Itching for an upgrade

[impaledmango]

I have a 4890 currently that i got more then a year ago and I have been itching for an upgrade since the HD5xxx series launched but I stuck it through since I didn't really have any issues gaming. Now i got a 26" monitor and my 4890 isn't doing to well in all the games I play and an upgrade would be nice. I was going to get a 5870, but recently I found out about the gtx 460 and how stellar they perform in SLi so I was wondering for about $450 CAN what would be my best option.

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, SLIed GTX 460s are the best deal on the high end at the moment. I would stick with the 1gb version for SLI. Failing that OC the hell out of an HD5850 or GTX 470.

 

[Helltech]

For $450 I'm going to agree with jyjjy, get 2 1gb 460GTXs. You can overclock them and your performance will be amazing.

 

[welshmousepk]

+1

as long as your PSU and motherboard allow, SLI 460's offer the best price/performance in their price range.

 

[asteldian]

I'd sooner get a single powerful card. The 460s are a nice card, alone they are too weak, together they SLI well - but ultimately it is still two fairly weak cards running well together. I would rather get one powerful card running alone that I can then pair up in teh future when required

 

[welshmousepk]

^ have you seen the benchmarks?

when overclocked they outperform any single card you can buy.

 

[jyjjy]

^ have you seen the benchmarks?

when overclocked they outperform any single card you can buy.

And by "any single card" he is including the $700 HD5970.

 

[asteldian]

Really? I've not seen those benchmarks. I have seen the standard benchmarks and saw some showing that the 460 OCs well and can get closer to the 5870. Not seen anything claiming it exceeds a GTX480, 5870 or a 5970

 

[impaledmango]

I think I will get the gtx 460s, but it seems my ex59 ud3r (rev 1.6) didn't come with an SLi connector and I'm pretty sure Nvidia cards dont come with any so what should I do??

 

[impaledmango]

I can buy a 3 way sli bridge for 15 bucks, but the gtx 460 only has one connector so would that still work?

 

[jyjjy]

Really? I've not seen those benchmarks. I have seen the standard benchmarks and saw some showing that the 460 OCs well and can get closer to the 5870. Not seen anything claiming it exceeds a GTX480, 5870 or a 5970

We are talking about SLIed GTX 460s. At stock it comes quite close to an HD5970 because SLI scales better than crossfire;

Considering the card can OC 30%+ it should easily achieve speeds beyond the HD5970. Of course the HD5970 can OC as well and then it will likely be faster again(although I haven't seen those exact numbers) but considering the ~$250 price difference it is clear which is the better value.

 

[jyjjy]

I can buy a 3 way sli bridge for 15 bucks, but the gtx 460 only has one connector so would that still work?

I believe it should work but personally I would get a dual bridge for less case clutter. I think they should be cheaper than that and it is possible your card(s) may come with one.

 

[notty22]

Nvidia has the m/b vendor provide the bridges with sli certified boards. The cards never include a bridge.

 

[impaledmango]

No nvidia cards come with SLi bridges. I'm trying to find one, I may just just hit up ebay . I was really hoping to get them tommorow but I guess I'll have to wait.

 

[jyjjy]

Ah, lame that Gigabyte didn't include one then. This place seems to have em cheap;
http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_parts.asp?PRID=11407

 

[jyjjy]

lol
Ignore that last link. It is both single slot and they want an insane $15 in shipping.

 

[impaledmango]

Not gonna lie I can't wait. Tommorow I'm gonna go to NCIX warehouse and pick up one. http://ncix.com/products/?sku=28972&vpn=SLI-12CM&manufacture=Arctic%20Cooling

Then I'll go and pick up the 2 gtx 460s 1gb. I'll post up some pics and benchmarks and stuff seeing as no other forums have any up yet

 

[impaledmango]

Nevermind gonna jack one from my friend, regardless can't wait till tomorrow ( like a kid before Christmas)