To sli or not to sli that is the question!

[Assassin]

Hey guys I'm doing a new build and so far I've everything except for the GPU and the motherboard. I'm waiting for the Maximus vi formula. My GPU budget is around 460$. I live in the US. Should I go for sli at this budget or go for something like a GTX 770? I'll be gaming at 1920 x 1200 on a single monitor. I really wanted sli because I have no problem running it especially because I have enough headroom for my psu which is 860 watts. Increased heat is not a problem for me. Which cards should i get for sli? And I'm sticking with nvidia.

[Breakdown]

Most persons would agree that a single card is the better way to go.

 

It supposedly eliminates micro stuttering (whatever that is) and leaves room for upgrading in the future.

[Kayn]

I would just stick with a single card because all the problems that comes with a dual card configuration.

[Samdb]

Go for the 770, less power will be drawn and there will be less issues with drivers.

[Godlygamer23]

Micro-stuttering is when you get really small frame drops(like one pixel in thickness). This causes the game to become slightly choppy is some places. It's best to go with a single GPU in case you encounter a game that doesn't work well with SLI. You'll also get reduced power consumption and reduced heat output.

[aikoels]

single card

 

SLI:

-More heat

-less chance of upgrading

-more power used

-not every game is optimized with SLI

- Micro stuttering (with nvidia it isn't too bad)

-Less space

Plus better cards tend to have better tech in them. (I mean it doesn't really matter with the last few gens of cards but still)

[Assassin]

Hmm, maybe in should go for a gtx 770 for now. And get another one in the future when the price drops.

[helping]

 gtx 770 for now. And get another one in the future

yep.

[xToFxREAPER]

Hey guys I'm doing a new build and so far I've everything except for the GPU and the motherboard. I'm waiting for the Maximus vi formula. My GPU budget is around 460$. I live in the US. Should I go for sli at this budget or go for something like a GTX 770? I'll be gaming at 1920 x 1200 on a single monitor. I really wanted sli because I have no problem running it especially because I have enough headroom for my psu which is 860 watts. Increased heat is not a problem for me. Which cards should i get for sli? And I'm sticking with nvidia.

770 for sure, a lot of people are going to argue micro stuttering and whatnot but on nvidia its almost no existasnt, ive been using multi gpu setups almost exclusively for a year up until a few weeks ago cause i cant afford the second card yet xP i have no issues with sli despite everyones arguments against it

[whatthe_fuzz]

if you dont mind me asking, why so hard set against AMD? :p

[Lil Chillbil]

if you dont mind me asking, why so hard set against AMD? :P

 

 

they have an issue, and people need to know

[Adam the Grim]

770 for sure, a lot of people are going to argue micro stuttering and whatnot but on nvidia its almost no existasnt, ive been using multi gpu setups almost exclusively for a year up until a few weeks ago cause i cant afford the second card yet xP i have no issues with sli despite everyones arguments against it

DItto, It's not as bad as everyone makes it out be. 

 

[bartekxx12]

they have an issue, and people need to know

What issue? The one that's pretty much been fixed with the new drivers? 

[allthatremains94]

they have an issue, and people need to know

In crossfire. yes, but a powerful single card is still good, and I don't think he'll be adding a third card in.

[TechSage]

GTX 770 hands down in this situation

[Frix]

Single cards are cooler and prevent issues with compatibility.

[Assassin]

if you dont mind me asking, why so hard set against AMD? :p

Things like shadow play and GeForce experience are pretty cool, and I've use AMD cards for a while. So I wanted something new and go with nvidia.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Not.

[LegendKillerRG]

If you want performance go for SLI

 

IF you want less heat and power drawn go for single card...

 

I'd personally would get more performance from SLI despite the heat and power drawn and not be able to upgrade rather than a single card../

[Stomplar]

I'd go with the 760 SLI. better than a 780 in performance for less! This whole "cant upgrade later" argument is non sense. SLI compatibility is only getting better and for 500 bucks you got a serious ass kicker of a set up. 

[WoodenMarker]

Things like shadow play and GeForce experience are pretty cool, and I've use AMD cards for a while. So I wanted something new and go with nvidia.

Consider that the 7970 is nearly neck to neck with the 770, has more vram, and is getting very cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131468

[Whiskers]

Personally, I'd always prefer to get a single powerful GPU rather than two less powerful ones. "Two Heads Are Better Than One" isn't always an accurate saying.

 

From what I know, single GPU setups tend to be more consistent in their performance. With SLI or CrossFire you could potentially get much more performance, but then if the game isn't particularly optimised for it you could get worse performance.

[Gauzl]

Definitely a single GPU card. I upgraded to a 2nd 680 awhile ago and regret it. In my favourite games I get shit usage from both GPUs and that's with a 4770K at 4.4ghz. If I didn't get a 2nd 680, I would have gotten either a Titan or 780.

[Ramzez]

I'd go with the 760 SLI. better than a 780 in performance for less! This whole "cant upgrade later" argument is non sense. SLI compatibility is only getting better and for 500 bucks you got a serious ass kicker of a set up. 

 

Let's not forget that many games and software doesn't support SLI configuration. So there is going to be situations where you are practically running with single GPU. Metro Last Light is one example (if it's not repaired already). Because of this, it's nearly always better to choose single powerful GPU rather than two mediocre GPU's.

 

I can understand people upgrading later to second GPU, but if you have the money from the start, don't waste it for two 760's when you can get single 780.

[xDLGx]

Other than for running benchmarks there is no need for SLI on a single 1920x1200 monitor.