To SLI or not to SLI?!

[leeslangley]

Ok,

I am looking at upgrading the main compontents of my computer within the next 2 months and have the following decision.

I havent decided on the actual components yet but the graphics card is whats really bugging me.

Do I go for a single 7800 PCIE card, or could this be outperformed by two 6800 cards in SLI ?

What would be the better option for good gaming?

 

[majistic]

The 7800GTX is still a very good card and is very powerful, Dual 6800s would be a little cheaper, but not by much, you wouldn't gain much of a increase if any with 6800s running SLI. If you really want performace save the $30-$50 and just get a motherboard with 1xPCIE slot and just go with the 7800GTX. I believe they would equal out in price.

 

[PZEROFGH]

you know you can just get a mobo with 2xPCIE-16 and just put one 7800GTX in there

 

[leeslangley]

is there actually that much diffirence in performance between the 6800 and 7800.... basically enough to warrant the extra 100 pounds (what ever in dollars?)

 

[Kazo0]

7800 is obviously better in performance compared to a 6800. I'm leaning towards the 7800 here.

If you really want performace save the $30-$50 and just get a motherboard with 1xPCIE slot and just go with the 7800GTX.

 

[leeslangley]

Yeah, of course I understand the 7800 is the current flagship but what i mean is whats the actual diffirence in performance, if you took a single sysem and benched it with the 6800 and then 7800 what would be the diffirence ?

 

[beedubaya]

Nvidia tries to make you think SLI is the future and you need it for good gaming performance. However, one 7800GTX will do the trick. The 7800GTX has 30-50% more performance than the 6800 Ultra depending on the resolution and anti-aliasing. The 24 pipes of the 7800GTX provide a better fill rate which really helps the card out at ultra-high resolutions. Just be sure to get an SLI board so you can add another 7800GTX later on if it is needed.

 

[socav]

Here are some benchmarks to compare:

http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=806&pageID=1613

What it looks like is when the cards are really pushed, the 7800GTX comes out on top.

 

[GuitarFreak1857]

well of course, look at the specs: 24 pipelines, higher memory clock, ect ect. but the FASTEST and most expensive card is the X1800X. i personally think its not worth the extra 200 bucks... the 7800 will do that job for about another two years