Let’s compare the specifications of the SLI tandem with those of top-end single- and dual-processor solutions available on the market.
As you can see, the GeForce GTX 580 SLI configuration differs from the GeForce GTX 590 in clock rates only, yet this difference is significant: 772/1544 MHz against 608/1215 MHz. It leads to an advantage in texture-mapping performance and fill rate. The SLI tandem is inferior to the Radeon HD 6990 in the former parameter, but the Cayman chip’s advanced texture-mapping subsystem often proves to be redundant in gaming tests anyway. The GeForce GTX 580 SLI specs are all about big numbers, including power consumption. When you see “2x244 watts”, you can understand why the clock rates of the GeForce GTX 590 are reduced to 608/1215 MHz.
Thus, this SLI tandem has only two downsides: price and bulkiness. However, these are not going to bother wealthy enthusiasts who assemble their systems in huge computer cases. The question is how faster the GeForce GTX 580 SLI is going to be in comparison with the GeForce GTX 590 and Radeon HD 6990 in games.
As you can see, the GeForce GTX 580 SLI configuration differs from the GeForce GTX 590 in clock rates only, yet this difference is significant: 772/1544 MHz against 608/1215 MHz. It leads to an advantage in texture-mapping performance and fill rate. The SLI tandem is inferior to the Radeon HD 6990 in the former parameter, but the Cayman chip’s advanced texture-mapping subsystem often proves to be redundant in gaming tests anyway. The GeForce GTX 580 SLI specs are all about big numbers, including power consumption. When you see “2x244 watts”, you can understand why the clock rates of the GeForce GTX 590 are reduced to 608/1215 MHz.
Thus, this SLI tandem has only two downsides: price and bulkiness. However, these are not going to bother wealthy enthusiasts who assemble their systems in huge computer cases. The question is how faster the GeForce GTX 580 SLI is going to be in comparison with the GeForce GTX 590 and Radeon HD 6990 in games.
