8600 GT SLI or upgrade?

[tacojoethethird]

Hey all!

I'm customizing a new computer and I'm debating on which nvidia graphics card I should get. I already have one XFX 8600 GT 256MB Extreme edition. My options are:

Get another XFX 8600 GT 256MB Extreme edition for $101 and run the two in SLI
Upgrade to one 8600 GTS 512MB (EVGA) for $148
Upgrade to one 8800 GT 512MB (EVGA) for $241
I'm a gamer (nothing to hardcore though) and I use some video / image editing programs. And I'll be running XP pro if that makes any difference.

Any suggestions, thoughts, personal experiences, advice, et cetera?

Thanks for your help and ask if you have any more questions,
Taco

[Miker]

SLI 8600GT is just downright stupid, no better way to put it.
Upgrade to a single 8800GT, and I would go with XFX because I am a fan-boy.

[foxmobouser]

Id go with the MSI 8800 GT oh wait I did.

Best bang for da buck.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=MSI+8800GT&x=0&y=0

[Miker]

Id go with the MSI 8800 GT oh wait I did.

Best bang for da buck.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=MSI+8800GT&x=0&y=0

Deff go with MSI if you want the cheepest 8800 you can get, who cares how crappy the warranty is.

[joz]

I have a quick question, are you building this yourself... or is some hack company like dell or gateway doing it?


Couse if your buying a "custom" from a company, your screwed.

Build your own, cheaper and better.

[tacojoethethird]

Originally Posted by Miker
SLI 8600GT is just downright stupid, no better way to put it.
Upgrade to a single 8800GT, and I would go with XFX because I am a fan-boy.8800 GT or 8800 GT XXX?

Originally Posted by joz
I have a quick question, are you building this yourself... or is some hack company like dell or gateway doing it?"Building" my own. I'm choosing all the parts and what-not but having a company professionally wire / build it.

I've had problems with MSI before. It could've very well been bad luck but I'd rather go with a name I trust if it's a little more expensive.

[PP Mguire]

8800GTS 512mb XFX XXX.

Or, to answer your question 8800GT XXX Alpha Dog version (Highest clocked on Newegg)

[tacojoethethird]

8800GTS 512mb XFX XXX.

Or, to answer your question 8800GT XXX Alpha Dog version (Highest clocked on Newegg)

Yeah I was just checking them out and noticed the standard XXX version and the Alpha Dog version. But I should definitely go with the Alpha Dog version?

[PP Mguire]

Go with the 8800GTS 512mb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150267

Its 2 bucks more than the 8800GT XXX Alpha Dog

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150254

And it (The 8800GTS) performs alot better.

[tacojoethethird]

Go with the 8800GTS 512mb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150267

Its 2 bucks more than the 8800GT XXX Alpha Dog

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150254

And it (The 8800GTS) performs alot better.

Sounds good. Thanks.

[tacojoethethird]

So this is what I'm looking at getting:

NZXT Zero Case
Asus P5N-D nForce 750i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.0GHz
CoolerMaster Hyper TX2 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 512MB XXX Alpha Dog
OCZ Reaper (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
750GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD
Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive ( 2 of them )
Saitek Eclipse-II Keyboard
Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse
ViewSonic VA2026W 20" Widescreen LCD
CoolerMaster Unit 600 Watts eXtreme Power
XP Pro SP2

What do you think?

[PP Mguire]

Sonds good! But

Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive ( 2 of them )

Why 2 of those?

[tacojoethethird]

Sonds good! But

Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive ( 2 of them )

Why 2 of those?

Quite often I need the ability to put everything from one cd or dvd to another one. It's much easier just to throw two cd's in and click "copy" rather than having to put the data onto my computer, eject, new cd, burn.

[joz]

so Ibuypower or cyberpower (or similar low-end custom) is were your getting it from?

[PP Mguire]

Quite often I need the ability to put everything from one cd or dvd to another one. It's much easier just to throw two cd's in and click "copy" rather than having to put the data onto my computer, eject, new cd, burn.Its better to make an image of it and then burn it to disk. With 2 drives your taking a risk of getting read/burn errors.

[joz]

edit: wrong thread

[tacojoethethird]

Its better to make an image of it and then burn it to disk. With 2 drives your taking a risk of getting read/burn errors.

Oh well. I've never had a problem with it. If I do I'll use your method, but I like having two drives anyways.

Anyways... we're are getting off topic so I thank you for your help with the video card. Taking your advice and getting the 8800 gts.

[srpeters18]

Look at getting 2 500GB HDD's instead of the single 750. You can set them up in a RAID array and it runs much faster. Then you'll see a single drive just under 1TB. Probably right around the same price too.

[tacojoethethird]

Look at getting 2 500GB HDD's instead of the single 750. You can set them up in a RAID array and it runs much faster. Then you'll see a single drive just under 1TB. Probably right around the same price too.

I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip.

[srpeters18]

No worries.

[sushrukh]

So this is what I'm looking at getting:


OCZ Reaper (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive ( 2 of them )
CoolerMaster Unit 600 Watts eXtreme Power
XP Pro SP2

What do you think?

1. You r getting 4GB ram right ? Then you need to use a 64-Bit operating system like XP 64-Bit (crap) or Vista x64 to utilize all 4GB.

2. I prefer Samsung over Sony.Samsung SH-S203B Dual Layer Sata DVD-RW is a great one & also cheap.I've seen several Sony DVD-RWs to fail after a short amount of time.

3. If u go SLI, then you should get atleast 700W or higher powered PSU, otherwise it's fine. ;)