-iceblade^

i'm going to be changing my mobo and want to go for a dual card solution. SO, which company should i go for? i know, it sounds biased towards ATI initially, but nVidia has the better Linux drivers and the mobo (eVGA 750i SLI FTW) looks to be a better OCer for Quads than the P5E X38 i'd grab if i went for a Crossfire solution from what i have seen...

On the other hand, ATi's performance continues to improve under windows, and the implementation of DX10.1 in Far Cry 2 is a big selling point as i think i'll be playing that game for a while to come...

any ideas? any alternatives?

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AOwpr

I would go with 8800 GT SLI... in fact I already bought a second card. The scaling seems to be good in nearly all games, while the 4850 is great in some, bad in others. Driver issues, I guess... but 8800 GT SLI is pretty stable.

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darksideleader

if you like Linux that much go for sli then. ATI's drivers for linux are getting better rapidly from now on though.

Also you got a 8800GT or 4850 now? If would just get a 2nd video card of what you have now to make it easier. There is a power difference between 4850x2 and 8800GTx2, but nothing noticable on a 22" monitor.

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TripleC

it's like.. in the long run what would u pick or , if u are one of them kind that upgrade frequently, if that's the case, go with 8800GT< and of course in the long run, 4850 i'm not sure what kind of 3d application that u needed in linux ur running that require such power, but if that's important to u, then go with 8800GT since it's easy to work with and yet still powerful

otherwise if the 3d power is really for gaming in windows then, i say coop with the setting up in linux and get the better card.

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ErBall

your going to be hard pressed to find anyone recommend the sli. You have to use an inferior chipset, and older tech cards.

Really this is a no brainer.


If anyone suggests otherwise = instant fanboy.

Edit: had no clue about linux support, so I guess it depends on personal preference.

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JerseyDubbin

The 8800 gt SLI will max out any game on the market at the moment. I play everything from starcraft to COD4 and Crysis all with no issues. Crysis I can play with 4xAA on until my cards get too hot (due to ambient temperatures I discovered). As an avid linux user (99% of the time on linux) the drivers work near to flawlessly and I have never had an issue.

With that said the 4850's will outperform the SLI in games but if you are looking for a little more stability and much more in linux I would so go SLI. Plus the MOBO is much better!!

Hope this helps!

Jersey

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XAslanX

Crossfired 4850 hands down.

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Wookie Man

I'd lean towards the 4850's. Even with bad early drivers it wasn't as good, but the drivers keep getting better and better. You could go either way, but the X38 would be a better OC'er and like I said the drivers are constantly getting better. My vote is with the 4850's.


And what resolution do you play at?

Edit: you already have one 8800Gt, just pick up another. That is fine too.

rpm666

In 7 minutes you already have your answer

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-iceblade^

i am using the 8800GT now, but i have a 4850 less than a metre away from me and i will be installing it and the hotfx for Far Cry 2.

i don't tend to upgrade frequently... and yes the 3d power mostly is for Windows.

1680x1050. I also have a 4850 and could just as easily pick up another, lol. the loser in this debate would be sold, though.

well, there are quite a few people here advising for SLI, lol... i thought the 750i was newer than the X38 chipset?

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