Two 8500 GT 512s or One 8800 GTS?

[kiro]

I'm building a new rig, and I've been wresting with this decision for a little while. Should I install two GeForce 8500 GT 512MBs in SLI or just install one 8800 GTS? I can afford either configuration, and I'm trying to maximize performance for high-power gaming. Any input would be appreciated, including suggestions for other possible configurations that would be better for a similar price.

 

[The_Abyss]

The 8800 without any question whatsoever.

 

[prozac26]

Never SLI two mid-range cards.

That's a sin, and you go to hell to burn for that.

8800GTS for sure.

 

[Vinny]

1 8500GT = fail.
2 8500GT = fail but at a higher price.

1 8800GTS = WIN!!!

 

[fender22]

1 8500GT = fail.
2 8500GT = fail but at a higher price.

1 8800GTS = WIN!!!

Yea.. pretty much...

 

[Heyyou27]

I'm building a new rig, and I've been wresting with this decision for a little while. Should I install two GeForce 8500 GT 512MBs in SLI or just install one 8800 GTS? I can afford either configuration, and I'm trying to maximize performance for high-power gaming. Any input would be appreciated, including suggestions for other possible configurations that would be better for a similar price.

Two 8500GTs wouldn't be even half as fast as the 8800GTS.

 

[kiro]

Awesome. Thanks so much for the input

 

[rammedstein]

2 8500GT 512s wouldn't be as fast as half an 8600GTS, lol

 

[nvalhalla]

Just look at the "Stream Processors" or whatever Nvidia wants to call them. 8500 has 16, 8800 has 96. How could 2 16s beat a single 96. I know it's oversimplified, but it's also correct.

 

[Farhang]

In fact only 8800GTS's fan, can outperform SLI'ed 8500GT! lol :tongue:

 

[dobby]

Never SLI two mid-range cards.

That's a sin, and you go to hell to burn for that.

8800GTS for sure.

i really choose to disagree, although in the case ill side with you, as a rule your, wrong.
1). an 8500 isnt a midrange card
2). Sli'ing say to 7600 is perfectly acceptable thing to do if you can not afford a good card stright off, but will need the extra power when you have some more money, this is true of 7600gt or 8600gts (when they are cheaper)

 

[Farhang]

Zac is right!
You know, lots of game do not show a good benefit from having two cards so with the money of two 7600GT you can get one 7900GS or X1900GT that can easily destroy that SLI setup.
But for high-end cards this changes as no single card can outperform for example two 8800GTX or Crossfire'd HD2900XTs.
So yeah, it's a sin and a big one! and you will suffer for that! :twisted:

 

[enforcerfx]

Never SLI two mid-range cards.

That's a sin, and you go to hell to burn for that.

8800GTS for sure.

i really choose to disagree, although in the case ill side with you, as a rule your, wrong.
1). an 8500 isnt a midrange card
2). Sli'ing say to 7600 is perfectly acceptable thing to do if you can not afford a good card stright off, but will need the extra power when you have some more money, this is true of 7600gt or 8600gts (when they are cheaper)


But for the price you pay for both of those cards, a single high-end card can beat it.


And the 8500GT is a mid-range card. Just like the 7600GT.

 

[kaotao]

And the 8500GT is a mid-range card. Just like the 7600GT.

I'd go as far as to say it's barely mid-range.

 

[slim142]

*Another Overkill answer*

8800GTS all the way

 

[neblogai]

Actually, Fudzilla has interesting answer to this- and I think we can believe them-
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1422&Itemid=40

Two heavily overclocked 8500gt's in SLI = One 8600gt at stock.
Its just a shame of a card.

 

[uberman]

My 7900gt would probably kick 8500's sli'd.

 

[jaguarskx]

Actually, Fudzilla has interesting answer to this- and I think we can believe them-
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1422&Itemid=40

Two heavily overclocked 8500gt's in SLI = One 8600gt at stock.
Its just a shame of a card.

Just goes to show how silly SLI is (and XFire) is for econo and mainstream cards.