Unleashing the Power of 2-Way SLI GTX 680 for Gaming in 2022

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The History of the GTX 680
3. Exploring the Specs of the GTX 680
4. SLI and Its Limitations
5. Gaming Performance: Resident Evil 3 Remake
6. Gaming Performance: Far Cry New DAWN
7. Gaming Performance: Shadow of the Tomb Raider
8. Gaming Performance: GTA 5
9. The Drawbacks of Using the GTX 680 in 2022
10. Conclusion

🎮 Exploring the Performance of 10-Year-Old GTX 680s in SLI in 2022

The GTX 680, released in March 2012, was once considered the pinnacle of gaming graphics cards. With unparalleled performance at the time, it was a favorite among PC enthusiasts. In today's video, we'll take a deeper look at the GTX 680 and test its capabilities when running in SLI mode. However, it's important to note that this aging card is no longer supported by Nvidia's latest drivers, leading to compatibility issues with modern games.

1️⃣ The History of the GTX 680

Back in 2012, the GTX 680 was revered as the go-to graphics card for gaming. It stood as the best option available at the time, rivaling only the GTX 690, a dual-GPU card. The GTX 680 offered impressive performance, innovative features, and advanced technologies that made it a top choice among gamers. Unfortunately, its glory days have come to an end, and newer, more powerful graphics cards have taken its place.

2️⃣ Exploring the Specs of the GTX 680

The GTX 680 boasted impressive specifications for its time. It featured 1536 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1006 MHz, a boost clock of 1058 MHz, and had 2 GB of VRAM with a 256-bit GDDR5 interface. While these specs may seem modest compared to modern graphics cards, the GTX 680 still holds its own when it comes to raw power. However, the 2 GB VRAM limitation can be a hindrance when running more demanding games.

3️⃣ SLI and Its Limitations

SLI, or Scalable Link Interface, allows users to combine multiple graphics cards for improved performance. However, SLI support has waned over the years, with many modern games neglecting to optimize for it. Thus, relying on SLI with the GTX 680 may prove challenging, as only a handful of games support it effectively. It's crucial to consider the compatibility of SLI before investing in multiple GTX 680s.

4️⃣ Gaming Performance: Resident Evil 3 Remake

Resident Evil 3 Remake, a popular Game among enthusiasts, provides an excellent testing ground for the GTX 680 in SLI. By applying a small hack using Nvidia Inspector, SLI support can be enabled. However, it's worth noting that this workaround is only viable with DirectX 11. While the game runs smoothly with medium settings at 1080p resolution, higher settings may cause stuttering due to the limited 2 GB VRAM.

5️⃣ Gaming Performance: Far Cry New Dawn

Far Cry New Dawn presents another opportunity to assess the performance of the GTX 680 in SLI. Fortunately, this game natively supports SLI and allows for higher graphical settings. Running at 1080p with high settings, the GTX 680 SLI combination displays commendable performance. The game runs smoothly, utilizing both GPUs efficiently and delivering a satisfying gaming experience.

6️⃣ Gaming Performance: Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is one of the few games that still fully supports SLI setups. This provides a great opportunity to push the GTX 680s to their limits. At 1080p resolution with normal preset settings, the game runs smoothly, and the GPUs operate at near maximum utilization. Although slightly more demanding than previous games, the GTX 680 SLI configuration showcases its prowess in handling graphically intensive titles.

7️⃣ Gaming Performance: GTA 5

GTA 5, known for its impressive graphics, is a Prime Candidate for testing the limits of the GTX 680 in SLI. With its native SLI support, this game allows for maximum graphical fidelity. Running at 1080p with high settings, the GTX 680 SLI setup proves to be more than capable. The game runs smoothly, and the dual GPUs deliver exceptional performance, even surpassing the experiences of many entry-level modern cards.

8️⃣ The Drawbacks of Using the GTX 680 in 2022

Despite its impressive performance in older games, the GTX 680 faces significant limitations in modern gaming. The lack of driver support for the latest games, limited VRAM capacity, and reduced SLI optimization make it increasingly difficult to enjoy contemporary titles. While the GTX 680 still holds value for retro gaming enthusiasts, its usability for current gaming experiences is severely limited.

9️⃣ Conclusion

The GTX 680, once a dominant force in the gaming graphics card market, can still hold its own in select scenarios. Its performance in SLI setups with older titles proves impressive, showcasing the power that was once revered. However, with the emergence of more advanced technology and the diminishing support for the GTX 680, it's clear that its days of leading the pack are over. It stands as a relic of a bygone era, cherished by retro gaming enthusiasts but overshadowed by modern hardware.

Highlights

• The GTX 680, released in 2012, was among the top gaming graphics cards of its time.
• Running the GTX 680 in SLI mode still demonstrates impressive performance in older games.
• The limited VRAM capacity and lack of driver support make the GTX 680 incompatible with modern titles.
• Despite its age, the GTX 680 remains valuable for retro gaming enthusiasts and budget setups.

FAQ

Q: Can the GTX 680 run modern games? A: While the GTX 680 can still run some modern games, it faces limitations due to its age and lack of support from Nvidia's latest drivers.

Q: What is SLI? A: SLI, or Scalable Link Interface, allows the combination of multiple graphics cards for improved performance.

Q: How many CUDA cores does the GTX 680 have? A: The GTX 680 features 1536 CUDA cores.

Q: What are the drawbacks of using the GTX 680 in 2022? A: The GTX 680 lacks driver support for the latest games, has limited VRAM capacity, and faces reduced SLI optimization.

Q: Is the GTX 680 still worth using for gaming? A: While the GTX 680 can still deliver respectable performance in older games, it is not recommended for modern gaming experiences.