Interesting pricing at $509. Quite a bit more than the $409 2GB base model, but still only $10 more than the MSRP of the old GTX 680 2GB.

It does have nice clocks at 1150/1202 (vs 1046/1085 reference), though.

 

Skyrim + mods 3.2 Gb of vram, and I don't even have that many. Maybe some other games use more too.

 

So does this card support evbot because it doesn't appear to have one on the picture on newegg

 

Could we bring back some maturity in this thread please?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdlvx

Did you see the amount of textures and such in the PS4 and Xbone games at E3? We are about to be in for a whole new world of VRAM hurt. The game environments were significantly improved and all that stuff on the screen uses VRAM.

I'm personally a little concerned about just 3GB in a year or so from now, which is going to put a damper on my crossfire plans (in b4 OMG MICROSSTSTSTSTSTUTTER).

I don't think you have much to worry about. The memory in the new consoles doubles as VRAM and system memory, and as you may recall games like BF3 can already use 6GB+ of system memory in addition to 2GB+ of VRAM at the highest settings on PC.

Until 4K becomes the new standard (long after our current cards have lost their relevance) I don't foresee massive jumps in VRAM requirements.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowyn

The lack of even primitive understanding of how VRAM works is just staggering.

There's quite a few variables in the equation such as VRAM size, bus width, VRAM speed, VRAM timings etc. Timings in the reason why 2GB card can outperform 4GB one in a non VRAM limited scenario, cause card manufacturers cut corners and often use cheaper VRAM with lower timings on 4GB cards.

Also there's no such thing as GPU not being able to use x amount of VRAM, as it is solely dependent of application and how it manages texture and other assets loading and unloading, higher bus width allows to soften the blow of inefficient preloading. Either way it is better to have spare VRAM than to hit a brick wall and force constant loading/unloading that to a degree regardless of bus width would cause more penalty.

The point he was making is that in a situation where a 4GB frame buffer is actually required (using ultra high resolutions, with large textures and high amounts of AA) the processing power of a GK104 chip will become the bottleneck long before it's VRAM limitations. Several review sites have come to this same conclusion, as linked above. Can it use all of the memory? Technically, yes. Practically, no.

 

Why have prices skyrocketed on the newer GPUs? Nvidia 570s when the 5 series was still the best were around $350 or so. What is their justification for charging $500 for the 770? That is a 30% price hike.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois

Skyrim + mods 3.2 Gb of vram, and I don't even have that many. Maybe some other games use more too.

I used a heavy ENB pack with all the highest res texture mods I could find, and 2 6970s ran skyrim just fine. Permanent 60fps? No, but I couldn't tell the difference between steady 40fps and steady 60fps in skyrim. That game was a console port designed to run at 30fps on an X box 360. So any FPS above 30 in skyrim is smooth gameplay as long as its steady. Capped the FPS at 40 in ENB, and my 2 6970s stayed at around 50-60% usage, with the occasional spike up to 80-100 for some spots. Certain spots where lighting and fire combined from certain view points seemed to give me a huge hit. Probably VRAM whoring spots. But for the most part you're fine with 2GBs of Vram in skyrim.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosblade02

Why have prices skyrocketed on the newer GPUs? Nvidia 570s when the 5 series was still the best were around $350 or so. What is their justification for charging $500 for the 770? That is a 30% price hike.

1) The reference GTX 770 2GB is essentially a slightly-modified GTX 680 2GB with a new, beefier PCB and higher GPU and memory clocks. The old GTX 680 had an MSRP of $499, while the GTX 770 is $399. As such, it's not that bad a deal.

2) This particular model (EVGA's GTX 770 4GB Classified) is a high-end flagship-type card with a custom PCB and double the VRAM (from 2GB to 4GB), so a ~25% price premium ($399 -> $509) isn't that out of the ordinary.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apolladan

http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Performance-2GB-vs-4GB-Memory-154/

http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_680_4gb,6.html

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/evga-geforce-gtx-670-4gb_11.html#sect0

So if I read correctly (which I often don't, ha) basically all three of those tests suggest that there is pretty much zero performance gain to be had from 4gb vram at resolutions up to 2560x1600 (at least for Kepler gpus). that seems to really call into question people's concerns that 2gb isn't sufficient. Is it at least safe to say 2gb is of no concern for single display? If not, I'd be curious to see independent testing showing otherwise. 4gb gpus are tempting for the 'just in case' factor, but the price difference is a bit hefty for unsubstantiated benefits.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booty Warrior

I don't think you have much to worry about. The memory in the new consoles doubles as VRAM and system memory, and as you may recall games like BF3 can already use 6GB+ of system memory in addition to 2GB+ of VRAM at the highest settings on PC.

Until 4K becomes the new standard (long after our current cards have lost their relevance) I don't foresee massive jumps in VRAM requirements.
The point he was making is that in a situation where a 4GB frame buffer is actually required (using ultra high resolutions, with large textures and high amounts of AA) the processing power of a GK104 chip will become the bottleneck long before it's VRAM limitations. Several review sites have come to this same conclusion, as linked above. Can it use all of the memory? Technically, yes. Practically, no.

For single GPU usage you are not far off the money. Sli or Tri-Sli and you will have plenty of power to run games at high resolutions with enough AA to exceed 2gb limit.

At 1440P I have had Crysis3 go up to 2.3gb with AA enabled (I was getting 30-40fps but that's a different story). Hitman absolution was another title I went past 2gb @ 1440p with AA enabled. Throw in modded Fallout/Skyrim etc and there are plenty of people out there who need more then 2gb-definately not the majority of users though.

On the note of this GPU itself- I have seen pics of a blower version, hopefully that actually gets released as I don't know about sandwiching three of these cards together

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unkzilla

On the note of this GPU itself- I have seen pics of a blower version, hopefully that actually gets released as I don't know about sandwiching three of these cards together

The 4GB Classified w/ blower-type cooler (04G-P4-3777-KR) is still on their GTX 770 landing page, but I haven't found any store listings for it yet.

There's still a few other models listed that haven't been released yet (like the FTW), so I wouldn't worry just yet.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosblade02

Why have prices skyrocketed on the newer GPUs? Nvidia 570s when the 5 series was still the best were around $350 or so. What is their justification for charging $500 for the 770? That is a 30% price hike.

the Hyung guy simply needs a new yacht and airplane every year, it does not suffice him one every other year

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosblade02

I used a heavy ENB pack with all the highest res texture mods I could find, and 2 6970s ran skyrim just fine. Permanent 60fps? No, but I couldn't tell the difference between steady 40fps and steady 60fps in skyrim. That game was a console port designed to run at 30fps on an X box 360. So any FPS above 30 in skyrim is smooth gameplay as long as its steady. Capped the FPS at 40 in ENB, and my 2 6970s stayed at around 50-60% usage, with the occasional spike up to 80-100 for some spots. Certain spots where lighting and fire combined from certain view points seemed to give me a huge hit. Probably VRAM whoring spots. But for the most part you're fine with 2GBs of Vram in skyrim.

my skyrim had 2.2gb with hd steam dlc, and in castle draco mod i was attacking 2,67gb vram be it @1080p or @1440p.

my friend experienced in max payne 3 @1440p 3.2gb vram usage, so who knows what open world gta v will be like. and if i buy another 770 4gb down the road i am set for 5 years at single 1440p/1600p. cant go more monitors as i dont have that big of table
even tressfx on 660ftw wasnt much of resource hog on 320.xx drivers as i got 49,4fps with tressfx on and 60fps without it ultra+fxaa

best
revro

 

MSI should make a 4gb version of the lightning, wondering whether this would overclock as well as the ev bot versions of the 680 classified.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterclock

So if I read correctly (which I often don't, ha) basically all three of those tests suggest that there is pretty much zero performance gain to be had from 4gb vram at resolutions up to 2560x1600 (at least for Kepler gpus). that seems to really call into question people's concerns that 2gb isn't sufficient. Is it at least safe to say 2gb is of no concern for single display? If not, I'd be curious to see independent testing showing otherwise. 4gb gpus are tempting for the 'just in case' factor, but the price difference is a bit hefty for unsubstantiated benefits.

not just at 2560 x 1600

even ultra high 5700x something resolutions

there's just no point because the gpu horsepower isn't there for the RAM to mean anything

 

another thing to note is that vram is a very dynamic thing, just because a certain amount is being used doesn't mean that amount is REQUIRED

there are also certain games that let you decide VRAM usage (source engine games come to mind, especially L4D2 engine and beyond), from low to max your FPS doesn't change, but textures just stream a bit less often

 

are they coming out with a 780 classy"??

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dVeLoPe

are they coming out with a 780 classy"??

I believe so, but it will take a bit longer.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unkzilla

For single GPU usage you are not far off the money. Sli or Tri-Sli and you will have plenty of power to run games at high resolutions with enough AA to exceed 2gb limit.

At 1440P I have had Crysis3 go up to 2.3gb with AA enabled (I was getting 30-40fps but that's a different story). Hitman absolution was another title I went past 2gb @ 1440p with AA enabled. Throw in modded Fallout/Skyrim etc and there are plenty of people out there who need more then 2gb-definately not the majority of users though.

On the note of this GPU itself- I have seen pics of a blower version, hopefully that actually gets released as I don't know about sandwiching three of these cards together

I hit 2.2gb the other night with Crysis 3 @ 1200p. The potential of having issue with just 2gb of vram is there in todays games for sure.

 

Still a 256-bits memory bus.

 

Not a bad card. I'm still gunning for the GTX 780, but this card is definitely worth a look, especially for all the 1440 gamers out there.

 

unless all memory has 256bit bus controller there is no problem. my 660ftw had 3gb and last 500mb had just 64bit memory controller so when i got over 2.5gb vram it turned into a stutterfest. but i believe the 4gb versions have 256bit memory controller for all 4gb vram

best
revro

 

Gez I dunno but I think its over priced. Unless they are crazy good bins compared to the gigabyte 1189mhz 4gb at $449, the evga one is more than I expected. I was guessing around $480 at which that price I would have considered it

 

ah, gigabyte 4gb 770 costs 460eur in my country. are you saying evga would be like much more?

i did plan to go with gigabyte 1189 clock then again, dont know how the temps would be in sli tough there is a guy in 770 club who has 2 gigabyte 770 in sli

best
revro

 

Well this is the classified version I am assuming that they have unlocked voltages or am I wrong

personally no point in getting a 770 4 gb rather you would want to spend the extra cash and get a 780 its just 150 more.

Not to mention gpu horsepower will run out before the card can even use the 4gb.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zulk

Well this is the classified version I am assuming that they have unlocked voltages or am I wrong

personally no point in getting a 770 4 gb rather you would want to spend the extra cash and get a 780 its just 150 more.

Not to mention gpu horsepower will run out before the card can even use the 4gb.

No extra voltage control and no evbot plug. Maybe extended power limits.