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I need experienced opinions about what SLI cards to buy

Monkman

Monkman

Monkman

Associate
Joined
23 Jul 2006
Posts
17
Hi chaps, im looking to build a new rig, i've got most parts on my list sorted out but I am in two minds what to do about the graphics side of things and am kinda stuck on what to get...there are 2 options I have kinda narrowed it down to...

1, 2 x Palit 9600gt 512mb or 1gb Sonic (OC) (around £210+ for both cards)

2, 1 x 8800GTX (Around the £200+ mark) but possibly get another 8800gtx to go SLI a month or two later..

Ok the 9600gt in SLI has had some good reviews (from what I can find in magazines and online) and clocks some great FPS on Crysis, World in conflict etc.... and I am tempted to go for the SLI option with this card, as the price is excellant. Or do I go for an older card such as the 8800gtx.

I dont want to go for a 9800gtx as I've read a lot of bad reviews about this card saying it's not much better than a 8800! (or should I?)

I also dont want to pay £350-400 for a 9800gx2.

So anyone got any advice in what to do as I34 is only a few months away and I really want to **** all over my mates PC. lol (seriously I dont wanna spend £200+ on a card(s) and be kinda let down.)

Many thanks in advance by the way.
 
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The new cards will be out next month. It might be worth waiting if you can.
Also what is your rig at mo?
 
My advice would be to drop the idea of 9600 in SLI.

Why would you want to get caught with two cards that are outperformed by an imminent next-gen single card offering from ATI or Nvidia?

I bought a b-grade 8800GTS 512mb for £99 off OCUK today and sold my GTX for a decent sum pocketing the rest in expectation of some next gen goodness come June/July or whenever they're due.

Best strategy would be to buy a cheap single card to tide you over till the new stuff comes.
 
Guys that was a fast responce...thanx

Ok I will take your advice and wait for the new cards that are coming out and wait to see what happens to all the prices...as I dont have to get my new setup right this second, plus another month or two saving that extra bit of cash that increases my options...I just saw some rave reviews about the 9600gt's that kinda impressed me with them saying about how much bang, for little buck.

So I shall wait and most of my mates say that I shouldn't go for SLI but I do play the latetest games (which should support SLI???)

Anyways the reason I am upgrading is because my system is quiet old now.

Intel Core2Duo 6600 2.4 (conroe)
ATI Radeon x1900xtx 512mb
2GB Ram
300gb & 200gb Sata HDD's
20" Samsung 205BW TFT
Windows XP
ConroeXFire - Esata2 M/board
 
ash_scotland88 said:
sli kinda pointless at those rez, some poeple say anything and including below 24" sli is pointless.
Click to expand...

Quoted for Truth - sli and crossfire isnt *really* needed for anything below 24, i would say 24 and above would benefit from sli or crossfire. on the subject of sli.... why go sli? its somewhat of a waste on the 2nd card as it doesnt exactly scale that well.

crossfire on the otherhand scales almost perfectly to give NEAR double performace when adding the 2nd card.

im on 2560x1600 which is just under DOUBLE the size of a 24" res so needed the 2nd card to keep up with the extra res.

so ive waffled on a bit but to conclude.. do what these guys say and get a single card soultion and wait for the new gen stuff to come out.

StevenG
 
wouldn't one 8800GTX come very close to 2 9600gt's, thou i would get a cheap good performance card and wait untill Nvidia relsease new cards
 
I agree it is worth seeing what cards are around the corner but in general i think people are too eager to put others off sli. yes it doesn't scale that well (although in my experience latest drivers are pretty good) but this message board is for enthusiasts and messing about to get the best performance out of sli can be interesting, particularly when you consider you have to deal with an nvidia chipset all the inherent challenges of that. Basically if you enjoy a challenge and some hassle sli can provide! I have no regrets! Well may be i will when the new cards come out.:p
 
Ok thanks for all the comments....a few things to think about then there. Guess the 20" TFT limits the maximum resolution of a card and maybe the single card option is the better more hassle free route.

So there is no immediate need to upgrade right this second, so I think i will hold fire, wait a month or two and save like buggery and then buy the components for a killer system then.

Well hope you all enjoy what's left of the Bank Holiday weekend. (Im working it bah!)

Thanks!
 
8800GTX > SLI 9600GT's until you whop up the details ect

expect to see up to 25% better performance with the 8800GTX until detail comes into it.

But anyway be sensible and wait, i got a feeling both next gen technology will be good. And nvidia will shove a 100 fps crysis full deatails card in Loadsa's mouth (JK ^^). ATI's R770 looks...as id say...very nice!
 
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