GTX4601GB to SLI or upgrade to new single card

[Attic]

Current rig is in my sig. I'm upgrading to an i5-2500k system and then will be getting more GPU horsepower. I'll have SLI/XFire capable mobo. I initially anticipated the picking up a 7970, but i'm now considering options between 6950 to 7970 performance levels and amd also considering simply adding a 2nd GTX4601GB for $100-$125.

I plan to be able to run the 460's at 800mhz core.

I game at 1920x1080 60hz. I value consistent high frames and my concern with going SLI is microstutter and min fps and possible VRAM limit.

I've read benchmarks that put 460GTX SLI comparable to the GTX580 in terms of average FPS, but the gameplay is said to be better on the 580 due to lack of SLI related issues.

What would you guys be looking at given my upgrade paths and what would you reccomend I look at? I don't think i'd be happy spending >$400 on a GPU upgrade, though I want to get a substantial upgrade from the GTX460.

PhysX matters, but is not a make it or break it. I've got Mafia II and both Batmans in my play list.

 

[tweakboy]

Going SLI would be the best bang for budget,, or swap it out for a GTX 590 gl

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Sli is cheapest option

 

[ArchAngel777]

Going SLI would be the best bang for budget,, or swap it out for a GTX 590 gl

Huh? Why would he go to another AFR (590) based solution if that is his worry?

I can tell you first hand that if your 460's are clocked at 800Mhz+, you should compare results based on the Vanilla 560 SLI which is at least 25% faster than a 580.

Tom's hardware for 'enthusiest' (index of all results) is 162.63 versus 119.29 which means on 'average' the 560 SLI solution is 36% faster. Now, granted, the quality of those frames is certainly better with the 580, there is no denying that, but in my opinion, it isn't 36% better. I'd give it 10-15% advantage.

Speaking from someone who had the SAME worries as you, I can safely say that so far SLI has been a favorable experience. Of course, I run with Vsync, which seems to alleviate microsttuter if for no other reason than because your compressing the range via capping on the high side.

I can 'see' microstutter with vsync off. But to be perfectly fair, I can see microstutter even on a single GPU solution, it is just much less.

I realize this is a hot topic, but I would never game without vsync. Tearing in games is absolutely terrible. I'd rather have no AA than that garbage. <3 Vsync.

And, considering the price, this is a no brainer to me. I was able to get my first 460 for $135 after rebate. My second one was $125 after rebate. A total of $260 for performance that exceeds a $500 solution in nearly every situation. For me, the choice was obvious. If, perhaps, the 580 dropped down into the $350 price range, then things would have been a bit more complicated, because there should be a prime premium for a single GPU solution, but each person needs to decide what that price premium is worth to them.

Another reason I went SLI is because $125 is a cheap way to find out how SLI works and performs. I am not rich, but I am not hurting either. But $125 was a solid investment for me to learn first hand how SLI responds. So far, I am very impressed. That isn't to say I won't run into some huge problem in the future, but as I said before in another post. "Tripple A games tend to have solid driver support and tripple A games tend to be the most demanding. Therefore, I am confident that SLI will have great compatibility with newer games as they come out. If it isn't a triple A game, it typically (there are exceptions!) isn't that demanding and if no SLI profile exists, a single card would likely be able to max out the game" That is my reasoning. It should be there when it is needed and it doesn't matter if it isn't there when it is not needed.

 

[Attic]

Thanks ArchAngel, that strikes a lot of chords with the important factors for me in making the choice.

I don't game w/o vsync, ever.

Pretty confident in saving the $$$ and going to SLI 460's now.

 

[eastyy123]

thought i would ask here

i am thinking of upgrading i have a nvidia 460 2gb gainward and my system is a 650 watt would i be able to sli with a 768 or 1gb 460 as secondary and more importantly would by 650 watt power supply cope ?

 

[EVGA_MatthewH]

thought i would ask here

i am thinking of upgrading i have a nvidia 460 2gb gainward and my system is a 650 watt would i be able to sli with a 768 or 1gb 460 as secondary and more importantly would by 650 watt power supply cope ?

What exact model PSU? While you can SLI with a card that has differing memory it is not recomended as you will lose any extra Vram on your original card. It would also be unsupported by the vendor/Nvidia and not guaranteed to work.

Also keep in mind there are 2 versions of the 460, V1 and V2, which cannot SLI. If you plan on SLI I would highly recommend you buy another 2GB 460 to get your moneys worth.

 

[eastyy123]

well i have ordered a psu which unfortunetly was faulty so had to send it back was a corsair tx650 v2 so that will be the one i use once i get a replacement

the graphics card i have was a gainward 2gb would be hoping to get the same model but dont seem that common any more