As you can see by my tag, i have a big mix of modern and old parts. The question is, do i buy another graphics card to sli with my 560ti or do i buy a new processor? Which would give me the most benefit?
Well if i was going to get a new cpu, i would probably get the i5 3570k when it's out. Might be a good idea.
Indeed. New CPU will make a massive difference in your case. 560Ti even a single one can run BF3 on ultra quite well if you reduce AA. And u will get a boost in FPS getting a newer cpu.
I'm surprised nobody else asked yet - what games do you want to play, and at what resolution? Some are more CPU bound, some more GPU bound.
i5 all the way dude. If you get a Q6600 make sure you have a good cooler. Else you will edn up with idle temps of 70c like my cousin who insists that there is nothing wrong!
Definitely a new CPU Honestly I wouldn't bother with a second 560Ti You'll be disappointed with the improvements I think. Problem is that you will still be limited by the 1GB VRAM assuming it is the 1 GB version of the 569 Ti? Games like Battlefield like 2GB cards for high textures and resolutions. Adding a second card won't increase this
I've never had SLI cause me any trouble. But yes, I agree that the cpu is the thing to upgrade in this case.
Agree. SLI worked well for me. Most games had correct SLI scaling and the ones that didn't on release were generally patched to work correctly later.
I've used SLI so long now I cant remember not gaming with it, Never had a problem with it. SLI scale's really well never had microstutter. But in your case either upgrade the CPU or you can afford it go for a i5 setup.
If it was for me I would definitely go for the CPU. SLI has come a long way but as already said doesn't give uniform improvements and can lead to some regrets and hassles (relatively modest speed increases, micro-stuttering, increase in power/heat etc).
I've got a 9800 GX2 in the media computer, fairly old by SLI terms, and it's never given me a problem. If anything it's been far and away easier than a crossfire 6870 setup in one of the work computers I have to deal with every week or so when something else goes wrong with the bloody Vision Engine Control Center.
