A single GeForce 8800 GT vs. 2x GeForce 8600 GTS?

[imported_Perseus]

Ok, simple question. Whats a more powerful GPU configuration, a single 8800 GT 512mb RAM or two 8600 GTS cards, 512mb RAM each respectively? I know from the Amandtech review that in a one-on-one comparative analysis the 8800 owns the 8600, but is the conclusion the same when its two 8600s vs an 8800?

My budget is a bit tight and I'm trying to get a powerful GPU without going overdrive on the costs, so some help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.

 

[swtethan]

considering 8800GT is a little bit behind a 8800GTX, and a 8800GTX being more powerful than a pair of 1900XTX's. I would say the 8800GT wins hands down vs apair of 8600GTS'ssince a 8600GTS is about as strong as a x1950pro.

 

[Arkaign]

8800GT >> 2X 8600GTS

 

[imported_Perseus]

OK, thats fantastic news because the 8800 GT is more affordable than the 8600 combo anyway.

Just one thing. I don't know much about SLI, dual-GPU configurations, will I be losing any horsepwer switching from a dual-8600, combined vRAM of 1 gig to a single 512 vRAM chipset?

Thanks much again.

 

[Arkaign]

SLI memory isn't combined, so one card with 512mb will run the same res/detail as two cards with 512mb each.

 

[imported_Perseus]

Allright. And again, the 8800 GT is definitely superior to the dual 8600 GTS yes?

 

[Arkaign]

Definitely

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: Perseus
Allright. And again, the 8800 GT is definitely superior to the dual 8600 GTS yes?

yes without a doubt! and when you SLI, performance does NOT double, closest you will get is like 80-90% better. really much more like 80%

 

[imported_Perseus]

Allright then, thanks very much everyone, greatly appreciate it.

BTW I'm getting this configuration through iBuyPower, since I don't feel like building my own computer this time around I've heard a lot of good thigns about them (Anandtech included). Their price of $182 for an 8800 GT is solid and fair right?

 

[Syntax Error]

Is this an upgrade or an individual part? If you're upgrading from, say, dual 8600GTSs in SLI -> 8800GT for $182 more, then it's a ripoff.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you get far better value for your money if you build your own computer, you know exactly what parts you get, you assemble it yourself (a bonus for me, at least) and you save a ton of money. Can't say iBUYPOWER has the best reseller rating, either.

 

[imported_Perseus]

Not an upgrade, just a from scratch configuration.

 

[lyssword]

That's good, just make sure it's not a 8600gt

 

[imported_Perseus]

Nope, definitely an 8800.

Anyway, thats about it, thanks for all the help all.

 

[taltamir]

I would say double the performance on one GT compared to two 8600.... AND you have less issues with drivers, problems, and sli flat out not working on certain games.

 

[bryanW1995]

8800gt pwns dual 8600gts. my theory on sli/xfire is that if you are unsure or have to ask a lot of questions, always get the single card. i've never tried using a dual gpu solution, but I am not aware of a single individual who claims to have had flawless dual-gpu usage/performance on ANY platform ever. The best that you can hope for right now is for drivers to eventually catch up and make you regret your decision less than you currently do. The only exception for dual gpu solutions is ultra high res gaming with mucho eye candy that actually requires more graphics horsepower than the current best video card can provide; ie, you're rich and you typically spend more than a small country on computer upgrades every 6 mos or so. The only game that currently requires 2 8800gtx/ultras for high end gaming is crysis, and they still need a lot of driver optimization at that.

 

[Red Storm]

Single Card > SLI/Xfire

 

[Scouras626]

Originally posted by: Perseus
Not an upgrade, just a from scratch configuration.

Actually, it is an upgrade.

It's +$182 on top of an 8500GT, Which goes for about $70 new.

So it's more like $250 for the 8800GT

Not a ripoff, but nothing special price-wise.

Either way, you're still better off with the 8800GT than the SLI 8600 setup.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: Red Storm
Single Card > SLI/Xfire

I agree 100% from experience.

 

[imported_Perseus]

Originally posted by: Scouras626

Originally posted by: Perseus
Not an upgrade, just a from scratch configuration.

Actually, it is an upgrade.

It's +$182 on top of an 8500GT, Which goes for about $70 new.

So it's more like $250 for the 8800GT

Not a ripoff, but nothing special price-wise.

Either way, you're still better off with the 8800GT than the SLI 8600 setup.

Ahh, ok, I see what you mean. I misunderstood the upgrade question. Its all good.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: taltamir
I would say double the performance on one GT compared to two 8600.... AND you have less issues with drivers, problems, and sli flat out not working on certain games.

I wouldn't say double since dual 8600gts is equivalent to about a 8800gts. But you are right about dual card being issues at times. Sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't. Not to mention 2 256vram = 256mb card.

 

[Xellos2099]

8600gts sli does NOT equal to a 8800gts.

 

[imported_Perseus]

Originally posted by: Azn

Originally posted by: taltamir
I would say double the performance on one GT compared to two 8600.... AND you have less issues with drivers, problems, and sli flat out not working on certain games.

I wouldn't say double since dual 8600gts is equivalent to about a 8800gts.

Wait wait, say what? Its equivalent to a 8800 GTS? Isn't that better than an 8800 GT?

 

[imported_Perseus]

Originally posted by: Azn

Originally posted by: taltamir
I would say double the performance on one GT compared to two 8600.... AND you have less issues with drivers, problems, and sli flat out not working on certain games.

I wouldn't say double since dual 8600gts is equivalent to about a 8800gts.

Wait, what?

Isn't an 8800 GTS better than the GT? Wouldn't that render moot all the replies to this thread?

 

[Scouras626]

No, the 8800GT is faster and cheaper than the current 8800GTS. The GTS has been out for about a year(?) And the GT just came out a month or so ago. The GT is closer in performance to the GTX in most cases, than it is to the GTS.

GT vs. GTS:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3140&p=7

GT vs. GTX:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3140&p=9

 

[imported_Perseus]

Oh....ok.

Fuck Nvidia makes these things WAY more confusing than they have to be, its like they're deliberately intending to rip people off. :/