TRI SLI or HD4870 X2 CF

[Stinkyfluid]

Lets say the cost is of no concern, which config will give me more horsepower for 2560 x 1600 gaming ... TRI SLI 280GTX or 2x HD4870 X2 in crossfire setup ???

 

[Hauk]

My main concern would be poor scaling on either platform with 2+ cards. You can't look at how well one or two games scale, gotta look at the big picture. You're overall satisfaction is what's important.

nVidia 2-card SLI is scaling very well right now, seems 80% or better on average across a broad range of games. That's where you want to operate, the best scaling possible across the broadest range possible.

With that said, I'd wait for GTX 280+. A 10% or greater improvement at the same or near same cost will make 2-card SLI a solid choice. Plenty fast and nothing wasted..

 

[Overgloc]

ATI

 

[biostud]

maybe a 4870x2 + 4870 1Gb?

 

[Stinkyfluid]

Originally posted by: biostud
maybe a 4870x2 + 4870 1Gb?

.....

 

[z1ggy]

I really dont think it'll make a huge huge difference which one you do.. those are all sweet sweet cards and if you have more than one of them in a good mobo.. I am pretty sure you will be running max settings on everything with maybe like.. a few exceptions.

 

[ajaidevsingh]

4870 x2 CF would be cheaper and better..!!

 

[Hauk]

I'm in the minority recommending nV given the current popularity of the 48xx series. I have a 4870 X2 but still recommend a GTX 280+ SLI rig over 3-4 GPU rig because they're just getting SLI / CF right with 2 GPU's. 3-4 GPU is still in its infancy. They're promising better drivers are around the corner but you can't bank on it. Proof is in the pudding. If we were four generations into tri / quad driver releases, my answer would be different...

 

[octopus41092]

4870X2 CF. It runs anything at 2560x1600 and it scales really well. According to many benchmarks it scales almost 100%.

 

[Sylvanas]

4870X2 CF. Scales very well on early reports with beta drivers....it can only get better.