2x 550 vs 1 670

[Neurotoxin]

Hi all,

I've been looking at the GTX 670 a bit, and I feel like I may be able to do better with two cheaper cards running together. Sure less CUDA cores, yeah maybe 2/3 the clock speed, but I dunno if those attributes are worth the extra $180 compared to just running 2x GTX 550 Ti...

I'm looking at using 2 of these: http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=02G-P3-1559-KR&family=GeForce+500+Series+Family&sw

Instead of one of these:http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=04G-P4-2673-KR&family=GeForce+600+Series+Family&sw


So, what is everyone's opinions? Save the extra $180 and put it towards better memory or mobo/CPU?

I am considering live streaming as well. The 670 should be strong enough for that, but I wonder if the two 550s will be able to do it just as well.

[Bags]

Ties with a 580 in a game or two, loses to a 580 in some games, and a 580 loses to a 670 by like 1/4th the frame rate.
Source: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5818/nvidia-geforce-gtx-670-review-feat-evga/11
Source: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/3936/palit_geforce_gtx_550_ti_1gb_sonic_video_card_in_s li_review/index12.html

And 2x 550 Ti is $300, 670's are $400, so you only save $100 for like 50% of the performance.

Not to mention SLI isn't the best in all games, and sometimes gives worse performance (for older games).

[Rbstr]

Here's one big reason I don't like it
GTX670 TDP: 170W
2x GTX550ti: 2x 116W = 232W

Besides simply losing out on substantially updated tech and being at the whims of SLI compatibility. The only time I consider SLi is if it's in the current generation or if you're adding a second card to what you already have.

Go with the bone-stock GTX670 and overlock it yourself. I've got no idea why you'd want to spend $470 on a 670 when a 680 costs $500

[Vancha]

The only reason to buy a 4GB 670 is if you're gaming on multiple monitors or play a heavily modded Skyrim as your main game. I'm pretty sure nothing else utilizes anywhere near that amount of video memory.

[Goku]

Never ever SLI low end cards like that. I would still take a GTX 560 Ti over those two cards just for a better experience. GTX 670>GTX 550 Ti SLI anyday. It will be far faster.