Two mid-end cards in SLI versus a higher end-card

[guypanmoogoo]

So, here's a major question.

What gives better bang for the buck? Two mid-end Nvidia cards in a SLI configuration, or just going ahead and buying a higher end card?

I can get an ASUS GTX-660 model card for about half the price of a 670 card. I am thinking of buying one 660 now, then buying the other in about 6 months and then running in SLI. Or, I may even be satisfied with just the one.

So, does that make sense, or are the 670 models so superior that one would still outclass two 660's in SLi?

Oh, and for info purposes, I'm getting a 3D monitor, so 3D gaming (and gaming in general) would be the main use for this computer.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

I'd take one 680 over 660ti sli or Titan over 680 sli.

 

[Borealis7]

Two GTX6600s in SLI are faster than a GTX680. it's only a matter of whether or not you can stand the Microstutter.

 

[Zap]

BENEFIT OF 2 CHEAPER CARDS
Higher framerates
Cheaper
Bragging rights "I've got SLI"

BENEFIT OF A SINGLE, MORE EXPENSIVE CARD
No microstutter
Can use slightly cheaper motherboard
Can use slightly cheaper PSU
Don't need as much airflow
Can use smaller case (SFF)
Not at mercy of SLI scaling
Bragging rights "I've got high end gear"

Personally I'm moving everything to SFF so I'm going with a single, more expensive card.

 

[Termie]

So, here's a major question.

What gives better bang for the buck? Two mid-end Nvidia cards in a SLI configuration, or just going ahead and buying a higher end card?

I can get an ASUS GTX-660 model card for about half the price of a 670 card. I am thinking of buying one 660 now, then buying the other in about 6 months and then running in SLI. Or, I may even be satisfied with just the one.

So, does that make sense, or are the 670 models so superior that one would still outclass two 660's in SLi?

Oh, and for info purposes, I'm getting a 3D monitor, so 3D gaming (and gaming in general) would be the main use for this computer.

I am currently benchmarking HD7870 Crossfire, and I can tell you without a doubt, it beats my OC'd GTX670 very easily. This is analogous to your situation, as an HD7870 is roughly the speed of a 660.

I haven't noticed any microstutter in the HD7870 Crossfire setup, but based on other reviews, I know it's a potential problem. On the other hand, SLI is relatively smooth. There's no question in my mind that 660SLI will both bench faster and feel faster than a 670.

And no, the 670 isn't "so superior" to a 660 that it makes the 670 worth twice as much - in fact, it's only about 25% faster. That simply is nowhere near enough to make it comparable to dual 660 cards. If the 670 were cheaper where you live, it might be a more difficult decision, but the 670 is definitely not worth twice as much.

 

[thilanliyan]

I'd go with the single high end card.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

BENEFIT OF 2 CHEAPER CARDS
Higher framerates
Cheaper
Bragging rights "I've got SLI"

BENEFIT OF A SINGLE, MORE EXPENSIVE CARD
No microstutter
Can use slightly cheaper motherboard
Can use slightly cheaper PSU
Don't need as much airflow
Can use smaller case (SFF)
Not at mercy of SLI scaling
Bragging rights "I've got high end gear"

Personally I'm moving everything to SFF so I'm going with a single, more expensive card.

Pretty much this

 

[BrightCandle]

I have been using dual GPUs for a long time. The recent scandal aside there have always been problems. Even today you need profile support and a bit of luck to see good scaling.

Personally I can only advise going as high as you can on a single card (with the exception of titan which I think is out of touch in its pricing) and then if its not enough then sli. The reason is simple, one day you will be playing a game where sli doesn't work, where you will have random slowdowns as scenes fail to scale or just plain old microstutter. All problems you will never had on a single card. Sli gives you higher fps often but certainly not always and I don't think in the mid to upper range of cards its a good trade off. You won't ever regret having just one card, but two you will swear and curse at it at least once every couple of months.

 

[rgallant]

So, here's a major question.

What gives better bang for the buck? Two mid-end Nvidia cards in a SLI configuration, or just going ahead and buying a higher end card?

I can get an ASUS GTX-660 model card for about half the price of a 670 card. I am thinking of buying one 660 now, then buying the other in about 6 months and then running in SLI. Or, I may even be satisfied with just the one.

So, does that make sense, or are the 670 models so superior that one would still outclass two 660's in SLi?

Oh, and for info purposes, I'm getting a 3D monitor, so 3D gaming (and gaming in general) would be the main use for this computer.

-3D @ what res. ?, could be even 1 670 won't cut it today with some games

 

[guypanmoogoo]

-3D @ what res. ?, could be even 1 670 won't cut it today with some games

The max res would be 1920x1080 as that is max res of the monitor. That is partly why I ask as well. Would one 660 card handle that, and would SLI be my savior if I was unsatisfied?

So far, I am not sure from responses. Wildly different opinions.

If I went SLI, it would be two ASUS cards and ASUS motherboard. Does keeping everything same manufacturer get around these "stutter" and scaling issues, or is SLI just buggy?

Also, let's keep in mind the "value" factor. On one site (Canadian site btw), I see 660 at $229, 670 at $409, and 680 at $519. There's no way I'm SLI'ing 570's or 680's. The 680 is awfully expensive.

 

[Termie]

The max res would be 1920x1080 as that is max res of the monitor. That is partly why I ask as well. Would one 660 card handle that, and would SLI be my savior if I was unsatisfied.

So far, I am not sure from responses. Wildly different opinions.

If I went SLI, it would be two ASUS cards and ASUS motherboard. Does keeping everything same manufacturer get around these "stutter" and scaling issues, or is SLI just buggy?

No need to use the same manufacturer for the graphics cards and motherboards, although Asus is a reputable manufacturer for both.

SLI isn't exactly buggy, it's just more complicated, and that can lead to problems like incompatibility.

Can you provide us the prices that you're actually considering right now for the 660 and 670. That will help people give you the best advice. 3D in new games (if it's offered) uses a lot of GPU power. I'd imagine that you'd want at least a 670 for that, but as I noted above, 660SLI will be much faster.

 

[guypanmoogoo]

No need to use the same manufacturer for the graphics cards and motherboards, although Asus is a reputable manufacturer for both.

SLI isn't exactly buggy, it's just more complicated, and that can lead to problems like incompatibility.

Can you provide us the prices that you're actually considering right now for the 660 and 670. That will help people give you the best advice. 3D in new games (if it's offered) uses a lot of GPU power. I'd imagine that you'd want at least a 670 for that, but as I noted above, 660SLI will be much faster.

As stated above...

" I see 660 at $229, 670 at $409, and 680 at $519."

I imagine that will be roughly the price ranges wherever I look.

So, you think a 660 by itself would almost surely not cut it, and a 670 would be pressing it?

 

[Termie]

As stated above...

" I see 660 at $229, 670 at $409, and 680 at $519."

I imagine that will be roughly the price ranges wherever I look.

So, you think a 660 by itself would almost surely not cut it, and a 670 would be pressing it?

At those prices, neither the 670 nor the 680 are good deals. If you were to buy a card more powerful that the 660, I would look at the Radeon HD7950 - I assume it will be priced in between the 660 and 670.

I really haven't seen any benchmarks lately for 3D gaming, but I know that for the latest games coming out right now, the 660 is more than adequate at 1080p for 2D gaming. Assuming 3D gaming is nearly twice the graphics load, however, I'd say the 670 would barely cut it.

Perhaps others with experience in 3D gaming can provide their insights.

 

[guskline]

Running 2 EVGA GTX670 FTWs in SLI in rig 1 and they are incredibly fast.