Introduction

Apart from higher clock speeds, GPU Boost, a wider memory interface, and double the memory of the original GeForce GTX 650 Ti, NVIDIA gave the new GTX 650 Ti Boost variant SLI capability. The card can pair with another of its kind. At its price-point, a single GTX 650 Ti BOOST delivers some interesting results. Find out more about it in our single-card reviews:

• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost (reference design)
• ASUS GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost DirectCU II OC
• ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost

Given that the 2 GB variant of the GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost is priced at around $170, a SLI setup of two should set you back just shy of $340, which enters the foothills of high-end territory. Single-card offerings at that price include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti and AMD Radeon HD 7950 Boost.

The SLI duo of GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost cards has its task cut out. Their goal is to beat single-card offerings around the $340 price-point in as many tests of our suite as possible. It doesn't stop there. Being a dual-GPU solution, it even bears the burden of having to present a compelling alternative to single-GPU cards priced above the $340 price point and is, as such, pitted against offerings approaching the $400 mark—GeForce GTX 670 and Radeon HD 7970 territory.

Test System

Benchmark scores in other reviews are only comparable when this exact same configuration is used.

• All video card results were obtained on this exact system with exactly the same configuration.
• All games were set to their highest quality setting unless indicated otherwise.
• AA and AF are applied via in-game settings, not via the driver's control panel.

Each benchmark was tested at the following settings and resolutions:

• 1280 x 800, 2x Anti-aliasing. Common resolution for most smaller flatscreens today (17" - 19"). A bit of eye candy turned on in the drivers.
• 1680 x 1050, 4x Anti-aliasing. Most common widescreen resolution on larger displays (19" - 22"). Very good looking driver graphics settings.
• 1920 x 1200, 4x Anti-aliasing. Typical widescreen resolution for large displays (22" - 26"). Very good looking driver graphics settings.
• 2560 x 1600, 4x Anti-aliasing. Highest possible resolution for commonly available displays (30"). Very good looking driver graphics settings.

Alan Wake

Alan Wake, released in 2012 for the PC, is a highly successful third-person horror shooter that revolves around the adventures of novelist Alan Wake who has to battle the "darkness" that takes over living and dead things. Alan's signature flashlight is used to strip the forces of darkness of their protection, which makes them vulnerable to conventional weapons.

The engine of Alan Wake uses DirectX 9, but features complex lighting effects that make it quite a demanding title. We benchmarked with the highest settings possible.