Sli or single card

[Westindieman]

Going out to buy a new graphics card today, but am wondering would I get a better gaming performance from a single Geforce 8600 GT with 512mg or two Geforce 8500 GT with 512mg?

[Skytech]

Probably the single card as Sli still doesn't work in some games properly and even then you'd only get a 20-30% boost in most games with 2 cards and I'd say the 8600 is probably that much faster than the 8500 anyway.

[wormvortex]

sli is a big con. The performance increase doesn't justify the money. Why don't you just get 1 8800GT? It would be better than two 8500's in sli.

[Fe_man2000]

I agree generally - get one good card BUT most new games support SLI and the lost of speed from each card is around 10% .


So if 1 card = 100%
2 cards = 90% + 90% = 180% speed of single card game (If game supports it)

A lot of older games did give a poor return on SLI and personally I dont do it but its not the case on the newer stuff as I understand it.

I also agree with getting a 8800 GT 512mb if you can afford it - thats one good card for the money.

[Croatoan]

If you want to see a jump in games I would recommend either a 8800gt or 3850 Pro 512mb at £100 from overclockers.

No mucking about with the lame 8600. An X1950 still beats that hands down and thats last generation.

NVidia havent made a good card with the second digit a six since the 6600gt.

[FutureTech]

u would prob get a 50% increase if ur lucky by sli 8500gt

if u can afford it get the 8800gt 512mb

if u cant consider the 3850 512mb or the 8800GS

or even the 9600gt both should be here feb

[Westindieman]

Originally Posted by Croatoan

If you want to see a jump in games I would recommend either a 8800gt or 3850 Pro 512mb at £100 from overclockers.

No mucking about with the lame 8600. An X1950 still beats that hands down and thats last generation.

NVidia havent made a good card with the second digit a six since the 6600gt.

But would the x1950 be faster than a sli 8600 system?

[Westindieman]

Originally Posted by Croatoan

If you want to see a jump in games I would recommend either a 8800gt or 3850 Pro 512mb at £100 from overclockers.

No mucking about with the lame 8600. An X1950 still beats that hands down and thats last generation.

NVidia havent made a good card with the second digit a six since the 6600gt.

There arent any 8800gt at £100 anywhere on this planet is there?

[spongycortex]

Yes a single x1950 would be faster than an sli 8600gts setup.

Sli, is more a gimmick at the moment, same with crossfire, they have cool names but thats about it.

Don't mess about upgrading from the 8500 to the 8600 either. There is no point in upgrading from one slow card to another, your still not going to be satisfied. Believe me, the 8600gts is not a capable card in any way shape or form.

If you don't have the cash for an 8800gt then my advice is to wait. The 8800gs will be out very soon. The price will be similar to the 8600gts as its a replacement for it, it will certainly be a lot faster too.