Crossfire or SLI

[james 1]

Hi guys, I was wondering what is the best graphics card setup for the best gaming quality, SLI or crossfire I have already chosen the CPU I am going to use in my new build Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 but I don?t now what is the best multi graphics card set up to go with my CPU any advice guys?

 

[angry hampster]

Why do you want multi GPUs so badly? Frankly, it's not a good idea if you can avoid it. What resolutions will you be running at?

 

[james 1]

its gonna be about 1680x1050

 

[Jax Omen]

XD, you don't need any multi-GPU setup for that resolution. Get an 8800GTS (512MB version) if you want the best high-end bang-for-the-buck, or the 9600GT if you want the best bang-for-the-buck overall.

Or a 3870 if you're an ATI fan. It's comparable to the 9600GT (beats it sometimes, loses others) for very slightly more scratch.

 

[james 1]

ok, but if I do go for the dual card set up which platform would be more stable i.e. less buggy

 

[Jax Omen]

You absolutely are determined to waste your money, aren't you?

Go for crossfire then, because you can do it on Intel boards, and Intel chipsets > Nvidia chipsets. Get an X48 that supports DDR2

 

[bigtm135]

It's all about the bragging rights, spend money to brag about how much money you spent. lol, however I find it quite stupid

 

[schizoid77]

It's not a waste of money if you want it.

I have 2 8800GTS's in SLI and love every minute of it. Playing at max res with all goodies turned up to their max and never go below 60fps (except for Crysis of course, but that's another issue).

 

[Sketcher]

It doesn't have to be about bragging rights and it's not necessarily a waste of money. The guy has an interest in running multiple cards and is looking for feedback to do it; not be lambasted for wanting to do so.

james 1, Google "Crossfire vs SLI" and read the real world accounts.
Depending on which game(s) you prefer, resolution you'd like to game at and the amount you're willing to spend there are clear decisions that can be made. I built an SLI rig because it was the best performing setup for the games I play at a cost that was appealing to me. Had ATI performed better at the time I would have chosen components that best support Crossfire within my budget.

1) Read the actual reviews that reference the games you're interested in.
2) Choose the multi-card technology to get you there.
3) Choose the best motherboard in your budget to support that technology.
4) Enjoy.

 

[james 1]

thanks Sketcher

 

[idiotekniQues]

my mobo went recently. i had an intel chipset with an 8800gts 320mb. i had to make a decision. SLI or crossfire potential because i wanted that option.

since ati was doing some catching up in some areas, and i 100% prefer intel chipsets, i went x38 and sold my nvidia card and went with a 3870 so i could run hdmi right out the back of my card to my hdtv with audio. also giving me the chance to add another ati card down the road.

from what i have read, ati seems to scale better across multiple GPU's lately. and yes, while crossfire/sli is not as reliable as powerful single cards the fact is it is an option that can add a ton of power to a lot of games down the road without having to buy the ltaest and greatest card. if you cant afford the best card now, it lets you buy in increments.

most mobos i liked have the 2nd pci express slot near a pci slot, so any double slot cooled GC would eliminate one of the 2 pci slots. while the 8800gt is single slot it is not the best design. the 3870 toxic did have a solid 1 slot design with excellent cooling. so this let me rest at ease knowing i would be able to keep both my pci cards in my machine even if i did go crossfire later.

so i am not saying ati over nvidia, i am just showing an example of all the thoughts that went into such a decision.

for the purest gamer who doesnt oc a ton, maybe an nvidia mobo solution would be best, you wouldnt have to push it so far and find all the memory holes and all that. all you would have on the rig is two Graphics cards so no care for room, etc.

so find out who you are, and go for it!

GOD BLESS US ALL!

if you like OPEN GL games, it is pretty simple, SLI>CROSSFIRE

 

[batmang]

Why do people think multiple GPU's are a waste of money? A 9800GX2 is a complete waste of money. A 9800GTX is a waste of money. The entire 9800 series is a waste of money. If you have money for a multiple GPU setup, congrats to you! Do what the heck you want, its your money, its your computer setup. Games that utilize multiple GPU's properly (like Call of Duty 4) show results that are well worth the cost of the two cards. A good example would be two 3850's vs 8800GTX. Not long ago the 8800GTX was selling for over $500. So buying two 3850's, 3870's, or 8800GT's was a better option if you already had a capable motherboard at that period. Things have changed since the 9800GX2 and 3870X2 have been released. The 9600GT is here, the 3800 series cards have dropped quite a bit in price, and ATi still hasn't released a real answer to the 9800 series cards. But, i'm still holding true to my comment about multiple GPU's.

They are not a waste IMO. You can get two 9600GT's for $300 and get 8800/9800GTX like peformance. The response to that will be " Why dont you spend the extra $30 buy a 8800GTX initially instead of buying two 9600GT's? " Well, what if I bought a 9600GT now at $150 and decided later down the road I wanted a little bit more performance? Simple answer is to buy another 9600GT and SLi them. It's a cheaper alternative instead of buying the high range card right off the bat. Look how crazy the GPU market is becoming. The longer you wait, the cheaper the cards get. So another pro for going with multiple GPU's IMO. Not everyone has money at one certain time to buy a 3870X2 or a 9800GX2.

I myself just bought a second 3870 and I'm looking forward to seeing how Call of Duty 4 responds. I play that game the most, so I will definitely benefit from the CrossFire setup. I bought my first one for $209 when AllStarShop was selling them dirt cheap about 3 months ago. At that time, the cheapest dual slot 3870 was $230-$240. I just bought a MSI dual slot 3870 for $179. I didn't have the money to buy two initially, but now I'm reaping the rewards of waiting and saving. 3870's and 9600GT's paired up are one of the better values if you ask me.

http://www.techspot.com/articl...-versus-radeon-hd3870/

 

[Jax Omen]

batmang, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against SLI/Xfire. I fully intend to pick up a second 8800GTS (G92) when I have some more money (My *first* one should be here tomorrow ).

However, at his resolution (1680x1050), a single 8800GTS will max out LITERALLY any GPU-limited game, except for the obvious Crysis. Unless he's ****ING NUTS over Crysis, it is not worth the price premium to go SLI/Xfire at this point in time, at his resolution.

 

[batmang]

Originally posted by: Jax Omen
batmang, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against SLI/Xfire. I fully intend to pick up a second 8800GTS (G92) when I have some more money (My *first* one should be here tomorrow ).

However, at his resolution (1680x1050), a single 8800GTS will max out LITERALLY any GPU-limited game, except for the obvious Crysis. Unless he's ****ING NUTS over Crysis, it is not worth the price premium to go SLI/Xfire at this point in time, at his resolution.

True, but some games will have gains no matter the resolution. Especially Call of Duty 4. I wish all games scaled like Call of Duty 4 does.

 

[Jax Omen]

I think *everyone* wishes all games scaled like CoD4. If they did, the animosity towards multi-GPU solutions would vanish instantly. Well, most of it would.

 

[v8envy]

Benchmarks don't show the whole story. Look, there's absolutely NO way a multi-gpu setup can show you a frame rendered after you perform an action any sooner than the slowest GPU in the setup when using AFR. Two pre-schoolers on tricycles tied together with a rope won't get from point A to point B any faster than the slowest one of them alone. Better hope each GPU you have is rendering at > 60 fps. But if it already is, why do you need two?

At higher res you're looking at higher frame rates which make you THINK you're running fast. But that AFR microstutter is just a symptom of the limitations of this tech.

If your goal is to benchmark high, go ahead and get multi-GPU even for resolutions which don't require it. If your goal is lowest possible latency and highest smoothness in FPS, stay as far away as possible.

 

[djnsmith7]

I don't think it's a waste of money & I don't regret either of my purchases. Buy what makes you happy. This debate gets beat down like a step child at least once or twice a week, probably more.