What would be better? SLI or Single?

[Fuganater]

Ok I am looking for new video card(s), but I am unsure of whether to go with 2 8600 cards in SLI or a single 8800. (Both will be Nvidia)

For the SLI set I was thinking 2 of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150258

And for the Single I was thinking:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150259
(Or something similar)

Going over $300 for a video card is a bit much for me being school payments and my new car :D (Posting that soon) so I need to stay under that.

If you could guide me towards a selection I would apprecieate it much. I'm looking to buy within in about 1-2 weeks.

Thanks!!!

-Fuga

[DZ469]

I think you are better off going with the single 8800GT. The 8600's
are so extremely underpowered that 2 in SLI, while good, are nothing
compared to the 8800GT. I would put my money on the 8800 any day.

--> Here (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3140&p=8) is a link to a test between an 8800Gt and an 8600
I know it is single cards but even in SLI the 86's wouldnt touch the 8800

[Spawn-Inc]

i would opt for teh single card to, but 8600GT's are alot better than what your saying dz469.

a 8800GT with a e6750 @ 3.7GHz only got 13268 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4563665) on 3dmark 06 while sli 8600GT's with a e6600 @ 3.3GHz got 9855 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4336518).

but still i would go with 1 card over 2 smaller ones. you can always upgrade two a second card later on. i would go with the eVGA one as you can also step-up within 90 days should you get more money and get a better card.

EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319)

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318)

[Khuz360]

I would recommend the single and then when you the money go for an upgrade thats what I did anyway. The 8600's in SLi only just beat the the 8800 in terms of performance and of course the 8800 gives you much more overclocking power. Id stick to the XFX iv always used them and they have never let me down the card you are looking at is one that I bought for a friend and he was very happy with it

[.Maleficus.]

Good rule of thumb.

Always buy 1 "great" video card over 2 "good" video cards. The best that the two will do is only the best that the 1 can do, so over time if you buy another, it will be way better than the two good cards.

[Fuganater]

i would opt for teh single card to, but 8600GT's are alot better than what your saying dz469.

a 8800GT with a e6750 @ 3.7GHz only got 13268 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4563665) on 3dmark 06 while sli 8600GT's with a e6600 @ 3.3GHz got 9855 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4336518).

but still i would go with 1 card over 2 smaller ones. you can always upgrade two a second card later on. i would go with the eVGA one as you can also step-up within 90 days should you get more money and get a better card.

EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319)

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318)

Your gonna have to explain that Stepping deal to me. But I do like the Superclocked one. it seems worth it for 20 bucks.

[Spawn-Inc]

most of there cards and motherboards come with step up, here is a link to there site that explains it all.

eVGA Step-Up Program (http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=3)

i have about 60 days left to upgrade my 8600GT, well if i didn't void the warranty but volt moding :)
right now eVGA is offer a 60 step up on the 680i board to 780i for people who have the A1 and T1 boards. i have about 34 days left, not sure i want to upgrade though as it will cost me 89.99 plus shipping.

[Skriger]

Hmm didnt know that PCIE2.0 was backwards compatible. Nice. Thanks for the input guys.

[Spawn-Inc]

Hmm didnt know that PCIE2.0 was backwards compatible. Nice. Thanks for the input guys.

ha, this isn't your thread:) but here (http://www.pcisig.com/news_room/faqs/pcie2.0_faq/) is a think from the pcie people

[crenn]

most of there cards and motherboards come with step up, here is a link to there site that explains it all.

eVGA Step-Up Program (http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=3)

i have about 60 days left to upgrade my 8600GT, well if i didn't void the warranty but volt moding :)
right now eVGA is offer a 60 step up on the 680i board to 780i for people who have the A1 and T1 boards. i have about 34 days left, not sure i want to upgrade though as it will cost me 89.99 plus shipping.

According to that link, you can't upgrade your 8600GT. And not because you used a pencil to volt mod it.

[Spawn-Inc]

i have registered mine and it show the date green and gives me a choice to stepup with 29 days left.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6039/stepupmh7.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stepupmh7.jpg)

[Fuganater]

Thanks for the info Spawn!

[DZ469]

Hey Spawn, i may have exaggerated a little bit. The 8600s are decent
cards, but 2 of them still wouldnt be enough to beat an 8800. So, like
everyone else said, Fugenator, you should get an 8800 definitely.

[Fuganater]

Well I got my EVGA 8800GT Superclocked today :D. Pics are in my worklog!