8800 640mb GTS SLI vs. GTX 280/4870

I'm trying to decide what I should do for a computer update. I currently have an Intel Core2 Quad that I'm really happy with, but my video card is a single GeForce 8800 GTS 640mb which is beginning to feel dated.

Right now I'm going to have to update my motherboard no matter what (currently have a single PCI Express 1.0 x16 slot), but I'm wondering if I should go with a second 8800 GTS 640mb, or if I should go ahead and get a single GTX 280 or a 4870. I thought about the 4870x2, but I think it would actually be too big for my case.

Now, it would seem like the 8800 GTS is obviously the cheaper option, but I think I would probably need a new PSU with it as well, making the price a good bit higher. It would still probably come out cheaper than buying one of the high end cards, but not by a whole lot.

My main question is, performance wise, how much difference will I see in SLI'd 8800 GTS 640mb vs. a single GTX 280 or a 4870?

Thank you.

Dude, getting a 780i and the second 8800GTS is a good move, but since you *need* to change your MoBo i'd say get a X48 and a 4870.

You won't even have to get the second 4870 right away.

Now, that is a little more expensive than going the 780i + 8800GTS route, but is a better combo. Besides, you can still sell yout 8800GTS and get good money from it to make thing even.

Well, either option is a good one, since 2x8800GTS's won't fall back on anything out there right now and out perform a 4870/GTX260 easily.

Get the cheapest solution of those 2 and you'll be happy anyway

Esop!

EDIT: Chris also has a good point there, since single card solutions won't show too much of a difference in a PCIe 1.x or 2.0

What is your monitor resolution? A single 260 and the 4870 would be better in most games over 8800GTS in SLI.

Yes Stick with the MoBo you have unless you must upgrade the MoBo. Make your next motherboard a Nehalem board

Look at Toms GPU chart also.

The 260 core 216 is faster then the 260 and in sometimes then the 4870.

Either choice would be great.

1Haplo

No, SLI'd 8800 640's is not the best option here. SLI never scales like you'd hope for. Having 2 cards doesn't mean that you get twice the performance. You usually end up with 20-30% more performance. I very strongly second the gtx260 (original one).

8800gts 640's aren't comparable to a 9800gx2 because of the difference in their age. The gx2 has 2x g92 dies, and the 8800gts 640 uses an older g80 die. They have different amounts of ram, their memory busses are different. I'm sorry, but I think you're incorrect. I'm no expert though, just my $.02. If you can find benchies comparing a gts 640 sli to a 9800gx2 I'd be more than happy to be wrong.

edit: I just now saw you asking for benchies for my statement earlier, I don't have time for the research right now, but I don't mean any particular card. It's just common knowledge that sli doesn't give you much scaling at all. IMO, not worth the money.

edit again: http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inqu [...] b-does-sli sorry for the lame source, I said I didn't have time. Look at the 3dmark06 scores 9060 non sli, 12718 sli = 28.76% increase

Why would 3dmark06 double? There is a freaking CPU score!!!

Save your money and get a second 8800 gts. Liquid col them and overclock like mad. Then post your 3dmark score.

The difference between the 512MB and 640MB models are pretty huge. The second GTS is the 512MB version. The 512MB (G92) model whips the older G80 model.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 2079%5D=on

Take a look see.
And for those who "can't find benches" comparing that 640MB GTS, 512MB GTS, and GX2.... come on you guys. Hello? TomsHardware Charts.

I'm done arguing over the internet. The OP has my opinion, you guys have a nice evening.

OP - good luck.

Sorry I didn't give monitor size information, I'm sort of a newb at hardware specs, at least compared to people on this board. My monitor is 1680x1050. I currently have a Gigabyte G31MX-S2 mobo. http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Product [...] uctID=2605

It seems from the summed FPS benchmarks on Tom's my best option is either the 4870 or the 280. 280 is a little better, but also more expensive. Unfortunately the 4870 isn't so great for Crysis, which I actually enjoy. Hmm. . .

So, I won't have a problem running a single PCI Express 2.0 card through a
PCI express 1.x slot? Or I won't have much of one? Hmm. . . that would be helpful, not having to pay for a new mobo.

I have nothing about Tomshardware, but their benchmarks are... less than accurate.

Single 8800gts outpeforming gtx280 sli:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 4,759.html

You should really search for benchmarks from more reliable/consistant sites, like Techpowerup and Anandtech.