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GeForce GTX 980 2 and 3-way SLI review
Posted by: on: 10/01/2014 08:38 AM [
66 comment(s) ]
We review GeForce GTX 980 but this time in a 2-way and 3-way SLI. We'll FLIR them, Overclock them, look at ultra HD performance as well as a micro stuttering analysis with the help of FCAT. Join us in this review where we'll once again look at everything.
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d_mouse
Senior Member
Posts: 1075
Senior Member
Posts: 1075
Posted on: 10/01/2014 09:19 AM
Thanks for the review.
I can't see myself getting 9xx SLI setup. The 4k results are disappointing, and below that point a single card is more than enough. So if one's gaming on 2560x1440 or 1920x1080, a single 970 or 980 should be a nice card to get. 4k - we'll have to wait for the next offerings from NV or AMD.
Depends on your monitor, those of us with Korean 1440p overclockable monitors would disagree (or pretty much any 120/144hz monitor).
Mine will do 118hz but the 7970 can't keep up. Now if only the wife would let me drop some $$$ on a new build.......
Thanks for the review.
I can't see myself getting 9xx SLI setup. The 4k results are disappointing, and below that point a single card is more than enough. So if one's gaming on 2560x1440 or 1920x1080, a single 970 or 980 should be a nice card to get. 4k - we'll have to wait for the next offerings from NV or AMD.
Depends on your monitor, those of us with Korean 1440p overclockable monitors would disagree (or pretty much any 120/144hz monitor).
Mine will do 118hz but the 7970 can't keep up. Now if only the wife would let me drop some $$$ on a new build.......
Spets
Senior Member
Posts: 2975
Senior Member
Posts: 2975
Posted on: 10/01/2014 09:50 AM
Thanks for the review Hilbert.
Thanks for the review Hilbert.
Ven0m
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Posted on: 10/01/2014 09:54 AM
Depends on your monitor, those of us with Korean 1440p overclockable monitors would disagree (or pretty much any 120/144hz monitor).
Mine will do 118hz but the 7970 can't keep up. Now if only the wife would let me drop some $$$ on a new build.......
That's a good point. Thank you for this valuable comment. Now when I think about it, 970/980 SLI would be great for ASUS Rog Swift... dang... is it time to change my monitor?
Depends on your monitor, those of us with Korean 1440p overclockable monitors would disagree (or pretty much any 120/144hz monitor).
Mine will do 118hz but the 7970 can't keep up. Now if only the wife would let me drop some $$$ on a new build.......
That's a good point. Thank you for this valuable comment. Now when I think about it, 970/980 SLI would be great for ASUS Rog Swift... dang... is it time to change my monitor?
d_mouse
Senior Member
Posts: 1075
Senior Member
Posts: 1075
Posted on: 10/01/2014 10:05 AM
It would certainly help driving 1440p / higher refresh rates, at the moment I can pretty much only run @ 118hz on the desktop / light games, anything else is too much.
That's a good point. Thank you for this valuable comment. Now when I think about it, 970/980 SLI would be great for ASUS Rog Swift... dang... is it time to change my monitor?
It would certainly help driving 1440p / higher refresh rates, at the moment I can pretty much only run @ 118hz on the desktop / light games, anything else is too much.
PhazeDelta1
Posts: 15618
Posts: 15618
Posted on: 10/01/2014 10:12 AM
Thanks for the review Hilbert. Those 4K benchmarks are looking pretty good. Hopefully in the next 2 years or so, we can achieve those same numbers off 1 card instead of 3
Thanks for the review Hilbert. Those 4K benchmarks are looking pretty good. Hopefully in the next 2 years or so, we can achieve those same numbers off 1 card instead of 3
Noufel
Senior Member
Posts: 104
Senior Member
Posts: 104
Posted on: 10/01/2014 10:37 AM
Cool my 290 tri x crossfire can keep up with the 980 sli but for 4k we need to wait for the 20 nm nod big maxwell or GCN 2.0
Cool my 290 tri x crossfire can keep up with the 980 sli but for 4k we need to wait for the 20 nm nod big maxwell or GCN 2.0
Solfaur
Senior Member
Posts: 7032
Senior Member
Posts: 7032
Posted on: 10/01/2014 11:28 AM
Hmmm, I might end up going 2x970s in the end for my 1440p monitor after reading this, but then again I still want to wait for the 980 Lightning and then decide if it is worth it.
Hmmm, I might end up going 2x970s in the end for my 1440p monitor after reading this, but then again I still want to wait for the 980 Lightning and then decide if it is worth it.
Khronis
Senior Member
Posts: 163
Senior Member
Posts: 163
Posted on: 10/01/2014 12:10 PM
Thanks for the review, guess i wont be running 3x 1440p yet in newer games, getting close though. Looks good for my decision to get 2x 970 though, except seems to occasionally drop off more at 4k compared to the 980 for some reason.
Also on page 2 the load temperature bar graph, I see 680 2x sli is highlighted instead of the single 980?
Thanks for the review, guess i wont be running 3x 1440p yet in newer games, getting close though. Looks good for my decision to get 2x 970 though, except seems to occasionally drop off more at 4k compared to the 980 for some reason.
Also on page 2 the load temperature bar graph, I see 680 2x sli is highlighted instead of the single 980?
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Posted on: 10/01/2014 12:21 PM
Ah fixed, thanks.
Also on page 2 the load temperature bar graph, I see 680 2x sli is highlighted instead of the single 980?
Ah fixed, thanks.
shamus21
Member
Posts: 94
Member
Posts: 94
Posted on: 10/01/2014 01:01 PM
Hi Hilbert if possible could you do the 970`s in 3 way sil bench please.
Hi Hilbert if possible could you do the 970`s in 3 way sil bench please.
Dorlor
Member
Posts: 1708
Member
Posts: 1708
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:01 PM
Very good scaling on 3way sli on the "good" engines
Id like to see how 4way scales on frostbite and cryengine.
Very good scaling on 3way sli on the "good" engines
Id like to see how 4way scales on frostbite and cryengine.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:04 PM
Not possible, the initial cards are returned and the other I have are all AIB cards with different coolers , e.g. the 3x SLI connector will not fit with three difference boards.
Hi Hilbert if possible could you do the 970`s in 3 way sil bench please.
Not possible, the initial cards are returned and the other I have are all AIB cards with different coolers , e.g. the 3x SLI connector will not fit with three difference boards.
Mato87
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 282
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 282
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:34 PM
Another excellent article, well done Hilbert !
Iam now even more excited for my two 970's to arrive sometime in the next two weeks knowing that I'll be able to play bf4 on 1080p with 150 fps and above
Oh and do you plan on doing benchmarks with the upcoming games like shadow of mordor and evil within too? I don't know if evil within will have a 60 fps lock like both of the previus games on id5 had and thats why people who do benchmarks don't use either of those games for tests and benchmarking.
Another excellent article, well done Hilbert !
Iam now even more excited for my two 970's to arrive sometime in the next two weeks knowing that I'll be able to play bf4 on 1080p with 150 fps and above
Oh and do you plan on doing benchmarks with the upcoming games like shadow of mordor and evil within too? I don't know if evil within will have a 60 fps lock like both of the previus games on id5 had and thats why people who do benchmarks don't use either of those games for tests and benchmarking.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10168
Senior Member
Posts: 10168
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:35 PM
Nice review, thanks for doing both 3way and 2way gaming! I still think I'll go 980SLI rather than 970, because of the horsepower behind it. And probably for the TitanX, or 980Ti...
Nice review, thanks for doing both 3way and 2way gaming! I still think I'll go 980SLI rather than 970, because of the horsepower behind it. And probably for the TitanX, or 980Ti...
VultureX
Senior Member
Posts: 2577
Senior Member
Posts: 2577
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:49 PM
Awesome review, thanks once again!
I wonder if the FCAT measurement would change if you use vSync or even gSync.
Could it be due to a cpu limitation or any other IO limitation? These frame drops look similar to the IO bottleneck you had here: http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/fcat-benchmarking-review,6.html
At 5 ms per frame does that mean there is more data to be processed, or is the data stream always constant no matter the frame time?
Awesome review, thanks once again!
I wonder if the FCAT measurement would change if you use vSync or even gSync.
Could it be due to a cpu limitation or any other IO limitation? These frame drops look similar to the IO bottleneck you had here: http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/fcat-benchmarking-review,6.html
At 5 ms per frame does that mean there is more data to be processed, or is the data stream always constant no matter the frame time?
Mato87
Senior Member
Posts: 282
Senior Member
Posts: 282
Posted on: 10/01/2014 02:51 PM
If you have the money, then it's a nobrainer, quite frankly, Iam going for a two 970's because of the excellent price they go for
Oh and I also read somewhere that there will most likely be a 960 and 990 before 980Ti will be released.
Nice review, thanks for doing both 3way and 2way gaming! I still think I'll go 980SLI rather than 970, because of the horsepower behind it. And probably for the TitanX, or 980Ti...
If you have the money, then it's a nobrainer, quite frankly, Iam going for a two 970's because of the excellent price they go for
Oh and I also read somewhere that there will most likely be a 960 and 990 before 980Ti will be released.
VultureX
Senior Member
Posts: 2577
Senior Member
Posts: 2577
Posted on: 10/01/2014 03:31 PM
I also wonder how the benchmarks in games are performed. For example the Battlefield 4 time demo, do you control the player yourself each time or is there some prerecorded demo you can replay?
I also wonder how the benchmarks in games are performed. For example the Battlefield 4 time demo, do you control the player yourself each time or is there some prerecorded demo you can replay?
17seconds
Member
Posts: 27
Member
Posts: 27
Posted on: 10/01/2014 04:04 PM
All of these AMD Gaming Evolved titles on a 3-way Nvidia SLI setup can't be giving good results. Using Tomb Raider and Thief for FCAT results is pretty much a worst case scenario for these cards.
Even so, despite the fact that 7 of the 8 gaming benchmarks are Gaming Evolved titles, it's interesting that the one Nvidia game, Metro: LL was the one that didn't work in 3-way SLI.
All of these AMD Gaming Evolved titles on a 3-way Nvidia SLI setup can't be giving good results. Using Tomb Raider and Thief for FCAT results is pretty much a worst case scenario for these cards.
Even so, despite the fact that 7 of the 8 gaming benchmarks are Gaming Evolved titles, it's interesting that the one Nvidia game, Metro: LL was the one that didn't work in 3-way SLI.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Posted on: 10/01/2014 04:16 PM
Aah, a quick word on AMD Gaming Evolved titles.
Its not that I choose these deliberately, but most triple A titles have AMD plastered all over them these days. Secondly, I try to use scripted benchmarks as much as I can for the best measurements. So that's Metro, Hitman, Tomb Raider, BioShock, Thief and then the two 3DMark's already.
I would like to exclude it, but have to BF4 as everybody wants to see the results, I throw in MOH, Crysis 3 and Metro to balance things a little.
I ditched Ubisoft titles for their DRM issues and the impossible to use UbiPlay. EA / Origin is getting on my nerves as well (an update each day these days) but a necessity. next to that I try and use as much Steam titles as I can use the games on multiple machines, that saves this office a lot of cash opposed to re-purchasing the game for every test system.
I will look out for a couple of pre-NV games as well, but I just hate Batman, I purchased Titanfall but that was online only ... well and so on. AMD is all over the AAA games, NVIDIA not that much.
So the Gaming Evolved titles are not a deliberate choice, it's just the most popular AAA games that people use + they need have ability to be scripted or measured with FRAPS/FCAT in a fast enough session (benchmarking takes a lot of time).
Aah, a quick word on AMD Gaming Evolved titles.
Its not that I choose these deliberately, but most triple A titles have AMD plastered all over them these days. Secondly, I try to use scripted benchmarks as much as I can for the best measurements. So that's Metro, Hitman, Tomb Raider, BioShock, Thief and then the two 3DMark's already.
I would like to exclude it, but have to BF4 as everybody wants to see the results, I throw in MOH, Crysis 3 and Metro to balance things a little.
I ditched Ubisoft titles for their DRM issues and the impossible to use UbiPlay. EA / Origin is getting on my nerves as well (an update each day these days) but a necessity. next to that I try and use as much Steam titles as I can use the games on multiple machines, that saves this office a lot of cash opposed to re-purchasing the game for every test system.
I will look out for a couple of pre-NV games as well, but I just hate Batman, I purchased Titanfall but that was online only ... well and so on. AMD is all over the AAA games, NVIDIA not that much.
So the Gaming Evolved titles are not a deliberate choice, it's just the most popular AAA games that people use + they need have ability to be scripted or measured with FRAPS/FCAT in a fast enough session (benchmarking takes a lot of time).
evasiondutch
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 207
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 207
Posted on: 10/01/2014 04:25 PM
Ive checked most online shops in Holland like mycom alternate coolblue informatieuq
And price of 980 is avarage 619 euros not 500 so sli config is 1240 euros not 1000 euros thank you.
Ive checked most online shops in Holland like mycom alternate coolblue informatieuq
And price of 980 is avarage 619 euros not 500 so sli config is 1240 euros not 1000 euros thank you.
wsgroves
Senior Member
Posts: 160
Senior Member
Posts: 160
Posted on: 10/01/2014 04:26 PM
For anyone interested, and thanks for the review Hilbert, I average 60fps with 980 sli@4k on Shadows of Mordor Ultra settings including Textures.
The problem is, nvidia has no sli profile for it and you have to force AFR2. It works at least.
For anyone interested, and thanks for the review Hilbert, I average 60fps with 980 sli@4k on Shadows of Mordor Ultra settings including Textures.
The problem is, nvidia has no sli profile for it and you have to force AFR2. It works at least.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 35044
Posted on: 10/01/2014 04:42 PM
Ive checked most online shops in Holland like mycom alternate coolblue informatieuq
And price of 980 is avarage 619 euros not 500 so sli config is 1240 euros not 1000 euros thank you.
Prices started going up again due to high demand and low availability.
But if you seek a little better, you can spot them at the 560 EURO marker:
https://maxict.nl/product/4434477/evga-geforce-gtx-980-4gb-gddr5-dvi-hdmi-3x-dp-dual-bios-grafikkarte-retail
Ive checked most online shops in Holland like mycom alternate coolblue informatieuq
And price of 980 is avarage 619 euros not 500 so sli config is 1240 euros not 1000 euros thank you.
Prices started going up again due to high demand and low availability.
But if you seek a little better, you can spot them at the 560 EURO marker:
https://maxict.nl/product/4434477/evga-geforce-gtx-980-4gb-gddr5-dvi-hdmi-3x-dp-dual-bios-grafikkarte-retail
A M D BugBear
Senior Member
Posts: 2655
Senior Member
Posts: 2655
Posted on: 10/01/2014 05:50 PM
Hilbert, I would like to ask something, if you can ever do this particular benchmark at a given time in the future:
I notice the 3 way scaling ain't great and I probably see the reason why, aint putting enough stress to it see real good scaling, To a certain degree? Yes, but Try this and more then likely you will see BIG difference between the 3x gpu scaling.
Usually nvidia inspector helps tons when comes to gpu scaling, to a degree.
Within nvidia inspector, try this:
Use the Infamous Sonic 3d all star racing hex code:
antialiasing compatibility:
0x00411245
Then to, Antialiasing - setting:
32xS
+ other settings mentioned below:
Antialiasing - Transparency Multisampling - Enabled
Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling = 8x Sparse Grid Supersampling
If the game has aa then under antialiasing - mode = (Enhance the Application settings).
Some games does not work with application settings turned on, therefore, have to turn off aa within the game then under aa mode = (Override any application settings).
Try 2560X1600 and to 4k resolution with the above settings, guaranteed, you will be out of frame buffer, especially @ 4k, 4gb vram at this incredible intense setting aint enough, especially when everything is maxed out in the game. 3X scaling, I think will be alot more better then what the review has given if above setting is used, but non the less, great review as always.
I would love to see heat differences, oh my, I do know, with this sick intense aa settings, heat comes out like you all wouldn't imagine.
LOL, it buries my overclocked gtx 690 with 3dmark06 @ maxed settings @ 1920X1200 resolution, If you all dont trust me, lol, do it for yourself, try 3dmark 06, everything maxed out @ 1920X1200 resolution, then under nvidia inspector aa (Enhance the application settings), then use the above mentioned aa settings. Absolutely INSANE...
I wouldn't even attempt @ 4k with today's games, oh my.!!
Once you have tried this setting, you all will never go back, even @ 1920X1200 resolution, it looks absolutely SICK!!!, Everything is basically flicker free, no matter the distance, basically near perfect image quality,
Basically in other words, with today's games and with today's resolution with today's gpu's, with the above mentioned settings, it would basically devour it, completely, but nontheless, I would love to see a X3 980 gtx sli with this setting,.
Hilbert, I would like to ask something, if you can ever do this particular benchmark at a given time in the future:
I notice the 3 way scaling ain't great and I probably see the reason why, aint putting enough stress to it see real good scaling, To a certain degree? Yes, but Try this and more then likely you will see BIG difference between the 3x gpu scaling.
Usually nvidia inspector helps tons when comes to gpu scaling, to a degree.
Within nvidia inspector, try this:
Use the Infamous Sonic 3d all star racing hex code:
antialiasing compatibility:
0x00411245
Then to, Antialiasing - setting:
32xS
+ other settings mentioned below:
Antialiasing - Transparency Multisampling - Enabled
Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling = 8x Sparse Grid Supersampling
If the game has aa then under antialiasing - mode = (Enhance the Application settings).
Some games does not work with application settings turned on, therefore, have to turn off aa within the game then under aa mode = (Override any application settings).
Try 2560X1600 and to 4k resolution with the above settings, guaranteed, you will be out of frame buffer, especially @ 4k, 4gb vram at this incredible intense setting aint enough, especially when everything is maxed out in the game. 3X scaling, I think will be alot more better then what the review has given if above setting is used, but non the less, great review as always.
I would love to see heat differences, oh my, I do know, with this sick intense aa settings, heat comes out like you all wouldn't imagine.
LOL, it buries my overclocked gtx 690 with 3dmark06 @ maxed settings @ 1920X1200 resolution, If you all dont trust me, lol, do it for yourself, try 3dmark 06, everything maxed out @ 1920X1200 resolution, then under nvidia inspector aa (Enhance the application settings), then use the above mentioned aa settings. Absolutely INSANE...
I wouldn't even attempt @ 4k with today's games, oh my.
!!Once you have tried this setting, you all will never go back, even @ 1920X1200 resolution, it looks absolutely SICK!!!, Everything is basically flicker free, no matter the distance, basically near perfect image quality,
Basically in other words, with today's games and with today's resolution with today's gpu's, with the above mentioned settings, it would basically devour it, completely, but nontheless, I would love to see a X3 980 gtx sli with this setting,
.
Loophole35
Senior Member
Posts: 9119
Senior Member
Posts: 9119
Posted on: 10/01/2014 06:55 PM
This review has me holding tight for now waiting to see what comes next a higher end card from nvidia or the classy/lightning.
Still concerned about the frame drops.
This review has me holding tight for now waiting to see what comes next a higher end card from nvidia or the classy/lightning.
Still concerned about the frame drops.
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Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Thanks for the review.
I can't see myself getting 9xx SLI setup. The 4k results are disappointing, and below that point a single card is more than enough. So if one's gaming on 2560x1440 or 1920x1080, a single 970 or 980 should be a nice card to get. 4k - we'll have to wait for the next offerings from NV or AMD.