hdantman
07-05-2008, 08:46 AM
I've currently got 2 8800 GTs OC'd to 704/1006, which *should be nearing the performance of dual stock 9800 GTXs (right?--similar clock speeds...). I have a 790i Ultra mobo, and I've been weighing the possibility of 3-way SLI. I have cursed nVidia many times for not offering 8800 GT drivers to accomplish this, since it would be such a cheap jump for me (I'm even attempting to write drivers myself, but DAMN it's hard!), but now the prices of the GTXs are going down--found one today for 179 bucks. I have the option to build a friend a an SLI rig with my other 8800GTs, so I'll make the money back. But is it worth it? Why in poop is the 9800GTX not much faster than the 8800GT? Why on earth isn't it faster than the 8800GTX across the board? Are the GPUReview numbers correct? I'm assuming they are, and that the advantage the 9800GTX has is that it's running G92 instead of G80, so it's more OCable with the 65nm process.
Anyhow, I'm trying to figure out if running 3x9800GTXs ($540) is a good/bad idea price/performance wise. Would it be better to just get a single GTX 280 ($460)? I want to get the most out of my 3x x16 slots, but is it worth it? I have the other hardware to run it for sure (no bottlenecks/PSU issues). I run two 22" monitors, so the resolutions I play games at are pretty good (3360x2100).
I'm probably going to wait a while, since right now I'm dealing with a car accident that is costing me dinero, but I just don't know what to do once I have it.
9800 GX2 is out of the question (why pay more for a dumbed down, hotter setup?), as are the ATI cards, as I've discovered (from my past 3870 x2 problems) that they don't run well with my mobo.
Any ideas? Of course, if one of you knows of some hacked 8800GT 3-way SLI drivers, (or a firmware flash hack) I'd love you forever and call it a day. G92 is enough for me.
Anyhow, I'm trying to figure out if running 3x9800GTXs ($540) is a good/bad idea price/performance wise. Would it be better to just get a single GTX 280 ($460)? I want to get the most out of my 3x x16 slots, but is it worth it? I have the other hardware to run it for sure (no bottlenecks/PSU issues). I run two 22" monitors, so the resolutions I play games at are pretty good (3360x2100).
I'm probably going to wait a while, since right now I'm dealing with a car accident that is costing me dinero, but I just don't know what to do once I have it.
9800 GX2 is out of the question (why pay more for a dumbed down, hotter setup?), as are the ATI cards, as I've discovered (from my past 3870 x2 problems) that they don't run well with my mobo.
Any ideas? Of course, if one of you knows of some hacked 8800GT 3-way SLI drivers, (or a firmware flash hack) I'd love you forever and call it a day. G92 is enough for me.