Best value GPU combo for octane?

[janzak]

Hey,
I'm considering getting two GTX 760 cards and a 750W PSU to start getting into Octane.

Is two 760 cards a good choice or would it be better value to get 2x670? Is 2x2gb VRAM enough?

I realize Titan blows these cards out if the water but for 4x the price I'm not sure it's a very future proof investment.

Thanks!

[glimpse]

it depends what are looking to do with them =) if You need more speed for good price, fermi based GTX580s will do the work. though these are 3gb models, plus old architecture gives You less textures that something like kepler based GTX670s - in the end I would choose something with at least 3-4gb, the rest depends on Your budget & system.. =)

[janzak]

Thank you I ended up ordering a 760 2gb for testing purposes. If I need more speed ill get another one and if I need more memory ill get one with more of that. Will post here with findings!

[mib2berlin]

Hi, keep in mind video ram is not added if you have 2 or more cards.
If you have a 2 and a 4 GB card you can render bigger projects > 2 GB with the 4 GB card only.

Cheers, mib.

[glimpse]

2gb is a fair amount to test engine.. =) but stepping for twice is better idea if You're lookin' forward as Mib2berlin addressed scene should fit into all GPUs. I've started with 2x GTX460 1GB =)

[janzak]

Ah wow I didn't know that, thanks guys. Will evaluate..

Actually, let me follow up on that.. what gets cached in the VRAM? Textures (compressed?) but what else? Polys?

Maybe I'll just add 50 EUR and get a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 OC 4GB or a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 OC 4GB instead. They're the same price - which one would you recommend?

[glimpse]

OctaneRender is entirely GPU engine so in vRam /inside Your video card/ should fit entire scene: geometry, textures, some space for processes etc.. pluss! if You hook up monitor that cosumes some vram too..- in the end 4gb would be considered a good deal - prices are good for that.

Cloud will have 4GB too, so if You ever think of speeding things up, it's good to keep everything under that line =)

for the cooler I would recomend reference design, that blows air out of the case. Don't buy overclocked card unless you lookin' for one card solution in very good ventilated case. otherwise You'll end up with higher temperatures as 'used' air will be circulating in Your case, pluss..overclock will add extra..- this could cause stability issues..

I would take 770 with 4gb, it has better cooling capasity as original cooler is the same that keeps things cool for bigger brothers /Titan&780/, though under the hood is gk104. basicaly the card is modified 680 with minor improvements + a bit better software..

670 is a nice card too, but don't step for non-ref coolers and overclocks. with GPU it's not worth..unless you diving under the water..

P.S. I had 2x GTX460 OCed - was fine while I was running them in open air with no case in a motherboard that had more than two slot spacing. Gues what happened when I put one of them inside my case ontop of 670 that has a backplate & motherboard with dual slot spacing? check the image for answer..

hope that helped =)

[janzak]

Wow thank you glimpse, very informative! I hadn't even thought about cooling.

I'm having a hard time finding none-OC cards but Gigabyte 670, 760 and 770 seem to all use the same Windforce 3x coolers. Do you think they won't suffice?

Prices;
760 2gb - 230 EUR
670 4gb - 285 EUR
760 4gb - 285 EUR
770 4gb - 365 EUR

I still feel like a GTX 760 4gb for 285 EUR seems to hit the sweet spot for getting started.. what do you think?

[glimpse]

cooling is very important when You start to consider multi GPU rigs =) especially for computing /rendering/ =)

any of those cards will be fine, more or less they are the same..and You would not feel any difference. Only thing to look for is vRam.. head for 4GB =) without thinkin'

putting things in perspective 770 is 'rebranded' 680, and 760 is 'rebranded' 670 =)performance difference is too little to be noticed..

read more, if You want to get into details http://www.anandtech.com/show/7103/nvid ... 0-review/2 or simply try to google out a bit if You are still interested =)

670/760 is a good deal =) & yes 770 has a bit less value, if You judge performance..-grab one & You'll be happy =) just be careful with cooler..

some non reference designs like Phantom, Ino3d, even gigabyte /if I remember good/ have 2.5 even three slot spacing and that means You can't fit multiple of those inside 'normal' mobo =) that usually have double slot spacing in between PCIe slots..

in the end it doesn't matter what king of cooler design You're going to choose =) as long as You have decent case with enough airflow..to provide this You'll have to make a sacrifice - noise =)

so when You're looking for a good card take a look to some cases and choose according to Your future upgrade plans =)

google specific model.. not like 670 or 760 but there is line of exact stock option - You can find some reviews or at least official websites to help You making right decision.


anyway =) hope that helped a bit to get You on track =) think You have enough knowledge not to choose a bit more wisely =)

cheers

[whersmy]

Yep glipmse pretty much summed it up

get a 590 if you are short on pcie slots and need a good price/performance ratio!