8800GT SLI or 3870 Crossfire.

[miggs78]

First I decided btw the 3870 X2 or the 3870 Crossfire, but 2 3870 cards would be cheaper than the X2 version..

So basically topic says it all, I currently have a 680i board, and I was looking at going either SLI, or go for crossfire (it would require a mobo upgrade, which is fine, I Can get one from clearance)..

Thanks

[Babrbarossa]

If it were me, I would go SLI since I already had the 680i, but if I didn't have a board, I would buy an Intel (x-fire) board since they're more advanced. Planning on buying a penryn or nehalem CPU? If not, then you're much better of sticking with the 680i because it overclocks and performs well- if you do plan on buying one of the new CPUs, while the 680i will run wolfdales, it is not compatible with nehalem/penryn so you might want to upgrade the board.

[miggs78]

Originally Posted by Babrbarossa

If it were me, I would go SLI since I already had the 680i, but if I didn't have a board, I would buy an Intel (x-fire) board since they're more advanced. Planning on buying a penryn or nehalem CPU? If not, then you're much better of sticking with the 680i because it overclocks and performs well- if you do plan on buying one of the new CPUs, while the 680i will run wolfdales, it is not compatible with nehalem/penryn so you might want to upgrade the board.

Yes babrbarossa thats very true.. I could stay with my current board, and yes it does OC not too bad.. Um.. sorry technology and myself are lost in the middle of a park, I don't get much time to read.. so if you could mention like atleast 1 or 2 processor that would fall under wolfdales and other 2 types you mentioned please :P..

And yeah I've been seeing a bunch of reviews, it seems like the 8800GT cards really outperform a 3870X2 and 3870 crossfire on most occasions..

Thankyou again

[belgolas]

I think nehalem isn't going to be compatible with any boards currently.

[Eldonko]

I would go with SLI since you have a board already. 8800GT SLI would be very nice.

[Keir]

Either way just be prepared for a pain in the ass. lol.

[vdf22]

Originally Posted by miggs78

And yeah I've been seeing a bunch of reviews, it seems like the 8800GT cards really outperform a 3870X2 and 3870 crossfire on most occasions..

The GT cards are quite a bit faster, so if you aren't going to upgrade your mobo they are a good deal. Last I checked the price was pretty close too. Keep in mind that you could use a 3870X2 with your current mobo, so it might actually save money over the 3870CF. And when drivers come out you can get a second 3870X2 for the ultimate performance! Oh wait, then you would have to upgrade your mobo. Anyway, I hope that helps.

[miggs78]

Originally Posted by vdf22

The GT cards are quite a bit faster, so if you aren't going to upgrade your mobo they are a good deal. Last I checked the price was pretty close too. Keep in mind that you could use a 3870X2 with your current mobo, so it might actually save money over the 3870CF. And when drivers come out you can get a second 3870X2 for the ultimate performance! Oh wait, then you would have to upgrade your mobo. Anyway, I hope that helps.

Exactly.. But as I said sooner or later I will have to, the 780i chipset, except for the motherboard look change, better northbridge and southbridge cooling, it isn't that special.. I mean I saw a benchmark few days ago, that the 680i and 780i on benchmarks were neck to neck, the 780i edged out a little bit, but it wasn't a noticeable margin..

Anyways, so yea I think for now I will go SLI.. Only thing concerns me is DX10.1, 8800GT doesn't support it..

[CasheKicker]

OK hold the phone...

I have been fighting with myself about the same burning question... Which GPU do I go with so I can buy the right MOBO?

So what you are saying is that the 8800 GT does not support DX10.1

That pretty much makes it a no brainer, the 3870 seems to be winning the race for me now. Perhaps I will go with the 3870 x2, (If I can find the extra $$$)

Is the 3870 the best card to go for on todays market for future expandability? I would expect the new NVidia board the 9800 will suport 10.1 when/if it ever comes out.

[vdf22]

Originally Posted by miggs78

Exactly.. But as I said sooner or later I will have to, the 780i chipset, except for the motherboard look change, better northbridge and southbridge cooling, it isn't that special.. I mean I saw a benchmark few days ago, that the 680i and 780i on benchmarks were neck to neck, the 780i edged out a little bit, but it wasn't a noticeable margin..

Anyways, so yea I think for now I will go SLI.. Only thing concerns me is DX10.1, 8800GT doesn't support it..

DX10.1 isn't that big of a deal. Even Microsoft has admitted that. I don't know how many games will actually support it, let alone require it. 3DMark Vantage supposedly has shader model 4.1 tests so 10.1 cards will score better with it. But other than that, you aren't missing a lot by not having a card that supports it. Now I like ATI, but if I were you I wouldn't buy a card just for DX10.1 support.

Originally Posted by CasheKicker

OK hold the phone...

I have been fighting with myself about the same burning question... Which GPU do I go with so I can buy the right MOBO?

So what you are saying is that the 8800 GT does not support DX10.1

That pretty much makes it a no brainer, the 3870 seems to be winning the race for me now. Perhaps I will go with the 3870 x2, (If I can find the extra $$$)

Is the 3870 the best card to go for on todays market for future expandability? I would expect the new NVidia board the 9800 will suport 10.1 when/if it ever comes out.

See above. Some rumours say that Nvidia will never support 10.1 and will just skip to 11. I'm guessing if that's true DX10.1 will never really take off because so many developers favour Nvidia. But if you can afford the 3870X2 it's a good choice.