Graphics GTX 480 sli vs single GTX 580

Hi everyone.

I'm currently running a single GTX 480 and was wondering what peoples opinions were on a possible upgrade.

I'm not sure whether to get another GTX480 to run in Sli or get a GTX580?

Can anyone tell me how 2 x 480s would perform compared to a single GTX580?

All your suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

 

as a rule of thumb, its generally better to have a single more powerful gpu than 2 even slightly less powerful gpu's, plus you'll be kicking a hell of a lot heat and using a lot of power with 2 gtx 480's

 

yeah dual 480's is asking for a house fire tbh, I'd get the GTX580

 

i was thinking more nuclear warfare

not only that you'll save some cash by selling the 480 and putting whatever you get towards you 580

 

I run 2 GTX480's in SLI and the house hasn't burned down yet and they are no noisier than my 275's and I would say they will out perform a single 580.

 

They will outperform a single 580. However, the heat and power draw will be huge. Your call.

 

Well. If you have already got a 480 and doesn't have any issue with it, might as well buy anther one for extra performance.

But if buying new, a single faster card makes more sense.

 

I have 2 GTX480's in sli and a quality 1000w psu is a must. They are air cooled at present (toasty) but will be water cooled very soon.

SLi 480 GTX's offer (IMO) at least 50% more performance than a single 580. Plus the brilliant MSI card can be had from Scan for 255 pounds. Overvolting and overclocking through afterburner if your case is up to it.

Air cooled SLi 480 GTX's are really only possible in a very very cool case. At present mine are in a CM690II advanced which has every available fan mount filled with quality fans, plus it is in an air conditioned room. I'm in China at the moment and when I go home to the UK they will go in my Temjin TJ07 and I know that they will have to be water cooled in this case, as there isn't anything like the airflow that I have through the CM690.

 

You can get a new 480 for less than 200 how, so I'd say it 480 all the way.

 

Another option is to get the 580 and run the two cards together, with the 480 dedicated to PhysX.

 

Not a good idea, a 480 is totally overpowered for a PhysX card and again, the heat and power draw will far outweigh the (tiny) benefit. If you are going this route you may as well just go SLI.

 

480 sli will win on performance

Lose on noise power heat

 

Wait for next gen. 480 --> 580 is like 280 --> 285.

personally i'd go sli 480's. screw heat and power, performance would be awesome

 

normally hardware heaven compares things like this

 

sli 480's - you wont see much of an improvement with a 580.

 

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/revie...eforce-gtx-580-sli-review-crysis-warhead.html

found a link!!!

 

Thanks for all your replies.

I have to say i dont actually notice too much heat or noise from my single 480 so I guess I'll go Sli.

It might even cope with ARMA2 dialed up to 11.

 

Overclockers had them new yesterday for £199 was a today only deal which is a shame though
edit: Scratch that look at THIS!!!

I'm bloomin tempted for that!

 

Me too! Added to basket just now.

thanks for that

 

Now THAT's what I'm talking about. +1