1680x1050: SLI 260GTX ir single 280GTX?

[MisterMister]

Here is the question...

My maximum resolution (native LCD rez.) is 1680x1050 @ 20". Now given that, I am wondering which will give me the best bang for the buck? Is a single 280GTX going to be enough, or will 2x 260GTXs in SLI going to be the way to go as far as $ per performance ratios go? I am basically looking to run today's and tomorrow's games at ~ a 60FPS average with AA turned on (and obviously running at my screens native resolution).

Before, I was going to go with a single 260 to start, but with the recent price drops and the future drops in store after the 55nm 200GTX releases, the 280GTX has become quite available price wise... as well as buying multiple 260s for an SLI set up.

So I am just trying to get a basis on what will work for my specific application while giving me the performance which I require... all while keeping cost to a minimum. Any advise/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

-MM

[grimreefer]

gtx 260 SLI is faster, gtx 280 is cheaper and leaves the option for SLI open for the future.
i think you should get a gtx 280 and stick in one of your old 9600gt's for dedicated physics, and then call it a day.

[MisterMister]

Originally Posted by grimreefer

gtx 260 SLI is faster, gtx 280 is cheaper and leaves the option for SLI open for the future.
i think you should get a gtx 280 and stick in one of your old 9600gt's for dedicated physics, and then call it a day.

You can do that? Link?

[ChaoticNick]

http://www.driverheaven.net/articles...d=122&pageid=4

From the three PhysX enabled systems the best performer is the Zotac 9800GTX+ handling the graphics work with a second card, the 9600GT processing the PhysX workload.

Anyways, I agree with grimreefer, a single 280 now will be fine, I think it's even overkill for many current games at your res, let alone SLI 260s.

[MisterMister]

Interesting. So this dedicated PhysX card isnt working with SLI ATM though? It seems as though people with 2 SLI video cards and a 3rd PhysX card are having issues. Namely, the PC wont link the SLI cards/or wont resd the 3rd PhysX only card if they do get SLI going. Im assuming this is just a driver issue?

[SH64]

Single 280. less power draw , heat & no SLI troubles to deal with.

[Lfctony]

Go with one GTX280 for now and get another one when the prices go even more down. But I think you'll need a new PSU as well...

You also might want to wait for the GTX280 revision...

[Vanzagar]

Originally Posted by Lfctony

Go with one GTX280 for now and get another one when the prices go even more down...

What Lfctony you're recommending SLI, wtf??

You had me sold on staying away from SLI with all the micro stuttering issues you've had, did you get them resolved?

[Lfctony]

Originally Posted by rhuala

What Lfctony you're recommending SLI, wtf??

You had me sold on staying away from SLI with all the micro stuttering issues you've had, did you get them resolved?

I'm not recommending SLI, I'm just saying it's better to get 1x280 now and add a second one later if he wants, vs 2x260s right now.

Unfortunately, I was unable to resolve my issues. It might have been my board, I don't know. I ended up taking one of the two cards out and I went back to my G31 value board. I might get myself a 780i board from eVGA (I have some store credit), though I'm quite cautious about it...

Anyway, I tend to notice these stuff a lot, have an eye for detail you might say. I also tend to obsess about stuff that bother me, while other people would not have noticed it at all or just plain not let it bother them.

[Blacklash]

I tried 790i and it was like a crazy girlfriend. Up one minute and off for no reason the next. So no SLi for me.

For most people @ 1680x, I'd say get a single overclocked GTX 260 or GTX 280.

For the rest of the system I'd say; 4GB ram, Vista HP x64, Q6600 G-0, or E8400|8500, and P45, X38 or even P35. If you're an AMD fan get a 9850, 9950 and a mobo that uses the SB 750. They have at least one 790FX out now with it from Foxconn. The rest are GX boards.

Other alternatives for video would be; HD 4870, overclocked HD 4850 or 9800GTX+.

The GTX 280 is a good card. I only returned mine for a refund because of the very high release price. Also a single overclocked GTX 260 handles 1920x fine outside of Crysis all very high.

[dookika]

Originally Posted by Blacklash

I tried 790i and it was like a crazy girlfriend. Up one minute and off for no reason the next. So no SLi for me.

For most people @ 1680x, I'd say get a single overclocked GTX 260 or GTX 280.

For the rest of the system I'd say; 4GB ram, Vista HP x64, Q6600 G-0, or E8400|8500, and P45, X38 or even P35. If you're an AMD fan get a 9850, 9950 and a mobo that uses the SB 750. They have at least one 790FX out now with it from Foxconn. The rest are GX boards.

Other alternatives for video would be; HD 4870, overclocked HD 4850 or 9800GTX+.

The GTX 280 is a good card. I only returned mine for a refund because of the very high release price. Also a single overclocked GTX 260 handles 1920x fine outside of Crysis all very high.

Fully agreed.

[MisterMister]

A) Ive used SLI for 2 generations of Nvidia cards now and I have no issues with it what so ever. In fact the performance output of my SLI'd 9600GTs is so outstanding, I've kept them MUCH longer then I intended. I was going to trade up with the EVGA step up program but that point is WAY long gone because there was no need to upgrade at that time.

B) There is no way in hell I'm changing my motherboard.

C) I've yet to encounter a single issue about my RAM. 2GB is still more then enough for gaming which is the most intensive thing I do on my PC.