Graphics card question

[Mechinn]

I'm buying a new gamming computer and I'd like some suggestions on Graphics cards.

Should I go the SLI rout and get either 2 GeForce 6600 GTs (128mb ram) or 2 6800 GTs (256mb ram)
Or should I just get 1 6800 Ultra?

I'm going with Nvidia this time around and will be playing at a resolution of 1280x1024.

 

[Bateluer]

SLI'd 6600 GTs is a waste of money, often getting outperformed by one 6800 GT. SLI'd 6800 GTs offers much more performance, but its expensive. The next generation of graphics cards will likely boast more performance with one card than current SLI configs, plus the new cards should be SLI capable as well.

 

[IntegraGSR]

1 6800ultra will be just fine.

SLI is for people obsessed with benchmarks.

 

[iamskew]

wait for the next round of cards...that's my advice...or get an x850xt pe instead

 

[theMan]

yeah, get x850xt pe. it'll beat the 6800 ultra. sli is a waste.

 

[Maluno]

Originally posted by: theman
yeah, get x850xt pe. it'll beat the 6800 ultra. sli is a waste.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The only time I think SLI is a good idea is when you're spending about $2000 on the computer alone (no display or speakers included in that price etc.) and you're planning on running games at a pretty high res (1600x1200 +) with a lot of eye candy on. At that point, I think dual 6800gts is a good idea.

If you've got budget in mind, then a single card is a better idea. A single 6800gt or ultra or one of the highend ATI cards is a good idea.

Single card benchmarks here

SLI benchmarks here

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Oh, and for cost comparison, keep in mind that you're going to have to pay more for the SLI motherboard and you're going to want a more expensive powersupply for an SLI setup.

This could mean about $50 more for the motherboard and $25 or $50 more for the powersupply.

 

[n yusef]

You said that you'll be playing at 1280*1024, so I reccomend an X800XL. Anything better will be overkill. It has the performance of a 6800GT, for $300.