Recommended CUDA graphics card? Thinking of getting ASUS GTX 660

[jackhulk]

Hello

I'm thinking of getting either the ASUS GTX 660 or 660 Ti (more CUDA cores).

What cards are you guys using/recommend?

I assume the better the card, the quicker (along with larger chain files) keys can be found, OR is something like the GTX 660 overkill?

Thank you

 

[dmr0x]

gtx 600 series are crap for csa chain creating. Spend your money on a gtx 580

 

[mahmoud_a1]

gtx 580 the best

 

[dog-man]

I have a 660 and it will do about 24k if pushed and I also have a 580 and that will easily do 44k, maybe a little more if pushed and I control the heat.
They do get very hot when searching.
I must get a water cooler for my cards.


dog-man

 

[jackhulk]

Thanks all.

This is my first venture in to using csa, or using any software to find keys for that matter, so a little unsure of terminology. Dog-man, what is meant by '24k and '44k' please? Can you translate this into sort of time difference you seem between the two cards please?

What 660 models have you guys tried, as the CUDA cores differ greatly between versions. The ASUS GTX 660 range for example...

GTX 660 CUDA cores = 960
GTX 660Ti CUDA cores = 1344 (40% difference).

I was drawn to the 660 & ASUS range due to the rave reviews (all be it this was based on game testing) but most importantly because they are so quite running idle or at max. Can you recommend any 580 series that are run as quiet please?

My current card (ATI - reason for upgrade) is passive, and my whole I7 build has been designed to keep noise to a minimum.

[EDIT] Just looking at the specs of 580 now, and only has 512, so guess this isn't the all important factor if you guys have find it to perform better than the 660's, despite this range having a better around spec (after quick glance). Any ideas why the 580 out performs 660?

 

[mans PX?]

verry good post ,,jackhulk''
invest money in Quadro card (but they are damn expensive)

 

[dog-man]

K = 000

Search speed!


dog-man

 

[jackhulk]

Dam it! I spent hours researching cards and finally settled on ASUS GTX 660Ti, when I should have create this post before hand! . At least I came here before I purchased the thing!

dog-man, just out of curiosity, what model 660 do you have please?

I'll start again now researching quietest 580. What models do you guys own please?

 

[lopatinsergey]

600 series is made on a new kernel. The new technology. The main achievement - reducing energy consumption, and not the possibility of computing. If you want something better for calculations than 580, then buy two 580!

 

[jackhulk]

I hear ya lopatinsergey, and agree the 580 is the card I need, now it's just a case of finding the right model (in terms of quietness) for me.

Researching now, and good news is that it appears they are all pretty quiet (even standard reference card) in operation, with only a few dBa differences between the range.

Just goes to show, newest isn't always bestest! This is why I'm still rocking my Nokia N82 mobile! Well maybe I should upgrade this one at least VERY soon.

 

[dog-man]

Dam it! I spent hours researching cards and finally settled on ASUS GTX 660Ti, when I should have create this post before hand! . At least I came here before I purchased the thing!

dog-man, just out of curiosity, what model 660 do you have please?

I'll start again now researching quietest 580. What models do you guys own please?

I have the Gigabyte GTX660, but they are all similar in specs.
The 580 really is the best for chain building, even though technically, it is inferior to the 660.



dog-man

 

[jackhulk]

I've just purchased ASUS GTX 580 Matrix Platinum!

Thanks to everyone for your help. Can't wait for it to arrive now so I can get started!

I currently do not have any chain files to start me off though. Does any one know of any I can download please?

 

[ooOO_SORGOS_OOoo]

 

[ADDER]

Whats this thread (GRAPHICS CARDS)got to do with ENCRYPTION CHAT ?????????

 

[jackhulk]

Everything. Encryption is the single reason I am getting this card.

@ sorgos. Very interesting table, thank you. Looks as if the where the 580 beats the 600 range, is crucial items that makes it better at computing CSA.

 

[dvlajkovic]

Yesterday nVidia published new drivers 314.22.
These are good as long as you use ordinary PC apps, video-games, etc.
For CSA RTT, stay away from them!!! Keep previous drivers installed as these new are total crap - RBC chain calcs are taken down significantly!!!

 

[jackhulk]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm still awaiting the arrival of my GTX 580 which I should hopefully receive tomorrow.

What driver version do you recommend please? I'm so happy to finally be moving away from ATI as the drivers stink!

 

[dvlajkovic]

I've reverted to the previous version: 310.90

 

[mans PX?]

let as know your first key search results

 

[jackhulk]

I'm sure you guys will hear from me before then, as I'm sure I'll have a few questions that hopefully you'll be able to help with