GPU vs CPU

[ztimbo]

I an trying to piece together an awesome 9262 and would appreciate advice. With crysis and DX 10 games in mind, should I get an extreme 6800 chip with 1 8800 GTX, or a quad core and 8800 SLI? I dont have budget for both, but Im curious how others would configure it.
Thanks

[OregonCoastGamer]

I believe that the dual GPU setup will give you better performance than a fast processor with a single GPU, but you can always get the fast processor with a single GPU and put the second in later. The decision is up to you.

[Xith]

I think Oregoncoast is talking strictly from a gaming sense. Most bang for your buck? A single GPU and a faster processor. Why? 99.999% of programs are not writen for SLI setups. Sure, you can name some that will take advantage of SLI, but these games will also perform well with the 8800 single. Now, if you are only going to play crysis 24\7, then SLI and slower processor... but I think for the long haul, a faster processor now, and a second GPU down the road (and when they are cheaper) is the best bet!

Mike

[pfarrell77]

Do you guys think the 8800m will get cheaper? I'm not so sure, since nvidia tends to discontinue a model when they upgrade, rather than offering it to us at a lower cost. I have a feeling that the 8800m will hold price until the 8850m or 8900m comes out, and then they'll stop making it and that chip will become the new price-point. I could be wrong, but I doubt I'll be able to pick up an 8800m for less down the road. I just hope I remember to keep checking and order one before they discontinue it.

[Aryantes]

My guess, is that everything, and i mean everything, in the future will be coded for quad-core or even more cores when they come out. It only makes sense. IMO, to say that dual-core is a wiser choice because 'now' nothing is coded for quad-core is very short-sighted.

SLI is always a weird issue, it helps, but its always extremely expensive. When top of the line SLI goes down in price, it usually gets replaced by a next generation single card that can do better. Same thing here, I think more and more programs will take advantage of multiple GPU's in the very soon to come days.

I think sacrificing a few MHZ on a quad core, is more than worth it, considering 'when' things use quad core, it will be 'twice' as fast as a dual core.

[danny_christ]

i agree, quad core is a good choice, for now and the future...but sli might be too expensive and usually 1 gpu should be enough to play games, MUST BE ENOUGH i do not spend more than 4000$ for a laptop for crysis...

[pfarrell77]

You might want to think about a Q6600 for now with a single GPU. Then, hopefully the Penryn chips are supported in the spring and you can upgrade to a quad core that is much faster and more power efficient for a fraction of the price of an extreme chip.

[OregonCoastGamer]

I doubt that the 8800M GTX willl just fade out of existence just like that.... It is still VERY new and I am sure that nVidia will stretch out its time on the market before releasing a new series. Wait a few months and it will drop a few hundred dollars for sure. By then you can worry about more games like Crysis being released any how.

[robamb2002]

I've noticed that GPU upgrades seem more complex (mb upgrades/driver issuse/cost/labor) than CPU upgrades, with this in mind you may wish to go for upgrading the CPU at a later date. But thats just my opinion

[FearAndLoathingInCali]

Go with the Q6600 but get it with Go Steping, make sure. That cpu is the one I got cause its one of the most OCable out there atm (From 2.4 to some reported 4.0ghz stable. make sure case fits a zalman or tower cooler).... And I would/am wait(ing) for the 8800 to drop neways before SLIing.... but Im just a poor collage student, got the 8800 gts 640mb to save money too... :P

:twisted: Dr.Thompson :twisted:

[canucklehead]

Remember, this is a laptop forum.

Go with the Q6600 but get it with Go Steping, make sure. That cpu is the one I got cause its one of the most OCable out there atm (From 2.4 to some reported 4.0ghz stable. make sure case fits a zalman or tower cooler).... And I would/am wait(ing) for the 8800 to drop neways before SLIing.... but Im just a poor collage student, got the 8800 gts 640mb to save money too... :P

:twisted: Dr.Thompson :twisted: