I'm an idiot...again

[Arcuivie]

This kind of goes along with my post in the CPU forums, but I changed the subject and moved it here for more help/advice. Well, see, the CPU problem (.13 micron instead of 90nm) has been resolved, but now there is another issue: I ordered two Leadtek Winfast PX6600GT in hopes of having good gaming performance, and now, after doing more homework (which I should have done before, and not been so impatient, not wanting to wait another 3-4 weeks for chumbo to get there BFG 6800GT PCI-E cards in) I realized that I may have made a bad choice. I have one of two options:

1.) Deal with the dual 6600GTs, hoping drivers and new breakthroughs with SLI will help them perform better. Then, when I have enough money (maybe Feb., definitely my birthday (May)) get the two (lower priced) 6800GTs or whatever new brand is out and sell my two 6600GT for 3/4 of what I bought them for, as long as their 20% under new retail price.
or

2.) RMA them back, unopened for a refund and wait for a 6800GT PCI-E card to come in stock.

Some games I will be playing (not alot, because I don't have time really):
Prince of Persia, Doom 3, WoW, Final Fantasy XI, and Half Life 2

Also, my current graphics card is the Sapphire Radeon 9600pro. How much of a performance gain will I see when I install my dual 6600GTs?

 

[Marsumane]

Try some benchmarks on this site. Ull see that a 9600p is like 1/4 of what dual 6600gt's would be. I dont see why you are complaining on their performance.

 

[Arcuivie]

I'm not, I've just heard from people that dual 6600gt's weren't the way to go when it came to SLI.

 

[2Xtreme21]

"Weren't the way" is relative. SLI in itself isn't the way to go for even the moderate to heavy gamer. SLI is for those that are willing to spend thousands of dollars for that extra 15-20 FPS and bragging rights.

Your 6600GT's in SLI will perform better than a single 6800GT. If that's enough performance for you, keep it. If not, return it and wait for dual 6800GT's. Keep in mind, however, it will run you at least $800 for the 2 6800GT's alone.

 

[Arcuivie]

Oh I know, I didn't plan on replacing with dual GT's, its just the relative performance ratio with 2 x 6600GT/1 x 6800GT (which is? I've had many different takes on this..).

 

[nitromullet]

Well two 6600GT's isn't the fastest SLI setup, but it still rocks. The difference between the 9600 Pro and that SLi setup is night and day. I would image that what people are telling you is that two 6600GT's in SLI is not the most economical way to get the performance that you want. Not that is it "bad" per se or that you are an idiot.

If you already have the SLI capable motherboard than I would recommend either keeping the two cards or returning the and waiting for the 6800GT to come out in PCIe. The main drawback to SLI'ing the two 6600GT's right off the bat is that you don't have any room to upgrade without buying at least one new card, which is one of the advantages of SLI. If you can get hold of one 6800GT PCIe card then you can add another down the road.

 

[Arcuivie]

What about the 128 bit memory interface in the 6600 as opposed to the 256 bit in the 6800?

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
"Weren't the way" is relative. SLI in itself isn't the way to go for even the moderate to heavy gamer. SLI is for those that are willing to spend thousands of dollars for that extra 15-20 FPS and bragging rights.

Your 6600GT's in SLI will perform better than a single 6800GT. If that's enough performance for you, keep it. If not, return it and wait for dual 6800GT's. Keep in mind, however, it will run you at least $800 for the 2 6800GT's alone.

This is debatabe... The single 6800GT often outperforms the 6600GT SLI rig at higher resolutions with AA/AF maxed out, due to the increased memory bandwidth. Whereas the 6600GT SLI rig often does better without AA/AF. In most cases, it is give and take between the two.

http://www.anandtech.com/video...oc.aspx?i=2284&p=1

 

[Arcuivie]

Isn't AA/AF steared more towards people with LCD monitors?

 

[Mrvile]

No, I use a CRT and I can tell a big difference when it comes to AA/AF. Also, since the 6600s are 128bit and the 6800 is 256bit, the 6600s will perform better in resolutions 10x7 and under. Once you hit 12x10 and 16x12, the dual 6600 performance is drastically crippled, unlike the single 6800 which will still hang in there.

EDIT: But in the end it's really up to you, depending on what resolutions you'll be playing on and whether you want to wait or not. But dual 6600GTs isn't bad, and you'll still see amazing performance over your old 9600Pro. You'll love your new system either way.

 

[xtknight]

I made the same mistake, so I RMA'd my cards and am waiting for a 6800 GT. Turns out the memory bandwidth is bottlenecked, so I wonder what the hell the use of it is anyway? I guess two 6800 GTs wouldn't be bottlenecked as much, possibly. It really doesn't matter unless you're picky like me. I like the option to run another 6800 GT later if I so desire.

 

[Arcuivie]

I guess I'll RMA back mine then, which 6800GT are you getting?

No, I use a CRT and I can tell a big difference when it comes to AA/AF. Also, since the 6600s are 128bit and the 6800 is 256bit, the 6600s will perform better in resolutions 10x7 and under. Once you hit 12x10 and 16x12, the dual 6600 performance is drastically crippled, unlike the single 6800 which will still hang in there.

EDIT: But in the end it's really up to you, depending on what resolutions you'll be playing on and whether you want to wait or not. But dual 6600GTs isn't bad, and you'll still see amazing performance over your old 9600Pro. You'll love your new system either way.

I usually like to play at 1280 x 1024...hmm. Maybe it would be better to go with the 6800GT, eh?

Oh, does anybody know anything about the XFX 6800GT as compared to the BFG?

 

[Mrvile]

XFX's are nice, but BFG's are nicer mainly because they are slightly faster and have that lifetime warranty. Also these are the ones that Chumbo is selling for 400.

 

[Arcuivie]

I called and he said they won't have them till the end of January (3 weeks was what he said).

 

[Mrvile]

Youch.

 

[Arcuivie]

Ok...hmmm. What to do what to do. Alright, how about, once I get everything (the motherboard will be delayed the most, ordered from atacom.com), and the 6800GT OC's still aren't in, then I will temporarily us my dual 6600GT's, test them out, run some benchmarks, and if I'm satisfied then I'll keep them, if not I'll RMA it on the 25-28th day. BUT, if I get all my stuff and the 6800GT OC's are in, then I will send them back, still in there package, sealed and all (still have to suffer that 15% restocking fee though :S, maybe it would be better to sell them on eBay. ) Sound like a resonable plan ?


BTW:
I just checked out futuremark.com's projects for '03 and '05. My current machine is pumping out around 3000 marks in '03 (yes, laugh!), and well, dual 6600's are pumping out 16000s! The 6800's are pushing out 13000-15000. Hmm, interesting. I wonder, since I was so satisfied with my 9600pro when 9700 and 9800 were out, if I would be satisfied with my dual 6600's. Hey, I kept with the 9600 for over a year now, and I could easily get a GT when it comes about. Hmm, interesting.

Oh, in '05, the dual 66's are producing 6000, the single 68 is around 5000.

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm, sending a product back for money usually lasts the first week (at least for Monarch it does, I dunno Newegg's policy), and an RMA usually means "we will replace your defective product with the same product." Either I'm just ignorant or you've got a bit more homework to do.

 

[Arcuivie]

I ordered the graphic cards from newegg, and they have a 30-day money back guarantee. Mrvile, get on AIM.

 

[gwag]

hmm maybe you should quit worring so much about performance, use one 6600 send the other back or sell it, then get 6800GT later if it doesn't work out for you. computer games look pretty damn good these days a 6600Gt should run any of em good enough, if it cant find another game there all the same.