SLI or single, higher-end video card?

[plasticbathmonki]

Looks like I've finally gotten off my arse and decided to build a new machine. It's way too sad that my machine is already obsolete, but with new requirements and Vista only games starting to find there way into the market, an upgrade might not be a bad thing.

So, the question is, should I get two graphics cards and SLI them (or crossfire for you ATI die-hards) , or should I go for broke on a single, awesome card. I know on some games, SLI actually causes the performance and framerates to decrease, and I'll probably save a few bills by buying a single card, but I'm always open to suggestion.

[Koggit]

How much are you looking to spend?

I'd recommend just getting a single card, unless you have $600+ for video. SLi high-end cards usually trump single ultra-high-end cards, but for everything else, a single card usually gives better bang for the buck (not to mention typically using less power, heat and technical headaches).

[guyver2077]

SLI is good for high resolution gaming. You can get one or two 8800 gt's for very cheap nowadays.

If you plan on using a dual monitor setup you should go for one card as i dont think dualview works in sli.

[Chacrana]

The downside to SLi is that, unless things have changed in the last few months, you have to buy a motherboard with an Nvidia chipset, which = buggy as hell.

[Vinny]

One single high end card is better than 2 medium cards, IMO. From what I've seen in SLI tests, with 2x cards you don't necessarily get 2x the performance.

Check the TH charts, I believe they have a lot of single/SLI card data.

[Chacrana]

One single high end card is better than 2 medium cards, IMO. From what I've seen in SLI tests, with 2x cards you don't necessarily get 2x the performance.

Check the TH charts, I believe they have a lot of single/SLI card data.

It also depends a lot on whether or not the game in question supports SLI, and how effectively it uses it.

With single card, it's straightforward, and you know it'll work.

[XxSmityxX]

I myself was trying to decide awhile back.....

But I decided to go with a single card (8800GT) and it runs pretty much everything on high-very high.

Also it's a good idea to go with EVGA brand due to the fact that they have the best customer support and they offer a 90 day step-up on virtually all there cards. Which means when you purchase your card, 3 months later you can upgraded it by sending in you old card and getting full price what you payed towards the purchase of the better card. So basically your card never losses value!!!!

Example: I payed $275 when the 8800 first came out, now i can trade it in for a 9800 and pay a difference of $75 which includes shipping!!!!

[DrFoo]

Yeah I wouldn't go with SLI (and didn't with the computer I just bought). If you do decide to go SLI make sure it's with 2 8800gt cards or better (in other words, if you're planning to spend a very good amount on this computer). Otherwise your money could probably be better spent on a single 8800gt.
I personally just bought a single 8800gt, and I figure that by the time I need to upgrade there should be a card at least 2 or 3 times as fast for about $200.

[plasticbathmonki]

i'm probably gonna go with the single 8800 gt or gtx. Prices are falling fast because of the new 9800s that just came out. Newegg has a EVGA 8800 gt for like $160 after rebate.