8000gt SLI

[grandpamasaki]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a 24" display. Specifically this monitor here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

My GPU at the moment is an 8800gt. It runs all my games fine on my current setup, but from what I understand 1440x900 is the sweet-spot for the 8800gt; at anything higher it starts to run into problems. Should I consider slapping on another card and running them in SLI?

Here's my current setup:

IN9 32X-MAX 680i
e4300 Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz (OC'd to 3.0)
A-DATA 2x2GB DDR2 800
Zotac 8800GT 512MB 700MHz
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W

I'm also concerned about whether or not my cpu would bottleneck two 8800gt cards. I would maybe consider upgrading my CPU if that were the case, but it would almost seem better to save my money and upgrade my whole system later on.

Thanks!

 

[invisik]

3.0ghz should be fine with 2 8800gt. How much is another 8800gt costing u.

 

[grandpamasaki]

It depends. I've been checking on ebay, and it looks like I can get one for around $70? I was considering upgrading to a 4870, but from what I've been told that WILL be bottlenecked by my system and would not be worth the upgrade/cost.

 

[nforce4max]

Don't spend any more than $90 for any G92 part that isn't a GTS/GTX. $70 for a 512mb 8800gt is steep but you might get lucky around $50~60.

 

[grandpamasaki]

Alright, I'll keep that in mind. $70 was just a high estimate anyway, just in order to define a worst case scenario. Not that I don't believe invisik, but can anyone confirm that my 3.0GHz will not bottleneck 2 8800gt? I've seen it recommended to have a system as high as 3.6GHz running a C2D.

 

[invisik]

At 3.0ghz it wont bottleneck a 4870. Personally i would go with a dx11 card. In the near future newer games will support dx11 games. Let me find benchmarks to show you it wont bottleneck.

 

[invisik]

http://www.benchmarkextreme.com/Articles/I7%20920%20Bottleneck%20Analysis/P18.html

Here is a link that shows you the benefit of a fast cpu paired with a fast gpu. The faster the gpu the fast cpu you need. In your case 2 8800gt is mid range so you dont need anything really above 3.0ghz. Now if you had a gtx285 or 4870x2 then i would say its going to bottleneck. The higher the resolution with more aa/af the gpu does much more work then cpu, assuming your running at 1920x1080 the cpu wont do much work. Well thats going to vary from game to game.