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I am building a new Octane system. I am currently torn between buying a GTX580 or 2 GTX560 cards. Any thoughts? I am assuming that that 2 x 560 cards would have the edge over a single 580?

steveps3 wrote:I am assuming that that 2 x 560 cards would have the edge over a single 580?

... but only very slightly. not only the shader count, um, counts, but also the narrower ram interface of the 560 (256 vs 384 bits). if you choose a slightly factory oc'ed gtx 580 (around 810 mhz, which is save as can be), it'll be just as fast as two standard 560s, but consuming less power, producing less heat, costing less(?) and adds the option to expand by another 580 later on.

Thanks for that. I will look into that. Anyone else have anything to add to the mix?

Actually an OC'd 580 won't cost much less (or even a bit more) than 2 x 560s

Anyone out there got either of these rigs that they can run the benchmark scene against in order to do a direct comparison?

Previously i had a dual gtx 460 2gb, this summer i have changed them with 2 gtx 590 and it was like changing from a Vespa 50cc to a Ducati Monster, just my 2 cents
ciao beppe

My budget will only cover 1 x 580 or 2 x 560 cards. I thought that the 2 x 560 cards were a no brainer but I am starting to have second thoughts.

steveps3 wrote:My budget will only cover 1 x 580 or 2 x 560 cards. I thought that the 2 x 560 cards were a no brainer but I am starting to have second thoughts.

btw, i did a comparison chart a while ago (sticky in this forum), that'll give some core numbers. even if the 2 560s are a little faster, you will hardly note the difference imo. and a single card setup is just easier to handle (and safes a little on the electricity bill too ;)

i did also run the benchmark against my current setup (as i now own 580s) - & with the current octane version; 4.25ms/sec for a single 580 (@ rather save 850mhz)...

I'm really coming around to the idea. I quite like the idea of 3GB of ram as well.

I decided to stick with the 560's. All the kit is arriving today. CAN'T WAIT!!

i just wanted to ask - GTX 580's 3 GB ram is divided by 2* 1.5 gb ? or is it solid 3 GB for adding everything within that 3GB?

So trying to learn, is my memory limit 1.5 gb ram or 3gb ram?

Best