8800 gtx for SLI or 9800 gx2?

[Rakewell]

I don't want to go into details right now, but I have about $500 to spend on a new card, if I do it this week (next week it will be put toward something else).

Judging by today's much anticipated reviews on the gtx 280, you can bet I am not going to scrounge for a couple more hundred dollars for nVidia's $700 turd.

I currently have an 8800 gtx (Also running 6700 C2D @ 3300, 4 GB PC800, 680i SLI MOBO). If you were me, would you spend the money on another 8800 gtx for SLI, or buy a 9800 gx2 outright? They seem to be around the same price right now...

Which setup is better for games, ie Crysis, Supreme Commander, Bioshock, etc?

Thanks. Sorry if this has been covered to death.

Cheers,

Rakewell

 

[Jax Omen]

I'd get a second 8800GTX for SLI if those are your two options. I assume your PSU is up to the task?

 

[happy medium]

I'd say go for a gtx260 and sell your 8800gtx. It would be a good 200.00$ upgrade. As per some reviews a overclocked gtx260 is 5/10% off a gtx280.

Whats wrong with a 4870 for 300$? I suppose its faster then a 8800gtx.

 

[Rakewell]

Originally posted by: Jax Omen
I'd get a second 8800GTX for SLI if those are your two options. I assume your PSU is up to the task?

It's up to the task, I believe; OCZ 700w model (bought it last May).

Maybe screw this whole process, and get the GTX 260 when it comes out?

 

[Rakewell]

OK, help me out, guys.

From what I am reading, the gtx 280 is equal in performance to the 9800 gx2, in many of the tests.

If I get another 8800 gtx/SLI, then 8800gtx sli > than 9800 gx2?

And, if the gtx 280 > gtx 260 (by "5/10%"), would not the 260 be the same/not as good as the 9800 gx2, in general?

Perhaps I am overgeneralizing, here, and perhaps there is something I am not getting, but I don't have the luxury of waiting for the gtx 260 (When is the release date, anyway?)

Thanks,

Rakewell

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: Rakewell
OK, help me out, guys.

From what I am reading, the gtx 280 is equal in performance to the 9800 gx2, in many of the tests.

If I get another 8800 gtx/SLI, then 8800gtx sli > than 9800 gx2?

And, if the gtx 280 > gtx 260 (by "5/10%"), would not the 260 be the same/not as good as the 9800 gx2, in general?

Perhaps I am overgeneralizing, here, and perhaps there is something I am not getting, but I don't have the luxury of waiting for the gtx 260 (When is the release date, anyway?)

Thanks,

Rakewell

The GTX 260 will be available on June 26th, the GTX 280 will be available tomorrow.

The GTX 260 is indeed much slower than the 9800 GX2 on average and I'm not sure it is really worth an upgrade from an 8800GTX. It is faster but not by that much. Looking at Anandtech's review, the GTX 260 is only ~10% faster than the 9800GTX in Crysis @ 1920x1200.

 

[Rakewell]

So, if you were me, would you get the 9800gx2 to replace the 8800gtx, or add another 8800 for sli?...

 

[DSF]

What resolution are you running? Have you looked at many benchmarks for each of the GPUs you're considering? (Not including the GT200 series of course, since they're not out.)

Honestly, I question whether either of the cards is a particularly good investment right now. It's not going to bring you into a whole new world of gaming over a single 8800GTX, which is still a very respectable card. You're being rather vague about why the money needs to spent right now, but maybe whatever you'd spent it on next week is a wiser move?

 

[Rakewell]

Right.

1920X1200... The reason why I am doing this is that I want improve performance as much as possible. Don't get me wrong, I love my 8800, it's been one heck of a card.

In regard to why I have this week and this week only, it's a long story; It would basically be a free card (It has to do with Points from a Credit Card, yadda yadda yadda). It's actually a boring story. All I can say is that I have these points this week, and this week only, please forgive the vagueness...

Cheers,

Rakewell

 

[Calculator83]

DUDE,, DON"T upgrade. It's a bad RATIO for you since you've already got a GTX. stick with it for another year. It'll be much better when they do a die shrink.

 

[Rakewell]

Roger that; thanks for the advise. I'm stayin' put with my GTX!

Cheers,

Rakewell

 

[Jax Omen]

Yeah, I'd use those points for something else, honestly.