SLI or Buy a better graphics card???

[scottwba121]

I have 1 BFG 8600GTS 256mb and i wanna know if i should buy a better graphics card around £200 or just buy another 8600GTS (£136) what would i get better perfomance with? the 2 8600gts or a single better 1? thanks

[carl33p]

Sell the 8600GTS and get a 8800GT.

SLI creates more heat, consumes more power, and often yields less than expected performance.

[nemowolf]

Sell the 8600GTS and get a 8800GT.

SLI creates more heat, consumes more power, and often yields less than expected performance.

As Carl mentioned, it doesnt double your performance as you may think. Its more like adding a bit more processing power but no where near double. As many are suspecting this is the new "must have" 8800 card and the possibly the last before the 8900 series appears.

[scottwba121]

What card would you recommend? can i have a link please? thanks

[scottwba121]

Sell the 8600GTS and get a 8800GT.

SLI creates more heat, consumes more power, and often yields less than expected performance.

Isnt the 8800GTS better than the GT?

[RedFury]

So what's the point of SLI then? Is it one of those things that if you aren't playing games designed to take advantage of SLI, then it won't do you any good? I'm curious because I'm starting a laundry list for a new gaming system. I don't see the point of going SLI if there isn't much of a performance increase, just a bigger "wow" factor.

[SoloCamo]

SLI does make a huge difference...if the game supports it of course. However, unless you have a really good psu and just a generally really good rig it it isn't really worth it.

Besides, unless you are pumping out extremely high settings at 1600x1200 or higher resolutions SLI even gets less useful. Now don't get me wrong, SLI is a nice thing to have and will improve your framerates a good deal. However, the extra power needed, extra heat created, compatibility issues with older games, and cost don't make it a viable solution for most.

If you can get two good cards in SLI, or one great card, always opt for the better, single card.

[scottwba121]

I want it for crysis really. so what u think i should get?

[RedFury]

yeahbut.

Yeah, but if the budget gets me a lower end 8xxx series card to start because I dumped the really good money into processor, ram and powersupply, I can add the second card for the higher level performance I eventually want, without the $400 initial price tag. That's the advantage for someone starting from scratch building a new system.

I can agree on buying the best, but you also have to take in account buying the best that you can afford at the time. Sometimes that is just easier to manage on a build budget that has little room for flexibility.

[SoloCamo]

I fully understand where you are coming from. However, a lot of times 2 of the "lower end" cards in SLI will not match or come close to matching the performance of the single higher end card.

[nemowolf]

two 84/8600 series cards in SLI do not equal one 8800 series card. You MAY experience similar results but it is not the same in things like Crysis.

To experience the best results your best bet is to get ONE really good vid card now and when they drop in price and new models are out buy another one if your really fiending for more power.

[scottwba121]

Would 2 bfg 8600gts 256mb be better than 1 8800gt 512mb?

[FlyinHawaiian]

No scott, because the 8800gt is getting performance reviews close to, and matching the 8800GTX.

[scottwba121]

how much you think i would get for my bfg 8600gts on ebay?

[scottwba121]

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=29036

or

http://www.pixmania-pro.co.uk/uk/uk/...html?srcid=867

or

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/351521...+Graphics+Card

[nemowolf]

Its your preference on manufacturer, personally i choose BFG. Its not so much price here your looking for but instead what is going to work best for you. I noticed the sparkle does not use the reference cooling system, is that going to work for you? Do you plan on overclocking and prefer to get your own aftermarket cooling system?

Take time to consider all that and the fact that your going to find most places out of stock ... so you may have to wait for the one you want to become available or just buy what you can.

[KarmaKiller]

Hi there..
Out of the three cards you linked to. The EVGA card runs that fastest. BUT, I have to say that BFG cards come with lifetime warranties, which IMO is really worth it.

Hope I helped!!

[DeathWish187]

It's so awesome when your excited to play a game to find out it hates all the major components of the build....

[RamonGTP]

Isnt the 8800GTS better than the GT?

Normally a GTS model is higher up than a GT model, in the case of the 8800's however this is not the case. There is rumorted to be a GTS revision 2 which should outclass the GT, but as of today's offerings an 8800GT>8800GTS