Is it better to have 1 great VCD or 2 good VCD's in SLI mode

[HouseDetective]

I am about to build a new system and I am trying to decide which is better: 1 really good video card, or 2 pretty good video cards in SLI mode. I'm trying to get the best performance for the money, so do I spend my VCD budget on a great card, or split the budget on 2 identical (but lower performing) cards, but use them in SLI mode to potentially get better graphics performance? This will be the first system build in a long time, so I'm not up to date on some of the new technologies (mostly SLI), so I just need a little advice. I have made a wish list on Newegg, and my budget is around $600. I am using my old case, sound card and DVD drive, but everything else will be new.

 

[rgeist554]

Read the SLI / Crossfire FAQ, found here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245454-33-crossfire-faqs

As a general rule, two lower performing cards will still lose out to one higher performing card. There are exceptions (depending on resolution, etc.), but basically 1 strong card > 2 weaker cards. SLI also works better at higher resolutions (1680x1050+).

Currently, the best affordable SLI options are two 8800GT (512MB) or two 8800GTS G92's. They offer great performance even into 30" LCD range (2560x1600 or whatever it is). *Crossfire options are two 3850's or two 3870's. There is also a single card, dual-GPU card, the 3870x2, but you don't need crossfire support to run it.

So, a few questions:

What is your monitor size?
What resolution do you play at?
How many displays do you use?
What games do you play?

****Also, if $600 is your budget for the entire system, throw the SLI idea out the window. It's just not smart on that kind of budget*****

 

[HouseDetective]

I have a 19" LCD monitor. Right now I have been playing at 1024X768, but on my system that is pushing it. I can play Crysis on my system, but it has some serious lag - I think I was playing at 800x600. I tried COD4 and Bioshock, but no luck. I just want to be able to play the newer games.

 

[MooseMuffin]

Go with 1 card. You'll probably save money, and you'll have far fewer compatibility problems.

 

[jnava121]

8800GT , 8800 GTS, 3870, 3870 x2 are good choices....

I would go with one really good card then maybe plan in your build for a possible crossfire or sli in the future . (get good power supply and dual 2.0 x16 PCI -E slots etc..))

Like if they come out with new cards in 6 to 12 months and these cards drop in prices you could pop in another one to squeeze some extra fps out...

 

[rgeist554]

I have a 19" LCD monitor. Right now I have been playing at 1024X768, but on my system that is pushing it. I can play Crysis on my system, but it has some serious lag - I think I was playing at 800x600. I tried COD4 and Bioshock, but no luck. I just want to be able to play the newer games.

Don't SLI at that res, it will be a complete waste. Just get a single 3870 or 8800GT (512MB). That will run COD4 & Bioshock at max settings w/ no FPS lag. Crysis is tough for any card, but the 8800GT (and the 3870 w/ new drivers) will run it at probably high settings with a smooth frame rate.

 

[pauldh]

Already covered quite well I'll just add my vote to what these guys said.

If $600 is your total upgrade budget, forget dual cards. (As has been mentioned) For SLI you want a bigger budget and dual 8800GT or gts 512MB cards. For crossfire, you want dual HD3850 or 2900 pro anyway. Anything less than that, you will find a single card doing better for the same price. Also if you consider crossfire 3870 now, think about a single 3870x2 instead.

Basically, at $600 total, you are looking at $125-250 at best for video. And a single HD2900 pro, HD3850, HD3870, or 8800GT is going to be the best place to put that budget. If you have a bit more money, then the 512MB 8800GTS enters the picture at about $300 less a rebate. $300 and up, then you can think about crossfire HD3850, HD3870x2, or SLI 8800GT.