GTX260 enough for 1680x1050 monitor?

[gonesy]

HI all.....just a quick question. I have a Samsung 22" monitor that has a resalution of 1680x1050 and I want to get the best graphics card for gaming. I was running 2 x MSI 8800GTS 512mb (G92) graphics cards, the overclocked ones that run at 730mhz etc but have since replaced them with a single EVGA GTX260 896mb standard card. Although the benchmarks are lower in 3DMark03 they are higher in 3DMark06, if that makes any sense? The quality of the "picture" is better with the 260 than the 2 x 8800GTS's.

My question is have I done the right thing by changing to the single 260 or should I have stayed with the SLI setup? Is a 260 enough for my monitor or would a 275 or 280 be even better?

All advice gratefully received.

My specs are:

ASUS Striker II Formula 780i MOBO
EVGA GTX260
2 x 1GB OCZ 1066mhz dual channel ram
700watt PSU
E8600 CPU at 3.8GHZ
LG Blu-Ray/DVD RW
SONY DVD RW
2 x Maxtor 250GB HD

If I missed anything please ask, thanks

Brett

 

[chef7734]

Was not a bad option. You can always add a second one.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

It doesn't make sense that the GTX260 would have any benchmarks higher than 2x8800GTS.

Two 8800GT 512mbs are almost equal to a GTX280, and would dominate a single GTX260. And 8800GTS are better than a 8800GT.

Two 8800GTS's would be better than a GTX280, and leave a GTX260 in the dust.

 

[gonesy]

Ok thanks......what about if I add a second GTX260 how would that compare to the 8800GTS's in SLI? Is that a good option? Am I really going to notice any vast difference with a relatively low monitor resolutions of 1680 x 1050? Heck are 2 graphics cards of any description going to make any noticeable difference?

Brett

 

[gonesy]

Forgot to say, I was really looking to run just 1 card and not SLI, what would be the best single card for this display (1680 x 1050)......thanks again.

Brett

 

[baddad]

If you look at this chart it shows one 260 is faster then two 8800GTS http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Crysis-v1.21,Marque_fbrandx876,748.html. If you only want one card then you should go with a 285.

 

[gonesy]

So there are benchmarks showing a single 260 is better than 8800GTS in SLI contrary to BlueScreenDeath statement. I am wondering if the reason the graphics are better with the 260 is that it is equiped with more cores and a higher bit rate than the 2 8800's, would this be a fair assumption? A 285 would not be overkill for a 22" monitor? I have read some good reviews for the 275......any further thoughts or is it defernately the 285 I am looking at getting......thanks again.

Brett

 

[uncfan_2563]

So there are benchmarks showing a single 260 is better than 8800GTS in SLI contrary to BlueScreenDeath statement. I am wondering if the reason the graphics are better with the 260 is that it is equiped with more cores and a higher bit rate than the 2 8800's, would this be a fair assumption? A 285 would not be overkill for a 22" monitor? I have read some good reviews for the 275......any further thoughts or is it defernately the 285 I am looking at getting......thanks again.

Brett

22" isnt that small man. dont think everything is overkill, think about it like this. Max Settings + 60 FPS

 

[Bluescreendeath]

If you look at this chart it shows one 260 is faster then two 8800GTS http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Crysis-v1.21,Marque_fbrandx876,748.html. If you only want one card then you should go with a 285.

That chart is pure bull sh*t.

Look at the GPUs below, it shows a SINGLE GTX260 getting MORE fps than TWO GTX260s in SLi AND TWO GTX280s in SLi.

So there are benchmarks showing a single 260 is better than 8800GTS in SLI contrary to BlueScreenDeath statement.

The chart is wrong, my friend.

 

[gonesy]

Well its all very confusing, seems that benchmarks are not to be relied upon as some will say this is better and others will say that is better.....seems you can pull benchmarks up that can make want you want to look better. Anyway, benchmarks aside, I only want to run 1 GPU so what do you recommend for my display? Thanks.

Brett

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Best Bang for your buck for single GPU options:

~$160
ATI 4870 512mb or GTX260 192

~$200
ATI 4870 1GB or GTX260 216

~$250
ATI4890 or GTX275

 

[gonesy]

BlueScreenDeath, very greatfull for the input, you seem to be the guy that knows, but I have an Nvidia MOBO so ATI is not in my equitation. Looking at the Nvidia option what would you suggest? 275? thanks.

Brett

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Even if you have an Nvidia motherboard, you can still use an ATI graphics card I believe...and vice versa.

You just can't use Crossfire. So you should be fine with the 48x0 series.

If you want to go with Nvidia, I suggest you go with either a GTX260 now and upgrade when DX11 comes out (sell your GTX260), or just get a GTX275 now.

 

[geofelt]

Your GTX260 will give you very good gameplay at your resolution for most games, possibly excluding Crysis.
Read this article for some perspective:
http://www.guru3d.com/category/vga_charts/

Is better worth it to you?

 

[gonesy]

Ok thanks everyone, have now got GTX 260 (216) in SLI and can now run Crysis at 500fps!! NOT.........but I have got 2 GTX's