DX12 support. I find this very unlikely to be implemented in DCS within a reasonable time.

 

I also read now that sli systems introduce studdering and artifacts, even the latest cards. Hopefully this sli problem will be fixed...or maybe a single card will be released that will address the 4k standard.

 

Stuttering is something you always get with SLI. How much stuttering depends on the software, but it's always there more or less.

 

The next high end GPU's will certainly be catered towards 4K/UHD, just like the AMD Fury X was. They will be using a new fabrication process at 14 or 16nm and you can expect huge performance and power efficiency gains. The top of the line products will likely have HBM.

 

The new cards aren't as far away as you might think. Pretty sure Nvidia is aiming for an first half of 2016 release, which is just a few months away. Could definitely be worth waiting for these cards, instead of buying right now, unless you don't have a PC at all.

[SharpeXB]

Thanks for the responses. I was in Costco and really like the 4k systems. So I do want video cards that can drive 4k. Reading about all the trouble with sli systems I am leaning towards a single card.

I have built several systems with sli and found very few software titles that really take advantage of sli.

 

Your thoughts on this: 6700k processor, 16gb, 1kw power, water cooled cpu, Asus Maximus viii extreme 3d-3 motherboard, evga 980ti, 2x 480gb ssd, 50in 4k monitor, (add another 980ti if needed) another mb choice is the Asus z-170 deluxe.

Or wait for newer gpu's and Edge 2.0.

Maybe 2.0 will support dx12......

 

I also read now that sli systems introduce studdering and artifacts, even the latest cards. Hopefully this sli problem will be fixed...or maybe a single card will be released that will address the 4k standard.

The system you've got there looks great. You can't go wrong with all the best components, the 6700K and 980ti etc.

you will find though, depending on what games you run that the single card is not enough for 4K if you want the highest graphic settings. Actually every game I have run handles SLI just fine including DCS 1.2. DCSW 1.5 is supposed to handle multiple GPUs even better.

It's a tough call looking at going for 4K right now. Since we are on the verge of seeing new lines of GPUs and spending $1,400 on graphics cards which will be in urgent need of replacement soon is maybe not so appealing. On the other hand graphics cards sell really well on eBay ;-)

Edited November 9, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Abburo]

 

Stuttering is something you always get with SLI. How much stuttering depends on the software, but it's always there more or less.

 

 

Very interesting, for me it was the other way arround. Even I did not noticed a big increase in FPS, I still noticed a great reduction of stuttering in the moment when the second GPU arrived to my system.

 

SLI performance is related to few less acknowledged factors:

- quality of the boards

- power supply efficiency

- thermal throttling of GPU

- PC case cooling

- last but not least, graphic engines of the games optimization in regards with SLI/Crossfire.

[SharpeXB]

- PC case cooling

I can attest to that. If you're going to run 2x Titan X cards at 4K you need a seriously ventilated case and the software that custom controls the GPU fans i.e. EVGA Precision X. The default fan speed on those cards will not do, it keeps the fan at 30% even when the cards hit 90C (194F!) which is nuts.

Even with good cooling they run at 70-80C (180F). They'll heat up the room so you'll need another fan for that too.

[lazduc]

Do any of you guys have any info on the upcoming gpu's and cpu's ?

 

Errr, I am 75 years old....so I do not have a lot of time to wait LOL and I will probably not see what some of you will in 15 or so years. When I was about 40 or so I remember seeing something about Su-27 Flanker. We waited for Flanker 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5. So if you are around 35-40 now you will turn around sooner than you may think and hope that the next release will be before they fly the missing man formation for you LOL.

[wilky510]

The next cards will be powerful, but won't be cheap either. You could find some "rumors" on the new cards, but it's all a guessing game at this point. I've seen some say 50%~ faster than a 980 ti to as little as 25%~. But the next generation will for sure boast a huge amount of vram with the new technology they will be using (HBM).

 

As it stands. Waiting for the latest and greatest means you'll be waiting forever. I'd just take the shot and buy something now. If you are really that hell bent on the next generation, you can always Ebay your card you will buy now for near retail price (i sold my 980 for 500~ dollars on Ebay used after a years worth of time in my PC).

[Brisse]

Well, lazduc, that changes things slightly. I was seeing things from my own perspective, but I'm not even half your age. If I step into your boots for a second, I think I might change my mind and decide that buying right now is the better choice. New graphics card models are usually ridiculously expensive the first few months after release anyway, so there could be another year from now until they reach reasonable prices.

[rajdary]

Lazduc, the next generation of nVidia Gpu will be named Pascal and probably will be out in March -July but nothing is sure. Plus they say 16gb Vram and theoretically 10 times faster than todays Maxwell gpu, but in reality that will probably will be mas 2x faster, anyway here is some news :

http://wccftech.com/nvidia-pascal-gpu-gtc-2015/

[lazduc]

Thanks for the information....