2 X 256mb vs 1 X 512mb card

[bagman]

Hi there
I currently am running a 7800GTX (256mb) with an AMD 64 4000+ and 2gb of PC3200 RAM
I'm thinking of adding another 7800GTX to enable SLI.
My question (and it might sound overly simplistic to all of you) is would 2 X 256mB cards running in SLI mode be equiv to 1 X 512mb card ?
Another factor to consider is the single 512mb card would run in 16XPCIE whereas the 2 X 256mb cards would be stepped down to 8XPCIE.
Would that make any difference ??

cheers and many thanks for your advice

 

[speeduk]

2x256mb cards still have 256mb to render any one frame.

 

[easyrider]

I would sell the 7800 GTX and get a single card.
Either a x1900 or 7900 GTX.

BUt if you want to play with SLI go for it.But depending on the res you play you might not see much gain.

 

[bagman]

Thanks guys for your reply
I have a 19" LCD so screen res is 1280 x 1024
Do not intend to upgrade monitor any time soon
So it would seem a 512mb would be a waste of money ? i.e. would not see the true benefits of that card using the above screen res ?

My thinking was that using the 2 x 256mb cards in SLI would give me slightly better FPS over a single 256mb. Is my thinking wrong ??

cheers and thanks again

 

[easyrider]

At that res two 7800 GTX is sli is a waste.And I think you would be dissapointed for the outlay of the extra card.

sell the 7800 GTX and get a 512mb x1800 or 7900 GT and overclock the pants of it.

 

[speeduk]

Thanks guys for your reply

My thinking was that using the 2 x 256mb cards in SLI would give me slightly better FPS over a single 256mb. Is my thinking wrong ??

cheers and thanks again

You will see a nice boost in frames depending on the games you play. FEAR and Oblivion will show about 60% improvement and more so if you use AA and AF.

You could miss out on higher resolution textures in some games due to only 256mb of ram.

 

[bagman]

Once again, many thanks for replying.

So just to get this clear in my head..... based on the fact that I am not upgrading my 19" LCD anytime soon, a 512mb card would be a waste ??

2 x 256mb cards are going to give me higher FPS in most games, but not necessarily higher textures ??

So if I've read yu guys right, 2 x 256mb cards are better than 1 x 256mb card for an increase in FPS if I intend to remain in 1280 x 1024 ??

cheers and thanks for yur patience

 

[speeduk]

Once again, many thanks for replying.

So just to get this clear in my head..... based on the fact that I am not upgrading my 19" LCD anytime soon, a 512mb card would be a waste ??

2 x 256mb cards are going to give me higher FPS in most games, but not necessarily higher textures ??

So if I've read yu guys right, 2 x 256mb cards are better than 1 x 256mb card for an increase in FPS if I intend to remain in 1280 x 1024 ??

cheers and thanks for yur patience

Quake 4 and everquest 2 have an ultra high setting for 512mb cards. The textures look a little sharper thats all.

Like I said in games like FEAR and Oblivion, where you were getting 30fps (as an example) you could well be getting 45fps with an extra card.

In other games you may only see a slight increase in framerates due to the relatively low res of 1280x1024.

If this is the case - upgrade the CPU to balance out your system.

The only good single card that will be a good upgrade from a 7800GTX is either an x1900xt or a 7900GTX.

 

[bagman]

Thanks for yur advice speeduk

If this is the case - upgrade the CPU to balance out your system.


If I was to install another 7800GTX it would be with my present CPU which is a AMD 64 4000+.
In your opinion, would that combination ( AMD 4000+ and 2 X 256MB cards) work well ??

cheers

 

[trojan698]

Sell the 7800GTX. + The £200 or so you spend on a second card = x1900XT-X + £50

Advanced Algebra Lesson One.