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SLI 7800GTX too much for a 19in LCD?

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A single 7800GTX will be the best bet. Wasting money on last generation cards (e.g. 6800GT/Ultra, X800/850 series) is dumb, because he wants to be able to run at max resolution with all details cranked to max. Check out the benchmarks I posted before, the 6800 Ultra can't even handle BF2 at 1600x1200 with 4X AA (< 30 FPS) and just barely gets by on Doom3 (42 FPS). And yes I know his screen is only 1280x1024, but the numbers are still relevant.

When more taxing games come out next year, he's going to want that 7800GTX over other cards (e.g. 6800 Ultra).
 
Originally posted by: marciorr
Originally posted by: MBrown
Is this way too much for a 19inch?
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That's what I have, it rules. You can use everything in maximum quality. The graphics are incredibles. Go for it.
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I would almost say 2 x 7800GTX on a 1280x1024 resolution IS overkill. At least for current games.
 
I think I've found a perfect solution for you.

Get two 7800GT's in SLI.

Seriously, if you have the money to run these cards in SLI, and it's what you want to do, then you should do it. Anyone who says there isn't a difference, even at 1280x1024, is not looking at the facts close enough. Sure, you might average 50fps with one GTX, but what about when there's a lot going on on the screen? Then you'll hit down into the 30's or even 20's. If you are running two cards, however, those dips will be less severe and less frequent.

The performance of the 7800GT is very very close to the 7800GTX from all indicators I've seen, and it costs $100 less. So save spend $800, save $200, and rock out with dual 7800GT's!

Edit: Errrr, I just perused some BF2 benchies, and it seems that the 7800GT isn't as close to the 7800GTX as I'd thought. So keep that in mind. Maybe dual GTX's is the way to go after all.
 
Originally posted by: MBrown
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: MBrown
^Well I have a 3500 winny @ 2.4Ghz. Is that a bottleneck?
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what's the res of your 19 incher? . . . 10x12 is a "waste" for even a 7800GT and yes, your CPU is a minor bottleneck

edited . . . again
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Even for a single GTX?
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YES . . . READ Anand's review [the conclusion] i linked to . . . a single 6800GT is sufficient for 10x12 for today's games . . . for you, a single 7800GT will be fine . . . add a second one LATER for tomorrow's games [if you want "bragging rights" or plan to upgrade your monitor, get a single 7800GTX and add one later if needed]
 
Originally posted by: xTYBALTx
I think I've found a perfect solution for you.

Get two 7800GT's in SLI.

Seriously, if you have the money to run these cards in SLI, and it's what you want to do, then you should do it. Anyone who says there isn't a difference, even at 1280x1024, is not looking at the facts close enough. Sure, you might average 50fps with one GTX, but what about when there's a lot going on on the screen? Then you'll hit down into the 30's or even 20's. If you are running two cards, however, those dips will be less severe and less frequent.

The performance of the 7800GT is very very close to the 7800GTX from all indicators I've seen, and it costs $100 less. So save spend $800, save $200, and rock out with dual 7800GT's!

Edit: Errrr, I just perused some BF2 benchies, and it seems that the 7800GT isn't as close to the 7800GTX as I'd thought. So keep that in mind. Maybe dual GTX's is the way to go after all.
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most of those dips in the game happen due to CPU having problems with physics, especially online where netcode comes in to the equation as well......you could have 4 cards SLI'd (if it were possible) but you would still get those dips.....
however hang back for a moment on upgrading your CPU as well, when the PhysX chip comes out properly, if its available to add to your system on its own (as opposed to being on a graphics card) then that will handle the physics so those dips will become a thing of the past......untill even more physics heavy games come out and require a faster PhysX chip...heh

 
Well, a year from now you will want to have the 7800GTX and you will be kicking yourself for not spending the little extra. Get that or the 7800GT and be very happy for probably a year or two, at least...
 
Originally posted by: ss284
Get a bigger monitor. The 7800 gtx should really be used for 1600-1200 or higher.
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Now that's true, but a year from now.... that 7800GTX should be good for 1280*1024 for a long time!
 
Overkill for now, but maybe not so much so a year down the road. Then again, if you're going to upgrade again in a year anyway....
 
I don't wanna get a 7800gt and be regeting not getting a gtx a year from now. Do you think I'm going to feel that way. Current gt owners, how do yours hold up?
 
Originally posted by: MBrown
I don't wanna get a 7800gt and be regeting not getting a gtx a year from now. Do you think I'm going to feel that way. Current gt owners, how do yours hold up?
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Dude, just get the 7800GTX. You want to have plenty of leeway when playing games at max settings, so FPS doesn't drop below 40 or so, and only the 7800GTX can do that. Plus in the next year or two when better games come out only the 7800GTX will be able to handle them well.

And then when even more taxing games arrive, drop in that 2nd 7800GTX, and by then it will be way way cheaper.
 
OP, I have some numbers for you for 1280x1024, taken from here. This is with 4xAA 8xAF, and max details, so all eye candy is on.

Doom 3
x850 XTPE........88
6800U..............93
6800U SLI.......159
7800 GTX........121
7800 GTX SLI..184
7800 GT..........114
7800 GT SLI....178

FarCry
x850 XTPE........63
6800U..............50
6800U SLI........81
7800 GTX.........65
7800 GTX SLI...91
7800 GT...........62
7800 GT SLI.....91

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
with HDR and 16xAF
x850 XTPE........53
6800U..............48
6800U SLI........87
7800 GTX.........67
7800 GTX SLI..123
7800 GT...........61
7800 GT SLI....114

As you can see, at your resolution, in these games, there is very little difference between the GTX and GT. Sure, these aren't next-gen games, so in a year or two, will the difference between them be just as miniscule or much greater? I'm guessing the former.

I say, save the money and get the GT. The GTX has 20% more cost (pricing pulled from AT's rtp) and seems to offer about 5-10% more performance, at that res on these games.
 
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