need recommendation - to SLI or not to SLI

[leroi]

I built the system below in January with the goal of either adding another GTX 760 SC ACX via SLI (I already had that card when I built the system, else I might have started with something bigger) or replacing it with something better.

My primary criteria at this point is the most performance for the dollar. So, given adding another card will cost $250, is there another option that will give a bigger performance boost for the expenditure?

Also, since I am going to open the machine, is it worth adding more/better RAM?

When I game, I tend to have several apps running across two monitors, sometimes streaming for fun.

Here is my current system:


CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($334.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.75 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 FLX 68.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($16.93 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 FLX 68.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($16.93 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1458.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-06 10:58 EDT-0400)


Thank you!

 

[ChrisR83]

If you can afford it, it is better to go with one single powerful GPU over running SLI. There are many games right now that are not optimized very good to run cards in SLI, and will cause micro shuttering. there are some games that will not even recognize that you are running a SLI setup, and just run off a single card. I am sure this will not be an issue in the future but there is no way to know for sure.

 

[pdasterly]

another card will make your system bada$$. You dont need anymore ram, unless you want to run a ram drive

 

[Dylzan]

Wait until the 800 series from Nvidia rolls out later this year and buy the highest end card your budget can afford (Probably a GTX 870) and keep it how it is in the mean time.

 

[plaintuts]

First of all 8gb of ram is enough for gaming. If your your planning to do video rendering then by all means upgrade.

As for the gpu, well its a matter of preference if you already decided to SLI from the start, then do that. The gtx 760 is a good card so why not add another one. But as for experience a single powerful graphics card will give you less headache in the long run.

So all in all its up to you.

 

[ChrisR83]

Wait until the 800 series from Nvidia rolls out later this year and buy the highest end card your budget can afford (Probably a GTX 870) and keep it how it is in the mean time.

From the last thing read the 8xx card are pushed back to Q1 or maybe even Q2 of 2015.

 

[bignastyid]

Where you already have one I'd just add another. Microstutter isn't the issue it use to be. I have never noticed it on my 770s but was noticable on my old 460s. The few games that don't support it usually run fine a single card anyway. I have used sli in my last 3 rigs.

 

[Dylzan]

Wait until the 800 series from Nvidia rolls out later this year and buy the highest end card your budget can afford (Probably a GTX 870) and keep it how it is in the mean time.

From the last thing read the 8xx card are pushed back to Q1 or maybe even Q2 of 2015.

I remembered after that after I posted, shame.

 

[leroi]

Where you already have one I'd just add another. Microstutter isn't the issue it use to be. I have never noticed it on my 770s but was noticable on my old 460s. The few games that don't support it usually run fine a single card anyway. I have used sli in my last 3 rigs.

I have read about the mcrostutter issue and am not sure if that will be a problem with the games I am playing. I should see if there is a list games that suffer from this issue.