[Descadent]

I was thinking about getting a new motherboard that has pci-e 3.0 and that runs at 16x/16x like the gigabyte g1 sniper or asus variant.

currently I have a asus p8p67 pro b3 that is pci-e 2.0 @ 8x/8x in sli with two 670 4gbs. I game at a resolution of 7680x1440 or 4320x2560 portrait.

My antec 1200 case doesn't support extended atx motherboards so I would have to get a new case as well( I want a new one anyways), but is it a worthy upgrade to go up to pci 3.0 16x/16x from pci 2.0 8x/8x?

I've seen comparisons of pci-e 2.0 16x/16x vs 8x/8x and it didn't really make a difference until surround resolutions ( even then 5fps difference mostly), but haven't found example of 2.0 8x/8x vs. 3.0 16x/16x

whats everyone think? Or better yet don't bother and just get a new motherboard whenever it's time to replace my cpu etc?

I have a 2600k @ 4.6ghz currently and see no reason to upgrade it. It's a beast for being almost 2 years of owning it now. So if I waited till point of replacing it, a motherboard replacement would be far out if switching to pci-e 3.0 16x/16x isn't worth it. Not even sure if haswell would be a worthy upgrade from 2600k since all i use this computer for is gaming/slight video editing

Thanks in advance.

 

[DeXel]

You will also need an Ivy Bridge CPU for PCI-E 3.0.

So don't bother, and if you want to upgrade anyway just wait for Haswell.

 

[sherlock]

Just wait for Haswell, as the PCIE3.0 controller is on the Ivy Bridge Chip you won't get PCIE3.0 with 2600K on a Z77 board.

Your other option is to get a LGA2011 setup, since it have 40 native PCIE3.0 Lanes you can easily get 16X/16X/8X(not reallyuseful unless you run Tri-Titan or Dual GTX 690). Even though Overclocking a i7-3820 is more complicated(BCLK Strap) it will be as fast as a 2600K at the same clock, with that you also can upgrade to Ivy-E chips. In

 

[drnilly007]

It depends on your gaming experience are you needing more frames because gaming is choppy or you just hit with the upgrade bug?

 

[Descadent]

upgrade bug mostly but trying to find more fps wherever I can. I want sli titans. but 2k for graphics cards just ain't gonna happen.

and yeah I just discovered sandy bridge didn't do pci-e 3.0.

I was thinking maybe of upgrading anyways and getting a 3rd 670 4gb, but that would also require me to get a new power supply since 750 corsair wouldn't be enough for 3 cards. Not to mention the issues tri sli brings and poorer scaling compared to sli so I've researched and read.

Haswell starting to sound like a smarter decision. By the time it releases my current mobo, cpu, and ram will be about 2 years of ownership anyways.

but how much of an upgrade it would really be over a 2600k that is at 4.6ghz who knows. I doubt it would be like going from q6600 overclocked to 3.2 to a 2600k at 4.6 like I did in 2011.

 

[DeXel]

750w is more than enough for 3 way.

 

[Descadent]

I've seen mixed opinions about how much 3 way consumes wattage wise. some say 750 is fine, some say it isn't. and some say 850+ is more wise.

don't really even know if it's worth it or not dealing with tri sli vs. sli

 

[DeXel]

Kepler cards are very power efficient. If I remember correctly your system will consume about 650-700w with 3 670s.

I would give more definite answer if I wasn't on my phone, but you can ask in PSU section to be sure.

As for triple SLI, I think that much performance is only needed for surround or 3D setups.

 

[Descadent]

thanks

yeah I'd really just hate to spend money on not only a new mobo, put new cpu, and new ram just to get meaningless performance increase in games...vs. getting z77 board and keeping the great 2600k and possibly going tri sli after all.

just need more concrete info vs. 2600k on haswell.