8800GT SLI still good?

[nyoka]

Hi there,
So basically here's my situation: I built a decent computer a couple months back with a 8800GT (BFG OC edition for those who want to know) and planned to keep it for a year or two, but my brother wants it...for MSN, MS word and youtube videos. I'm therefore building another computer, and have my eyes set on the ATI 4850. The thing is, he doesn't care if I take out the 8800GT and replace it with a $50 8xxx crap something, for me to use as SLI. So here's the question:

8800GT SLI better than single 4850HD?
Also I'm looking at the earthwatts 500 PSU, will that even handle the 2 8800GTs?

And using 8800GTs from 2 different companies is OK, right?

Thanks in advance for your advice

[freakgeek1337]

First things first.

8800GT SLI better than single 4850HD?

Yes.

Also I'm looking at the earthwatts 500 PSU, will that even handle the 2 8800GTs?

No.

And using 8800GTs from 2 different companies is OK, right?

Yes. It's fine.

I need the resolution you're running these games at.

[magictorch]

If youve already got an 8800GT and a good SLI board then its not much to get another and they really do seem to scale well right now.

[..'Ant'..]

You need a SLI ready PSU if you want to SLI your 8800GT. But yes you can use any brand mixed as long the card is the same.

[CanadaRox]

Originally Posted by ..'Ant'..

You need a SLI ready PSU if you want to SLI your 8800GT. But yes you can use any brand mixed as long the card is the same.

It doesn't NEED to be SLI certified as long as it has 2 6-pin PCIe connectors. (I'd guess that nVidia has changed the SLI certification to 2x 6-pin and 2x 8-pin by now, but I don't really know).

[Rommel]

You bet it's still good. Two 9600 GTs in SLI offers wicked performance at affordable cost.

[derrXIII]

8800 and 9600 are neck in neck cards. i would get the 9600 in sli just cuz its newer, but in you case you already have one, so yea, sli is just fine for the 8800.

[freakgeek1337]

Actually the 8800GT performs slightly better than the 9600GT.

[Chos3n]

Originally Posted by freakgeek1337

Actually the 8800GT performs slightly better than the 9600GT.

Agreed.

The 9 series is a flop, minus the 9800GX2

[ipaine]

I know I am certainly not disappointed with my 8800GT's in SLI.

For example today I checked the performance difference in Dirt, and with everything turn to its highest settings, except shadows which was set to high not ultra, and I got an average of 39fps with just one card. Then with two cards I have an average of 57fps and that is with shadows set to ultra.

So yes SLI is still a good option, plus the 8800GTs are pretty cheap now.