2xGTX260's or 1xGTX285?

[vari34]

I was looking at getting two GTX260's in SLI which is coming to around £300. But I can get a GTX285 for the same price, any suggestions on which to go for?

I was looking at 2 XFX GTX 260 896MB DDR3 216Core or one XFX GTX285 1GB DDR3...

 

[cmndr_andi]

You will get better performance from the 2 x 216s.

However, it will limit future Graphics expansion and draw more power.

In my opinion, the 260s are the best bet. Though you could get a ATI HD 4870X2 for around that price if you want the 2nd fastest single card solution.

 

[jak731]

i would look at what res your monitor can go up to first, then i would look at the rest of your system to find out is
a) your MB SLi compatible?
b) can your PSU support 2x GTX260?
c) will the rest of your system hold you back at all?

 

[vari34]

It's going to be a i7 build with a P6T Deluxe and a 1000w PSU. I'm planning on getting a new monitor so not sure on the res yet, but will likely be 20" widescreen samsung...Dunno what the max res will be?


EDIT - Full spec below -

Asus P6T Deluxe
Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366)
XFX GTX 260 896MB DDR3 216Core or 2 ? maybe
Coolermaster HAF 932
Asus Xonar D2
Xilence Red Wing 120mm
Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus Black Multi Fan Controller
OCZ Gold 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 2000MHz PC3-16000C10 Low-Voltage Triple Channel (OCZ3G2000LV6GK)
Asus Triton 88 Quiet CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/LGA775/LGA1366)
Samsung SpinPoint F1
Samsung SM2033SW 20"TFT Monitor
Coolermaster 1000W RealPower Modular PSU
Sony BDU-X10S Blu-Ray

 

[jak731]

my choice will be GTX260 or 4870 1GB and get a 22 or 24" monitor with that pc.

 

[vari34]

my choice will be GTX260 or 4870 1GB and get a 22 or 24" monitor with that pc.

Yea just go with one card and up to a better monitor? Sounds like a good idea actually...Had a quick look for a 24" that goes up to 1920x1080 res, would the single 260 be enough for some decent gaming at that res? I would probably be able to add another 260 in a couple of months.

 

[reflux]

A 260 at 1920 handles things pretty well. There's the odd bit of slowdown in games when you have the detail settings absolutely maxed (ie 16xAA, Crysis aside) but I'm quite pleased with mine. I still might get a second though

 

[jak731]

unless you want full AA&AF with 100+FPS minimum (unless capped) from every game you play, then you should get a decent gaming experience out of a GTX260 and 24" monitor. you should be able to add another for SLi too.

 

[vari34]

Cool, thanks for the replies guys, I'll go with one 260 and bigger screen with the option to stick another in, in a little while.