Best bang for the buck SLI setup right now. . .

Revivalist · Jul 5, 2007

So I'd like to change out my current SLI setup for a new one. I'm looking for the best bang for the buck. . . . . From what I see at NewEgg, I'm basically comparing the following

2 x 8800GTS 320MB (ECS) = 2x $265 = $530
2 x 8800GTS 640MB (MSI) = 2x $350 = $700
2 x 8800GTX (MSI) = 2x $490 = $980

Honestly, I can't see myself spending $1k just on video cards. I don't even really want to spend $700. So I'm leaning toward the the GTS 320MB cards. . . . But I was checking out the specs and reviews for these cards and it seems like at high resolutions the 320MB cards sometimes can't keep up like the 640MB cards. . . . My monitor only supports up to 1680x1250 so I don't know if the 640MB cards are unnecessary. . . Here are the reviews I've been checking out. . . .

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4716&s=5
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6173135/index.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/dis...p_11.html#sect1
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2945&p=7
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2953&p=8

http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html
http://users.erols.com/chare/video.htm

Oh, and just for background, I'm running a 22" widescreen and I'd like to be able to max out quality settings on basically any game (especially BF2). I'm also going to be switching over to a Opteron 185 that can do at least 3.0Gz on air.

Any comments are welcome.

keninishna · Jul 5, 2007

why go SLI right now? its pretty uneccesary unless your going to be playing in really high resolutions with things like AA on. Id say get a single gtx for now and go SLI later when prices on them drop. From the reviews ive seen an SLI gts 640 setup is only like 10 fps faster than a single gtx. You can also get a gtx fairly cheap now with this coupon http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=80568071&adid=17662 for 7% off + free shipping plus rebate brings a gtx under 500. I've also heard rumors that nvidia is going to drop thier prices in july.

Raptord · Jul 5, 2007

you can max out BF2 with just 1 of those cards, I'm maxing it out right now on my rig.

ChinStrap · Jul 5, 2007

It all depends on what you think a “playable” framerate is. I have 8800gts’s in SLi (the 640’s) and only now an I able to play COD2 @ 1440 x 900 maxed out with vsync on (75 Hz) – one card couldn’t do it and stay @ 75fps.

I love it too

wardog50 · Jul 5, 2007

ChinStrap said:
It all depends on what you think a “playable” framerate is. I have 8800gts’s in SLi (the 640’s) and only now an I able to play COD2 @ 1440 x 900 maxed out with vsync on (75 Hz) – one card couldn’t do it and stay @ 75fps.

I love it too

WOW is taht with DX9 or 7?

ChinStrap · Jul 5, 2007

9, 4xAA shadows real time lighting - everything set to max. vsync.

Revivalist · Jul 6, 2007

Ok, so I'm thinking that it's not worth buying two new cards to put in SLI (unless I'm willing to pay for the absolute best performance of 8800GTXs in SLI, which would only make a difference in benchmarks). . . .

So I'm thinking about waiting a while on the video upgrade. . . I have a second 7800GTX that has been out of a commission for a while. But I think I can fix it. . . . What do you guys think two 7800GTXs in SLI would be equivalent to? . . . Maybe a single 8800GTS 320MB? . . . Would that still allow me to play something like BF2 at full quality settings, 1600x1200?

smokie mcpott · Jul 6, 2007

if you are using a 22" widescreen your resolution should be set no higher than 1680x1050
2 78 gtx's should have no problems doing that

Raptord · Jul 6, 2007

Like I said, I'm doing that with 1 GTO. 2 7800's wont have any trouble.

AsusLover · Jul 6, 2007

right now i have a samsug 245BW and have a 8800gts 640 running it at 1920x1200 and it's running it like a champ, tho i will be picking up another GTS here shortly...but i'm running bf2 at about 60-80fps full everything

Best bang for the buck SLI setup right now. . .

Revivalist

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keninishna

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Raptord

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ChinStrap

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wardog50

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ChinStrap

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Revivalist

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smokie mcpott

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Raptord

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AsusLover

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