Crossfire/SLi?

[clubsport]

Hi all,

Can someone tell me what is the difference between the Crossfire and SLi motherboards?

 

[Bo_Bice]

 

[SLiGuy]

LMFAO Bo!

SLi and Crossfire are both multi graphic card technology, which allows you to run 2 (and now up to 4) cards at the same time, increasing performance. SLi is nVidia's version of it (and also the first), and Crossfire is ATI's equivalent. So obviously, you cannot use 2 nVidia cards on a Crossfire board and vice-versa.

 

[Dan_D]

Nothing really. As long as you have two x8 PCI-Express slots that are in the same form factor as x16 PCI-E slots also known as "PEG" slots, you are ok. However, the drivers are locked on NVIDIA cards to only work on NVIDIA chipsets (Unless you are using a pre-80 series driver) or in the case of Crossfire, it is locked to ATI chipsets and Intel chipsets, or at least the Intel i975x chipset. Basically, the drivers determine if they are compatible or not with any given chipset as long as they physically have the needed dual PEG slots.

Newer boards are starting to show up have two full x16 PCI-Express slots for graphics. Though these slots are not actually limited to graphics cards. The main difference is ATI Crossfire boards will either be using the RD480 chipset or the Intel i975X chipset. It should also work on Intel E7525 Turnwater motherboards but that is speculation on my part. SLi capable motherboards will all use the NForce 4 SLi, NForce 4 SLi Intel Edition, NForce 4 SLI x16 AMD/Intel Editions, or the NForce Professional 2200/2050 chipsets.

 

[clubsport]

Excellent Info thank you

I was looking at the P5N32SLI Deluxe for my m/board and maybe the New Intel 950,
pcpower and cooling psu and 7800gtx or wait for the 7900gtx and x1900xtx?
what do you think?

 

[troisanh]

If your setup is fine with programs/games you run now, id wait personally.

 

[clubsport]

can I run this card X1900XTX with this m/b Asus P5N32SLI Deluxe?

 

[Rollo]

IMO the main difference is you can't select which version of rendering with Crossfire, you're stuck with what you get.

 

[$BangforThe$]

For the time being Rollo is correct but ATI is very quik to release Driver updates . There are a lot of modern games were the Xfire with X1900's dominate sli . So its what games you play. I believe Rollo is being over dramatic on this issue don't you.