The dreaded (2) cards vs 1 card debate

bigdonk · May 28, 2013

I am looking for opinions on which graphics card(s) to install in my system.

Intel Core i7 3770k
ASRock Extreme4 Motherboard
16GB of memory
Win7 64 bit
750W power supply
OCZ Vertex4 256GB SSD (main)
WD Raptor 500GB (2nd Drive)

I am planning on running 3 monitors on this system.

I just saw a GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB 192bit made by PNY for $120 and was thinking of buying 2 of them.

Other option would be going with a 660 for $225-$275
or a ponying up for a 670 256bit for around $350.

Please let me know what you think.

firo40 · May 28, 2013

http://www.techspot.com/review/661-nvidia-geforce-gtx-650-ti-boost-sli/page2.html
I would take the sli 650 ti boost for best preformance

carowden · May 28, 2013

unless you get a 650 ti boost you would not really benefit from buying 2 cards. the original 650 and 650 ti (non boost) are not capable of sli. the general suggestion is to get the best card you can afford initially and sometime down the road you can choose to upgrade to a whole new card or just add a second matching card to it.

hizodge · May 28, 2013

I don't recommend using two lower tier cards in SLI, but a single 660 or 670 is in no way capable of driving surround with acceptable framerates.
Just make sure you get 2x 2GB versions of 650 Ti Boost and you might be able to get surround.

firo40 · May 28, 2013

The performance gain from 2 650 ti boosts vs a single 660 or 670 is pretty big so its has the better odds for his price range

bigdonk · May 28, 2013

firo40 :

WOW! Great find on that article. Thanks for the fast reply. Kind of seems silly to spend the extra cash for a nice single card compared to the $240 for the dual 650ti's. The only benefit would be is if I wanted to add another one of the high end cards later I suppose when the price came down.

bigdonk · May 28, 2013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133487&cm_mmc=AFC-dealnews-_-NA-_-NA-_-N82E16814133487

It was indeed the Boost version. Sold out now, but I may watch to see if more become available.

bigdonk · May 28, 2013

If the budget was higher, what would be the ideal setup for Surround?

firo40 · May 28, 2013

um just becuase its sold out on newegg does not mean other sites do not carry it. try ncix or tiger direct or amazon etc

firo40 · May 28, 2013

dual 670's would be alot more ideal

bigdonk · May 31, 2013

firo40 :

OK, what if i threw (2) 580's into the mix?

http://

I can get (2) of those for $480 which is what I would pay for (1) 670. Whats your thoughts on going that route.

smeezekitty · May 31, 2013

One card is always better. More stable, less driver issues, no chance of microstutter (but this is much less important with nvidia) and no scaling issues.

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The dreaded (2) cards vs 1 card debate

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