GTX 280 vs GTX 280 SLI...Benches

[rjbarker]

As I indicated earlier, here are some Bench Scores comparing a Single GTX 280 to a GTX 280 SLI configuration. Some notes to consider:
1. I was impatient and ran the SLI configuration on a PC Power & Cooling Quad Silencer 750W - will be replacing w a Corsair HX 1kW this coming week.
2. My Raidmax Smilidon Case doesn't provide the best cooling and is also a tight fit, but it worked: Max Temps 75c on Upper Card (#1), Lower Card 70c.
Single Card Test was w Card OC'd (via Precision 1.3.3) to 720/1458.1260. The new Card I only tested the OC to 705/1458/1250, all was stable at those Clocks and it may in fact be able to be OC'd a little more, but I got impatient.
CPU - E8400 OC'd to 3.83 Ghz - vCore 1.356 (Max voltage recomended by Intel)
All tests on XP 32 Bit SP3 - DX9 - 180.43 Beta Driver

For easy reference, SLI GTX 280 numbers are Red:

3DMark 06 - 17,792 - 19,355

Far Cry 2 - All Ultra (Shadows Very High) - No AA - 50 FPS - 74 FPS
- All Ultra (Shadows Very High) - 2X AA - 45 FPS - 73 FPS
- All Ultra (Shadows Very High) - 4X AA - 40 FPS - 70 FPS

Crysis Warhead - Gamer - No AA - 49 FPS - 67 FPS
- Gamer - No 2 X AA - 38 FPS - 59 FPS
- Gamer - No 4 X AA - 32 FPS - 51 FPS
- Enthusiast - No AA - 31 FPS - 54 FPS

Crysis - All High - No AA - 52 FPS - 65 FPS
- 2 x AA - 45 FPS - 63 FPS
- 4 x AA - 41 FPS - 61 FPS

For the heck of it - FEAR Perseus Mandate - FSAA - 4X - AA 8X - All Max
- Min 70 FPS - Max 355 FPS - Avg 142 FPS
- Min 101 FPS - Max 724 FPS - Avg 229 FPS

So thier you have it, results as my Rig indicates. Is the extra coin justified?...it all depends upon what you expect out of your Rig. Likey the answer for most folks is "not really", but it is fun to play around, particularly if you've never tried the SLI route (or Crossfire for the Red Folks).

Cheers

[sswilson]

Thanks for the #s.

Says an awful lot about crysis that even with two of the top cards available it's still bordering on what gamers want for FPS. :)

Love the Fear #s..... 724 FPS FTW!!!!!! :)

[Inik]

nice numbers

[3.0charlie]

In order to compare, I just did an 06 run with my Q9450 and a single 280 (stock): 18233. Compared to your E8400 and a single card (17792), I'd say 19355 is a nice result.

My alltime Best was 22678 using a QX9650 (4.0) and dual 4870s.

[rjbarker]

With that being said, we all know that 3DMark06 is very CPU bound (compared to GPU), once I get the new 1kW PSU up n running I'll do a 3DMark06 test with my E8400 at 4.05Ghz, should crack around 20.5 I would imagine and possibly 21K with the GPU's OC'd a little more. I did a 3DMark06 run on single GTX280 w E8400 @ 4.275Ghz, scored 19.3K, BUT my vCore was set in Bios to 1.55v...ouch! (one run only at that Voltage)
Overall, I'm pleased with the results....particularly impressed with the PC Power and Cooling 750W PSU running this set-up!

[Retro]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

With that being said, we all know that 3DMark06 is very CPU bound (compared to GPU), once I get the new 1kW PSU up n running I'll do a 3DMark06 test with my E8400 at 4.05Ghz, should crack around 20.5 I would imagine and possibly 21K with the GPU's OC'd a little more. I did a 3DMark06 run on single GTX280 w E8400 @ 4.275Ghz, scored 19.3K, BUT my vCore was set in Bios to 1.55v...ouch! (one run only at that Voltage)
Overall, I'm pleased with the results....particularly impressed with the PC Power and Cooling 750W PSU running this set-up!

No 20 grand yet? With two 280's? I know you'll get there soon enough!
As you said the cpu has a lot of bearing on the 06 scores.
It's interesting that the PCP&C 750 is holding it's own with the SLI setup.
Maybe you could hold off on upgrading that and get an 8400 EO instead!
Just a thought

[Squeetard]

Get a quad core.

[rjbarker]

No 20 grand yet? With two 280's? I know you'll get there soon enough!
As you said the cpu has a lot of bearing on the 06 scores.
It's interesting that the PCP&C 750 is holding it's own with the SLI setup.
Maybe you could hold off on upgrading that and get an 8400 EO instead!
Just a thought

Yes I'm impressed as well with PC P&C PSU...already have the Corsair HX 1kW sitting in my Den on the desk, awaiting installation, but will wait till my new Case comes on Tuesday - Silverstone TJ09...should provide pretty good cooling.
Then I'll do a 4.05 Ghz run...or maybe I'll try later on this evening!

[rjbarker]

Get a quad core.

Thought about that as well, however with I7 / MOBO and DDR3 around the corner, I will wait and perhaps go that route instead.

[Squeetard]

Yah, I'd wait too. Even if you don't, current gen quad cores are gonna drop.