To SLI or not?

[Rhodan]

I'm planning a new build shortly that will look something like this:

CPU: Core i5 760
RAM: 8gb Corsair
Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro
PSU: Corsair 650w
Monitor: Dell U2311H

I plan to game at native 1920 x 1080p resolution, with max settings in most games (STALKER's, Crysis etc.).

So now the last thing I need to decide on is the GPU setup. I was thinking of going with SLI GTX 460's but I keep seeing posts by people saying don't do SLI because of problems, rather get a single powerful GPU. However, I don't want something that is going to be noisy and hot (GTX 480).

I'd appreciate your advice, especially those of you that have GTX 460's in SLI, what is your experience?

 

[Rhodan]

Days from "launch", but probably a month or more away from actually being able to buy it, or one that would be worth buying anyway (6970?).

Anyway, if we could stay on topic and not speculate I would appreciate it.

 

[Rhodan]

Micro stutter?

 

[Rhodan]

So the general consensus is to go with a single GPU?

 

[Rhodan]

I don't have any favourites, whatever gives me best bang for my buck.

Are the 6970's supposed to be available soon as well?

 

[Rhodan]

Thanks for the awesome reply, still haven't decided what to do though

I'm not bothered between the price difference of the GTX 460 SLI vs 5870 (I'm going for one or the other). I just don't want to spend that amount of money and have "issues" with games not working properly, or having to fiddle with settings to have stuff work.

 

[Rhodan]

Sheesh this is turning into an informative thread Thanks for the all replies.

I've decided to go with a single GPU. I'm only placing the order on 1st Nov, so may get one of the 6000 series if they will be available by then or shortly after. The shop I am buying from has the following in stock:

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5870 Vapor-X 1GB
HIS ATI HD5870 iCooler V 1GB
MSI ATI HD5870 Lightning 1GB

I'd appreciate some replies from people who own one of these and can recommend it? I'm thinking about cool and quiet!

 

[Rhodan]

@ arc@css ... thanks but any specific reason why that one, and I'm not talking about price or the "free" games?

 

[Rhodan]

I've gone down the SLi route a couple of times, it's good but I'd still rather have a single great card than a couple of average ones.
Plenty of horsepower with minimum fuss = more time playing games instead of messing around with SLi/CF profiles, drivers etc etc.

This is basically why I started this thread, to hear more about what issue's I might encounter.

Hey Rhodan,

as your not buying your graphic solution for a while yet I think you have time to get some homework done and weigh up all the pro's and con's . . . your in a good place right now to be considering your GPU options

I haven't heard from many GTX 460 SLI owners in this thread which is disappointing considering how many times they are quoted in build specs. I want to hear about your experiences!

 

[Rhodan]

A 5870 would be better (quieter, cooler, slighty better performance) than a 470 right?

 

[Rhodan]

Any idea when the 6900 series will be in shops?