2x 9800gt 512 (SLI) VS. a XFX 260GTX

Hello there, on a recent post I was asking for advice on some upgrading to my pc using some video cards I got for free. (Here´s the link in case you guys want to see)

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=304938

Right now I’m running a 6600Quad core 4gb o RAM a Evga 680I SLI and a XFX 9800gt 512, after selling my two other cards I going to be left with enough money to get either of these:
1. - An exact duplicate of my 9800 for SLI plus a new 22 LCD monitor to replace my old 19
OR
2. XFX GTX260 Core Edition 896MB DD3 576Mhz
So guys any advice? Personal experiences, with either one of these? Given the current political and economic situation in my country I don’t know when and If we will get the 300 series so I must upgrade now. And as I stated on the post above I can’t buy of international sellers so I’m stuck with either if these choices.

Thanks in advance.

Miguel

 

1. 9800 GT SLI + Upgrade to 24" HD not 22".

OR

2. GTX 260 216 costs roughly 170$-190$. Extend your budget a bit and GTX275.

I love HD and definitely recommend it. 9800GT SLI can handle quite today's games maybe except a few...OPTION 1.

 

i would have thought new 22inch would be the way to go..although you will need something like a 260 for ideal performance.

i guess u dont have budget for both? mmm i see your dilemma. if push comes to shove u could still run with your current until u can afford a better gpu..

(plus as jmp says 24inch u really get a whole new gaming/viewing experience)

 

HD is better and 9800 GT SLI performs as much as 260 performs @ 1440X900. So, 9800 GT SLI. PhysX isn't a great deal. Think of ATI owners and the number of PhysX games...

 

While a couple of 9800GT's in SLI will have about the same average FPS as a single GTX260, the GTX260 is going to feel a lot smoother and you won't have to deal with the problems that come with SLI systems.

As far as 22" vs 24" - yes, you won't get full HD on a 22" monitor (well, most of them anyway) - but I've had a 24" (1920x1200) monitor for 3-4 years and I have been thinking about going one step lower in resolution just because you almost always need the top end GPU's to support it and most newer games. The next step down in resolution equals about 30% less required performance from the video cards. 30% can be a lot for some games - for example if you're getting 40fps say in crysis on a 20-22" monitor (1680x1050) you will get around 28fps with the same settings/config/hardware on a 24" monitor (1920x1200).

So my vote is for a GTX260 or a GTX275 - then research a high quality 22" (or 24") monitor and get it a little later down the road.

 

i have to agree. 24inch can be done with a 260 but it will struggle.

i would suggest u try and have a look at a 24inch in action. at a mates or in a shop...

if u are blown away then 24inch screen must be your top priority (despues la cerveza y las mujeres).

 

I am getting 24" inch very soon to replace my 17", you say not to? Except games like Crysis, Stalker Clear sky I can max out almost any game with an average of 60fps..

 

I think I must forget of the 24 Inch for now, cuz if I got it then I can´t afford the 260! I might be able to get away with a single 260 and the 22 Inch screen, but that 260 its sure to be better than the 2x 9800?

 

9800GT SLI should outperform a GTX 260. IMO if you are on a budget AT ALL or have any doubts dont get it.

i dont even want to upgrade to a 260 from my 9600's.


but yeah as far as monitor a 22 inch or higher will be nice. honestly i'de get a 2ms with 75Hz refresh for gaming.

 

pretty much my setup........ but mine are the gtx+`s

look where i reached in the vantage scores: (38)

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=260544

 

well i ran a 24inch on a 260 for a month or so and most of the time was ok if i lowered settings down and kept reasonable amounts of aa and af and low/off shadows.

but dont expect it 2 fly with games like crysis or stalker

 

If you look at benchmarks only SLI'ed 9800GT's will be about the same as a single GTX260... But the GTX260 is the better choice as it will be a lot smoother, minimum frames will be a lot higher, and in games were SLI isn't supported it will be completely the better choice. Plus you won't have to deal with the possible "micro-studder" with an SLI system - nor the extra power requirements.

Speaking of power requirements, your current PSU is going to be stressed with an SLI system - it's possible it could cause other problems like shutdowns or it could even pop a cap.

My recommendation is to get a single GTX260 or 275 (the 275 would be a better choice and not too much higher in cost).

Sell your current 9800 if need to make up the difference between the 260 and the 275. Don't use it for physics as you won't really gain anything.

Last point... On a 24" monitor with a resolution of 1920x1200 - your current card with only 512MB of memory might suffer and run into memory usage limitation and bring your system to a crawl. Even if you get another 9800 you will still only have 512MB total video memory to use (SLI doesn't double the amount of memory).

 

Hello guys! Thanks for all the replies and advice I think I might be able to go with A 260 and a 22 Inch LCD…

Here is what I can get for my price range on the local marker (remember no international purchases for me)…

Monitor.
Samsung 2333sw Monitor 23 1080p Full Hd 1920x1080 Dvi

http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computerperipherals&type=monitor&subtype=lcdmonitor&model_cd=LS23CMZKFV/XY

Video card.
Xfx Gtx260 Geforce 896mb Ddr3 Core E. 216

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV-14347173-xfx-gtx260-geforce-896mb-ddr3-core-e-216-stream-processors-_JM

(Sorry about the spanish Url but have no time to search the web, sendinf this for My BlackBerry).

So, are they a good choice?

Cheers!

 

I don't care what anyone else says - A single GTX260 (Or something better) is better then two G92's in SLI. I know this from personal experiance. While the max and average frame-rates tend to be better with the two G92's - They have a much lower minimum framerate. Meaning - You have to run games with lower settings with the two G92's then you would a single GTX260. Also, the games that can't use SLI (Which are quite a few), a single GTX260 is way better obviously.

So yeah, get the single better card.

 

9800GT with a little bit of overclock will preform about the same as GTX275. i have a GTX275 now and i see no different in the two.

 

And if you're getting 260, spend 30$ more and 275, its fully worth.

 

facts.. two 9800 in sli is pretty much the same as two 9600gt in sli.. i have those and also have my gtx260

here are some bench:

with my two 9600 gt in SLI 8x/8x



with my gtx260 oc


ps. i decided to keep my single gtx260 over two medium card in SLI.. i also notice tha most games runs better with my single gtx260.

 

Well if you saw 9600 GT SLI = ~9800 GT, you're experiencing CPU bottleck ( 6000+). And again 9800 GT SLI beats GTX 260 192. The games may run smoother but 9800 GT SLI performs better*

 

we have have pretty much the same rig... but i have my cpu at 3.5ghz 24/7.. sometimes i get bsod so i drop it to 3.425ghz.. but still i know i have bottelneck.