Graphic's Card Question/Issue

It is a complicated situation. The 770 is a better card, but upcoming games will require more VRAM. For example early benchmarks of BF4 show that more than 2GB of VRAM is used at 1080p.

I wouldn't spend that much more on a 780 either though.

Well the memory amount on a gpu determines how much data the gpu can store and buffer rendered data. Which means the more you have available allows you to use higher graphical settings and resolutions. You also should understand that you also need the processing power behind the memory to actually make full use of that memory. Companies tend to throw massive amounts of memory on lower end gpu's to make those models look better/bigger to the untrained. Personally I wouldn't touch your GTX 680 FTW 4gb since its as fast or faster then the GTX 770 and 780 is only 15-20% then a GTX 680. And since you have a overclocked GTX 680 that is also 4gb its almost a pointless side grade. 04dcarraher

Actually he has a 4GB 670

I'd go for the 780 3GB. The 670 will be too slow when you begin to use that much VRAM anyway. I've got a few mods on Skyrim enb, hd textures, enhanced lights and fx, and the VRAM on everything maxed is over 2GB. Granted, these are mods but with new consoles approaching I wouldnt want to be stuck with 2GB going into next year. I'll be doing a full system upgrade once I see how everything pans out myself.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]Well the memory amount on a gpu determines how much data the gpu can store and buffer rendered data. Which means the more you have available allows you to use higher graphical settings and resolutions. You also should understand that you also need the processing power behind the memory to actually make full use of that memory. Companies tend to throw massive amounts of memory on lower end gpu's to make those models look better/bigger to the untrained. Personally I wouldn't touch your GTX 680 FTW 4gb since its as fast or faster then the GTX 770 and 780 is only 15-20% then a GTX 680. And since you have a overclocked GTX 680 that is also 4gb its almost a pointless side grade. pawq4

Actually he has a 4GB 670

I'd go for the 780 3GB. The 670 will be too slow when you begin to use that much VRAM anyway. I've got a few mods on Skyrim enb, hd textures, enhanced lights and fx, and the VRAM on everything maxed is over 2GB. Granted, these are mods but with new consoles approaching I wouldnt want to be stuck with 2GB going into next year. I'll be doing a full system upgrade once I see how everything pans out myself.

awptical

I appreciate the one post who mentioned that this is a complicated issue. (Cause it's driving me nuts!) I could also throw out that I would be more likely to SLI the 770 in 6-12-18 months... (and keep in mind I am not sure I fully understand SLI either) As opposed to getting a 780... where I doubt I would ever afford to SLI one of those. Does that change things at all? And thank you again for all opinions. I am leaning towards using EVGA's Step Up program and getting the 780 from them.... but my wife very well may kill me when I do...NoWareMan9

The 770 is gonna whack you in the head pretty soon. And your wife will surely kill you when you add another one in SLi, only to find out you will be limited by 2GB vram.

The 770 isn't a viable option..  it's slightly faster than your GTX 670 FTW, but it only has 2GB vram compared to your GTX 670 w/ 4GB.

A single GTX 780 will do the job, holding down a very decent 3GB vram which shouldn't present you with any problems in the near future. I'd say, let go of the thought of $220 now, because that $220 will be the least of the many headaches to come if you choose to go the, more complicated and expensive path. Don't say I didn't warn ya! :P

The GTX 780 will drop in price in the future.  You'll have less headaches with a single, powerful GPU (GTX 780), than sli-ing GTX 770s.  At this point in the GPU market, you don't want to sli 2GB vram cards.