To SLI or not to SLI

by **Jinky** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:52 pm

2x geforce 7800's? expensive as hell but im tired of watching this slideshow of a pc i have.

Also AMD64 FX-55 (939)? shell out the 800 now or go with a cheper AMD 64 939 and save for a dual?

just trying to trim some fat on the cash if it can be done.

by **LordShard** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:14 pm

I wouldn't SLI. 1 video card is more than enough, The next gen cards after it will probbaly be anouther 15% or more capapable like they have ussually ended up being, and if something like DX10 is released, having 2 DX9 cards to play DX10 games won't be as fast as one DX10 video card.

(Ok maybe a lil faster buy your spending 2x the money for it? Doesn't sound good to me)

I would also get a fast single core processor. The dual cores right now arn't worth jack as they actually slow down the computer, (multitasks faster) but you don't need to multitask when you play games because they arn't optmized for multiple processors yet.

NO benefit as of right now for dual core or SLI.
Why screw with it? WHen SLI becomes neccesary you could spend maybe $100 to SLI the 7800 if you have to a year or so from now to get that speed boost, and youcould dual core laster on also when it becomes advntagous to have it.

by **SkiloDog2000** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:25 pm

Originally posted by Jinky
2x geforce 7800's? expensive as hell but im tired of watching this slideshow of a pc i have.

Also AMD64 FX-55 (939)? shell out the 800 now or go with a cheper AMD 64 939 and save for a dual?

just trying to trim some fat on the cash if it can be done.

not necessary

by **PudriK** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:32 pm

I read one review, I think in CGW or PC Gamer, which showed you could get equal or better performance to one 6800 with two 6600, and for less money. Something to look into. SLI handles making the cards work as one, so the game doesn't have to be designed for it.

Personnally, I just bought one 6800, but plan to add another in a year or so, when the price comes down to mid-range..

by **deathBOB** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:35 pm

Get one now and get another later.

by **=ender=** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:40 pm

Pudrik and DeathBob are right on. If you have an SLI motherboard and a 6800 or 7800 series card, then just know that down the road you could always add in another card. By that time, it'll be more cost effective to add in another card rather than replace your current one with the latest and greatest. Just keep in mind that the second card MUST be the same kind (if you have a 6800Ultra now you can't add in a 6800GT down the road and enable SLI).

by **CookieDough** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:44 pm

my sli sux i took it out workx better with 1 card with gmaes liek bf2 there is a lot of shit going on in the top half more htna the bottom the top half lags a lil behind savethe dough spen it on a lasting procesor

by **JimmyTango** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:13 pm

Originally posted by CookieDough
my sli sux i took it out workx better with 1 card with gmaes liek bf2 there is a lot of shit going on in the top half more htna the bottom the top half lags a lil behind savethe dough spen it on a lasting procesor

Punctuation can be your friend when used.

by **Evan** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:31 pm

ATI now has dual cards as well.

by **shockwave203** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:59 pm

Originally posted by Evan
ATI now has dual cards as well.

not yet. they won't be available until the middle of next month.

by **Evan** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:11 am

Originally posted by shockwave203
not yet. they won't be available until the middle of next month.

And? ATI will once again beat Nvidia at it's own game.

by **shockwave203** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:36 am

Originally posted by Evan
And?

the guys asking for advice with his upgrade and you're telling him ATI now has these dual cards as well. They don't.

ATI will once again beat Nvidia at it's own game.

Too early to tell.

The very few benchmarks that have been released on the web show SLI and Crossfire performing similarily.

Add to the fact that ATI's R520 has been delayed until late summer, Nvidia will have the performance crown for at least the next 3 months with it's 7800GTX

by **cavalierlwt** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:07 am

I get the feeling the developers of BF2 favored Nvidia over ATI anyway. I'm not sure what they can do to 'help' them, but I think Nvidia might have the edge for a while when it comes to BF2.

As for whether or not to SLI, just get the SLI mobo, and one card. As long as you can buy an that exact model card later, you can always go SLI when you feel the need.

by **LordShard** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:50 am

Originally posted by cavalierlwt
I get the feeling the developers of BF2 favored Nvidia over ATI anyway. I'm not sure what they can do to 'help' them, but I think Nvidia might have the edge for a while when it comes to BF2.

As for whether or not to SLI, just get the SLI mobo, and one card. As long as you can buy an that exact model card later, you can always go SLI when you feel the need.

not neccisarily favored, maybe paid to optimise for Nvidia.

by **=ender=** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:07 am

Originally posted by Evan
And? ATI will once again beat Nvidia at it's own game.

Well, that's a silly response. There are times when ATI's latest and greatest is better than nVidia's. There are times when nVidia's latest and greatest are better than ATI's. These are good things. Good healthy competition amongst these two video card companies results in better products and, more importantly, better product CHOICE for us consumers. So, to say that one company will beat another with an "of course, duh" kind of attitude is silly... but it is an expression of your opinion, I understand. Can't harp on you for that.

But none of this helps Jinky with his original question. So, in that vein, Jinky read what Cavalierlwt wrote, which bests answers your question.

To SLI or not to SLI

To SLI or not to SLI

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