Originally posted by: nitromullet
That is a tough question to answer... IMO, I would not imagine that an Ultra would out perform two GT's in most situations. That being said, the Ultra may come with 512MB of RAM, which will do two things: 1) make it really expensive 2) we might soon be to the point where 512MB of video RAM actually makes a difference, so it could help. The thing is, you're attemtping to compare two different things. On one hand you have an excellent value for a very high performing dual card set up. On the other, you are looking at a card that has not yet even been officially announced. All I can tell you is that a dual 7800GT SLI rig is the best high end, high performance bang/buck rig you can buy right now. No one can tell you what NVIDIA has up it's sleeve for the Ultra, no matter how much they speculate.
Originally posted by: daniel1113
I had to make the same choice 2 weeks ago, and ended up going with the single GTX. Not only does this leave room for an upgrade later on, but avoids all the issues with SLI for the time being while the kinks are worked out. Plus, a single GTX is sufficient for any game out there at the current moment.
Originally posted by: Veech
Originally posted by: daniel1113
I had to make the same choice 2 weeks ago, and ended up going with the single GTX. Not only does this leave room for an upgrade later on, but avoids all the issues with SLI for the time being while the kinks are worked out. Plus, a single GTX is sufficient for any game out there at the current moment.
I like this idea, I think that'll be my plan for now as well.
Unless you have a 20? or larger LCD, or mainly play a title where the 7800GTX performs well at 1280x1024, the 7800GTX may be a wasted expense that will bring you little additional performance for what the 7800GTX costs.
It is important to remember that we tested at resolutions of 1600x1200 and higher because lower resolutions are CPU limited without AA and AF enabled. In many cases the GeForce 7800 GTX don't show much difference in performance with and without antialiasing at lower resolutions.
One question: is linking two 256MB GT's or GTX's in SLI considered "512"MB video RAM?
Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel
At this moment, with the 7800GT getting very cheap (such as the Tiger Direct deal), it might make more sense to go with a GT instead if the new cards (XT and 7800U) don't drop the prices of the GTX.
For you personally, with your 17" CRT, you're likely better off with a GT than a GTX. Articles right here on Anandtech agree (here and here):
Unless you have a 20? or larger LCD, or mainly play a title where the 7800GTX performs well at 1280x1024, the 7800GTX may be a wasted expense that will bring you little additional performance for what the 7800GTX costs.It is important to remember that we tested at resolutions of 1600x1200 and higher because lower resolutions are CPU limited without AA and AF enabled. In many cases the GeForce 7800 GTX don't show much difference in performance with and without antialiasing at lower resolutions.
Originally posted by: Veech
I still like the idea of one GTX card, as I plan to upgrade to a FP monitor sometime in the future, but it will be down the road a bit.
Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel
Originally posted by: Veech
I still like the idea of one GTX card, as I plan to upgrade to a FP monitor sometime in the future, but it will be down the road a bit.
It's up to each individual to make the purchase that they feel the most comfortable making. But it does look like you wanted opinions and advice, so I'll give you mine. Even at 1280x1024, the GTX is gonna be bored. Like Lance Armstrong riding a tricycle. I realize you want to move to a Dell LCD in the future, but in the future the GTX won't cost $450. You really should grab a 7800GT now at Tiger Direct for $289 (or any other place you can find it cheaply nowadays).
When/If you get your Dell LCD 24", and you're feeling like the 7800GT isn't holding its own with it, upgrade then.
Originally posted by: Veech
Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel
Originally posted by: Veech
I still like the idea of one GTX card, as I plan to upgrade to a FP monitor sometime in the future, but it will be down the road a bit.
It's up to each individual to make the purchase that they feel the most comfortable making. But it does look like you wanted opinions and advice, so I'll give you mine. Even at 1280x1024, the GTX is gonna be bored. Like Lance Armstrong riding a tricycle. I realize you want to move to a Dell LCD in the future, but in the future the GTX won't cost $450. You really should grab a 7800GT now at Tiger Direct for $289 (or any other place you can find it cheaply nowadays).
When/If you get your Dell LCD 24", and you're feeling like the 7800GT isn't holding its own with it, upgrade then.
And I do appreciate the feedback.
I guess if I do it in steps, I could get the GT now, then upgrade the monitor down the road (say, after Christmas), then get another GT and SLI them at that time, correct?
That might work as well. In fact, that would save me some bucks that I could put into the CPU, which I think I'll go with the 4200+ X2.