For the true techies out there: VGA Help.

[szskateman22]

Hey everyone.

I'm trying to figure out which is the better set-up. At the moment I have a GTX470SC running with a GTX260 as a dedicated PhysX card.

Now, I know that 2- GTX260s running SLI would out-do my single GTX470SC, but I want to know if it would out-do the configuration I have set up now.

If you do reply, I need some sort of explanation as to WHY it's better, not just "it's better".

Thanks,
szskateman22

 

[Clashfan]

Keep in mind the 260s don't support DX11

 

[kill dank]

Well, the 470 is a better card in itself. I would say the configuration you have now is slightly better than if you were to add another 260. I personally would save up until I can get another 470 to add to the configuration.

It's like, you have one card that is equal to 4 and one that's equal to 7. You can add the 4 and the 7 and get 11, the 4 and 4 to get 8, and the 7 and 7 to get 14.
That's how I see it, neglecting the obvious differences in newer technology versus older technology.

 

[Noodles :)]

The SLI 260's would barely out perform the 470. 470 supports dx11, either get another 470, or wait til the 6**/7*** series of GPUs.
The 470 still maxes most games anyway

 

[szskateman22]

Well, the 470 is a better card in itself. I would say the configuration you have now is slightly better than if you were to add another 260. I personally would save up until I can get another 470 to add to the configuration.

It's like, you have one card that is equal to 4 and one that's equal to 7. You can add the 4 and the 7 and get 11, the 4 and 4 to get 8, and the 7 and 7 to get 14.
That's how I see it, neglecting the obvious differences in newer technology versus older technology.

I think you've made the best point so far... (Yes I know about DX11 and yadda yadda). The problem with the theory is that the 470SC is not compatible with the 260 - this means that the 260 is ONLY being used for PhysX. That's it. However it leaves room for the 470 to dedicate itself to more important causes. This means that the 260s (even SLIed) will not outperform a 470SC and a 260 dedicated PhysX... If I am following your logic Kill.

Pretty much the 470SCs are down in price now to ~ $160 (159.99 on EVGA for B-Stock)... which is about what 2 - 260s would fetch right about now.

As for the GTX 6/700s as noodle suggested - those are going to be on the new PCIe(3.0) platform - at least that's why my bet is on... meaning I would have to upgrade to a new motherboard again.

 

[kill dank]

I think you've made the best point so far... (Yes I know about DX11 and yadda yadda). The problem with the theory is that the 470SC is not compatible with the 260 - this means that the 260 is ONLY being used for PhysX. That's it. However it leaves room for the 470 to dedicate itself to more important causes. This means that the 260s (even SLIed) will not outperform a 470SC and a 260 dedicated PhysX... If I am following your logic Kill.

That is correct. Since the 470 is already better than the two 260's, dedicating a 260 for PhysX keeps some of the load off the 470.

Don't overlook the 560 Ti either, it's a beast of a card.

 

[Noodles :)]

Going from a 470 to a 560 ti is a sidegrade.
wait for the next gen of cards. They won't be on gen3, and anyway, if it's like 2, it'll be backwards compatible.
MOBOS are only bring out 3 now, cards are due for q1 2012 so...