8800 GTX SLI vs GTX 280

[k4p84]

ok now i have found it hard to find a comparison between the two set ups here.

One review stated a few fps difference in Crysis but nothing major.

So how would these two compare?

If the gap is so close is it worth moving over?

With the prices been 'more sensible' than they have been, with the evolution of better drivers yielding more fps and the possibilities of SLI.....

The main down side would be i would have to put in a huge PSU, 1000W min to cope with SLI, according to the data sheets.

So what are your thoughts people?

ED

[PeterStoba]

For a small gain it's not worth it, depends on the games though, as far as i see.

[GoNz0]

well my 280 has just done 15k on 3dmark 06, 2 8800gtx's in sli did the same

so im happy

the 280 loves high res so i see the bonus as i run a 24" dell at 1920x1200

[Zhaoman]

SLi is a bit hit and miss, especially with the most demanding games like Crysis, Arma and SupCom. Some dual card setups destroy the framerates in Crysis, some improve them. If you want the best then a single GTX280 is the best bet.

[staffsMike]

A near enough comparison would be with the 9800GX2. Essentially two 512mb 8800GTS on the same board. The GTS was comparable (but a touch slower) than the GTX.

You wouldn't need that much power for SLi GTX's. Corsair proved the Corsair 620W HX to be enough power for a SLi GTX system (dell always ran theres on something like a 300W for a single GTX setup)

That said, I'd take the 280 over the SLi setup as it will be far more consistant.

[CrazyMonkey]

That said, I'd take the 280 over the SLi setup as it will be far more consistant.

Exactly what i would do.

[k4p84]

now another Q, vanilla cards of factory OC. I know that some vanilla's are capable of the same clocks as OC cards but is it not like CPU's, you wont know if you have a good oc'er till you try.

I have enough power for my SLI atm, 850 zalman. This would be enough to run a single GTX280 but SLI and the advise from Nvidia etc is 1000w, plus i don't have the connectors available for it on my current psu.

I dont run very high res at the moment, either my 40'' tv or monitor. I would like to be able to run Crysis on decent spec all the way through.

I can play it on V high till the snow appears them its down to good old medium!!! plus i would like to dabble with AA etc.

[staffsMike]

the sort of performance per £ boost from factory OC's harly makes it worth it, unless it's a BFG which is pretty hard to get anything but a factory OC card lol. Just go for the best overall package, warranty, brand if you like certain ones or dislike... XFX? .

The 280GTX is going to be your best bet I think. I believe Crysis actually scales very well with SLi but not everything does and at around £250 the 280 is certainly giving a lot of bang for buck and will last a long time.

Imo crysis isn't a reason to be spending silly money on PC bits, it looked nice when I played it at 1680x 1050 on medium settings no AA (and subsequently fell asleep half an hour in) so I just wouldn't bother lol ..but thats me.

[k4p84]

Well at the mo i think the 8800's still have good resale value and using a single GPU solution is in my mind better. Lower power consumption when not gaming and one GPU should run quieter and with less heat than two.

Does this seem sensible.

PS, i am a big fan of Crysis and i spend a lot of time on it. I see more games coming out with superb graphics soon plus i am looking at popping in a bluray drive too as a bit of a HTPC.

ED