Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Should I run 2x 8800gt's in SLi or get a better single card?

Should I run 2x 8800gt's in SLi or get a better single card?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Should I run 2x 8800gt's in SLi or get a better single card?

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Coreone   09-03-2008 at 06:34:48 AM

I already have 1 8800gt, so should I look at getting a second to run in SLi or should I wait and get a better single card like a gtx260 or HD4870? I'm curious as to which setup would yeild better results. My system specs are in my sig.

Thanks in advance for any help.

------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Duo e8400 @ 3.0ghz | ASUS P5N-D nForce 750i SLi | Zotac 8800gt 512mb | 4gb (4x1gb) Patriot Extreme Performance PC2-6400 (5-5-5-12) | 320gb HDD | Antec Earthwatts 650w PSU | Raidmax Smilodon Case | Windows Vista Home Premium x64 | Samsung T220
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Yuka   09-03-2008 at 06:50:03 AM
- 0 +

2 questions for yourself:

 

- Do you care about DX10.1?

 

- Do you care to spend a LOT of money for the bigger card?

 

I'd say go for the 2nd 8800GT: Cheaper than ever and still giving good performance.

 

Now, i don't know much about nVidias cards, so i don't know if your PSU would hold up with 2 8800GTs. If it can't, then see if going for a GTX260 costs more than the 8800GT + what-ever-watts-you-need PSU. (added)

 

On a side note: I have a friend with a rig close to yours (already 2x8800GTs and 900W PSU) and i can tell you it's a fine machine.

 

Esop!

 

EDIT: Added idea that came up.


Message edited by Yuka on 09-03-2008 at 06:53:46 AM
Reply to Yuka
Maziar   09-03-2008 at 07:24:38 AM
- 0 +

What resolution do u play at?

------------------------------ Q6600@3.4+ TT V1 Cooler,SAPPHIRE HD 4870X2,ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA,4GB OCZ DDR2 800,LG W2452V 1920x1200
 Reply to Maziar
doomsdaydave11   09-03-2008 at 07:32:16 AM
- 0 +

A quality Earthwatt 650-watts power supply should be enough to power 2 GTX260's in reality. I would definitely go for the second 8800GT, though, only if you're playing at 1680x1050+ resolutions... anything below that would be a waste.

------------------------------ E8400 3.6Ghz | 4GB DDR2-800 | HD4870 | 780GB HDD Space | VX550W | WinXP | Win7-64 | Ubuntu Studio 8.10

 

Reply to doomsdaydave11

megamanx00   09-03-2008 at 07:35:31 AM
- 0 +

Go for the second card. It's alot cheaper and the drivers for multi card setups has been improving. If you can afford it a 260 would be nice, after all a faster single card solution is usually better than dual card setup. Going SLi means there may be a few games you want to play that prefer a faster single card, like a 4870 or 260, but by and large you'll get good SLi performance out of the more popular games. Check the charts here and on guru 3d to see if dual 8800 GTs will perform well in the games you care about.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
Hatman   09-03-2008 at 11:38:18 AM
- 0 +

Id go for a second 8800GT. Beats out any single card pretty much with exception of dual gpu cards.

------------------------------ Na na na na na na na na HATMAN!
 Reply to Hatman
Noya   09-03-2008 at 12:35:21 PM
- 1 +

A. You already have an SLi mobo
B. You have a 22" 1680x1050 monitor
C. You have a competent enough PSU
D. 8800GT's can be had for $99 with a rebate now
E. Why are you even asking this question?

Reply to Noya
annisman   09-03-2008 at 12:47:13 PM
- 0 +

Great points, just buy the card M8.

------------------------------ Core i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz - Asus P6T - 12GB Corsair XMS 3 - 2X ATI 58701GB Crossfire- Zalman 850W - X-FI Fatality Gamer Pro - Xigmatek Thor's Hammer - Raptor X 150 - WD Black 1TB OCZ Vertex Turbo 120 GB SSD - Cosmos S Case w/side window + 8X 120mm fans
 Reply to annisman
mactronix   09-03-2008 at 03:13:13 PM
- 0 +


The second 8800GT is the way to go, i have seen reviews stating that a lot of people are doing this and the results are very good.

Mactronix

Reply to mactronix
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