Dual 8800GTS v single GTX260

[myststix]

I was considering this...it's a Sparkle GTX260 over at the Egg..to replace my pair of 8800GTS's (rig in sig)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187074

I have a couple questions if anyone could help..

First, I am running COD4, COD5, and soon (COD6), America's Army 2 & 3, Rainbow Six, etc with my current setup at max or near-max settings and getting excellent performance. I have SLI and Physix enabled. 40-60fps+ depending on game..

So...the two main reasons I was considering upgrading it is the increased shader counts (for CUDA) and possibly decreased power consumption (I am running a Corsair 550 watter).

I am running 640MB x2 total 1280 texture memory, I would be to 896MB, 384MB less of texture memory. Would I notice given the increased shader units and core/memory speed?

Budget in mind ($165) any Nvidia alternatives available?

If anyone has any experience with Sparkle video cards that would be good too..

[Special7]

Just an fyi, SLi does not double your texture memory, it is mirrored so you still have 640mb of total texture memory, either way a 260 would spank your GTS's.

[mxthunder]

If you want an Nvidia card, and $165 is your budget, then that is the card for you. Since you have the traditional gts's, I think the 260 would be a great upgrade for you.