SLI or Not?

**ryan** · #1 11-02-2008, 09:07 PM

Assuming a budget of "X" - is it worth it to go with one card that costs "X" money, or two cards that cost ".5X" money and use SLI?

**EvanAzzo** · #2 11-02-2008, 09:45 PM

Just get one new card. You don't need 2 and SLI is never up to par with just having one card. Say if you had two 8500GTs they still won't keep up with an 8800GT. Save some cash and get one card.

**Cloud** · #3 11-03-2008, 09:41 AM

For the most part, there is no reason to SLI unless it is cheaper to get 2 cards that equal greater performance than one card or you're buying 2 top of the line cards. You will either replace your single video card (or entire computer) or you can add a second one later when it's again cheaper to buy a second one of those than one new card (of equal performance.) As far as performance goes... nVidia SLI still kicks ATI/AMD Crossfire's ass, but it's getting a little closer.

**SlayRyde** · #4 11-03-2008, 04:35 PM

By the time you go SLI, there will be a single card out there that will beat an SLI setup. Save yourself the electricity and heat buildup.

**ryan** · #5 11-03-2008, 09:17 PM

Yah you guys are all 100% right. After thinking and reading up about it, I realized going SLI is dumb because of the heat buildup and also because its not a scalable solution. If you go with just one great card that supports SLI, you can always get a quick bang-for-the-buck upgrade in a couple years when the price on that card has dropped and performance requirements have increased.

Now if I could just work out how I'll get a ROI on something that depreciates so quick!!!