GTX 480 vs GTX 580

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vjcsmoke

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Usually I like to upgrade to the latest and greatest. But I am hearing some really disappointing performance numbers regarding the 580. Is it worth it to go from 480 SLI to 580 SLI? Here's the thing, a single 580 is only 20% faster than a 480, but if I get two 580s won't I realize a 40% increase in performance? That might make it worth it because right now Surround mode is not quite as fast as I'd like it to be, but a 40% performance boost might finally make everything smooth at 6000x1080 resolution. Thoughts?
 
is it so hard to wait a couple of weeks for the [H] review.

Everything else is just speculation.
 
I'm not understanding your math. A 20% performance increase per card will not add up to a 40% increase in SLI, it will still be ~20% faster than an existing SLI config. Unless of course SLI scaling has been improved again...
 
Assuming perfect scaling:

580 #1 = 1.20*(480 #1)
580 #2 = 1.20*(480 #2)

480 #1 + 480 #2 = 2*480 #1
580 #1 + 580 #2 = 1.20 * (480 #1 + 480 #2)

At best, a 20% improvement. The 580s could scale better than the 480s, however
 
A 20% boost from a refresh product is pretty much the norm and if the 580 runs a little cooler and quieter this may not be a bad upgrade. I could use the boost for 3D in paticular, a 20% overall would smooth out most of the performance issues I'm seeing I think.
 
lostroc888 said:
I'm not understanding your math. A 20% performance increase per card will not add up to a 40% increase in SLI, it will still be ~20% faster than an existing SLI config. Unless of course SLI scaling has been improved again...
Click to expand...

I'd assume the same thing, you'd go up 20 percent from 2x GTX 480 to 2x GTX 580's, all else being equal.

Anyway, IMO if you already have 2x GTX 480, unless you just HAVE to have the "latest and greatest", I'd skip the 580's. The 580's (and 6970's) will be great for those who skipped the Nvidia 4xx's and the Radeon 58xx series. But for those whom have those already, I'd say it's time to wait. Both cards are evolutionary, not revolutionary steps from their previous generation cards.

But, if one needs the latest and greatest, then I suppose I can see the upgrade. But for me (I have 2x GTX 480's in SLI) unless ONE GTX 580 is as good as 2x 480's in SLI, I'm waiting until the hypothetical GTX 6xx series, and until AMD has the Radeon 7xxx series out, THEN deciding if I want to upgrade my GTX 480's. That will probably be the next "revolutionary" generation for each major GPU IMO.

Or to put it another way, just because the Nvidia 580 is almost out, assuming all these rumors do pan out (and they seem to be), and the Radeon 6870 is almost out as well, doesn't suddenly mean your 2x GTX 480 is crap. :)
 
http://vr-zone.com/articles/report-...includes-128-tmu-benchmarks-leaked/10202.html

http://itbbs.pconline.com.cn/diy/12066926.html

5715343_1288611776397_1024x1024.jpg
 
Arvig said:
I'd assume the same thing, you'd go up 20 percent from 2x GTX 480 to 2x GTX 580's, all else being equal.

Anyway, IMO if you already have 2x GTX 480, unless you just HAVE to have the "latest and greatest", I'd skip the 580's. The 580's (and 6970's) will be great for those who skipped the Nvidia 4xx's and the Radeon 58xx series. But for those whom have those already, I'd say it's time to wait. Both cards are evolutionary, not revolutionary steps from their previous generation cards.

But, if one needs the latest and greatest, then I suppose I can see the upgrade. But for me (I have 2x GTX 480's in SLI) unless ONE GTX 580 is as good as 2x 480's in SLI, I'm waiting until the hypothetical GTX 6xx series, and until AMD has the Radeon 7xxx series out, THEN deciding if I want to upgrade my GTX 480's. That will probably be the next "revolutionary" generation for each major GPU IMO.

Or to put it another way, just because the Nvidia 580 is almost out, assuming all these rumors do pan out (and they seem to be), and the Radeon 6870 is almost out as well, doesn't suddenly mean your 2x GTX 480 is crap. :)
Click to expand...

Just what I needed as well- some rational thinking... :D

I JUST finished an upgrade with two GTX480 SCs, and along comes the 580 (3D and Surround build). BUT- I am going to resist the temptation and stay the course for a spell and enjoy my SLI rig.
 
Arvig said:
Or to put it another way, just because the Nvidia 580 is almost out, assuming all these rumors do pan out (and they seem to be), and the Radeon 6870 is almost out as well, doesn't suddenly mean your 2x GTX 480 is crap. :)
Click to expand...

Not at all. But even 3 480s in 3D Surround @ 5670x1080 can take a beating. If I weren't running 3D I'd definitely pass on the 580 but if this puppy can deliver a 20% boost on average I'm definitely intrested.
 
I would consider 580 SLi IF the thermals and power consumption has come down considerably. That alone should net you the ability to overclock it better. I mean look at what a GTX 480 can do with a tripple slot cooler. The 580 may be able to do that with a double slot cooler.

You should get a boost in SLi due to the extra TMUs and shaders but not that much (40%).

The benefits are elsewhere in the thermal and power consumption possibly. That's my take on that.

Now here is a twist. What you may want to do is hold out to see what 6970 Crossfire will be capable of. I have a hunch that the 5970 crossfire will be playable with Surround 30x3 & Morphalogical AA and that could be very sweet. ;)

Both seem like good options, give it some time for you to know for sure what your next move will be.
 
Thanks for the replies. It looks like I would still only gain 20% overall in performance with two 580s over two 480s. Hmmm. Might consider waiting a bit even though I have the money to spend... I want to see the benchmarks of 580 vs 6970 for sure.

Another way I could go is add another 480 for ~ 29% increase in performance according to Tom's. But it seems kind of a wasteful performance gain for a third card. It's too bad TRI-SLI scales so badly in comparison to regular SLI. If it gave me even a 50% boost by adding a third video card, I'd totally go for it. I wonder if Nvidia has improved the scaling of multiple card SLI in the 500 series?
 
vjcsmoke said:
If it gave me even a 50% boost by adding a third video card, I'd totally go for it. I wonder if Nvidia has improved the scaling of multiple card SLI in the 500 series?
Click to expand...

If it gave 50% improvement for tri-sli, most that had 2 cards would get a third, however by adding a 3rd card, it "appears" your improvement would be higher then getting a pair of 580s. You could probably get used 480gtx at a good price once the 580s are out.
 
Hm, unless you're a bleeding edge impulse buyer, then you likely won't be going from GTX 480 to a 580.

It appears that the improvements will be a slightly noticeable improvement in gaming performance, a little less power consumption, better temps, and a few other tidbits regarding power/voltage/fan speed mgmt that will make this GPU more desirable than its predecessor.

It would seem that a lot of the buyers of this GPU will be 8800 SLI, 9800 GX2, GTX 260/275/280, GTX 460 & 465, HD 3870 x2, HD 4830/4850/4870/4890, HD 57XX and HD 5830 owners who are ready to step up to (or step BACK up to) a top-of-the-line GPU.... people who passed on GTX 480 and very well could be treated to an overall better experience with the GTX 580.
 
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