SLI Question

[Hyphven]

I currently have an SLI capable motherboard and am running 1 7600GT. When using one card the board supports it to run at 16x. But when putting cards in as SLI the board only supports them to run at 8x.

First question: When looking to purchase another 7600 GT how 'the same' does it have to be to the one i currently have? Can i just be another 7600gt, any brand (it EVGA btw)?

Second Question: Will my performance be lower (vs one 7600gt) because it switches to 8x mode when using two cards?

Thanks!

 

[King_Weaver]

8x is more than enough bandwidth for even a 8800ultra so youll be fine on that front. Also technically it could be any 7600gt as long as they have the same memory, I believe the drivers will automatically downclock one of the cards if they have different clock speeds so you wouldnt have to worry about that. Personally though buying a second 7600gt to run in sli would be a complete waste of money.You would be better off selling your 7600gt and taking that money plus the money you were gonna spend and buy either an 8800gt or find a 8800gts 320mb on ebay (they are going for sub $200 right now)

 

[haadij404]

I believe the drivers will automatically downclock one of the cards if they have different clock speeds so you wouldnt have to worry about that.

Hmm thats interesting. I think the newer drivers support the higher clocked card. I have one EVGA (500mhz) and one BFG 7900gs (540mhz) and it runs at the higher clock. Which is pretty cool...

But yeah thats not the case anymore as they are both volt modded

To the OP, 8x makes something like a 3% difference compared to 16x so any performance gains would be negligible.

Also, before you consider SLI, try overclocking that card (7600gt has a good reputation for overclocking) and see if the performance increase satiates any performance desires you have.