TH2G with 2X 8800GT's

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 20 Mar 2009, 15:07

Hey All,

I am new to WSGF. :) And so far I have found this site very helpful. However, I have searched bit and from what I have seen, the general consensus is that 1X8800GT(512MB) won't handle the 5040x1050 res with 3x 22" widescreen LCD's. However, all the posts I found were from 2007 and I figured with drivers updates and improvements, there might be a chance that this changed.

I have 2x 8800GT's (512MB) but all I ever play is World of Warcraft. The original idea when I bought my machine was to play MUCH more than just WoW. But now the surround gaming bug has hit me hard and I am now VERY interested in the TH2G with 3x 22"Samsung Widescreens.

Can someone give me some input whether this will be sufficient for my needs to play WoW in surround with everything maxed at 5040x1050?

Thanks for such a great website and people here.

Regards
GabbaDude

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 20 Mar 2009, 15:21

2x 8800 GTs were an exciting alternative to a single 8800 GTX back in the day, but you'd be much better off with a single, more recent card. Two GTs will be better than one in TripleHead, but not that much better really. 512 MB is a tad low when the resolution gets bigger, and SLI'ed GTs will still have a total 512 MB to work with. Besides, the GF8 chip is getting old.

Go for a single GTX 260/250 or Ati 4870/4850 and sell your GT, or you might be disappointed... Remember you're aiming for one of today's most extreme resolution - that demands a real graphics card update, not the "good ol' stuff going SLI" kind of approach ;)

RomanKory · Post by **RomanKory** » 20 Mar 2009, 15:36

I used to run 2 8800GT OC 512 SLi... On 3 19" DELLS. 3840x1024

I was not impressed with the results. First, 2 - 512 cards is NOT the same as a 1G single in terms of how your system sees it. Even with games that use SLi. Memory is the biggest factor when you start getting in resolutions so large. So, the more the better. Second, SLi support is in my opinion.... Hmm, pretty poor. Some games don't have it when they are released, you'll need to wait for updates. i.e., GTA 4 - Did a SLi update ever come out for it???

Anyway, I sold my 2 eVGA 8800GT OC and used the proceeds and a few extra buck to upgrade to a eVGA GTX280 FTW. (From what I understand this is a better card than a regular GTX285) So, I'm close to the top end without a huge outlay of money. And down the road i can add a second one. Although, I really have not been impressed with the SLi thing. And it does seem that charts bare out that there is really only a marginal improvement over a single.

I can now finally crank up the settings!!!!!!

That's just my opinion, Good Luck.

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 20 Mar 2009, 15:36

Thanks for your reply. :) So you reckon that 1x GTX 260 should handle 5040x1050 just fine?

neosin · Post by **neosin** » 22 Mar 2009, 07:24

i'm using 1 1gb 9800gt oc and it runs all games fine at 2 or no AA though :P

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 22 Mar 2009, 09:30

Sure, but are you running the res at 5040x1050?

neosin · Post by **neosin** » 22 Mar 2009, 16:05

yes ofc i'm running at 5040x1050

check out my other posts

i play fear 2, cod4 n 5, mirrors edge, hawx etc etc all at 5040x1050 max no lag without AA in some games but i can deal with it like i said

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 22 Mar 2009, 19:49

1x GTX260 is the min Id recommend. I have 1x 280 and its just about right IMO, not slow enough that Im too pushed but clearly room for improvement if I was motivated.

WoW also doesnt run as well as its archaic graphics would indicate.

Post by **Gilly** » 22 Mar 2009, 20:20

in wow maybe knock the view distance down if you raid a lot at that res

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 22 Mar 2009, 22:58

Hmmm....Ok

atm, I run everything pumped up full using an 8800gt. I have found that WoW runs better now in Northrend on the card than it does in Azeroth or Outlands. I simply put it down to better use of the drivers and hardware.

So u recommend a GTX 280 or higher then? I will look into this :) But now the question needs to be asked is whether this is only good for Wow or will it be sufficient for games like Fear2 or Crysis?

Thanks for all the replies...

neosin · Post by **neosin** » 23 Mar 2009, 08:38

read my post lol

the only game that won't run well is crysis / gta4 since they require more than 1gb video ram at good settings

fear 2 i get 30-40 fps max everything without aa on my 9800gt + q6600

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 23 Mar 2009, 13:57

I am now considering either the GTX280 or the 9800GX2. What do you guys think? Which will be a better choice? I noticed that in all the benchmarks in the research of WSGF, that they tested with a 9800GX2 but they don't have research on the 5040x1050 res according to the FAQ's about Triplehead2go. They only tested at 3840x1024.

I don't want to sacrifice AA at all. I did read your post thanks. I just don't think the 9800gt will cut it for me.

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 23 Mar 2009, 16:26

Unless you get the 9800GX2 for half nothing, the non-SLI based card (ie the GTX280) is a much better buy. Other than cost, there is no reason to want old tech.

2x GTX260s (even the original core 192 versions) is an even better choice if you get a good deal. Im thinking buying used cards from someone updating to the latest nV refresh is a good idea.

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 23 Mar 2009, 17:01

Apologies for sounding like a noob, so the 9800gx2 is still using the old tech? The GTX280 is the card I should go for then? But according to the reviews on Toms hardware, the 9800GX2 really kicks a55...

What benefits will I get besides cost, if I buy the GTX280?

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 23 Mar 2009, 17:40

It does kick ass, but its still a bit of a mixed bag. Its an SLI based card (its like 2 cards in one PCIe slot). SLI is great, but not all games work well with it (be it driver or game design issues) and some people see "micro stuttering" with SLI cards:
http://www.google.ie/search?q=9800gx2+micro+stuttering&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-a

The 9800GX2 uses two G92 chips while the GTX280/260 and newer are all GTX200 based cards, faster and more efficient (better power consumption, better HD Video support) while being the current driver target for optimisation. You can always add another GTX280 later for SLI on the newer tech, adding a second 9800GX2 is moving from SLI to QuadSLI, cool but also adds to any and all SLI shortcomings.

Note the "new" GTS250 is a rehashed 9800GTX+ (or some old G92) card and not a GTX200 based card at all. If you are buying new new (ie not used cards), then look at

GTX260 55nm - refreshed GTX260, lower power consumption and faster than old 260s, should be called a GTX265 but isnt.. SP216 based.
The GTX285 - a refreshed GTX280, about the same price but faster
or
The modern version of the 9800GX2, the GTX295. Its 2 "cards" in one but based on the new chip. Its expensive but very fast (assuming no SLI issues).

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 23 Mar 2009, 19:55

Thats a great reply :) Very informative. Thank you...

But I have a question, If I get a GTX200 series card, should I get a GTX280 or 285? and also, will it handle WoW at 5040x1050 at full graphics with the view distance pumped up?

I appreciate your responses matt, seems like you are very well informed about this stuff.

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 24 Mar 2009, 01:10

Thats a great reply :) Very informative. Thank you...

But I have a question, If I get a GTX200 series card, should I get a GTX280 or 285? and also, will it handle WoW at 5040x1050 at full graphics with the view distance pumped up?

I appreciate your responses matt, seems like you are very well informed about this stuff.

Get the GTX285 if you can if buying new assuming they are nearly the same price. You can buy either 280 or 285 and SLI them later, they will play nice together. I only re-played WoW on a 10day trial recently (gave it up just before WOTLK!) and I would honestly say you can put the GFX quite high on the 280, but not everything cranked. I doubt the 285 will allow that either. However the difference between 3/4 View Distance and Full isnt much at all.

They changed the sliders and effects in WoW afaik 3/4 in WOTLK is the same as Full in earlier (BC) WoW builds, so dont feel you are loosing too much eye candy.

Im informed, but not as much as I used to be, the GFX market is in hibernation for ages now, will take Windows 7 and DX11 to wake it up!

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 24 Mar 2009, 08:12

In our country the 285 is considerably more expensive than the 280. So I will check it out and make a decision.

Thansk for all your responses. It is much appreciated.

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