Debating new mobo with 2 GPUs (9600 GT) vs. getting a new GPU and sticking it in an older s754 3200+ system.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Well the question is what would be your 1 new GPU?

2 9600GTs total, what? 128 stream processors? The equivalent of a new single GTS250. And if the 9600s are older and the GTS250 is new they would use more power as well.

This is 96 stream processors.

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5837943;j ... IN_RSLT_PG

Not available . . . Nuts. Otherwise I would have pulled the trigger.

There's a 9600 GSO at Microcenter with 96 Stream processors, but it's only DDR2. Would that be better than a DDR3 9600 GT?

Sorry if some of these questions have been asked before.

Thanks.

Stream processors way more important than memory speed.

The 512MB 1Gig 1.5Gig 9600's are downgraded to 64 processors.

Do stream processors scale linearly? Meaning are you going to get 4x PPD with a 260 with 216 processors versus a 9600 GSO with 48?

In my limited experience yes. And OCing anything other than shaders is almost useless, I never do it.

Looking at this chart it seems that a 9600 GT at $80 is maybe the best bet versus a 260 at $180. It would be $160 with rebate at newegg, but I've had horrible luck with rebates of late.

Do those ppd seem accurate?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 814500080R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 814121268R


112 shaders vs. 64.

The chart is accurate, note the GSO they use is also a crippled one, 64, not 96 shaders.

Sweet, thanks! Might have to pull the trigger on one of these instead.

Consider the entire cost of the rig, not just the incremental cost of the graphics cards. I started with an 8800 GT, with the thought of buying a second one. It was soon retired because it was (A) noisy and (B) doesn't play well with other graphics cards.

you raise some sobering points. i suppose i need to put in more research before i get a new card, then.

They had been linear up to appx 120 processors or so. After that it's hit or miss, it depends on the WU. The trend the last few weeks has been to much largers units, so the linear scale may extend further in the near future.