3 different graphics card options... similar prices... what to do?

[icucmeuc]

Finally finishing up my PC I started building back around Christmas.

Motherboard will have a 780i chipset so SLI is available.

I was hoping the new 9 series cards would be something impressive but since they are not, I'm looking at the 8 series cards because of pricing.

I have around $400 for the graphics card(s)

They will be connected to a 1080P plasma 42" screen, so I'll be looking to run very high resolutions at all times.

Because of this, graphic memory is important.


8800 GTX for $290

1GB 8800GTS for $370

2x 1GB per card 8800GT for $380 total


Given the options above, what would you go for with graphics? All fall within my budget so they can all be considered the same price as far as I'm concerned. Anything saved is just money in my pocket and such money tends to fly away mysteriously never to be seen again on some foolish thing the next time I'm feeling impulsive ... so it may as well go towards the card(s) lol.

I'm leaning right now towards the 2x 8800 GT solution. Seems this will give me the best performance by far over the single 8800GTS or GTX?

 

[mihirkula]

2x8800GT certainly gives a better performance than a single GTS or GTX.

 

[Ycon]

GTX when you need to pull the 1080p,
2x GT for everything else.

If you ONLY play @ 1080p, you should still get the GTX since the G92s memory subsystem might not be sufficient to feed the cards.

 

[JuiceJones]

GTX when you need to pull the 1080p,
2x GT for everything else.

If you ONLY play @ 1080p, you should still get the GTX since the G92s memory subsystem might not be sufficient to feed the cards.

Um, in nearly every single benchmark you can find, two 8800GTs 512Mb bests a single 8800GTX at 1920x1200 by a fair margin. I've only really seen the G92s memory choke at ridiculous 30" 2560x1600 or whatever it may be with AA, in situations where a single GTX is unplayable anyway. 1080p is only 1920x1080.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_8800_gt_performance/page5.asp

Plus, add in the fact that you're getting 1Gb cards for the price of the 512s, and it becomes a no brainer.

The 1Gb 8800GTS is a definite no for the price: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gainward-bliss8800gts-1024.html

And the only remaining argument for the GTX is that adding a second one later would be give you a slight edge over the GTs. But screw that, it's horrible from a value and instant gratification standpoint.

 

[icucmeuc]

Decided on dual 8800GT 1gb. Thank you. Now if newegg would just get the Q9450 in stock so I can order all this stuff up!