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    980M or 970M SLI?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by MMeNDtal, Oct 21, 2014.

  1. MMeNDtal

    MMeNDtal Newbie

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    Hi guys!

    Been browsing for a while, but first time posting.

    I've just ordered a Sager notebook from XoticPC with a single 980M, but the order is still in Phase 1. I was looking at the same laptop today and noticed they're now offering 2x 970M SLI for $150 extra.

    Is it worth changing my order? I know 970M in SLI will outperform a single 980M in SLI optimized games, but will it be worse on non-optimized games? If so, will it perform as a single 970M would? Will the notebook run noticeably hotter?

    Thanks for the help!
     
    MMeNDtal, Oct 21, 2014
    #1
  2. ryzeki

    ryzeki Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    You sort of answered your doubt heh, a single 980m will outperform the SLI 970m when SLI is not taken into consideration or otherwise unoptimized. The notebook won't run noticeable hotter, as 970m is very power efficient and even on SLI you have dedicated fans to cool off the beast.

    I'd say keep the 980m and if in a year you feel like you need extra performance, get a second 980m to have 980m SLI.

    But I somewhat tend to favor single GPU offerings even if I am curious about trying high end SLI. Maybe some users can give better insight. A single 970m is still very powerful and should be able to play any game even if SLI is unoptimized, so most likely 970m SLI might be the better choice.
     
    ryzeki, Oct 21, 2014
    #2
    moviemarketing and jaug1337 like this.
  3. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    No SLI support - few games but some newer ones - GTX 980M 20-30% faster
    SLI support but bad scaling - minority of the games - Faster than GTX 980M (20% perhaps)
    SLI support but decent/good scaling - majority of the games - Much faster than GTX 980M (30-45% faster depending on how good the game scale)
     
    Cloudfire, Oct 21, 2014
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    Mr Najsman and moviemarketing like this.
  4. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    That's what I'm thinking. If you look at reviews of the Aorus Pro, apparently GTX 970m SLI outperforms even a desktop GTX 980.
     
    terminus123, Oct 21, 2014
    #4
  5. ThePerfectStorm

    ThePerfectStorm Notebook Deity

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    True this. SLI with bad scaling would be even less of a performance advantage.
     
    ThePerfectStorm, Oct 22, 2014
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  6. MMeNDtal

    MMeNDtal Newbie

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    Cheers for the responses, guys!

    I saw this the other night... It's sorely tempting!

    Or, as ryzeki mentioned...
    Will a single 980M run pretty much any game on max settings at 1080p, for the near future?
     
    MMeNDtal, Oct 22, 2014
    #6
  7. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    Because we have 970m SLI in this thread I thought it is relevant to ask here instead of creating a new thread. Is there any Aorus x7 user among us? Can anybody give us first hand heat impressions? If this baby seriously cools down 970m SLI (cooling down 860m SLI is just 10W apart per Prema!), I am probably buying it!
     
    maxheap, Oct 23, 2014
    #7
  8. Marcelosiciliano

    Marcelosiciliano Notebook Consultant

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    What is the TDP of the 970M and 860M?
     
    Marcelosiciliano, Oct 23, 2014
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  9. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    970m = 65W
    860m = 45W
     
    HTWingNut, Oct 23, 2014
    #9
  10. Marcelosiciliano

    Marcelosiciliano Notebook Consultant

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    Lol the X7 Pro must be frying pan!!!
     
    Marcelosiciliano, Oct 23, 2014
    #10
  11. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    HTWingNut, Oct 23, 2014
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  12. Marcelosiciliano

    Marcelosiciliano Notebook Consultant

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    Marcelosiciliano, Oct 23, 2014
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  13. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

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    Would rather get a 980M and SLi that later... :p
     
    jaug1337, Oct 23, 2014
    #13