Best double card solution

[Mstenger404]

about the rig that im gonna build.

what I want is the best double card solution I could ever want. I dont want triple because I wont have pci slots left over for anything that I might use. My framerate might not be as high (usually) as a triple card setup.

I've read a few benchmarks and I dont think they're all credible. Some saying the 4870s are getting the best framerates. others saying the gtx 280s are getting the best edge, and a few others saying the 9800 gx2s is the best double card setup. tho I beleive 2 9800 gx2s are the best considering its essentially quad SLi.

Honestly now, please no fanboyism, I just want the best framerate I could ever get with 2 cards.

[Steve]

gotta be GTX 280. but the direct currency conversion of the best is about $1,000 so if you want 2 of the fastest cards then you wanna be thinking about selling your car lol

personally i'd discount the gx2 for being 2x 8800's bolted together, but i could see the appeal of having 2 of those. i just wouldnt go with it hehe.


i know there is a lot of conflicting info around, anandtech is usually good i find, here's a useful link for ya:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=20


couple of things to add:

SLI is not as efficient as crossfire

AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 Ready By August (2GB DDR5!!)

Nvidia Expected To Offer DirectX 10.1 GPU In Q4 2008 / Q1 2009 (making 260/280 GPU's old tech :/)


/fanboy - i'd wait for the 4870X2 and save a fortune

[atholon]

when you do SLI do they have to be the same model?

[SwiftSniper232]

They don't have to be, but its recommend to squeeze out the most FPS. I've seen it done with a 8800 and 8600, 8800GT and an 8800 GTS mixed in any order.

Best shot is to go with the same model.

Oh and go for the GTX 280 if you want the best out there. The are 4870s damn close, don't know if you'd see to much of a difference there. Check out this

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon...-performance/5

and the rest of guru3d.com, they have some amazing benchmark stuff.

[Scott]

Originally posted by Steve
/fanboy - i'd wait for the 4870X2 and save a fortune

/fanboy advice x2

[Steve]

nvidea dropped the price of the high end cards considerably. looks like they are surprised buy the price/performance of the 4780's

[atholon]

w00t, I am going to hold off