Single card upgrade: (2)8800GT in SLI ---> ?

[Pohemi]

I've seen some of the other threads in this forum comparing older SLI setups to newer single card solutions and comparing power and capability. I've been using (2) 8800GT cards in SLI for some time, and while I don't feel the need to "upgrade" (I've had no lack of performance issues), I've been considering moving to a single newer card for several reasons, most important being less power usage, less heat, and less noise.

I actually don't mind getting a little less performance factor, as I only really play WoW, CS:S, and maybe some occasional Torchlight. I don't really care to spend 1-200 dollars to have a slightly quieter/cooler system though, so I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on a card that would be a good option, or maybe some insight on a time frame that some of the existing cards may drop in price. I admittedly have not kept up to date on the newer tech lately, so I don't know all the details of the newer video cards/chipsets.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

EDIT: specs might help, right?
-EVGA 780i SLI mobo
-Intel Q9650 @ 3.0 (stock)
-OCZ DDR2 1066 8gb (4x2gb)
-EVGA nVidia 8800GT (x2) in SLI
-Antec 650W(?) PSU
-LG Blu-ray rom
-WD Black 640gb HDD
-Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
-Acer 24in 1080p LCD

P.S. Been thinking about picking up a 32-40in 1080p LCD TV as well, which would obviously be hooked up to my PC...so a new card would have to be capable of running dual 1080p monitors (a 24in and a 40in?). Would a 5850 have any problems doing that?

 

[Skurge]

A 5850 would be excellent for you, if you are willing to spend the $300 that they cost. after that, the drop in performance is quite steep but prices are close to the 5850.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Two 8800GTS are still really powerful in SLI. To make a real noticeable and worthwhile upgrade would be to a 5870 or a 480. That's it really. The 5850 or a 470 wont be all that much better. You will feel that upgrade itch real fast if you skimp out. You didn't with the 8800GTS in SLI, don't do it now.

 

[v8envy]

Two 8800GTS in SLI is faster than a 4890 in apps where scaling is good. Which means it's also faster than a 5830. A 5850 is likely faster still, but not by enough to notice.

A GTX480 should be your minimal upgrade, IMO. Won't be getting a cooler or less noisy system that way, though.

Welcome to the great video card drought of 2010 where 2009 performance costs 25% more (but you get more features! yay).

Next year should be even worse -- cost of Chinese manufacture is going up up UP.

 

[lopri]

I had almost the same exact setup as the OP's a couple years ago. 8800GT SLI is not that great, folks. Especially @1920x1200 and higher. I once took out one of them to clean up, and believe it or not a single 8800GT felt smoother in many games than two in tandem.

If you want to keep the NV ecosystem, look for a used GTX 275/285. You should easily find one for less than $200. And the difference will be huge. If not, HD 5850 is a good choice. Heck I'd even choose a single HD 5770 over 8800 GT SLI.

This is based on my personal experience so I'm fully aware that review numbers may not necessarily be on my side. But I did have that setup (780i + 8800GT SLI) for almost a year.

 

[happy medium]

Toyota, (a member here) went from a gtx 260 to a gtx 470 and he said it wasn't much.
2 8800gt's = gtx 285, so I 'd go for a gtx 480 or better.

 

[Grooveriding]

5970 ofc

:thumbsup:

 

[Pohemi]

Maybe I should try dropping clocks/voltages/fan speeds to reduce noise and heat? haha

 

[mfenn]

Two 8800GTS are still really powerful in SLI. To make a real noticeable and worthwhile upgrade would be to a 5870 or a 480. That's it really. The 5850 or a 470 wont be all that much better. You will feel that upgrade itch real fast if you skimp out. You didn't with the 8800GTS in SLI, don't do it now.

Two 8800GTS in SLI is faster than a 4890 in apps where scaling is good. Which means it's also faster than a 5830. A 5850 is likely faster still, but not by enough to notice.

A GTX480 should be your minimal upgrade, IMO. Won't be getting a cooler or less noisy system that way, though.

Welcome to the great video card drought of 2010 where 2009 performance costs 25% more (but you get more features! yay).

Next year should be even worse -- cost of Chinese manufacture is going up up UP.

OP has 8800GT SLI which is about equal to a GTX 275 @ 1920x1200 if they are the original 512MB part. A 5850 would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Skurge]

The op said the main reason for switching setups isn't necessarily for more performance, but for a cooler/quieter system. Getting a 470/480 would defeat that.

 

[RussianSensation]

OP has 8800GT SLI which is about equal to a GTX 275 @ 1920x1200 if they are the original 512MB part. A 5850 would be a nice upgrade.

I hope you are not being serious. Going from GTX 275 to a 5850 is not a nice upgrade given that 5850 will cost $290-300. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/geforce-gtx-465_7.html#sect1

Although in some games 5850 does deliver better framerates, for the most part 5850 is hardly more than 30% faster than a GTX275 at 1920x1080/1200. GTX480 or 5870 is the minimum worthwhile upgrade from a GTX275.

If you want to get technical, 5850 is about 17-25% faster than a GTX275 when you are comparing a wide variety of games (and not just Metro 2033 or Battle Forge): http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_465/29.html

 

[zerocool84]

The op said the main reason for switching setups isn't necessarily for more performance, but for a cooler/quieter system. Getting a 470/480 would defeat that.

Yep only ATI offers what he wants. A 5850 fits the bill well as nothing touches it for price/performance/power-output.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I was running 2 8800gts 512's in sli and wanted a single card so I went with a 4890. It was basically on par with them in most situations where they didn't scale well. Now I run two 480's in sli which do scale at almost 100% depending on the program. A single 480 will completely blow your 8800's away.

 

[Pohemi]

OP has 8800GT SLI which is about equal to a GTX 275 @ 1920x1200 if they are the original 512MB part. A 5850 would be a nice upgrade.

The op said the main reason for switching setups isn't necessarily for more performance, but for a cooler/quieter system. Getting a 470/480 would defeat that.

Yep only ATI offers what he wants. A 5850 fits the bill well as nothing touches it for price/performance/power-output.

Thanks for the input from everyone...I had an idea that a 5850 would be my best option, I'm just not thrilled about the price. One last question: will a single card (i.e. 5850) be just as capable at running multiple large 1080p displays (a 23in and 32in) as my current 8800GT SLI setup?

 

[Skurge]

Thanks for the input from everyone...I had an idea that a 5850 would be my best option, I'm just not thrilled about the price. One last question: will a single card (i.e. 5850) be just as capable at running multiple large 1080p displays (a 23in and 32in) as my current 8800GT SLI setup?

Do you mean is it capable of running 2 displays at the same time or do mean will it perform as good running at 1080p as the GTs?

Well a 5850 is perfectly suited to 1080p or even higher, and will run 2 displays simultaneously without a problem.

 

[Pohemi]

Yeah I don't doubt that a 5850 is capable, just pondering how much running 2 full 1080p displays might bog it down (never tried with current setup either, I'll find out today). I know most cards now have max resolutions of 2500x1600 or so (or more), but running 2 displays at that resolution will certainly make the card chug. Chances are I'll be using the new 32in display mostly for watching blu-rays/dvds and continue using the 23in for gaming and other typical usage (the 32in sitting on my desk right in my face might be a little much).

 

[veri745]

Yeah I don't doubt that a 5850 is capable, just pondering how much running 2 full 1080p displays might bog it down (never tried with current setup either, I'll find out today). I know most cards now have max resolutions of 2500x1600 or so (or more), but running 2 displays at that resolution will certainly make the card chug. Chances are I'll be using the new 32in display mostly for watching blu-rays/dvds and continue using the 23in for gaming and other typical usage (the 32in sitting on my desk right in my face might be a little much).

The 5850 is perfectly capable of running eyefinity at 3x 1920x1080. I think you'll be fine.

 

[Pohemi]

Well I think my NV ecosystem might have to be scrapped, it looks like I'll be searching for a 5850 in the not too distant future...next Sunday, A.D.? Thanks again for the advice