Upgrading SLI GTX 460 to Single GPU

[ArcSec]

I'm thinking of upgrading my GPU setup. I have 2 GTX 460s running at 763 mhz and thinking of switching to a single GPU. I'm having a little trouble researching though because the 460 SLI setup has not been included on benchmark comparisons for awhile. To the best of my knowledge it seems to be similar to a single GTX 580, so that's what I've been using for comparison. It seems like the GTX 780 or the R9 290x would probably be the best choice as anything below that doesn't seem to offer too significant of a performance gain. Do you all think the performance gain of the 780 would be worth the $500(ish) price tag? And in comparison is the R9 290x worth the extra $50(ish) over the 780.

A second question - if I go to a single GPU would it make sense to keep one of the 460s in the case? Would games utilize it as a separate Physx processor (is that a thing?), or would it only be good for running a 2nd monitor?

Specs:
22" 1920x1080 monitor
Mobo: Asus P8P67 Pro
CPU: i5-2500k
PSU: XFX 850W
GPU: 2x nVidia GTX 460 SLI
RAM: 8 GB

 

[Cryoburn101]

First off. Yes. 780 and R9 290X are some of the best performing GPUs out there and are worth their price tags (in my opinion).

May I suggest a R9 290 instead of the X model?
Almost just as powerful and only ~400.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-video-card-r9290aedfd is one i recommend.
It trades blows with the GTX 780 on just about everything.
If you OC it you can get it up to 290X speeds, while saving 150+ on it.

 

[Alpha3031]

I'd go with a 290 (same performance as the 780) simply because going over you get less performance for money. I think that if you leave the 460 in you should be able to set it as the PhysX processor.

 

[i7Baby]

2 x 460's in sli would have as much grunt as a GTX 480 or now a R9 270.
A good step up would be a GTX760. Phys X uses an infitesimally small part of the 760's power that it's a waste of time also using a 460 for it.

 

[Alpha3031]

2 x 460's in sli would have as much grunt as a GTX 480 or now a R9 270.
A good step up would be a GTX760. Phys X uses an infitesimally small part of the 760's power that it's a waste of time also using a 460 for it.

That's only two tiers up from a 480 and a 270 is already one tier up.

 

[i7Baby]

Its OK for 1080p

 

[Alpha3031]

So is his current setup.

 

[i7Baby]

Not as good as the 760.

 

[Alpha3031]

Close enough he won't see much differnce.

 

[i7Baby]

Yes he would