I'm looking to upgrade my GPU and need some advice on whether to get two RTX 3060s (each with 12GB of VRAM) or just one RTX 5060 Ti (with 16GB of VRAM). My motherboard is a Micro-ATX MSI B550M PRO-VDH, and I'm curious about a few things:
1. How challenging is it to run a dual GPU setup, particularly for AI tasks?
2. Can my motherboard handle both GPUs effectively?
3. Which option is better in terms of performance and compatibility?
I'm primarily using my setup for AI and deep learning projects, along with some light gaming. Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
It really depends on your AI workload. You might want to consider whether 16GB VRAM will be sufficient. For a dual setup, it depends on how well your workload scales. Just be aware that the Micro-ATX board has limitations; you'll likely be running one card at reduced capacity. Given all that, I'd lean towards the 5060 Ti as your best bet.
If you're considering two GPUs, I assume you have workstation tasks in mind? Some applications benefit from newer CUDA cores, while others thrive on dual systems. What specific workloads do you plan to run?
Using two GPUs for gaming doesn't work well anymore, as usually one card ends up inactive. If it's for productivity, you'll need to ensure your software can handle a dual setup, which can be problematic. I'd recommend going with the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti. It's hassle-free, comes with a good warranty since it’s new, and you’ll avoid the headaches associated with multi-GPU configurations.
Actually, Lossless Scaling can help with some games not requiring direct support, so dual GPUs can still be useful for certain tasks.
Just a heads-up: SLI support has been a thing of the past for over a decade now, so I’d suggest sticking with the 5060 Ti, especially since you're not gaming primarily.
He mentioned AI workloads, which could require different considerations than traditional gaming.
1. Dual GPU setups without VRAM sharing are often pointless, especially without NVLINK. The 5060 Ti is directly better for both memory and overall power.
2. Your motherboard doesn't even support a second PCIe x16 slot, so a second GPU wouldn't work there anyway. Multi-GPU setups are more suited to workstations, not regular home systems.
3. The 5060 Ti is definitely the better choice, without a doubt.
He's focusing on AI workloads, not gaming, so the challenges might differ.