Which graphics card(s)?

Question

I am having a pc custom built and I was wondering , Should I go with a single Geforce 7900 or dual 7600 gs (512 mb version)?

Answer 1

Go with the single 7900, it will probably be just as fast as the SLI config, but with half the noise and less power use.

Answer 2

In terms of price/performance, go with the single 512MB 7900. Doesn't matter if it's a GS, GT, or GTX, the single 7900 for the same price range it will still outperform 2 7600GS in SLI and give you more fps for your money. The 7600GS has DDR2, 12-pixel pipeline, and only a 128-bit bus. A single 7900 has DDR3, 24-pixel pipeline, and 256-bit bus and it's on a single card. If you already have a 7600GS in your system, then it might be worth considering the SLI, but if not, get the single card in the same price range. Yes, the 1GB graphics RAM with the SLI will let you load bigger textures than a 512MB 7900GTX, but bottom line, the overall performance you get from 2x7600GS is not worth 2x $150 vs. a single $300 card with superior features and the 512MB RAM you get on the 7900 is faster. Also a single card has two DVI (or VGA adaptable) ports so you can still use two monitors. It is also important to note that SLI and quad monitor support don't work together so you can only use one or the other with 2 cards installed.

For less than 2 7600GS you can get a 7950GT with an nice cooler installed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125046

Answer 3

I would go with the 7900 because higher classed cars can easily match and beat two lower end cards running in SLI.

Answer 4

the sli setup will cost more but dual cards will give better frame rates if you like to run in higher resolutions. It comes down to how much gaming you plan on doing. If you're really into it and got some money to burn go with the quad processor sli.

In any case, I'm sure nvidia will come out with something in six months to make it all seem obsolete again. You could just throw a few hundred bucks towards an xbox or ps3 and you'll get good game support for at least 3 or 4 years without worrying about upgrading anything.

Answer 5

That all depends. If you wnat to have 2 displays connected togeather simultaniously or you are doing really high power graphinc design, go with the dual. However, for gaming a 7900 is fine (it's still really powerful)