Widescreen Gaming Forum

So reviews of the GTX 690 have been released yesterday and after reading some of them I got excited (e.g. review at overclockersclub). It seems to be a really nice piece of hardware. I am waiting for the review from Tech Report, because they seem to be the only reviewers who take microstuttering seriously. Anyway as far as the GTX 690 being useful for triple 1080p resolution I can see two things wrong with the card. First of all is microstuttering obviously, although SLI seems to suffer less then Crossfire does. Second of all is the 2GB per gpu, which is a bit on the low side. I have seen Battlefield 3 use 2.3gb on my 7950. Do you guys have any thoughts on the matter?

I'm not sure how much 2GB limits! Because most engines nowaday just fill VRAM but would also run with way less without problems!

I'm not sure how much 2GB limits! Because most engines nowaday just fill VRAM but would also run with way less without problems!

Well that is definitely the case with BF3. We need an actual 690 to test for microstuttering, anyone... ;)

Go read the hardforum.com review. They liked the 690 and 680 SLI setups that they tested. They do run triplewide resolutions too ...

Go read the hardforum.com review. They liked the 690 and 680 SLI setups that they tested. They do run triplewide resolutions too ...

Can you provide a link since, I can't seem to find the thread in which the 690 is discussed?

Here ya go ...

Hardforum 690 Review

Here ya go ...

Hardforum 690 Review

Since you mentioned the forum in your first post I was looking for a thread, not an article... Will read it though.

Now, the real question is: Do you need a ridiculously expensive CPU and cooling system so that dual GPU card doesn't stutter like a mad man?

I remember the 6990 being a great example, where if you didn't have insanely efficient cooling and a very high end CPU, the card was useless and would stutter like...well, a "mad man." (My skepticism is coming from *the fact* that it is a dual GPU card.)

Now, the real question is: Do you need a ridiculously expensive CPU and cooling system so that dual GPU card doesn't stutter like a mad man?

I remember the 6990 being a great example, where if you didn't have insanely efficient cooling and a very high end CPU, the card was useless and would stutter like...well, a "mad man." (My skepticism is coming from *the fact* that it is a dual GPU card.)

I highly doubt that a 2500k as a minimum cpu would bottleneck a 690. It won't bottleneck two 680's in sli, so the same would go for the 690. Since we play on such a high resolution we are gpu bound almost all of the time. I kind of assumed that people that buy a 690 would at least own either a sandy bridge or an ivy bridge cpu though.

It seems that the GTX690 has less microstuttering than 680 sli which has less that any Crossfire setup: source. I would have to say that this is good news! I don't know about you guys, but in may I get my annual holiday bonus (no clue what is the right term), which might mean that I am buying one of these :p.

I curse the 680 and 690 for running BF3 so damn well. I have already invested in my current 6950 crossfire setup. I wish I could say that I know what people talk about when it comes to stuttering and all. But I just don't seem to understand it fully to know what I am particularly looking for.

Alas, I won't be seeing either of the two cards at all... and prices won't come down if TSMC don't churn out those chips fast enough. Kinda makes ya wish that Intel would lend a hand in handling the fabrication process. I already have my upgrade path plotted and half-planned and it's in the storage area.

I wish I could say that I know what people talk about when it comes to stuttering and all. But I just don't seem to understand it fully to know what I am particularly looking for.

The best way to describe microstuttering is that 60fps feels like 30fps. If that isn't the case with your system than either your system doesn't produce any or you don't notice it. I think it is more likely that it is the latter. If so, than :twothumb. I notice the most subtle stutter and get annoyed as hell :(.

Anyway, call me crazy, but I just preordered an 690 for 895 euro. Which is kind of good deal. Since most other webshops charge 100-150 more. Might take a while until they have them in stock. Playing 'light' games (MW3, Bastion and Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes) at the moment, so the waiting doesn't matter that much.

Had a hard enough time finding a 680 GTX. The 690 is a pipe dream. Besides, I would opt for a 680 4 G Vram before the 690.

Would you guys agree with me that it is highly unlikely that nVidia will ever produce a 8gb version (4gb per gpu)? Since nVidia themselves did the engineering, they won't let any of their partners make a custom version. The alternative is running two 680’s 4gb in sli, but based on this graph, the 690 microstutters a lot less that 680’s in sli will.

uh... looks awfull!
"AMD 8.95.5-120224a (HD 7800, HD 7900)"
mhmm, i did my tests with 8.921.5 guess now that i use 8.97 it's time to redo some MicroStuttering Tests!

And i don't think Nvidia will ever make 8gb GTX690! Was there a 6gb GTX590 ? Nor did AMD if i remember correct!

uh... looks awfull!
"AMD 8.95.5-120224a (HD 7800, HD 7900)"
mhmm, i did my tests with 8.921.5 guess now that i use 8.97 it's time to redo some MicroStuttering Tests!

I am very interested in those test results. Let me know what you find,

And i don't think Nvidia will ever make 8gb GTX690! Was there a 6gb GTX590 ? Nor did AMD if i remember correct!

In this case it sucks to be right... ;)

The only cards that come with 4x the consumer VRAM are the workstation class cards. They sold a 6GB workstation equavalent of the GTX470... although it cost over £4000. So you pay for it. But a quad-VRAM consumer card? Not a chance. :(

[quote]I wish I could say that I know what people talk about when it comes to stuttering and all. But I just don't seem to understand it fully to know what I am particularly looking for.

The best way to describe microstuttering is that 60fps feels like 30fps. If that isn't the case with your system than either your system doesn't produce any or you don't notice it. I think it is more likely that it is the latter. If so, than :twothumb. I notice the most subtle stutter and get annoyed as hell :(.

Anyway, call me crazy, but I just preordered an 690 for 895 euro. Which is kind of good deal. Since most other webshops charge 100-150 more. Might take a while until they have them in stock. Playing 'light' games (MW3, Bastion and Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes) at the moment, so the waiting doesn't matter that much.

Wijkert,

Where did you get that 690 for €895 :O , can you please post a link? They're going for over €1050 here as well. Thank you.

Where did you get that 690 for €895 :O , can you please post a link? They're going for over €1050 here as well. Thank you.

Here is the link, but they are not in store yet. Also its a Dutch website which means, you probably have higher shipping rates. The price has gone up a little since Saturday.

damn all u guys with your spare cash (jelous) to buy a 690
i would love one but i simply dont have the funds
well i could take it out the joint savings account but i think the wife would file for a divorce lol