Is one 7800GTX better than TWO 6800 Ultras?

[lordsaytor]

I am quoting this member called NokiaDude. He claims that

One 7800GTX now and another 7800GTX later down the road. The 7800GTX is more powerful that TWO 6800 Ultra's in most games.

Is this really true? If that really is true I'd just go with a 7800. Two 6800 Ultras will cost $1000 with tax. One 7800 costs about $700 with tax.

 

[thegimp03]

No, not true. Just buy one 7800 right now. If you feel the need for speed, drop for another later, assuming you have an sli mobo. BTW, 1 7800 doesn't cost 700 bucks. They're running mid 400's in deals right now and are probably averaging 500. Add in 8.xx% tax and that's still at least $150 less than that 700 you're claiming.

I also say to spend the extra cash on a 7800 because 6800U's are still running above $350 most of the time and closer to 400 or 450. A bit more for a 7800 is money well spent, if you're willing to drop that much for a 6800U from the beginning. IE..marginal increase in price and large increase in performance.

 

[gorcorps]

The 7800 is more than enough for games of today and tomorrow. After it starts slowing a little slowdown in games, get another one and watch the numbers rise again!

The prices you're quoting are for retailers like compusa and bestbuy, and NOBODY should buy vid cards at their prices. Shop around online and you'll save a couple hundred bucks.

 

[lordsaytor]

Oops, I forgot to tell you I'm from Canada and I was mentioning the prices in Canadian dollars + the gawd awful 15% sales tax

The 7800 seems like a really safe investment. I just might get it instead of a 6800 ultra. thanks guys

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: lordsaytor
I am quoting this member called NokiaDude. He claims that

One 7800GTX now and another 7800GTX later down the road. The 7800GTX is more powerful that TWO 6800 Ultra's in most games.

Is this really true? If that really is true I'd just go with a 7800. Two 6800 Ultras will cost $1000 with tax. One 7800 costs about $700 with tax.

Decide for yourself: http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2451&p=1

Also consider that 6800Ux2 will use more than twice as much power/heat as a single 7800GTX.

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: lordsaytor
I am quoting this member called NokiaDude. He claims that

One 7800GTX now and another 7800GTX later down the road. The 7800GTX is more powerful that TWO 6800 Ultra's in most games.

Is this really true? If that really is true I'd just go with a 7800. Two 6800 Ultras will cost $1000 with tax. One 7800 costs about $700 with tax.

Yes two 6800 Ultra's are usually faster than a single 7800 GTX although why anyone would want more performance than a single 7800 GTX can deliver is beyond me!

 

[Geomagick]

I would go for the 7800gtx. It may not always outperform 2 6800U but when SLI can't be used for whatever reason then it will be a great deal better.

 

[zendari]

It's not twice as fast as a single 6800 U, no, but SLI doesn't give a 100% boost.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: zendari
It's not twice as fast as a single 6800 U, no, but SLI doesn't give a 100% boost.

It's not always faster, but it's a single card, produces less heat/noise, and consumes less power. Also has newer features like transparency AA. You'd have to be out of your mind (not referring to you) to chose 2 last gen cards over 1 new card that gives you similar performance.

 

[Insomniak]

In higher resolutions, yes, this is often the case, but at anything below 16x12 with some AA/AF, there's not enough hurt on the 6 series cards to make them that much slower, no.

The only time you might notice a 2x jump would be on 2005FPWs and higher, and then only in certain titles.

Still, it's a VERY healthy performance increase.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Value-wise, the 7800GTX eats 2 SLIed 6800Us for lunch.

 

[brikis98]

7800 is the better choice, hands down.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Take a 7800GTX. I got two of them.

 

[hans030390]

SLI is kinda buggy last time i checked, so you really be safer with a 7800gtx, which will perform great...i mean, really, you don't need all that FPS now, but it will be good later.

 

[JBT]

a single 7800 GTX of course.

 

[Todd33]

One card >> Two cards. Even if it were a tad slower, I'd always chose one card. Who wants added heat, noise, instability, etc.?