9800 SLI Help

[Jbarns321]

I am thinking of getting another EVGA 9800 GT card and running SLI. Do I need to have the same exact card with the same memory on it??

 

[haadij404]

no you dont need the same exact card. one could be from evga and the from bfg. memory does not need to be the same either. but keep in mind that the smaller amount will be used.

if one card has 1gb memory and the other 512mb... both will operate with 512mb. same thing goes for core and memory speed. everything thing will run at the slowest components speed.

 

[hossdaddy]

also your psu must be rated to handle the additional load. But I think if you wanted more graphics power you would be better off selling the 9800gt you have now and picking up a GTX260 or a 4870 1gb both of which can be had for well under $200
EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 $199.99 -$20 mir
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB $189.99 + free shipping

 

[Jbarns321]

Thanks. I will check into getting the GTX 260x2 maybe. Perhaps I should get a new PSU as well. Maybe a nice 1000 Watt.

 

[hossdaddy]

please list your system specs including the size and resolution of your monitor and the games you wish to play.

 

[Kowan]

The cards can be of different speeds and the card will operate at those speeds.
It's a simple fix by overclocking one to match the other, but they will operate at different core/shader/memory speeds with no problems.
I have a stock 280 and SC SLI'd.
SLI FAQs