Should I get a second 8800 GT for $100?

[Belzebutt]

So I have an 8800GT, and it's on sale now for $100... In your opinion is it worth spending $100 for the upgrade and doing SLI?

I guess the games where I would want more framerate are Crysis, GRID, Far Cry 2 and some of the other upcoming games. I play at 1680x1050, and I also use my rig as a Vista Media Center.

I've never done SLI so I'm not sure if there's something I should watch for. What kind of performance boost can I realistically expect?

Normally I would just get a faster card but $100 seems cheap for if the boost is noticeable. If I wasn't going to do SLI, what would be an equivalent single card solution that would give me about the same performance as 2 x 8800 GT?

 

[SpeedyVV]

You should SO get that 8800GT for SLI for $100.00.

OMG that is such a awsome deal. You are basically getting a 9800 GX2 for $100.00!!!

                        8800 GT      8800 GT SLI          GTX 280        HD 4870
Crysis       1650x1050      5.9             46.1             40.7           35.6
CoD          1650x1050     58.4            119.8               94           98.9
Assassin's C 1650x1050     41.6             63.6             55.5           57.1
Bioshock     1650x1050       60            123.8            109.2          118.9

They say the 9800 GX2 suffers from mircrostutter or something like that, so 8800 GT SLI might have some to. that is the only thng i can think off as a negative, but those numbers.

We are talking insane scaling at your resolution. Go for it man.!!

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=1

 

[TKD]

I've owned 8800GT, SLI 8800GT, GTX 280, and (dual) SLI GTX 280. For me at least (at 1080p), SLI 8800GT microstuttered badly. One thing to keep in mind is that both the 8800GT and 9800GX2 use G92 cores, and most 9800GX2 owners who switched to the GTX 200 series were much happier with the latter, at least from what I can surmise reading here.

Now, I'm sensitive to microstuttering, possibly more than average. But, honestly, knowing what I do now, I would've skipped the second 8800GT entirely (at least it's found a good home in a friend's computer).

Depending on how much you like AA and such, and depending on your budget, you might be better off in the long run with the higher bandwidth of a GTX 260/280.

Of course, for what the 8800GT adds, it might be enough for you. Just consider a stronger single card before going SLI. Again, what maes sense for you depends on budget, how much eye candy you like, and how often you upgrade.

 

[Belzebutt]

Well, I am a bit picky when it comes to image quality, so I'm curious to hear what this microstuttering looks like?

Also, do the 8800 GTs have to be the same clock speed? I have an 8800 GT OC and it'll be hard finding something exactly the same. I take it they don't have to be the same manufacturer. And also, I have 8x SLI slots, is that an issue?

 

[RadXge]

For $100, why not!
Selling your actual card and buying a better one would be a more expensive option.
Of course, make sure your PSU is up to the task.

BTW, what is the resolution you are gaming at?

 

[schoenda]

If I had an SLI mobo I would get a second 8800 ultra in a second...GO FOR IT! By the time you need faster the 280's or 4870's etc will be cheaper, you will likely make the 100$ back.

 

[rocketr2]

Well, I am a bit picky when it comes to image quality, so I'm curious to hear what this microstuttering looks like?

Also, do the 8800 GTs have to be the same clock speed? I have an 8800 GT OC and it'll be hard finding something exactly the same. I take it they don't have to be the same manufacturer. And also, I have 8x SLI slots, is that an issue?

Look at the video, from what the test shows microstutter looks non fluid and choppy.

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/?article_id=631668

 

[TKD]

Well, I am a bit picky when it comes to image quality, so I'm curious to hear what this microstuttering looks like?

Basically, when the average framerate, for example, is reported as 45 but your gameplay feels perceptibly worse than 45 -- say <30.

It won't occur in every scenario, and not everyone is sensitive to it.

Also, do the 8800 GTs have to be the same clock speed? I have an 8800 GT OC and it'll be hard finding something exactly the same. I take it they don't have to be the same manufacturer.

No, different speeds and manufacturers are ok. Faster cards will downclock to speed of the slowest card.

And also, I have 8x SLI slots, is that an issue?

It should be fine for SLI 8800GT.

 

[TKD]

For $100, why not!
Selling your actual card and buying a better one would be a more expensive option.

Yes, more expensive, but I'd consider it if budget permits. Going SLI with G92 could be adequate, but it could also show its age sooner than the OP would like, especially with the fall wave of games. This is particularly true if the OP likes AA.

Of course, make sure your PSU is up to the task.

Yes. An 8800GT has a TDP of 112W.

BTW, what is the resolution you are gaming at?

He stated 1680*1050 in the original post.