The GeForce GTX 690 put two Kepler GPUs on one graphics card, delivering formidable high-resolution performance in 2012. Its defining trade-offs were equally substantial: the card’s 4 GB of GDDR5 was split into two 2 GB framebuffers, it carried a 300 W TDP and two 8-pin power inputs, and its performance depended on games using both GPUs effectively. Period benchmarks explain its reputation; they do not establish how it performs in current games or what a used example is worth today.
What the GTX 690 was
NVIDIA announced the GTX 690 on April 28, 2012, as a 28 nm Kepler flagship. Rather than placing one unusually large GPU on the board, it paired two GK104 GPUs and connected them through a PCIe 3.0 switch. NVIDIA specified 3,072 CUDA cores combined; Tom’s Hardware’s review describes two full GK104 configurations, each with 1,536 CUDA cores, 128 texture units and 32 ROPs. NVIDIA’s launch announcement presented the card as its high-end single-board option, while Tom’s Hardware’s review provides an independent account of its hardware and performance.
What “4 GB” means
The board’s 4 GB total came from 2 GB of GDDR5 attached to each GPU. Each GPU had its own 256-bit memory bus and more than 192 GB/s of bandwidth, according to Tom’s Hardware. The two capacities do not combine into a single shared 4 GB framebuffer for one GPU’s workload: each GPU works from its own 2 GB allocation, so the card should not be described as giving a game 4 GB of usable memory on one GPU.
Clocks and frame pacing
Tom’s Hardware lists a 915 MHz base clock and GPU Boost up to 1,019 MHz. Its review ties the lower base clock to keeping the two-GPU board within its 300 W power limit. NVIDIA also promoted hardware frame metering to manage frame delivery between the GPUs. That feature addressed a real consideration for multi-GPU rendering: average frame rate alone does not describe how evenly frames arrive or how smooth motion feels.
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How fast it was in 2012
The clearest numerical comparison from launch is NVIDIA’s own test at 2,500 × 1,600 using driver 301.10. These are vendor-reported results from 2012, not independent measurements or predictions for current games.
| Workload | GTX 690 | GTX 680 | Test details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unigine Heaven | 58.9 fps | 31.1 fps | 2,500 × 1,600; 4×AA/16×AF; driver 301.10; NVIDIA, 2012 |
| Crysis 2 | 57.8 fps | 32.3 fps | 2,500 × 1,600; Ultra; driver 301.10; NVIDIA, 2012 |
| DiRT 3 | 111.2 fps | 62.3 fps | 2,500 × 1,600; 8×AA/16×AF; driver 301.10; NVIDIA, 2012 |
Those numbers show why NVIDIA marketed the card for demanding, high-resolution gaming: in the named launch tests, the GTX 690 substantially outpaced a single GTX 680. They are a comparison against that specific single-GPU card in those specific workloads, not a universal scaling factor for every game.
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Tom’s Hardware independently tested at 1920 × 1080, 2560 × 1600 and 5760 × 1080. Its suite included 3DMark 11, Battlefield 3, Crysis 2, Skyrim, DiRT 3, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Metro 2033, alongside compute, noise, temperature and power testing. That broader review compared the GTX 690 with GTX 680 cards and Radeon HD 7970s. Its results are also historical: they describe the games, drivers and systems of the period, not present-day performance.
Cooling, noise and power requirements
NVIDIA’s construction details were unusually elaborate for a graphics card: the launch release describes a 10-phase power-delivery design, a 10-layer copper PCB, a trivalent chromium-plated aluminum exterior frame, a magnesium-alloy fan housing, a nickel-plated fin stack and two vapor chambers. These design choices were part of the GTX 690’s premium identity, but do not eliminate the practical demands of cooling a pair of GPUs on one board.
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Tom’s Hardware notes that the centrally mounted axial fan sends some heat out the rear while releasing heat from the other GPU into the case. A build therefore needs adequate case airflow, not just a clear expansion slot. NVIDIA reported 47 dB for the GTX 690 versus 51 dB for two GTX 680s in SLI in its 2012 acoustic comparison; lower is quieter. That vendor measurement is a comparison under its test conditions, not a guarantee that every GTX 690 or case will be quiet.
Power connections and PSU planning
- Board power: Tom’s Hardware lists a 300 W TDP.
- GPU power inputs: the card uses two 8-pin PCIe power connectors.
- PSU guidance: EVGA’s indexed product sheet recommends a 650 W supply and at least 38 A on the 12 V rail. The sheet’s publication date is not identified in the indexed result, so treat this as a board-partner recommendation rather than a guarantee of compatibility for every system.
Before installing a card, check the exact unit’s available PCIe connectors, 12 V capacity, physical clearance and the rest of the system’s load. A wattage label by itself does not establish that a particular PSU is suitable.
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Displays and the original gaming pitch
Tom’s Hardware lists three dual-link DVI outputs and one Mini DisplayPort, allowing connection of up to four displays. NVIDIA promoted three-screen Surround gaming with a fourth auxiliary display, along with hardware frame metering for the dual-GPU setup. The official GTX 690 feature page notes that an adapter may be required for some 3D Vision Surround configurations. Check the displays’ inputs and the configuration you intend to use before relying on a particular cable or adapter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does a GTX 690 make sense to buy today?
The historical record establishes what the GTX 690 was and how it performed in 2012; it does not establish current used prices, marketplace stock, the condition of a particular card, current-game support or present-day multi-GPU behavior. The original announced price was $999, according to NVIDIA, but that launch figure says nothing about today’s resale value.
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A used GTX 690 is easiest to justify as a collection piece, restoration part or component for a compatible legacy PC whose owner specifically wants to explore period hardware. For an actual gaming build, treat it as an unverified candidate rather than a recommendation: game-by-game multi-GPU scaling, frame pacing, power and heat, card condition, and the total cost of a suitable system all matter. No current-game benchmark or used-market evidence here establishes it as a good-value modern gaming purchase.
Quick Recap
Checks before installing a used card
- Confirm the PSU has two suitable 8-pin PCIe feeds and meets the system’s power needs; the EVGA indexed guidance is 650 W and at least 38 A on +12 V.
- Verify that the case has room for the card and enough airflow to remove heat released inside the chassis.
- Inspect the specific card’s condition and confirm its display outputs work with the intended monitors and any needed adapters.
- Check support and performance for the exact games and software you plan to use; 2012 benchmarks cannot answer that question.
- Compare the asking price and risk of a used dual-GPU board with simpler alternatives using current, controlled evidence.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
