Some SLI questions...

hj2k_x

hj2k_x

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I have been scouring the web but can't seem to find answers to my questions...

I have the following questions regarding SLI (please excuse the apparently dumb ones, I am new to this whole concept)

1) If you have an SLI mobo, can you run just one gfx card or do you have to have two all the time?

2) Does SLI'ing two cards basically double up on their specs? So if you run two 256MB, 128-bit cards then you have a 512MB 256-bit gfx setup?

3) Must the two cards be the same exactly? (Can you SLI like a 7600 and a 7900 for example?)

4) Has anyone got any results from SLI'ing the new 8-series cards? Like would two 8500GT's perform as well as one 8600GT? What about two 8600GT's? Would they be as good as one 8800GT?


Any advice/help/pointers much appreciated :)
 
1.No you can run a single gfx card. I am currently running a single gfx card on my sli mobo.
2. Not sure. I don't think the bus would go to a 256bit bus.
3.Cards must be same model like 8800 gts with 8800 gts but they can be different brans like for instance one card can be xfx and the other asus.
4.No idea
 
I was told that if you sli the 8800gts then one acts as a physics card handling physics in games while the other does the graphics bit. Any truth to this?
 
1) No
2) In theory yes
3) Yes, but brands don't have to be the same (ie u can mix EVGA n BFG)
4)2x8500GT = 1 8600GT is a little bit more. 2x 8600 anything << 8800GTS
 
ShockG said:
1) No
2) In theory yes
3) Yes, but brands don't have to be the same (ie u can mix EVGA n BFG)
4)2x8500GT = 1 8600GT is a little bit more. 2x 8600 anything << 8800GTS
Click to expand...

Cool. Thanks. So the 8500's are really not that great then :|
 
If one card has been overclocked with a bios update would it still run with a card that is stock?

PS Soz for hijacking ur thread:o
 
1) You can run a single card. I'm doing that right now on my PC.
2) Theoretically, yes. But your performance won't increase by 100%.
3) Yes, same model number but it doesn't have to be the same brand, for example an XFX 7900GT and a Gigabyte 7900GT will work.
4) No idea, I don't even have money for a single 8xxx card yet :(
 
WKJ?:beanie said:
1) You can run a single card. I'm doing that right now on my PC.
2) Theoretically, yes. But your performance won't increase by 100%.
3) Yes, same model number but it doesn't have to be the same brand, for example an XFX 7900GT and a Gigabyte 7900GT will work.
4) No idea, I don't even have money for a single 8xxx card yet :(
Click to expand...

Cool. I am just thinking what to get right now. I need a gfx card of some kind asap. Have about R1200.

Was thinking of getting an 8500GT so long and either getting a 2nd down the line and running SLI or getting a proper card way down the line...I am not sure.
 
ShockG said:
1) No
2) In theory yes
3) Yes, but brands don't have to be the same (ie u can mix EVGA n BFG)
4)2x8500GT = 1 8600GT is a little bit more. 2x 8600 anything << 8800GTS
Click to expand...

shock 2 8600's dont equal a 8800gts im almost sure of that

320 bit vs 128

i seriously doubt it

would be cheaper to buy a 8800gts as well 320 meg
 
killadoob said:
shock 2 8600's dont equal a 8800gts im almost sure of that

320 bit vs 128

i seriously doubt it

would be cheaper to buy a 8800gts as well 320 meg
Click to expand...

So basically, there are no two inferior cards that you can run in SLI to equal an 8800? :(
 
I think best option is save up for a 8800GTS and get one. Then start saving up again for another one, by the time Crysis comes out you'll probably have enough for a 2nd GTS and then you can really sit back and enjoy Crysis.
 
Only time I'd ever buy 2 GTXs in SLI is if I had a 30" or 37" LCD to play it in on. No use raping your wallet for 2xGTX in SLI if you're play it on a crummy 20" LCD.
 
feo said:
I think best option is save up for a 8800GTS and get one. Then start saving up again for another one, by the time Crysis comes out you'll probably have enough for a 2nd GTS and then you can really sit back and enjoy Crysis.
Click to expand...

Ya,I guess so. In the mean time what to get with my R1200? A 7-series of some kind?
 
Put it aside and use onboard if you have to. If you wanna game in the meantime then a 7 series would be your option but if you wanna be ready for DX10 titles then keep saving and also dont forget prices will come down so having 2xGTS isn't gonna break the bank a few months down the line.
 
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