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Dual Graphics Cards Setups

C

claygast

n00b
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
35
Hi guys, I've been mandated to build a system for my parents, and am thinking about dualing up GeForce 8800 GT's. Before buying a Power Supply, I just wanted to check with a (probably noob) question I had about being able to connect both cards. What do I need to look for in a power supply to make a dual card setup possible? Not just wattage, but as far as connectors too. I like Thermaltake and really can't go over $100, less is even better.

This is not an expensive system I'm trying to build, so whatever can suffice as a PS is what I need. Thanks!
 
Well, here are the specs from BFG for a single 8800 GT:http://www.bfgtech.com/CMDocs/BFGTech/pro=137-8800GTOC2_sellpiece.pdf

For SLI I'd suggest at least 650W.

I have an e6600,8800 GT in SLI, 2 250GB HDD,and 1 optical drive and use a PCP&C 850W PSU. I don't thinkk you'd need that much, but I do think that anything under 600W would be really stretching it.

As for connectors, each 8800GT takes one 6 pin PCI-e connector, so buy an SLI certified PSU and you'll be all set.

This one looks very good to me:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

The one thing you can't skimp on is power. If you buy some cheap piece of shit PSU, it will either fail or your graphics will artifact like crazy. I'd shave the cost somewhere else and get a good, solid PSU like the one I linked. The Corsair has more connectors than you'll ever need for a basic set-up.

Here's the little brother (650W) at a great price from ClubIT. ClubIT is a great vendor and always has good prices on Corsair products:http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA6245002# This PSU would be great as well.
Corsair link:http://www.corsair.com/products/tx.aspx
 
I'd look at a Corsair HX620 or a TX650. You could get away with an HX520 or VX550 if you wanted, though.
 
If you're not building an expensive setup and you're building it for your parents what on earth do they need a SLI setup for lol.

Buy a single fast video card if your parents game and be done with it. You don't need SLI unless you're running a resolution of 1920x1200 or higher. Otherwise a single high-end card is sufficient.
 
burningrave101 said:
If you're not building an expensive setup and you're building it for your parents what on earth do they need a SLI setup for lol.

Buy a single fast video card if your parents game and be done with it. You don't need SLI unless you're running a resolution of 1920x1200 or higher. Otherwise a single high-end card is sufficient.
Click to expand...

Right. The performance increase going from a single card setup to an SLI setup generally isn't large enough to justify the cost of the second card unless you're playing at high resolutions like 1920x1200 (As you stated) or 2560x1600.

So, unless your parents are hardcore gamers with a large monitor I don't see too much reason to buy an SLI setup for them.

But it's his/their money. If they want to do it, I'm not going to say boo about it.
 
claygast said:
Hi guys, I've been mandated to build a system for my parents, and am thinking about dualing up GeForce 8800 GT's. Before buying a Power Supply, I just wanted to check with a (probably noob) question I had about being able to connect both cards. What do I need to look for in a power supply to make a dual card setup possible? Not just wattage, but as far as connectors too. I like Thermaltake and really can't go over $100, less is even better.

This is not an expensive system I'm trying to build, so whatever can suffice as a PS is what I need. Thanks!
Click to expand...


Future proof it now and get this: http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/Power/ToughPower/W0133/w0133.asp

Becase of this: http://www.evga.com/articles/397.asp
 
My dad and my lbrother play, which I left off. They play games a lot but do you still think that I should go with one good card? I'm getting a 1680x1050 LCD so it isn't scorching resolution but I do want it to handle games well for a long time to come. What do you guys think?
 
And when I say not "expensive" I mean definitely in the $1500-$2000 setup range, as opposed to the 3, 4 or 5k setups I'm sure some of you have.
 
Depending on the motherboard, you can easily build your dual 8800 GT setup for 2000 dollars.
780i MB....229
4 GB DDR2 RAM....100
Dual Core Intel....250
Dual 8800 GT....350
Corsair 750W PSU...135

It will play very well at your desired resolution.....have fun!!:D
 
claygast said:
My dad and my lbrother play, which I left off. They play games a lot but do you still think that I should go with one good card? I'm getting a 1680x1050 LCD so it isn't scorching resolution but I do want it to handle games well for a long time to come. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

For that resolution you would be best off with a single 8800 GTS 512 or a 9800 GTX 512 depending on the level of gaming they will be doing i.e. the graphics intensity of the games they play.
 
You don't need to SLI 8800GT at that low of a res. A single card should be more then enough to handle what you want to throw at it.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=1057&model2=853&chart=278

Notice that a single 8800GT is enough to handle these games at 1600x1200, which is near the res of 1680x1050. (1600x1200 is actually slightly bigger, so the frames should be a hair faster at 1680x1050.) I'm not saying don't SLI the 8800GT, but you don't need to. If you are worried about it, get the 512MB 8800GTS.

If you do decide to SLI, I want to make another suggestion. I haven't really liked any of the linked PSUs that you've been shown yet. They are either of poor quality (Hiper), questionable quality (Sliverstone) or more then you really need. (750W for two 8800GT's?) This fits your requirements, and should have no problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151041

$95 counting shipping, and no rebates. Seasonic, so you know its good. 42A on the 12V rail, should be enough power. Its also SLI certified, so it has all the required connectors. This should do fine.
 
What I want to know is, is anybody here that is giving you all this sage wisdom, actually have an SLi computer???
I love how people are quick to give advice and dont have the experience to back it up......so they send you a bunch of links to some canned benchmarks....

Anyway.....my advice is based on real experience......I've had Sli for a good long time.
My recommendations are primarily based on prices at the present time.
Right now, you can find the 8800 GT for 150-175 dollars, an excellent price. AND two of them will be cheaper than, or equal to one 9800 GTX or 9800 GX2. Read the [H] review of the GX2, when compared to the 8800 GT in SLi, the review essentially stated that 8800 GT in SLi was more cost effective and gave the same or better gaming than the GX2.

This 8800 GT SLi set-up will let you run over any game you want, full out, at the resolution you choose, with room to spare. If you upgrade the monitor, you're still good to go. Something you won't be able to do with one GT.
If games become more demanding, you're good to go.

As for the PSU suggestion.....I like to look at the future with any system. Do you really want to buy a PSU every time you upgrade your components??? Spend a few extra bucks and have plenty of power, plain and simple. Never skimp on the PSU.
Please, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I get real tired of the "SLi aint worth it" from people who never used it or just like to pile on.
 
For me, its a matter of money. SLI can be worth it, but not always. I had a coworker who was running an FX5500. When he redid his system, he decided SLI was the bomb and bought two 6600s. Not 6600GT, 6600. If he had just bought a single higher level card, he would have got more FPS then that dumb idea. (after talking to me about it, he was upset to learn that his two cards were about the same as a single 6600GT at 1024*768, the res that he plays with.)

As I said, money. Why spend $275 on video cards? Yes, some game playing will take place on this system, but at the res being played at, its not needed. They could "future proof" it and get a ridiculous setup, but it could go wasted. (Not to mention that not everyone has the money for a better CPU, the bigger PSU, the 3 disks needed for RAID5, etc) Single video cards have been able to handle 1600x1200 for quite awhile, I don't think you need SLI now just to push that many pixels.

While it is true that I don't run SLI, that doesn't mean I don't know anything about it. I do know that I have no need for it, for the games and res that I play with. Just because I don't use it doesn't mean I don't know anything about it, nor does that mean I can't give advice on it. If that was true, non of use could comment on PhysX or Killer Nic cards.
 
I'm not trying to argue or anything, I hope no one takes me wrong.
I tend to give my opinion about components and setups that I have personal experience with only, that way hopefully people will gain a little from my experiences.

Yes, in the past I have also argued against the KillerNoc and the PhysicX card, essentially from the standpoint that I thought they were both a waste of money.....an opinion that has been mostly correct as time has gone on.

When you come here for an opinion, you should get the best information you can from people with some hands-on experience, or others should start out by saying.....I've never had this or that but.....
 
Where has anyone seen a 8800 gt for $150-$175? The places I've looked, it's still in the $200+ range.
 
claygast said:
Where has anyone seen a 8800 gt for $150-$175? The places I've looked, it's still in the $200+ range.
Click to expand...

The hard cost usually is $200+ for an 8800 GT. A lot of people take in consideration a rebate before even receiving the money (I'm not one of those people.) After rebate, they're easily $150-$175.

Call me a shill but....

http://www.bfgstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=29

Here you can kill two birds with one stone. One 8800 GT OC w/ PSU for $235 or, a better deal, two 8800 GT's w/ PSU for $410. No rebates or anything.
 
claygast said:
Where has anyone seen a 8800 gt for $150-$175? The places I've looked, it's still in the $200+ range.
Click to expand...

Well, this ad has been on the front page of [H] for about two weeks now, jesus!:eek:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...asp?EdpNo=3538922&sku=E145-8832&CMP=ILC-FPM10
Here's another one:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
And here's another one:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143118
It's like rain. You were looking where for prices????

I also like the BFG deals as well if you need a PSU.
 
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