nVidia card Dual width vs Dual Slot?

mambanegra

When I was comparing my current 980 with the 1070/1080s, I saw two different descriptions for width: dual width for the 980 and dual slot for the 10x0 cards. Looking at the images of the 1070 on amazon, it looks like it only plugs into one of the slots, so I assume that the only difference is that back facing panel that has HDMI/whatever output? Of course, looking at images for the 980, there are 2 wide external slots, but whether they actually provide output depends on the card itself...

Looking at the differences in computation, the 10x0 appear to offer more RAM along with modest improvement in performance. I don't think I can go any newer than these, though, without splurging on an new case with new power supply, etc. Is it best just to sit on my current 980 until I have saved up enough for the whole shebang or would the performance be worth putting the whole new computer off for another many months (i.e. I won't be able to afford the new computer til end of year as it is, but if I get the new card, new computer will probably be next year)

TheKD

Can't really speak on the 20x series, as I don't have the money for one so haven't really looked into  them in any depth. When I went from 660 to 960, it actually needed less PSU to run, same when I went from 960 to 1070. They seem to keep getting more effecient each generation. Not sure if the trend follows into this generation though. If your MOBO and CPU is gettin old in the tooth, you might be better off saving to get a whole new kit, or start by replacing the CPU and MOBO before the card. An older MOBO and CPU might bottleneck the speed of a new card so much that you will be highly dissappointed in the meager improvement for the price of the card. I saw that issue when I upgraded to 960, after I replaced the MOBO and CPU I saw a vast improvement.

Former DAZ Customer

The 1080Ti is the same width as the 980Ti; they both take up two spaces in width - you'll have to take out two slot fillers on the back of your PC for either.  Both use only one PCI socket.

DrNewcenstein

Dual Slot and Dual Width should mean the same thing, as it's how many slots they take up in the output section of the case, not the PCI slots on the board. i.e. the Titan Z was a triple-slot/triple-wide monster. Although it only obscured 2 PCI slots (the one it sat in & the one next to it), depending on the motherboard.