I think I am really missing out on SLi with my Nforce 650i Ultra Non-SLi, It would be much cheaper for me to upgrade to a good mobo with pci-e 2.0 and SLi technology and get 2 200 dollar video cards or less and SLi them be better then a 280gtx which would cost more anyway lol, and I upgraded my video for greatness as well as my motherboard!

What do you guys suggest My budget is like 700 bucks right now max for upgrades, I want a a new pci-e 2.0 motherboard with SLi and ddr2 800mhz support and for my duo core 2 3.0 ghz 1333mhz fsb cpu. What do u guys think? I was thinking this is a good upgrade option:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =A455-2808

that motherboard looks good to me, but I don't know if I should SLi the better 8800gts or maybe the 8800gts g92s?

Remember my budget is max like 700, any help please
Thanks!


And I don't think I need to necessarily upgrade my 650watt PSU right now either, I'm not like going to use like 2 gtx 280s that would need a serious PSU upgrade I was thinking like max 2 9800GTXs or something, but that would be max, maybe 2 8800gts or GTs, that would perform on par with that of the GTX 280, or better


thanks again!!

What card do you have now? Is your system stable? You may just want to consider a single HD4870 for $300 if it's a huge boost over what you have now. Save the other $400 toward a future system. What games do you play and what resolution do you game at?

I use SLI 8800GT on a 650i sli mobo and am very happy with what it offers. 750i mobos will perform like 780i with SLI 9800GTX or (GTS 512MB) so IMO they are a good choice if you do decide to go the SLI route. But again, already owning a decent non SLI mobo, makes you a good candidate for the HD4870.

well I have a crapped out not even working geforce 7950GT 512mb ddr3 now, I need a new video card whether I like it or not..

I currently have a 650i ultra mobo Without SLi, but I was willing to upgrade for PCI-e 2.0 and for SLi support for more future proofness and stuff like that.

I have a 650watt ANTEC PSU right now as well.

Taking that into mind, it actually costs alittle less then the GTX 280 and close to the 4870x2 on launch to get a new mbo 750i 2.0 pci-e supporting sli supporting mobo with 2 g92 8800gts or 9800gtx in it to SLi and those will outperform a gtx 280 and maybe the 4870x2. but I don't know?

thoughts? I am basically just pondering my options for now

currently running

e6850 duo core 2 3.0 ghz (I can OC to almost 4 ghz)
2gb pc6400 ddr2 800
windows xp pro
geforce 7950gt 512 (broken needs upgrade either way!)
650watt antec PSU

I wouldn't be too concerned about PCI-e 2.0. And I am all for SLI as yes two cheap 8800GT are pretty equal to a GTX280. Your PSU is probably fine too, especially if it's a True Power Trio 650W. I run an overclocked Q6600, 4 drives and two 8800GT on an antec TP3 550W. (41 amp 12 v).

But, keep this in mind. A single G92 or HD4850 would offer you more than twice the performance of your old card for $125-200. $300 gets you more performance with a HD 4870 or GTX260. If you go NVidia, you could always change mobos later and add a second card if one isn't enough. If you go with an HD4800 series, you could buy a crossfire capable mobo if/when one isn't enough.

I just see you already have a nice mobo, just need a new GPU. And $80 gets you alot more than a 7950GT now, so $130-300 for a new card may serve you well. If it were me I would decide Geforce or Radeon, buy it and use it in your system, and then upgrade to a SLI/crossfire mobo later if you desire.

The HD4850 is hard to beat for the money ($160ish) If you really want NV, the 8800GTS 512MB for $150 is a good single GPU option and not too expensive to turn into SLI if you want.

Hey buddy i recon that u wouldent get much more peformance than using a single 4850 im a huge nvidia fan but for the money u cant best the 4850 price/performance.

I want a higher end card then an 8800gts

4870

read my new thread

I currently SLI and love it.

BUT, I started with a SLI MB, and an 8800 GTX in the system. It was easy to add a second card later.

Paul is spot on- the 4850 is perfect if you have a 20" or less display, and the 4870 is good for 22" and larger displays.

Cheap and easy upgrade, and your psu is more than adequate.

yeah I have a 19' 17 displayable monitor, so I can Xfire 2 4850's? How would that perform? I heard the 4850 is like a 9800gtx already 1v1 like perform the same? What about Xfire?

The HD4850 is >= 9800GTX already, two would be above a GTX280 most of the time.

If you have a 19" 1280x1024 or 1440x900 monitor, I would start with one HD4850 for $170. But it's your money and it seems you are pretty set against sticking with your current motherboard despites it's overclocking abilities. That being the case, SLI 9800GTX or Crossfire HD4850 both outperform the GTX280 more often than not.

and 1 more question, my PSU is sufficient? And idk if I should wait for the 4870x2 or sli/xfire instead?

What is your exact power supply? The True Power trio 650W or Neopower 650W have 52 amps 12v and can easily power two HD4850, two 9800GTX, a single GTX280 or single HD4870.