2 7800 GT in SLI or 7800 GTX 512?

[ZombieJesus]

what gets you the most bang for your buck?

Are 2 7800 GT cards faster?

If so by about how much in most appz? 10%? 20%? Etc...

 

[Murd0ck]

Here

 

[GOREGRINDER]

7800 single and SLI F.E.A.R. comparison 1280x960 4xAA 16xAF

you can kind of see where they stand with things cranked up in a gpu demanding game

 

[deadseasquirrel]

The SLI GTs will be, on average, about 10% faster than the 512GTX at 16x12 4x/8x. Since the GTs are priced MUCH more aggressively, they are the best bang for buck. The 512GTX is $700+ and out of stock just about everywhere. Whereas the GTs can be found for ~$300 each after rebates (or on FS/FT with no rebates). So they're $100+ cheaper and faster at most settings.

The trade-off is that you need an SLI capable motherboard, a good PSU (which, IMO, every system should have anyway), and sufficient cooling in order to run SLI properly. Having used SLI for the past 11 months, I'd have to say that those trade-offs amount to squat compared to the increased performance.

If/When the 512GTX drops to $550, they will be virtually equal from a price-performance equation. Otherwise, unless your monitor's native resolution is above 16x12, or if you just HAVE to play at 20x15, the SLI GTs is your best buy.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel
The SLI GTs will be, on average, about 10% faster than the 512GTX at 16x12 4x/8x. Since the GTs are priced MUCH more aggressively, they are the best bang for buck. The 512GTX is $700+ and out of stock just about everywhere. Whereas the GTs can be found for ~$300 each after rebates (or on FS/FT with no rebates). So they're $100+ cheaper and faster at most settings.

The trade-off is that you need an SLI capable motherboard, a good PSU (which, IMO, every system should have anyway), and sufficient cooling in order to run SLI properly. Having used SLI for the past 11 months, I'd have to say that those trade-offs amount to squat compared to the increased performance.

If/When the 512GTX drops to $550, they will be virtually equal from a price-performance equation. Otherwise, unless your monitor's native resolution is above 16x12, or if you just HAVE to play at 20x15, the SLI GTs is your best buy.

:thumbsup:

I'd even be so bold as to say 10-20% over the 512MB 7800GTX depending on the game. I picked up a pair of 7800GT's for ~$500 after selling the games that came with them. Much better value than $700 on a card that is slower in most cases.

 

[vikingblade]

ive heard that SLI does not help the minimum frame rates, only the max.. true??

Also, are there any problems associated with an SLI rig? Is it something a new computer builder can do easily?

 

[Powermoloch]

I'll prefer the 7800GT sli setup because:

1) save 100 bucks
2) you have 2 cards !
3) perform slightly better than the best 7800GTX right now
4) If one of the 7800GTs crapped out, you still have another one to use (while waiting for the other to be "replaced )

 

[w00t]

i'd just get the one has better frames in gaming uses less voltage than both cards and less heat gets dumped inside the case.

 

[vikingblade]

ive heard that SLI does not help the minimum frame rates, only the max.. true??

Also, are there any problems associated with an SLI rig? Is it something a new computer builder can do easily?

 

[darXoul]

I'd get one GTX 512 and add another one in a few months when prices drop a bit. This way, you will have a very good card now that can run everything in 12x10/4/8 in max settings and you'll be able to extend the life of this rig by adding another one for SLI. This is what I'm about to do. On the other hand, I've already found a couple of stores that sell GTs at very reasonable prices. Tempting...

 

[Cookie Monster]

Check out the intensive benchmarking of the 7800GTX 512mb by guru3d.

They manage to get 73 fps on quake4 on 16x12 8xS 16xAF!!!! and that was using AMD A64 4000.
Plus SC CT with 16x12 HDR 16xAF, and they scored 53 fps.

They cover HDTV stuff, widescreen gaming, noise, heat, SLi, benchmarks on numerous games, HDR etc. Pretty good review.

 

[GOREGRINDER]

Originally posted by: vikingblade
ive heard that SLI does not help the minimum frame rates, only the max.. true??

Also, are there any problems associated with an SLI rig? Is it something a new computer builder can do easily?

no its not true,most times the minimum sees the greatest improvemnet while the max sees the least improvement,..

and no theres not many probs that can arrise anymore,.....and i think so,..if you have any questions about SLi specifically,..you can always ask someone thats sporting it

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: vikingblade
ive heard that SLI does not help the minimum frame rates, only the max.. true??

Also, are there any problems associated with an SLI rig? Is it something a new computer builder can do easily?

SLI is really easy to setup. The only semi-hard part about it is profiles and 90-95% of games are working great with the pre-packaged ones.

Originally posted by: w00t
i'd just get the one has better frames in gaming uses less voltage than both cards and less heat gets dumped inside the case.

The last two might be true but your way out in left field with the first one.

 

[CP5670]

How much does SLI help with older games? I'm trying to decide between the same options (although I will wait a bit and see if the 512's price/availability becomes more reasonable) but in addition to new games I want to play somewhat older games at very high settings, something like 2048x1536 with 4xSSAA and 16x HQ AF, and get 60fps at all times. Some really old stuff like Unreal And Quake 3 appears on nvidia's official compatibility list (they actually become surprisingly video card dependent at settings like this, completely unplayable on my current card), but I haven't seen any benchmarks of SLI benefits in that stuff.

I think my current power supply should be sufficient for two GTs, which use only a little more power than a 512 GTX, but I'm not totally sure of that.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: CP5670
How much does SLI help with older games? I think my current power supply should be sufficient for two GTs, which use only a little more power than a 512 GTX, but I'm not totally sure of that.

Your OCZ 520 should be more than adequate for SLI. Just remember that you'll need 2 PCI-E connections from your PSU, or be able to use 2 4-pins with the adapter. Make sure you have enough available before you're ready to get it running.

As for older games, some of them might not take full advantage of SLI. Generally, though, these older games did not offer 20x15 resolutions, and they would likely run maxed out with even a single 7800GT. In those cases, enable the SLI AA mode. This will work on any game and ensure that you're not having a card sit idle.