single 8800 GTX vs. 7900 GTX SLI

[Redox]

How big an improvement could I expect with a single 8800 GTX vs. 7900 GTX SLI using an X2 4400, 2GB RAM gaming under XP on a 24" monitor at 1920x1200? My power supply is a 620W Enermax Liberty so I don't have the juice for 8800 GTX SLI.

Review sites seem to be mixed on the performance benefits. I'm not planning on upgrading to Vista for a while to avoid hardware compatibility headaches.

Appreciate any input ... thanks.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

probably not much of an upgrade. faster yes but not drastically

always worth it to get better IQ and get out of the hassles of sli

 

[Redox]

Yeah, always messing around with profiles is a pain and not all games seem to benefit. When I bought the 24" monitor, the SLI was necessary to get acceptable frame rates at 1920x1200 but now it seems it can be done well with a single card.

 

[amenx]

Originally posted by: Redox
How big an improvement could I expect with a single 8800 GTX vs. 7900 GTX SLI using an X2 4400, 2GB RAM gaming under XP on a 24" monitor at 1920x1200? My power supply is a 620W Enermax Liberty so I don't have the juice for 8800 GTX SLI.

Review sites seem to be mixed on the performance benefits. I'm not planning on upgrading to Vista for a while to avoid hardware compatibility headaches.

Appreciate any input ... thanks.

Well if you dont upgrade to Vista for a while, that means no DX10. So little point in getting a 8800GTX till then esp since the performance of 2 7900GTX will not be far off from a single 8800GTX. Even if you go Vista there are not many DX10 titles out now. But by year end there should be a few titles out, namely Crysis. But also by then (unconfirmed rumors though), the next gen of DX10 cards could also be out, the G92.

 

[Polish3d]

I say if you can sell your GTX's and come within decent range of 800gtx go for it

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: Frackal
I say if you can sell your GTX's and come within decent range of 800gtx go for it

 

[Cookie Monster]

This is a simple choice. The GTX is much faster than the Sli setup you got there (since X1950XTX crossfire is on par with the 8800GTX, logic tells me that the 8800GTX is faster than the 7900GTX SLI). If your not sure, go check the benchmarks. IQ is hands down better on the 8800GTX especially the AF, and you will be able to enable high AA levels thanks to CSAA unlike 7900GTX SLi setup.

I say so for it. You probably wont look back. You dont buy 8800GTX for DX10, but you buy it for what available now. People whove bought it 7 months ago have been enjoying the absolute best DX9 performance.

disclaimer - I heard the 160.02 XP drivers increase FPS quite abit across the board so theres still a lot of potential left in G80.

 

[terentenet]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
This is a simple choice. The GTX is much faster than the Sli setup you got there (since X1950XTX crossfire is on par with the 8800GTX, logic tells me that the 8800GTX is faster than the 7900GTX SLI). If your not sure, go check the benchmarks. IQ is hands down better on the 8800GTX especially the AF, and you will be able to enable high AA levels thanks to CSAA unlike 7900GTX SLi setup.

I say so for it. You probably wont look back. You dont buy 8800GTX for DX10, but you buy it for what available now. People whove bought it 7 months ago have been enjoying the absolute best DX9 performance.

disclaimer - I heard the 160.02 XP drivers increase FPS quite abit across the board so theres still a lot of potential left in G80.

160.02 you say? Cool. Where to get them? Any benches I can look at, compared to 158.22?

Regarding the OP question, GO FOR IT!!! I'm 90% you won't regret it. 7900GTX SLI is a nice setup, I used to run that as well. 8800GTX is in a different league and I'm sure you'll like it. IQ is better, performance is the same in a few cases or better in most cases than 7900GTX SLI.

Originally posted by: amenx
Well if you dont upgrade to Vista for a while, that means no DX10. So little point in getting a 8800GTX till then esp since the performance of 2 7900GTX will not be far off from a single 8800GTX. Even if you go Vista there are not many DX10 titles out now. But by year end there should be a few titles out, namely Crysis. But also by then (unconfirmed rumors though), the next gen of DX10 cards could also be out, the G92.

Not true. He can get the G80 now and enjoy ultimate performance in current games. Plus, think like this.
He would still have to sell the 2 7900GTXs when Crysis and G92 is out. By then, 7900GTXs will be completely outdated and dirt cheap.
Why not sell the 7900GTXs now, he can still get good money for them, jump on the G80 wagon?
If the G80 won't be able to play Crysis, the OP can sell G80 and get G92.
By the time G92 will be out, people will search for DX10 hardware to fing, so the OP will find a buyer for the G80 very fast and for good money.
When G92 will be out, Crysis will be out, Alan Wake will be out, who will want DX9 hardware (7900GTX)? People will pay good bucks for DX10 then.


So yeah, go ahead and buy that 8800GTX allready!!

 

[jim1976]

AFAIK they are quadro drivers, but became known as a fix for some XP issues for the Lost planet demo. It appears that it provides good framerates as well.. You can find them here

 

[Redox]

Thanks for all of the input ... for me the primary motivation is to get away from the hassles associated with SLI profiles and more consistent performance for all games.

From Ebay, it looks like the 7900 GTX's are selling for around $250US so selling a pair of them would come pretty close to a new 8800 GTX.

 

[coldpower27]

Originally posted by: Redox
Thanks for all of the input ... for me the primary motivation is to get away from the hassles associated with SLI profiles and more consistent performance for all games.

From Ebay, it looks like the 7900 GTX's are selling for around $250US so selling a pair of them would come pretty close to a new 8800 GTX.

Go for it while your 7900 GTX's still hold some value. It's also better performance per watt as the GTX only gives off 140W or so to my knowledge vs the 160W for 7900 GTX SLI.