So I currently have 2 machines, each with an eVGA 9800GTX 512 MB video card. I am in talks to purchase 2 more 9800GTX 512 MB.

I can purchase the 2 9800GTX for $175 and SLi both machines or I can buy a GTX460 1GB  for $250 and SLi only one machine with the two 9800GTX that I currently own.

Comments on buying the 2 9800GTX

* $70 Cheaper

* Both machines will remain of similar performance making it less jarring switching between the two for gaming

* Near double performance in SLi supported games (which is many these days)

* PhysX support

- More power usage/heat

- only DX10

Comments on buying a GTX460

* Further capability to upgrade in the future

* More memory

* Less power usage/heat

* DX11

- More expensive

I game on a 24" monitor that runs 1980x1200 or sometimes switch over to my 46" 1920x1080 TV so more memory is a plus for those higher resolutions.

From reading around the internet there seems to be no consistent agreement on which setup is better performance wise. It all depends on the game being played and the settings being used. I play Dragon Age, Battlefield:BC 2, Mass Effect, Crysis, Cryostasis, FIFA 11, NBA 11, and a bunch of Valve games mostly and like to keep up with the latest titles (planning on getting Metro soon). I tend to use higher levels of AF and lower levels at AA (I let my TV's settings and features mask some of the harsher edges). I also do a fair bit of work with videos in software utilizing CUDA.

OC'ing is also an option.

Note: All prices in $CAD.

Which option should I go for? Thanks in advance for the help.

EDIT: Friggen plus signs didn't show up. I will use * for a plus sign, indicating a "positive attribute"

GTX460 in 1 machine and combine your 9800's in the other.

GTX 460 is a wonderful card (1 GB)...check out the benchmarks for Medal of honor Kotaku did 

http://kotaku.com/5666661/medal-of-honor-single-player-graphics--cpu-performance

Its rediculously close to GTX470 and Radeon 5870 which are much more money.

Something like this which has a 20 dollar rebate, lifetime warranty should be your next purcahse. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570

@disolitude

That is the exact card I'm considering. It really is the best value at that price and it comes with a lifetime warranty (eVGA rocks!). They also OC pretty well. I am leaning towards that option. Do you see any reason why you personally would go with the 9800GTX option instead though? Just to play devil's advocate. Any benefits?

I really can't see a reason why I'd go for 9800GTX...lol.

Its a good card (similar to gts250 in specs) and in SLI it should run all games pretty good, but there is no future for it. DX10 and 2 way SLI...you are already maxing out their upgradability levels. You will eventually have to sell them both...probably soon with Crysis 2 and other visual high end games coming out.

9800 GTXs would make excellent Physix cards though down the road when you do get an SLI GTX460 ;) (as long as you have 3 PCIE slots on mobo)

It actually is a GTS250, just rebadged. People have actually flashed their 9800GTX to read as a GTS250 and have compared them next to actual GTS250's and seen 0 performance difference.

I agree with your upgradability argument but I've found that I always say that and then when I decide to upgrade my machine I opt for a single card solution over SLi'ing my current setup (much like right now. haha). I'm looking up some stats on the hit games take in framerate when run in DX11 vs DX10. It's a pretty moderate drop. But man do DX11 features really bring games to life.

Alright. I'm going 460 GTX.