SLI older cards or one new better card for gaming?
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Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Recin
January 5, 2011 12:29:48 AM
Hi all!
I am looking at upgrading my current machine to better perform at gaming. I was thinking I could get away with a new motherboard, processor and a memory boost - but now I am concerned about the quality of my video cards. I am considering a AMD Phenom II X4 965 and ASUS M4N98TD EVO (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...) so I could SLI my 2 GeForce 8600+ cards.
My question - is it worth investing in hardware that will support my dual 8600+'s or is it better to just get one newer video card for gaming? If the latter, what it the best budget solution?
Thank you in advance!
I am looking at upgrading my current machine to better perform at gaming. I was thinking I could get away with a new motherboard, processor and a memory boost - but now I am concerned about the quality of my video cards. I am considering a AMD Phenom II X4 965 and ASUS M4N98TD EVO (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...) so I could SLI my 2 GeForce 8600+ cards.
My question - is it worth investing in hardware that will support my dual 8600+'s or is it better to just get one newer video card for gaming? If the latter, what it the best budget solution?
Thank you in advance!
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I remember when an old coworker of mine was so happy he was running an SLI setup. I asked about it, and he was using two 6600s. Not the GTs, but the normal base 6600. I laughed and said my single X1800xt was probably faster, but he was trying to tell me simply because he had two cards he's was. I told him to go home and double check, he was a bit upset the next time I saw him.
CF/SLI can be good, but using two junk cards doesn't make them better. You usually are better off getting just a single better one.
CF/SLI can be good, but using two junk cards doesn't make them better. You usually are better off getting just a single better one.
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Recin
January 5, 2011 3:27:28 AM
purple stank said:
^agreeYou would be better off putting that money twards a 460 or 6850.For budget go with the 460 but all this depends on your resoultion.
Whats your monitors resoultion?
Also what is the make and model of your power supply?
Power supply is Antec Earthwatts 430w Is that enough to power the new hardware components?
My monitor is a SyncMaster 930B - unclear on how to figure out resolution.
Below is the hardware I am now looking at for my new budget gaming system. I don't know at what point it makes sense to just get everything new, or replace specific parts. Do you have any advice?
-AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
-ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
-Video card either 460 or 6850
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Do you know how to change the monitors resoultion thru Windows?Click properties on desktop then go to display.
I looked up ur monitor and it says it's native is 1280x1024(since it's a 19'' i was tihnking it would be 1400x900)
Since that isn't a very demanding resoultion you could even buy a cheaper graphics card if you wanted to.
Your current PSU should be able to handle everything.I would think of upgrading it tho if you decide to sli/crossfire in the future.
I looked up ur monitor and it says it's native is 1280x1024(since it's a 19'' i was tihnking it would be 1400x900)
Since that isn't a very demanding resoultion you could even buy a cheaper graphics card if you wanted to.
Your current PSU should be able to handle everything.I would think of upgrading it tho if you decide to sli/crossfire in the future.
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mrjericho1991
January 5, 2011 7:41:39 AM
amk09
January 5, 2011 8:16:19 AM
Get one single better card. End of discussion.
Which one, now that will depend on your budget.
Low budget - Nvidia GTS 450/Radeon HD 5770 ~$100
Mid Budget - Nvidia GTX 460/Radeon HD 6850 ~$200
No budget - Nvidia GTX 570/Radeon HD 6970 ~$350/$380
GTX 580 is not worth the $500+ when compared to the 570/6970
Which one, now that will depend on your budget.
Low budget - Nvidia GTS 450/Radeon HD 5770 ~$100
Mid Budget - Nvidia GTX 460/Radeon HD 6850 ~$200
No budget - Nvidia GTX 570/Radeon HD 6970 ~$350/$380
GTX 580 is not worth the $500+ when compared to the 570/6970
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phenom90
January 5, 2011 8:51:54 AM
better get a new psu before upgrading your video card because 430 sounds too little for me... if you intend to last long i recommend you to not go lower than 600 watts for single card and 850 watts if you plan to do cf/sli.... a cheap but crap and expensive but high quality certainly makes a difference if you plan to use high end parts....
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phenom90
January 5, 2011 8:56:56 AM
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mrjericho1991
January 5, 2011 8:58:03 AM
Recin
January 5, 2011 1:04:23 PM
purple stank said:
If your budget is around the 4850 range i would say to get a 5770.They are considered equal to eachother in performance but the 5770 is around the same price and has DX11,it is also a little light on power than the 4850.Whats ur budget and what types of games are you/going to play?
For budget, I went into this thinking I could get away with just $300, but that doesn't seem like it is practical anymore. My new price range is $400-$500. Most processor and motherboard packages I am looking at already get me to ~$250.
I am looking at the upgrade because Intel dual core e4400 cant handle the new black ops game - even starcraft 2 is a little iffy. I would like to upgrade so that I can play new games coming out for the next year and a half to 2 years. Not looking for a power PC to hit the top resolutions, just something for casual play.
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You understand that cards like the 4850, the 250, and even the 5770 are becoming somewhat dated, and I would not consider any of them at any price for a new gaming build, even moderate gaming. Your old 8600, even when it first hit the shelves, was considered almost bottom of the barrel for gaming, not quite, but it never was a strong performer. 1 weak card +1 weak card in SLI or Crossfire nets you 2 weak cards that a single card a couple of tiers up the ladder would outperform, use less power, generate less heat, and not all games scale well in SLI or Crossfire on top of that.
One more vote for the 460 from me. It is simply a great value and strong performer. It will fit very nicely with the rest of your system.
One more vote for the 460 from me. It is simply a great value and strong performer. It will fit very nicely with the rest of your system.
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Recin
January 5, 2011 2:13:00 PM
Recin
January 5, 2011 2:40:37 PM
you should be able to run anything at that res, i also have a syncmaster at 1280x1024, i run a gts 450 and can run anything on there max settings thus far, with a gtx 460 or hd6850 you're giving yourself room to grow in resolution, i also move my rig and play on a 37" 1080p tv and while i can play some stuff like wow maxe don it other games fps drops drastically (well did before i sli'd 2x gts 450 anyway now its fine) a gtx 460 or hd 6850 would be fine for those resolutions in most games max settings.
so the questiong being are those cards overkill for your mionitor... probably... but do you plan on getting a new monitor before you get a new video card? if so gtx460 or hd6850 all the way
so the questiong being are those cards overkill for your mionitor... probably... but do you plan on getting a new monitor before you get a new video card? if so gtx460 or hd6850 all the way
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Recin
January 5, 2011 3:54:48 PM
Thanks again for everyones help!
So looking at the 460 cards, there are huge price differences and I dont know why.
For example, what it the difference between these two cards - except about $60? And will I really notice any difference playing games casually? I am looking at getting the top card.
EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
EVGA 01G-P3-1373-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
And then there is the Radeon model...
HIS H685F1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
So looking at the 460 cards, there are huge price differences and I dont know why.
For example, what it the difference between these two cards - except about $60? And will I really notice any difference playing games casually? I am looking at getting the top card.
EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
EVGA 01G-P3-1373-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
And then there is the Radeon model...
HIS H685F1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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amk09
January 5, 2011 10:33:37 PM
amk09
January 6, 2011 2:32:46 PM
Of course a 460 would give you more power, but you will be paying much more also.
If you are willing to pay the extra money, then by all means go for it and get a 460 1GB or a 6850.
But I want you to know that you will be very happy with the cheaper GTS 450 or a Radeon HD 5770, don't let their low prices fool you, they can game.
Also, your PSU is fine for now, you won't need to upgrade unless you plan on crossfiring or getting a very high power card.
If you are willing to pay the extra money, then by all means go for it and get a 460 1GB or a 6850.
But I want you to know that you will be very happy with the cheaper GTS 450 or a Radeon HD 5770, don't let their low prices fool you, they can game.
Also, your PSU is fine for now, you won't need to upgrade unless you plan on crossfiring or getting a very high power card.
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amk09
January 6, 2011 6:38:04 PM
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