Replacing 2 GeForce 8800 gtx slli

[Pinkster0011]

I'm trying to replace2 Geforce gtx's cards running in SLI with a single card solution. Trying to get something with comparable performance. I'm also upgrading the rest of my system, going with quad-core cpu and pci-e 2.0 mobo so compatability is not an issue. What would be my best bet. I have around $200-$400 to spend on a new vid card.

Also my 2 8800 gtx were running pretty hot in my previous system 65-80c, i'm guessing it was due to the proximity of the cards in sli. I'm hoping to get the temp down too, but prefere not to go water cooled. Any suggetsions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JofaMang]

Well, you have a few options. I am loathe to suggest any nvidia products atm, as they are still out of whack price wise, especially considering their dx11 competition. Right now, I don't see another choice other than ATI. Of course, if your Mobo doesn't support Xfire, then see the crossfire suggestions as "future" for when you build a new system.

400 will get you into a single 5870. That level of performance is pretty easy to enjoy, and will definitely kick around SLi 8800GTX. This will also leave you open to spending another 400 (tho probably less by then) on another card for crossfire in the future. Topshelf set-up, but top-shelf pricing, and would require extra attention to case fans, wire management, and of course, the strength of your PSU.

260 will get you a single 5850, while slower than the 5870, it isn't by much, and much of the above applies to the 5850, but with smaller numbers. 2 x 5850s will also greatly outperform your current sli setup.

160 will get a 5770, 320 for 2. This is a card that outperforms the original 4xxx flagship, the 4870. It should outperform your current set-up with a single card, though not by much. Xfire is where the 5770s start showing their strength, with very very efficient Xfire scaling (near or about 100% much of the time.)

I am planning on a build shortly before or after christmas, and I was originally planning on crossfiring 5850s, but have since been enticed by the positive reviews and efficiency of the 5770s. I am considering building a triple xfire rig with the 5770s, it won't be as powerful as 2x5850, but it will be close, and it will be cheaper, allowing me some extra budget on the rest of the rig.

 

[Mousemonkey]

the original 4xxx flagship, the 4870.

Surely the 4890 would have been the former flagship.

 

[JofaMang]

Nope, it was released far after the launch of the cards, and became the second flagship of the 4xxx line. The original 4xxx flagship was indeed, the 4870.

Semantics, true.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Nope, it was released far after the launch of the cards, and became the second flagship of the 4xxx line. The original 4xxx flagship was indeed, the 4870.

Semantics, true.

The same could be said of the GTX295 and 285, it isn't but it could.

 

[JofaMang]

Right now, the 5870 is the flagship of the 5xxx series, and in 6 months, it will be the original flagship of the 5xxx series, its not complex. It isn't a statement of value, or even worth picking apart, really.

Correct, and until someone does, it will have to exist out in a myriad of possible variations in amongst the multi-verse. Now, the technical differences in such a comparison (4870>4890 compared to 285>295) could really bring out some nerd rage, if cultivated properly. Perhaps you meant 280>285?

 

[Mousemonkey]

Right now, the 5870 is the flagship of the 5xxx series, and in 6 months, it will be the original flagship of the 5xxx series, its not complex. It isn't a statement of value, or even worth picking apart, really.

Correct, and until someone does, it will have to exist out in a myriad of possible variations in amongst the multi-verse. Now, the technical differences in such a comparison (4870>4890 compared to 285>295) could really bring out some nerd rage, if cultivated properly. Perhaps you meant 280>285?

No. I said what I meant and you picked up on it, the GTX280 nary gets a mention these days because the 285 and 295 are the ones put in the firing line all the time.

 

[JofaMang]

Yeah, i got your intent, just poking fun at the discussion we are having. If it matters, I do consider the 280 the original g200 flagship~

 

[Pinkster0011]

Well, you have a few options. I am loathe to suggest any nvidia products atm, as they are still out of whack price wise, especially considering their dx11 competition. Right now, I don't see another choice other than ATI. Of course, if your Mobo doesn't support Xfire, then see the crossfire suggestions as "future" for when you build a new system.

400 will get you into a single 5870. That level of performance is pretty easy to enjoy, and will definitely kick around SLi 8800GTX. This will also leave you open to spending another 400 (tho probably less by then) on another card for crossfire in the future. Topshelf set-up, but top-shelf pricing, and would require extra attention to case fans, wire management, and of course, the strength of your PSU.

260 will get you a single 5850, while slower than the 5870, it isn't by much, and much of the above applies to the 5850, but with smaller numbers. 2 x 5850s will also greatly outperform your current sli setup.

160 will get a 5770, 320 for 2. This is a card that outperforms the original 4xxx flagship, the 4870. It should outperform your current set-up with a single card, though not by much. Xfire is where the 5770s start showing their strength, with very very efficient Xfire scaling (near or about 100% much of the time.)

I am planning on a build shortly before or after christmas, and I was originally planning on crossfiring 5850s, but have since been enticed by the positive reviews and efficiency of the 5770s. I am considering building a triple xfire rig with the 5770s, it won't be as powerful as 2x5850, but it will be close, and it will be cheaper, allowing me some extra budget on the rest of the rig.

Cool thanks for the quick respone and the great info. I've been a nvidia user for the last couple years but i've been also hearing the the xfire works far better then sli in multi-gpu set ups. Do you have some benchmarks to confirm that those ati solutions are indeed better then the 2xGeforce 8800 gtx sli set-up?

 

[Mousemonkey]

Yeah, i got your intent, just poking fun at the discussion we are having. If it matters, I do consider the 280 the original g200 flagship~

Back on topic (sort of), I feel for the OP as it looks like my hope of getting a pair of 275's to replace my 8800GT's is going to remain unfulfilled as they still cost more than I want to pay and that does not look to be changing any time soon.

 

[JofaMang]

I couldn't find any direct comparisons between 8800gt sli and the 5xxx series, but relativity should help compare the graphical prowess of each setup.

By most people, a 4870 1gb is comparable to SLi 8800gt, with the edge going to the sli setup. A pair of 4870s in crossfire is widely acknowledged as far more powerful than 8800gt sli, and about 70% scaling efficiency over a single 4870. CF 4870 = about 170% of the power a single 4870, itself a close contender to 8800gt sli.

There is a slight edge Crossfiring separate 4870s over a single card 4870x2, so for the sake of this discussion, I think the difference is negligible. Using the charts available on Tom's, You can draw a direct comparison between 4870x2 benchmarks and 8800gt sli:

tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/compare,1538.html?prod[2832]=on&prod[2861]=on

There have also been big reviews of the 5870/50 (with beta drivers, more performance will come with each driver update, if the 4xxx series is any indication on driver maturation) here on toms, benchmarked specifically against the 4870x2:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5870,2422.html

You can decide for yourself if the price is worth the jump in performance.

Edited for broken link on comparison chart.

 

[Pinkster0011]

I couldn't find any direct comparisons between 8800gt sli and the 5xxx series, but relativity should help compare the graphical prowess of each setup.

By most people, a 4870 1gb is comparable to SLi 8800gt, with the edge going to the sli setup. A pair of 4870s in crossfire is widely acknowledged as far more powerful than 8800gt sli, and about 70% scaling efficiency over a single 4870. CF 4870 = about 170% of the power a single 4870, itself a close contender to 8800gt sli.

There is a slight edge Crossfiring separate 4870s over a single card 4870x2, so for the sake of this discussion, I think the difference is negligible. Using the charts available on Tom's, You can draw a direct comparison between 4870x2 benchmarks and 8800gt sli:

tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/compare,1538.html?prod[2832]=on&prod[2861]=on

There have also been big reviews of the 5870/50 (with beta drivers, more performance will come with each driver update, if the 4xxx series is any indication on driver maturation) here on toms, benchmarked specifically against the 4870x2:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5870,2422.html

You can decide for yourself if the price is worth the jump in performance.

Edited for broken link on comparison chart.

Well thanks for all the info, looks like 5870 it is. It's looks like it has everything that i need. Single card performance with the possibility of future upgrades in xfire. New technology in the form of DX11 which should make it usuable for more then a month