Poll / Discussion: Best Dual GPU Solution for Gaming

Best Dual GPU Solution: Factoring in price, etc. is up to you.

  • GTX285 SLi - $698 AR

    Votes: 22 13.9%

  • GTX295 - $469 AR

    Votes: 32 20.3%

  • 4870x2 - $399 AR

    Votes: 77 48.7%

  • 9800gx2 - $299

    Votes: 3 1.9%

  • 9800GTX+ SLi - $278

    Votes: 3 1.9%

  • 4850x2 - $259 AR

    Votes: 21 13.3%

  • 3870x2 - $253

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    158
M

MocciBoo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 9, 2009
Messages
349
Best Dual GPU Card Solution Poll. I am not including 4870CF, GTX260 SLi, or 4850CF
as they are basically equivalent to the 4870x2, GTX295, and 4850x2 respectively. Poll
options starting from the most expensive set up. If you want to factor in price.....
these are the lowest prices I could find on in stock items....most prices are taken
from newegg.

1. GTX285 SLi - $698 AR
($349 each AR at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127403)

2. GTX295 - $469 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127404

3. 4870x2 - $399 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

4. 9800gx2 - $299
http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sales_getprod.php?masterid=64891770&lot_id=9373114

5. 9800GTX+ SLi - $278 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130420

6. 4850x2 - $259 AR
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-HD4850-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B001KAKT4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232356385&sr=1-1

7. 3870x2 - $253
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=AA73996

The graph below give you a good idea of the performance when these cards scale
properly:

fallout3graph.jpg


- From techreport.com
 
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GTX295 I think will only get better as drivers mature for it. The 4870x2 is a fantastic card, but I really think the GTX295 will pull even further ahead of the 4870x2 once more driver releases are introduced. There is only "1" official driver for the card, which is the 181.20whql, and 1 beta 181.22. (I would say the 185.20 beta would work on this card, but it wouldnt install for me?) I remember back last year when the 3870x2 came out, and I bought it, IT SUCKED BAD!, after 3-4 driver releases later, it really seemed 1000% faster, and turned out to be a great card.
 
I had 4870 X2s in Crossfire X on a X48 board.
I had GTX 280s in SLI on an nvidia 780i chipset.
Both used a Q6600 and 4 GB of RAM
Both were used on a 24" monitor at 1920x1200.
In my short experience the 280s were better, in both performance and image quality.

Currently I have GTX 280s in SLi on an X58 board.....and I wouldnt change.
I just don't think the dual GPU cards run correctly and utilize the power they have, at least thats what it seemed to me.

just 2 cents.
 
newls1 said:
GTX295 I think will only get better as drivers mature for it. The 4870x2 is a fantastic card, but I really think the GTX295 will pull even further ahead of the 4870x2 once more driver releases are introduced. There is only "1" official driver for the card, which is the 181.20whql, and 1 beta 181.22. (I would say the 185.20 beta would work on this card, but it wouldnt install for me?) I remember back last year when the 3870x2 came out, and I bought it, IT SUCKED BAD!, after 3-4 driver releases later, it really seemed 1000% faster, and turned out to be a great card.
Click to expand...

x2. Also Nvidia drivers don't cause BSODs. Which is unfortunate, because the 4870x2 is a badass card. I just wish ATI could actually start making stable drivers.
 
Why all the votes for 4870X2? He didn't say bang for your buck, he's talking about raw performance. That obviously goes to the GTX 285.
 
no SLI 280s? For the price, I think it's the best option out there. After MIR you can get a 280 setup for like $560 USD.

280s RAW performance is still top of the game for the most part. only surpassed by the 285 but not by much, It also says "Factoring in Price"

can't beat it.
 
You asked what the best was. I put in for SLi'd GTX 285's. This was not a discussion on is it worth it pricewise or not, you asked for the best solution. Between driver support and performance, it IS the best.
 
I assumed prices were part of the decision, considering the $ values were shown in the poll options.
The 4870X2 is actually down to $369 (or was) on NewEgg.

Anyhow, the 295 is better than the 4870X2, but I don't think the price justifies it.
 
Mikerocks2112 said:
Why all the votes for 4870X2? He didn't say bang for your buck, he's talking about raw performance. That obviously goes to the GTX 285.
Click to expand...

Brahmzy said:
You asked what the best was. I put in for SLi'd GTX 285's. This was not a discussion on is it worth it pricewise or not, you asked for the best solution. Between driver support and performance, it IS the best.
Click to expand...


lack of reading comprehension much?

MocciBoo said:
Poll options starting from the most expensive set up. If you want to factor in price.....
Click to expand...

Jon55 said:
x2. Also Nvidia drivers don't cause BSODs. Which is unfortunate, because the 4870x2 is a badass card. I just wish ATI could actually start making stable drivers.
Click to expand...

Hmm , neither do ATI drivers. Seems like I am the exception once again, to the BSOD rule as 8.11, 8.12 and 8.12HF all worked quite dandy with no issues in either Vista 32 or 64 or XP32 for that matter. PIBKAC pehaps?
 
What is this crap.

Is MocciBoo just BigCactus making a comeback in attempt to start up ati 4870x2 vs w/e Nvidia card threads?
 
Comon, its fairly obvious which is the best solution if you factor in price. 4850x2 FTW!!!, even that chart with little information shows the whopping 3fps gain going to a 4870x2 for a $150 bucks more. However don't just go by the pretty little chart, here's something closer to home...

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU1OCwxOCwsaGVudGh1c2lhc3Q=

Ofcourse, for complete disregard of price, or reasonable thinking, then a tri sli gtx295 or 2xGTX285 is the way to go.
 
figgie said:
Hmm , neither do ATI drivers. Seems like I am the exception once again, to the BSOD rule as 8.11, 8.12 and 8.12HF all worked quite dandy with no issues in either Vista 32 or 64 or XP32 for that matter. PIBKAC pehaps?
Click to expand...


If PIBKAC includes simply playing new purchased games, then I guess so. :rolleyes:
 
Mystic-Micro said:
Comon, its fairly obvious which is the best solution if you factor in price. 4850x2 FTW!!!, even that chart with little information shows the whopping 3fps gain going to a 4870x2 for a $150 bucks more. However don't just go by the pretty little chart, here's something closer to home...

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU1OCwxOCwsaGVudGh1c2lhc3Q=

Ofcourse, for complete disregard of price, or reasonable thinking, then a tri sli gtx295 or 2xGTX285 is the way to go.
Click to expand...

We all want the highest fps, and that's what that chart shows. But people tend to forget the other factors that come with higher fps in dual card solutions.

The 4850X2 is an abnormally large card and will have trouble fitting in most mid tower cases.

A lot more heat and power draw.

Poor driver support for the 4850X2. ATI's drivers are bloatware and archaic to begin with...their dual card solutions just bring more issues.

If you are playing a game that does not support Xfire or SLI, you are stuck in 1 gpu mode. Last time I checked, 1 4850 1gb doesn't cut it @ 1920 and above.

If none of this bothers you, then be my guest.
 
Sorry Bud, meant 2x4850, however I still stand by the best bang for buck performance wise is 2x4850. for 250ish.
 
DeadSkull said:
What is this crap.

Is MocciBoo just BigCactus making a comeback in attempt to start up ati 4870x2 vs w/e Nvidia card threads?
Click to expand...

Was thinking the same.
Seems like the OP has no intention of purchasing a dual GPU set-up so I wonder what the point of this poll is.
 
ihira said:
Was thinking the same.
Seems like the OP has no intention of purchasing a dual GPU set-up so I wonder what the point of this poll is.
Click to expand...

I don't see any point doing ATI vs Nv since at the end of the day, most ppl will go toward the best bang for the buck card. I would get a Nv card for myself but vote for 4870x2, and from what I see so far ppl agree with my choice.
 
Bigbacon said:
no SLI 280s? For the price, I think it's the best option out there. After MIR you can get a 280 setup for like $560 USD.

280s RAW performance is still top of the game for the most part. only surpassed by the 285 but not by much, It also says "Factoring in Price"

can't beat it.
Click to expand...

No, only because it's basically the same as gtx285 sli....of course there are some good
deals out there...but the gtx285s are starting to come down to gtx280 prices.
 
ihira said:
Was thinking the same.
Seems like the OP has no intention of purchasing a dual GPU set-up so I wonder what the point of this poll is.
Click to expand...

The poll is actually pretty interesting way to gauge what people's views are as the best
dual gpu solution, especially with the gtx295 just being released. I started this thread with
no bias statements towads either company, I simply stated the current prices of each
set up and let the other members of this forum decide what is the best. According to
the majority it's the 4870x2 right now....with the gtx295 and 4850x2 in a head to head
battle for 2nd place.
 
In my opinon, the GTX 295 is the one to get due to its low power usage(compared to other dual cards or sli setups) and decent framerates.
 
If you're going with two GPUs, I actually think the dual GPU cards make sense for a lot of reasons. That being said, the 4870x2 provides great performance at a good price. Although the 9800GX2 is still alive and kicking.
 
Theres no doubt it about it... 4870x2 is the champion for price vs. performance. I don't even think that's questionable unless you're planning on only playing games that do not support crossfire.
 
im really thinking about getting the gx2. how come there is no mention of GTX+ 1gb in SLI?
 
I hear that the gtx295 is a lot louder than the 4870x2 though. Too bad you can't even get an aftermarket cooler for the gtx295 to stop the noise :(
 
Really? How then every review I've read has metered 4870X2 to be way louder than 295?
 
guru3d says their reviewed 295 maxed @ 46dba, and 4870x2 maxed @ 40dba at load. there doesnt seem to be THAT much noise difference, not having heard either myself, but by 40dba its already in the "freaking loud" tier IMO
 
I have a choice of getting a GTX 285 (single) and 4870x2, which one should I get?

My res is 1920x1200.
 
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