2011 query, needing people with real experience

[akshayt]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2211683

CONCLUSION

1. 3930k @ X Ghz with 2 570 SLI and 2600k @ X Ghz with 3 570 Tri SLI trade blows in terms of FPS, close. Of course most of the times the tri sli is faster in terms of FPS by a good deal, but not that huge as it should. And those extra FPS still lose out in terms of smoothness compared to the first setup.

2. The 3930k setup may not be very different in terms of FPS, though of course often it is a bit faster especially in terms of min FPS, but as far as the smoothness is concerned, it beats the 2600k Tri SLI setup. And this is with a 570 setup, today's 7970 or 680 are far faster, especially once overclocked. And if you dealing with 2 or more of them, you will be cornered unless you have 2011 or Ivy at least.

Also, i read in another benchmark report somewhere that PCI E 3.0 gives a 45% performance boost over PCI E 2.0 when using 680 Quad SLI.