single card or sli/xfire

[spark123]

Hi guys,

I am thinking of building my first pc and considering what combo of gpu to go for. I have a budget of 400 pounds on the graphics and not sure whether to go for a single card or sli/xfire. could you give me some advice and specify some combinations please? thanks a lot

 

[ishoeyi]

Single!

 

[spark123]

thanks first. And what combo would you suggest and why then you are using 2 gpus

 

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

Get the most expensive one you can afford now....... then get another in a few months when you've got some more cash.

The driver and microstutter issues with multi gpu setups are greatly over exaggerated. I play over a dozen games with mine and rarely come across any issues. Every time I have had bugs or problems caused by crossfire, it's been fixed within a couple of weeks either with game patches or new drivers.

 

[GJ02]

I would suggest what jimbob said
2 cards in sli or xfire can have it's issues,
I would get the card that it best for the total of your budget

470 in sli would be a very very good option if you get the right cards ( non ref coolers )
480 sli isn't an option really

If your looking to buy now, I, along with a lot of others can very highly recommend 580

 

[spark123]

Thanks, guys. and in terms of gtx470. what do you mean by non ref cooloers. Which model would you suggest in this case? Thanks

 

[spark123]

and do you think 6870 is a good bet too? Thanks

 

[Marine-RX179]

Thanks, guys. and in terms of gtx470. what do you mean by non ref cooloers. Which model would you suggest in this case?

Reference cooler can be loud. If you are getting GTX470, get this before this week's offer end on Wednesday:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-104-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1810

If you are not overclocking the card, then 6870 is probably better than the GTX470 as while both are similar in speed, the 6870 has lower power consumption; but if you are overclocking the card, then GTX470 over the 6870 anytime. Average overclock on 6870 would put it at 5870 speed, whereas the GTX470 average overclock will put it at GTX480 speed and beyond.

 

[judmann]

i say single card because of heat issue.
i once had 4890 in CF and i think 1 card melted the other in the end,but i did have them side by side if you can have a 1 or 2 slots between them then maybe they would be cooler.

 

[Scon]

Reference cooler can be loud. If you are getting GTX470, get this before this week's offer end on Wednesday:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-104-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1810

If you are not overclocking the card, then 6870 is probably better than the GTX470 as while both are similar in speed, the 6870 has lower power consumption; but if you are overclocking the card, then GTX470 over the 6870 anytime. Average overclock on 6870 would put it at 5870 speed, whereas the GTX470 average overclock will put it at GTX480 speed and beyond.

Spot on there!

But with your budget if you can stretch just that extra £10 then you can get the fastest NV card that's going to be coming out for a while now (Unless they bring out a dual card) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-145-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1812 this basically a GTX 485 as it's what the 480 should have been.