Question 1

What does HDCP Ready mean? I am looking at another card that does not say that.

Accepted Answer

HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection, a copy protection scheme to eliminate the possibility of intercepting digital data midstream between the source to the display.  The format designed by Intel and licensed by Digital Content Protection, LLC using an authentication and key exchange procedure before video and audio is presented.  Products compatible with the HDCP scheme such as DVD players, satellite and cable HDTV set-top-boxes, as well as few entertainment PCs requires a secure connection to a compliant display, the process often described as the handshake.  Due to the increase in manufacturers employing HDCP in their equipment, it is highly recommended that any HDTV you purchase is compatible.  Although most video devices support high-definition video over component output, analog connections are scheduled to phase out in the future or possibly forced to limited resolutions output.

Why is it important to me?

Although manufacturers are still making most products with at least component HD output, new generation of products like HD-DVD and Blu-Ray devices will limit the analog output resolution (Analog defined as Component or RGBHV).  The highest resolutions these devices can output (720p/1080i/1080p) will be available on via the digital (DVI or HDMI) connections that employ HDCP encryption.  Any new HDTV purchase should have a digital HDCP compatible input.

It is important to note that HDCP is currently not a standard used in PC monitors, and almost none of these displays have Component inputs.  Although PC monitors are HDTV capable, HDCP encryption limits this type of use.  If you use an HTPC and want to ensure dual use of your new flat panel display, look for HDCP compatibility.

Question 2

So is this card better then the 780 or worse? Because i see the 780 is 30 dollars less?

Accepted Answer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130918 If you're looking at these two cards, I would definitely go with the 780. It has a larger memory bus of 384-bit versus the 256-bit on the 680. It has 3gb dedicated vs the 4gb dedicated on the 680, but some will claim the 680 can't even fully utilize the 4gbs since the memory bus isn't large enough. The 3gbs on the 780 will be plenty even if your gaming at 1440p resolution. Hope this helps.

Question 3

Does anyone know if the GTX680 4G (3688-KR) classified will run in Sli with a EVGA 04G-P4-2686-KR GeForce GTX 680 w/ Backplate 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card? 
I have heard that - Oh as long as the Memory is the same or the core clock or memery clock is the same you're o.k. Then I see EVGA say they should be the same model?
I would rather use just a single card like say the GTX780, but I'm really starting to think we are being burned by the manufacturers by discontinuing previous cards to use their precious best silicon for the Next Best GPU! Any thoughts??

Accepted Answer

All the past SLIs I have done needed the same hardware to function properly. I have had others tell me they were able to get SLI to function with similar hardware (just matching clock speed and memory as you mentioned before) but even those were unstable and subject constant boot failures (one card would start but the other would not be recognized and they would have to reboot after re-seating the connection).  Would recommend getting the same card for a stable reliable SLI setup. Otherwise upgrade to the next level for better single card performance if necessary.

Question 4

I have this 680 currently, now I wanna upgrade the video card. Which one should I choose between buy one more 680 to use the SLI, or move up the 780?

Accepted Answer

Ok. The 780 is a beast with faster clocks and higher cuda cores. But, I believe it has 1 less Gb of dedicated video ram. If you already have room and the power to support an Sli system of two 680's then do that. Two 680's will handle any load better than one 780 and it will be cheaper. But, if you do not already have the room and power going up to a single 780 will be the better choice. Keep in mind for maybe 20 Fps improvement on high end games you are paying upwards of 500$

Question 5

Is this VGA card reliable for long-term use?

Accepted Answer

The EVGA GeForce GTX 680 graphics card has a product rating of 4.4 out of 5 eggs, indicating a generally positive reception among users, which suggests reliability for long-term use.

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