7600GT SLI - a mistake?

The problem with technology is that the market changes drastically over the span of a few months. I just spent a grand making a new system. Looking at it now, do I regret it? Sure I do, I just spent 1000$ on hardware that will be worth 1/2 that in 6 months.

I dont know how much you spend on your 7600 Gt's, they are fairly pricy, unless you got them on special. In any case, answer this:

Is your current setup doing what you wanted it to do? If your current setup is doing everything you wanted it to do when you first dreamt about upgrading then you are alright. If you are out a grand though and your system doesn't do what you want to do, then yes there would be even more dissapointment.

Personally, after making the decision and doing what you have done, theres no point to back track. Those 2 cards in SLI will work well for now, and for future gaming. They will last you a solid year. And since you are talking about resolutions that aren't far superior like 1600 by 1200, you shouldn't worry as what you have will play anything at top settings at the 1200 setting.

Its impossible to stay at the top of the game unless you got alot of funds. But then it becomes more like a cult. Your system works, move on. Dont read about stuff anymore until next year.. youll feel happier.

If u can make your money back on those 7600GT's, then it might be worth it to trade in and get your self a 7900. Yuoll save 100$ some money. But it all depends on how much u can get for those 7600's.. Dont forget right now the video card market seems to be all over the place. with the newer cards right around the corner, youll surely loose alot of cash on your original purchase if you dont decide.

Oh, that's just not fair.

I made that comment because:
1/ there are too many people here who just say "buy conroe" it's too expensive, I have limited funds and I don't want "the fastest"
2/ admittedly, I do like AMD, have used them exclusively since the PIII came out and was too expensive for me
3/ I have made the decision to "move" to Nvidia from a Radeon
4/ I have an SLI motherboard because I couldn't afford a crossfire one
5/ etc

Fanboy, maybe, ignorant, I hope not.

To thegreat1, thanks, I know I shouldn't be reading this stuff but I can't help it and yes, I did get the 7600GT's on a deal, this system cost me over AU$1500, prices are sooo high over here. I do like to try to help out others and some of my experience can do that, it makes me feel better.

Have a great day to all.

Mousemonkey you are right. SLi will make a major difference compared to one of the same card.

Although, From what I have read on these forums one super card is better than 2 ok cards. Is one 7900GT (or 7900GTO about the same price but is overclockable to 7900GTX level) faster than the 7600s in SLI. Looking about I would say about equal.

I guess it also depends on what games you are playing. Are they SLI optimized?

On the plus side for the 7600s the bragging rights of having 2 cards in SLI is awesome!

By the way DukeDave, I know exactly what you mean about the brands, I prefer intel and Nvidia, I wouldnt discount other brands but I do prefer those. The Hardware you have (CPU Slot type, Motherboard type, SLI or Xfire) does make a big effect on what upgrade options you have especially when thinking on budgetary terms.

Mousemonkey you are right. SLi will make a major difference compared to one of the same card.

Although, From what I have read on these forums one super card is better than 2 ok cards. Is one 7900GT (or 7900GTO about the same price but is overclockable to 7900GTX level) faster than the 7600s in SLI.

I guess it also depends on what games you are playing. Are they SLI optimized?

On the plus side for the 7600s the bragging rights of having 2 cards in SLI is awesome!

By the way DukeDave, I know exactly what you mean about the brands, I prefer intel and Nvidia, I wouldnt discount other brands but I do prefer those. The Hardware you have (CPU Slot type, Motherboard type, SLI or Xfire) does make a big effect on what upgrade options you have especially when thinking on budgetary terms.

the resolution thing only applies to high end cards in most games. if however, like you, 2 mid range cards are used in newish games it may make a difference.

the only time you need 2 gpu's is if one is struggling playing at a desiered quality level. basically the reason people say the res thing is because at that res one high end card is sufficient. therefore if you cannot run a game at max settings on one card but you can with two then you haven't made a bad choice. that is unless you could have bought one card which would have outperformed your two cards for the same money. in that case you need your head read.

Darkstar, yep, I agree, however the 7600 series is hindered by 128bit memory interface, the 7600GT does run GDDR3 @ 700Mhz but the narrower interface does make a difference.

I agree with most of you anyway, I am happy with what I have got and it does play very nicely.

Mousemonkey & Freak, I agree, the bragging rights of having 2 cards is nice, even if they are only midrange cards. I have to ask as I do frequently change hardware, the 7900GT's in SLI, they must be awesome, yes?

Thanks to all who replied, you have been a great help resting my mind.

PLAY ON!!

I posted these two pics along with some others on another thread just to try and get the point of Sli across, although it went straight over some peoples heads.

Sli off


Sli on


Thats with AA off, AF @ x4, 1024x768 and everything else on max