I'm looking to upgrade my GPU and need some help deciding between two options: getting two RTX 3060s with 12GB VRAM each, or going for a single RTX 5060 Ti that has 16GB VRAM. My motherboard is a Micro-ATX MSI B550M PRO-VDH. I have a few questions: 1) How challenging is it to set up and run a dual GPU configuration for AI workloads? 2) Is my motherboard capable of supporting both GPUs? 3) Which option would be better in terms of performance and compatibility? I plan to use my system for AI and deep learning projects, along with some light gaming. Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
7 Answers
It feels like we're in the '90s with dual GPU setups! Just kidding, but seriously, that SLI support has vanished from newer cards—except for the 3090.
1. Without VRAM sharing, it's tough to justify a dual GPU setup, and these cards won't work with NVLINK. So, the 5060 Ti is definitely better in both memory and processing power. 2. Your board can’t support multiple GPUs as it lacks the necessary PCIe slots for this. Multi-GPU setups are really more suited for workstations. 3. So for you, the 5060 Ti is clearly the answer.
Using two GPUs isn't usually ideal for gaming anymore—often one goes inactive. It's a mixed bag for productivity too, depending on your software's support. I'd advise going for the 16GB 5060 Ti. It’ll spare you a lot of hassle, has a decent warranty since it’s new, and you can always add another later if needed. Plus, it's more power efficient than a dual setup. Avoiding the potential headaches with multi-GPU setups is a win!
But remember, the OP's focus is on AI, not gaming.
If you're considering two GPUs, it sounds like your tasks are more workstation-oriented. Some workloads can benefit from newer CUDA cores, while others might utilize dual GPUs effectively, especially with more VRAM. Just clarify what type of tasks you're aiming to run on it!
Just a heads-up, SLI hasn’t been an option for gaming in over a decade. So, sticking with the 5060 Ti makes the most sense for AI work. Less trouble overall!
Yeah, but keep in mind the OP's main use is for AI, not gaming.
It really depends on your AI workload. Is 16GB VRAM sufficient for your needs? Some projects handle multi-GPU setups well, while others can be complicated. Your motherboard will limit one card to lower bandwidth, so ensure that won’t affect your tasks. Given your use case, I’d lean towards the 5060.
Actually, with Lossless Scaling offloading, you can utilize both GPUs well without game support.