hi i have a 22 inch monitor i want to run max resolution of 1680x1050 and im building a comp soon with an 8800gts but im not sure whether i want to go for the 780i motherboard and add another gts or sli something later on or just go for a single card motherboard, if so what one would be a good choice, thanks

i have to bite my touge admitt for the first time - that sli is good

go with 2 9600GTs
or 2 8800GTS

I currently have an 8800GT powering a 24" @ 1920x1200 and for me it seems to do the trick(EVE online(not to hard on it, floats around 80-100FPS max, Used to play Hellgate London(Graphics heavy, average outside 30's, inside was 80+ with everything maxed in DX9, would hiccup when super heavy effects/mobs crowded the screen but handled well). Unfortunately I don't have any of your specific game benchies to give you an Idea, but I believe a single 8800GTS will do just fine. Of course If you have the money, then thats another story. As with most things money is the deciding factor, I believe however the only thing a Single 8800GTS cant handle at 1680 would be crysis, everything else however would do well, if you plan on keeping high end graphics for the next 2~3 years you should go SLI. I just slowly start to decrease the game settings as the years pass until it gets to the threshold of getting a whole new rig.

On that res two GTS's would most likely be a little wasted. a pair of GT's however are superb at 1680x1050.

I say do what fits your budget. I have a 22" LCD and a single 8800GTS OCed runs everything I could ever want it to run. I run COD4 maxed out and get 60FPS. World In Conflicted with everything maxed exept AAx4 and AFx4. IF you want an awesome SLI build 2 9600GT's will whoop an ULTRA. I think any solution you pick will be a good one if you keep within your budget. Just don't get a quad core CPU and then not have enough for a good Graphics solution.

Whats your current list of parts and budget?

my budget is 1700 US have 4gb g.skill ram, 780i motherboard, 8800gts but plan on SLI'ing them if its the smart choice, q6600 g0, coolermaster cosmos case, not sure what OS to use either, arctic cooler cpu fan, pc power and cooling 710w power supply

Really?
For most people Xfire or SLI is just for bragging so "why" is it a good idea for him and his set up "this time"?

Great choices. The 8800GTS is an awesome card. it will be great cause you can always toss another one in there if you need it with that mobo and PSU they will both handle it like a champ. The only thing I can comment on is the CPU. Do you really need a Quad? the Q6600 is old tech on a 266MHz bus. The e8400 would do so much better in games and such, and it uses the newer 333MHZ bus on a 45nm chip instead of 65nm. You have all that new tech so don't end up with an old CPU.

hmm about the proccessor, i kind of want a quad core because of futureproofing, i thought the new q6600 g0 edition is a really good choice

Just for bragging? Not any more it's not. Why two cards? In this GPU demanding level of crysis, would you rather be at 16 fps or 29 fps? Although at 29 fps it's hardly something to brag about, I tend to enjoy playable framerates and keep SLI enabled.



I would still say he should start with one GTS and add a second if desired. But at least buy an SLI mobo in case.

Good point. But right now the 8400 is a better gaming processor....unless you overclock the crap out the quad.
By the time there are enough games that can really make use of the quad core, and truely justify having it sitting on your motherboard, it will be old news and you can buy something that will smoke it for probably about the same money.
I am talking about gaming here, if you use Photoshop, Indesign, read email, surf the web, rip mp3's and run through Oblivian all at the same time, maybe you do need the quad.

The thing is, in real gaming, not 3dmarks or 800x600 low scaling tests, where is the e8400 going to outgame the Q6600? Even 3.6GHz e8400 vs 3.0GHz Q6600, what games will there be a noticeable difference? Priced similar as is common now, I'd take the Q6600 myself for other tasks and future proofing. Price $70 apart, I'd want the e8400.

dual 8800GTS out run the new 9800GX2 - new driver may or may not change this

dual 9600GT's give the 8800GTS and a run


if you can get a similar performance then you can buy one card and add one later - this is great advantage - you can wait and see what comes out or if the 9800GX2 is worth it

lets say you want a 9800GTX - you can get the 8800GTS and know you can get similar or better performance. later you can sell your gts and get the gx2 or add a gts or not add anything

not waiting for 9800GX2 but get the same performance

same with the 9600GT

your going to get an 8800GTS next month or 2

heck get the 9600GT now then you can add 2 or trade up or ebay - 4 options

intel mobos are getting better and better and ati cards are 2 - part of why nvidia stock went from 40 to 18 while intel went from 28 to 21.

ati and intel now a good alternate - i have posted this system a few times.

below system specs

cost: $4000

gpu costs: $900

3dmark06 score: 22,000+ with all back ground programs on, windows side bar up, 3 anti spyware programs - no tweeks.
score with crossfirex off - 18,000+

3dmark 06 cards not overclocked 20,500


3 gpu's are the sweets spot - the 3 card system will not be done until i am back in a few weeks




i post photos for people to see that i have done what i say, and to show people how i lay out stuff. so if you have any questions i be glad to help you. If you see them in multiple posts remember not everyone reads each post.

some zip ties are for shipping around cpu hsf and hold cables back - to be removed by owner