2 GTX280s in SLI, worth it?

[GameRGeeK]

I Have read the threads and posts of people, but something kept bugging me. Is it worth it to have Dual GTX280s in SLI? I have a 24 inch NEC monitor, do i need a bigger monitor to take advantage of Dual GTX280s?

Most likely many would say its a waste right now, but is there still some benefit for having 2 over 1?

 

[taltamir]

well... for crysis it would help... for most anything else, marginally if at all. but if you can pay 1300$ for a pair of video cards + X$ for a massive PSU to drive them... you shouldn't have a problem getting a 30 inch monitor, right

 

[chizow]

If you're only gaming on a 1920x1200 I'd say no....I'm finding I'm once again able to max out frames @60 with everything turned on or enabling AA in newer games (similar to when I first got a GTS 640) with just a single GTX 280.

 

[trajan2050]

Gtx 280 is unrivalled at 2560. Below this there are many solutions.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/...0-oc-edition-review/13

The BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC is just is a top-notch product. We had no stability issues, had a breathtaking gaming experience and though I can write this last line way too long, let me keep it simple .. the BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC is a pure gaming nirvana.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: trajan2050
Gtx 280 is unrivalled at 2560. Below this there are many solutions.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/...0-oc-edition-review/13

The BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC is just is a top-notch product. We had no stability issues, had a breathtaking gaming experience and though I can write this last line way too long, let me keep it simple .. the BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC is a pure gaming nirvana.

....at only $50 to $100 over MSRP(more than likely)? Not worth it...

I'd just crossfire 4850's for the same gaming experience for less money.


**Edit**
OP, I think more information needs to be said, like what games you play, perhaps what PSU you have too as this could play factor too.

 

[extra]

I don't think there would be much point with that monitor. If you have the gobs of cash lying around though, I would imagine 2 gtx280's would keep your computer fast enough for any games that will be released in the foreseable future. But spend that cash first on a bigger screen I would think. Although if you are like me, you find 23-26" to be the perfect size for desktop use. Any bigger and you hafta turn your head side to side. Bad.

 

[Lonyo]

Not enough benefit to warrant the cost.
Buy one now, save your money and then buy a next gen single card in 12~24months time that outperforms your existing one.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: extra
I don't think there would be much point with that monitor. If you have the gobs of cash lying around though, I would imagine 2 gtx280's would keep your computer fast enough for any games that will be released in the foreseable future. But spend that cash first on a bigger screen I would think. Although if you are like me, you find 23-26" to be the perfect size for desktop use. Any bigger and you hafta turn your head side to side. Bad.

yea i guess your right, so the only realistic way to showoff Dual GTX280s power is to have a 30"inch monitor? i agree too that 30inch is kinda too big, but if it has to be that way with Dual GTX280s in SLI, then thats alot of money to be spent.

 

[Whitedog]

Originally posted by: extra
Although if you are like me, you find 23-26" to be the perfect size for desktop use. Any bigger and you hafta turn your head side to side. Bad.

32" Sharp 1080p LCD TV is the ticket. DVI Input. 1920x1080 res.

A WHOLE lot cheaper than those 2560 monitors... and you can run them on $300 video cards.

To the OP. Running $1300 worth of video cards on a $500 monitor? Uh. Why?

 

[nonameo]

I'd want to see 3x crossfired 4850's before I made that call.

 

[Rhino2]

Originally posted by: nonameo
I'd want to see 3x crossfired 4850's before I made that call.

I would at least wait till we see what the 4870 has to offer, if not waiting for the 4870x2.

 

[sourthings]

Take a look at the ATI 4850 benches, they are faster than the 9800gtx and two of these in crossfire are faster than a GTX 280. The 4870 will be out soon and two of those in crossfire are going to leave a gtx 280 in the dust. The 4870x2 will also be out a little after the release of the 4870. The 4870x2 is two 4870s on one card, so it's a single slot solution, and going on the 4850s in crossfire performance, it's a certainty the 4870x2 is going to be a lot better than a gtx 280.

So all that said, if you are willing to spend that much cash for two GTX 280s, just wait on the 4870x2 release. Buy two of those, it will destroy an SLI GTX 280 setup. And an added benefit is you can use an Intel motherboard, rather than an nforced based mb. Intel mobos are a lot better than nvidia offerings.

If you're willing to spend that much cash, you obviously want the best. Best to wait for the 4870x2 to come out, it will be a better performer than the GTX 280, and two of them will be much better than SLI 280s as well.

:beer:

 

[Leon]

If you're willing to spend that much cash, you obviously want the best. Best to wait for the 4870x2 to come out,

When 4820x2 comes out, 3 months from now, there will be another high end gpu from Nvidia, only 3 months away. You'll end up waiting forever.

two of them will be much better than SLI 280s as well

Scaling past 2 is currently almost non-existant, and limited to a few applications.

 

[Rhino2]

Originally posted by: Leon

If you're willing to spend that much cash, you obviously want the best. Best to wait for the 4870x2 to come out,

When 4820x2 comes out, 3 months from now, there will be another high end gpu from Nvidia, only 3 months away. You'll end up waiting forever.

two of them will be much better than SLI 280s as well

Scaling past 2 is currently almost non-existant, and limited to a few applications.

Actually scaling to 3 cards has shown some promise, though it is true that scaling to a 4th is pretty nonexistent at current.

 

[sourthings]

Originally posted by: Leon

If you're willing to spend that much cash, you obviously want the best. Best to wait for the 4870x2 to come out,

When 4820x2 comes out, 3 months from now, there will be another high end gpu from Nvidia, only 3 months away. You'll end up waiting forever.

two of them will be much better than SLI 280s as well

Scaling past 2 is currently almost non-existant, and limited to a few applications.

3 months away ? NV is releasing another brand new gpu ? If you're referring to a die shrink, that is nothing more than a new 280 with higher clocks. ATI has won the performance crown this round, 4870x2 will be the card to have.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I guess you could just crank up the AA, hell even use 8xS/16xS or 16xQAA modes while your at it (since your only limited to 19x12). SLi scaling for GTX 280s seems pretty good as far as numbers go. I think you will be happy with the performance for a very long time (something like what the G80s turned out to be like) to come since no setup other than a GTX280 tri SLi setup could outperform it. Plus dual GPU solutions will always be more reliable and consistent compared to 3, 4 multi GPU systems, where it will run into more issues with performance due scaling/compatibility, and then theres other issues like power/heat/acoustics.

For instance 4xHD4850s in CFX would produce ALOT more heat since these things are at ~90C load each not to mentioning dumping those heats into the case. They probably draw more power as well.

Id say go for it and enjoy the experience that will not be surpassed until the next refreshes from both IHVs hit the retail stores. Make sure you have something like a Corsair HX1000 PSU to feed those two beasts.

 

[ajaidevsingh]

Man you rich, but for my money 2x4850 was the rite thing instead of the GTX260 wait and other stuff!!

BTW Check out 4870 befour you buy!!!

 

[tuteja1986]

do you have $1300 and willing to spend it, then get it.