Video card advice

[jscottsmith]

I currently have a system with (2) GTX780 cards. I'm looking to build a second machine. Thinking of going identical unless there is a better option (cores:cost). I just want performance at least as good as what I have and something that will play nice in the render farm. Suggestions?

[smicha]

http://render.otoy.com/octanebench/resu ... ingleGPU=1

[jscottsmith]

Thanks smicha. That's really useful info. I ran the bench and got lower scores than others with the same config, so I'm curious about that. Maybe they're OCing or something?

Anyway, I'm currently using one machine with (2) 780s and (1) 650 Ti. I'm building another machine and I'm swamped in the variables. I really like the WC rig you built. Is that a full computer or just an outboard vid card box? Anyone have suggestions or recent builds in the $2500 price range?

[glimpse]

it depends how much vram do You need & what You can reuse..=) maybe it's not worth to build second when You can upgrade Your system to get the msot out of it =) there's a lot of variables if You would like to get a tailor built system to fit Your needs rather then blow Your money on shiny products..

[jscottsmith]

Of course I like shiny things, but I'm on a budget too

So far, I've had no trouble living within the 6GB that my 780s have. I need a new system for a new employee, so I'm building anyway. Whatever he gets will probably make the most sense to stick with the same vram limit. Since it looks like the 780 is gone, what is the best replacement(s)?

[glimpse]

if You're looking to 6GB there's not so much of a choise (780, Titan/Black, TitanZ) & then TitanX offering 12GB..

there's no way to beat value of 6GB 780s (if You don't want to sacrifice the vRAM) - still some Guys manage to find them as refurbished/used or such as low as 400$.

For ~twice the performance (and same vRAM per GPU) You get TitanZ, but it's hard to find them bellow 1200$ (and even at this price value is lower). Another problem, Zs are tripple slotters, so You need to think forward picking other parts, like motherboard or jump into watercooling..

How much of other parts on the system You need? Still relly on heavy loads on CPU? SSD is probably a must..

[jscottsmith]

I guess I'm not married to 6GB. I guess I'd still shoot to keep scenes within that limit for network rendering, but it's not a bad idea to move up with the times. After all, (2) new 780s totals similar price to some of the higher end single cards. I guess it comes down to total cost of video. Like I said, I currently have (3) cards, but one is display only and doesn't contribute to render. I'm not sure what the best replacement is.

As to your questions about the rest of my system, I'm currently running an i7-3930K Sandy Bridge 3.2 GHz, with 16GB RAM, and a 1TB 7200rpm drive, and I have no complaints.

[smicha]

For 2.5k$ you may have a watercooled beast - I'll send some more specs today. Just write shortly if you have any components already bought? Or this must be setup new from the scratch?

[glimpse]

just an idea, read somewhere latelly (here on forums today) Guy looking to sell pair of 780 6GB..if You interested..might be worth to speak..wait, let's find a taht user..here it is =) & yeah..watercooling does add, a lot =)

[jscottsmith]

Smicha - full build from scratch

Glimpse - I'll check that link. Thanks.