9800 GTX SLI vs GTX 285

[PauL]

So with Father's Day around the corner my brother and I decided to get my father a new videocard(s).

My dad's computer is fairly new, about 2 months old, and the only piece of hardware that is really holding him back is his videocards. Currently he is running 2 8800 GTS in SLI from when they were first released. All his other hardware is current.

He is running a 24" Widescreen Dell Monitor 1920x1200. I was unable to find any info that is directly related to this size monitor.

What would be better to use on that size/quality monitor, 9800 GTX in SLI or a single GTX 285?

He plays a lot of Crysis and Far Cry 2 so I want to get he best out of the cards.

Thanks for any info and help!!!

[Indybird]

My friend is running a 9800GX2 and that gets an average of 26fps in Crysis @ 1920x1200 (No AA). Since a 9800GX2 is essentially dual 9800GTXs, and a 9800GX2 is just slightly worse in Crysis than a GTX280, a GTX 285 should yield higher framerates than than two 9800GTXs in SLI. Furthermore, SLI still has issues with microstuttering, graphics glitches, and large amounts of power usage.

I personally would recommend the GTX 285.

-Indybird

[Datech]

I would go with the single GTX 285 as well unless you find a really good deal on the 9800. As Indy said SLI still has a bunch of issues, and a lot of developers don't bother optimizing for SLI usage.

[Spawn-Inc]

i third the GTX285 unless you can get a really good deal on 9800GTX's.

[PauL]

Okay that's what I was expecting but my brother disagrees. Unfortunately he ordered the cards before I really did any research so we already have them so we may return them depending what my dad wants to do.

Here are the cards we got. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339)

Thanks for the help.

[Datech]

It's good that you ordered an EVGA one because their cooling system and product warranty's and product registrations are usually the best. I still say one GTX is a better option if you can afford it, but the 9800 is by no means a bad card.

[Spawn-Inc]

and step up if they don't work out 2 GTX 285's SHOULD... be enough ;)