SLI or Crossfire?

[mog17]

Any of you guys got any veiws on which is the way to go between the SLI and Crossfire setups.Which is the best option for future gaming?

[CrazyMonkey]

I reacon Crossfire myself, i just think that ATI cards handle higher resolutions so in Crossfire it would be even better.

Crossfire is harder to configure than SLI though and Crossfire isnt so well supported.

[Clunk]

Unless you have a 30" dell or another screen with a massive resolution, then SLI and crossfire are equally pointless. Save your cash and get a decent single card.

[CrazyMonkey]

Unless you have a 30" dell or another screen with a massive resolution, then SLI and crossfire are equally pointless. Save your cash and get a decent single card.

Yeah thats probly the best route to go, get a nice big beefy card

[nichomach]

It's true; the only situations where dual-GPU solutions really make sense is either where you have a massive screen to start with, or (and I plead guilty) you buy a mid-to-high end card and want to upgrade later. I was lucky and picked up another 7800GT to pair with my existing card here from a very nice chap, and it really does give a performance boost, but I'm running at 1600x1200, so I'd say that's at the edge of where it starts to get really useful. If you're looking at either a new build or a card that you're planning to chuck in favour of whatever you buy, just get the best single card you can.

[EtheAv8r]

I also vote for single fastestest card... even if it is a DX9 card, and if it is an 8800 - it gives you the option of SLI'ing it later, but still being as fast or faster than any DX9 dual card setup. Depends on depth of pocket and future requirements..... if you want an 8800 can you wait a few months for the price to drop, which it will by March I think.... maybe even late January

[Supershanks]

Unless you have a 30" dell or another screen with a massive resolution, then SLI and crossfire are equally pointless. Save your cash and get a decent single card

I think is spot on resolution is
2560 x 1600 so SLI/Crossdfire starts 2 make some sense.
But I must admit 2 generally preffering an SLi/Crossfire cabable mobo, anfd have been considering that with future conroe upgrade, even though it's doubtful i will use 2 cards.
1) Tends to have more features (extra sata etc.,)
2) May give better cooking options. The ability 2 choose different PCI-E slots
Can effect cooling of CPU,Gfx & or Chipset.
3) Don't have 2 change mobo when i win lottery & get that Dell 30"

[chuckskull]

Go for one faster card. For example, a pair of X1900XT's and a decent crossife motherboard wont come to much less than an 8800GTX and a mid range board.

Not to mention a single card set up is far less hassle and quieter.

I was lucky and picked up another 7800GT to pair with my existing card here from a very nice chap

[mog17]

Ok thank you very much guys,Im looking for a new system,what do you think of this setup to start--- Core 2 duo 6300---MSI P965 Neo motherboard----1024mb DDR 2 667Mhz samsung memory---Asus EN 8800GTS/htdp/640m----- any views weather this is ok or are there better alternatives...THX

[chuckskull]

You really want 2gig of RAM for modern games.

[Supershanks]

agree with chuckskull 2gb is best memory requirements aren't going to go down. Vista will also require more & is also has a bearing on your gfx card which needs to be dx10 compliant, like the 8080.

I'd go with an asus 965 like the deluxe, which has got a great reputation, have not heard anything special about the MSI board.

Don't forget 2 check that your PSU is enough 4 new gfx card & any OC etc.,

luck

[Clunk]

^^agreed, ditch the MSI, grab an asus P5B deluxe wifi, and 2gb ram. The 8800 and E6300 will be fine