SLI video card questions

D

DarkCyber

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 14, 2003
Messages
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Ok, I'm upgrading to a new SLI motherboard and was wanting input from everyone. Would it be better (graphics wise) to get to medium power and priced sli cards versus getting one single powerhouse card?
 
Pesonally I would get one Ultra now.

1. Not tons of games utilize SLI yet.
2. By the time you are ready to buy another Ultra more games will support SLI.


SLI supported games
 
I would at least go with a 6800GT as the dual 6600GTs will put out about the same performance but then you will be stuck with that unless you sell both card and upgrade. With one GT you have the performance of the two cards now at about the same price, plus the added benefit of being able to upgrade to dual 6800GTs in the future.
 
So, ATI has no SLI cards? How sad :(

If I get a single card I will probably go with the ATI X850 PE
 
If your planning SLI I would suggest 2 6800GTs, becasue 2 ultras will rape your wallet.

For a single card, I would suggest an X850XT, not pe (Cause they are pointless wastes of money).
 
DarkCyber said:
So, ATI has no SLI cards? How sad :(

If I get a single card I will probably go with the ATI X850 PE
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That doesn't make much sense, a 6800U would cost about the same and perform about the same, and give you the option to upgrade to two down the road when you might want more than the performance of one?

As far as games go, my rough count just showed about 55 supported in the latest WHQL drivers, and you can force it in anything with Coolbits.

I forced it with Deus Ex Invisible War, it made a big difference with my 6600GT SLI rig, looked like it was improving fps 30-50% by the counter.

I'm not going to offer advice on 6600GT/6800/6800GT/6800U SLI here, they all have their advantages at their price point. I would note that if you care about WMV9 hardware acceleration, only the 6600GT/6800NU (nV41 and nV43) currently offer this.
 
Well, I don't know...I use to be a big Nvidia fan, but lost interest a few years ago when they basically dropped the ball and let ATI blow them out of the water.

The 6800u runs close to the 850, but the 850 stills outperforms it. I don't know that I want my computer sounding like I'm running a weedeater in it either :D The 6800u does get better marks on Doom 3, but it's geared to Doom 3...so we expect that.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050217/gigabyte-02.html

Don't really know what I'll do yet. Thanks for the input everyone.
 
DarkCyber said:
Well, I don't know...I use to be a big Nvidia fan, but lost interest a few years ago when they basically dropped the ball and let ATI blow them out of the water.

The 6800u runs close to the 850, but the 850 stills outperforms it. I don't know that I want my computer sounding like I'm running a weedeater in it either :D The 6800u does get better marks on Doom 3, but it's geared to Doom 3...so we expect that.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050217/gigabyte-02.html

Don't really know what I'll do yet. Thanks for the input everyone.
Click to expand...



You must be confusing the 6800 with the previous generation, it is no louder than an 850 and will give you an upgrade path and, as a single card , future proofing given its more adavanced feature set, The 850 at this stage of the game is a waste of money expecially if you get an sli board.

If you simple must go ATI , cool just wait till next gen and pop a 6600gt in there for now to get you by'
 
DarkCyber said:
Well, I don't know...I use to be a big Nvidia fan, but lost interest a few years ago when they basically dropped the ball and let ATI blow them out of the water.

The 6800u runs close to the 850, but the 850 stills outperforms it. I don't know that I want my computer sounding like I'm running a weedeater in it either :D The 6800u does get better marks on Doom 3, but it's geared to Doom 3...so we expect that.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050217/gigabyte-02.html

Don't really know what I'll do yet. Thanks for the input everyone.
Click to expand...

You base todays decisions on two years ago? If so, you sort of get what you deserve.

When you buy an X850 XT PE, you're buying based on two years ago as well- the core feature set was launched in 2002!

While a 6800U is slower at some benchmarks, it's a difference of like 85fps average vs 95fps average. Sure, it's lower, but at that level you won't know the difference.

You have to remember that 6800s render at 32 vs. 24 bit precision as well, and that this is where we're heading. 24 bit was the MS spec 2 years ago.

Currently Painkiller and Far Cry support SM3, more are coming.

You also have to consider the potential SLI factor.

I have a X800XT PE, it's a very nice card, but if I had to pick one card to have it would be the 6800U
 
Gillette said:
Ironically the ATI line that doesn't support SM3 generally performs better in it.
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Uh, performs better in it? It can't even do "it."
 
Well, right now I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do. Either get an SLI board or not. If I get an SLI board then I guess I would go with the GeForce line, just to have that upgrade option.

So, the Geforce cards no longer sound like a weedeater? But they do require a good bit more power than an ATI card from what I've read. Thus, having two Geforce cards would really suck up the power.

Question...are there any benchmarks or comparisons out yet comparing say a 2 card SLI set against the top dog ATI and Geforce single card systems? I'm just curious how much of a differenct having the SLI cards would really make.
 
One of the things rarely talked about as an advantage of dual 6600gt s is a lower powerr requirement. You should really consider a robust power supply anyway though.
 
That doesnt make sence, Like saying "Ecen though wildcat cards dont support OpenGL they perform better in it"


:confused:
 
jacuzz1 said:
One of the things rarely talked about as an advantage of dual 6600gt s is a lower powerr requirement. You should really consider a robust power supply anyway though.
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I'm already running an Antec TruePower 550w ps...think that will do it.

I was just looking at some of the GeForce 6800 Ultra cards...are those things SLI? I'm finding GeForce 6800GT PCI-E's that are SLI.

All these top video cards must be in serious short supply...GeForce 6800 Ultras and the ATI ones as well.
 
Sure buy to 6800s run SLI , but what happens when directX 10 is out at the end of the year? Did you just wast over $1000 in obsolete video cards that arent directX10 compliant?
 
Marcdaddy said:
Sure buy to 6800s run SLI , but what happens when directX 10 is out at the end of the year? Did you just wast over $1000 in obsolete video cards that arent directX10 compliant?
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What happens?!?! And we better not buy cards before Dx11 comes out! Or Dx12!

Dude, it was over a year after DX9 was released till some "sort of" Dx9 games came out? Most people who spend $400/$600/$800/$1000 for the various flavors of SLI aren't hoping to keep them more than two years. :rolleyes:
 
The thing is, Buying uber expnsive (I.E. 2 ultras) a year or 2 ago would have been smart, when DX9 was in its prime (Each Dx seems to last 4 or 5 years) but seeing as how Dx10 will be out in a year, It doesnt seem as "Future proof" as it would have been, say, 2 years ago.
 
you and I are in similiar boats.

I am weighing the SLI option as well. But I decided to get an SLI mobo because it will give me the option of going SLI should I choose to.

I was looking at the dual 6600 SLI set up but decided to get a single 6800U right now - the 6600 SLI tests performaned well but did not always outperform the single 6800 - it just wasn't consistent enough (for diff. reasons) for me to justify. The SLI board is only costing me a bit more than the board I was originally looking at and I was getting a top of the line vid card anyway.

This way, I have an upgrade path. DX10 be damned.
 
Hate_Bot said:
The thing is, Buying uber expnsive (I.E. 2 ultras) a year or 2 ago would have been smart, when DX9 was in its prime (Each Dx seems to last 4 or 5 years) but seeing as how Dx10 will be out in a year, It doesnt seem as "Future proof" as it would have been, say, 2 years ago.
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You and I live in a whole different reality:

"A year or two ago two 6800Us would have been smart"?! LOL- this is like saying "A GF4 would have OWNED in Voodoo 2 days! That was the time to buy one!" Time travel aside, the only people using 6800Us a year ago worked for nV.

You do realize the 6800U has been available for all of 8 months?

DX9 was in it's "prime" a year or two ago? How so? What DX9 games were out a year ago? Do you even know?

Last, there's no such thing as "future proof" with video cards, but I can almost guarantee you that games in DX10 won't be on shelves everywhere this Christmas, and probably not many the Christmas after that. :rolleyes:
 
Rollo said:
You and I live in a whole different reality:

"A year or two ago two 6800Us would have been smart"?! LOL- this is like saying "A GF4 would have OWNED in Voodoo 2 days! That was the time to buy one!" Time travel aside, the only people using 6800Us a year ago worked for nV.

You do realize the 6800U has been available for all of 8 months?

DX9 was in it's "prime" a year or two ago? How so? What DX9 games were out a year ago? Do you even know?

Last, there's no such thing as "future proof" with video cards, but I can almost guarantee you that games in DX10 won't be on shelves everywhere this Christmas, and probably not many the Christmas after that. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

What I meant was if they existed back then, they would have been a smart upgrade path.

You just twist words all the time dont you?
 
Rollo speaks the truth. If you think about it everytime a new tech, such as another DX version, comes out it takes a while for develpers to harness it's power, mostly since they know how many people don't have the latest and greatest. They wait until it is cost effective enough to devote developers to add such features to their game. Only recently have more DX9 games been coming out and DX9 has been out for a little while now. It will take just as long, if not longer for DX10 games to make an appearance as with added tech comes added complexity in truly grasping what can be done with it. And this is all supposing that Microsoft will actually release DX10 by years end, what if they decide to wait until Longhorn? We may be well into 2006, even 2007 before it sees the light of day.
 
Rollo said:
When you buy an X850 XT PE, you're buying based on two years ago as well- the core feature set was launched in 2002!
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God people need to quit bringing that up like it's a bad thing. It means the technology is proven and reliable and you know when you get the newest card it will be rock solid. And since the cards are still competitive (faster overall X800 vs. 6800 case) what the heck is the problem?

Besides ATI is working on a whole new core. They are probably just taking the time to make sure they get it right.. Just like they did with the last one. You know, the one that has been so good it has been at the top of the heap for the last 3 years.

You have to remember that 6800s render at 32 vs. 24 bit precision as well.
Click to expand...

Yes they do, and in exchange for having 32bit precision they offer absolutely no visual quality increase in modern games, and, as an added bonus, they give you a free 10 to 15 percent performance hit over 24bit. WOW! Thank god for 32bit precision!
 
Hate_Bot said:
What I meant was if they existed back then, they would have been a smart upgrade path.

You just twist words all the time dont you?
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Nope, I just like to talk about reality. You argument was meaningless because you could say that about any video card (that it would have more longevity if it was available prior to it's existence)

Is the R520 DX10? If not, should no one buy one because DX10 will be out this fall and make it obsolete? :rolleyes:
 
arentol said:
God people need to quit bringing that up like it's a bad thing. It means the technology is proven and reliable and you know when you get the newest card it will be rock solid. And since the cards are still competitive (faster overall X800 vs. 6800 case) what the heck is the problem?

Besides ATI is working on a whole new core. They are probably just taking the time to make sure they get it right.. Just like they did with the last one. You know, the one that has been so good it has been at the top of the heap for the last 3 years.
Click to expand...

It is a bad thing when the tech is starting to show it's age and you can't use HDR or SM3 in the games you want to play, or upgrade to two of those cards and get more performance.
IMO, trivial % benchmark victories you could never see in gameplay are pretty easily offset by upgradeability and more advanced features.



Yes they do, and in exchange for having 32bit precision they offer absolutely no visual quality increase in modern games, and, as an added bonus, they give you a free 10 to 15 percent performance hit over 24bit. WOW! Thank god for 32bit precision!
Click to expand...

Whether you like it or not, that is the way of the future, and MS current standard.
 
Rollo is correct. Features like SM 3, HDR, and 32 bit precision are future proof DX9 features that you'll see used in games long before DX10 is out. They are also part of the standards. If they are useless features, why are they being implemented in the R520?
 
Come on people...getting a 6800U or an ATI 850 will not be obsolete just because a new version of Direct X comes out. Todays cards will run games for several years to come. Yes, you may not run it at the top fps, but the cards will not be obsolete.
 
DarkCyber said:
Well, I don't know...I use to be a big Nvidia fan, but lost interest a few years ago when they basically dropped the ball and let ATI blow them out of the water.

The 6800u runs close to the 850, but the 850 stills outperforms it. I don't know that I want my computer sounding like I'm running a weedeater in it either :D The 6800u does get better marks on Doom 3, but it's geared to Doom 3...so we expect that.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050217/gigabyte-02.html

Don't really know what I'll do yet. Thanks for the input everyone.
Click to expand...

I looked at that PCIx chart on Tom's and came to one conclusion. Nvidia is crap with AA & AF turned on, and the SLI is the only way to overcome it. The fact is you can pay $300 a piece for a pair of 6800gt's and a little extra for an SLI mobo, or you can save a hundred or 200 bucks and just get the ATI. I have chosen to go ATI x850 xt since it is the best single card dollar for dollar of the high end cards, clearly smoking the piss out of the Ultra with AA & AF on at high rez settings.
 
Pr0d1gy said:
I looked at that PCIx chart on Tom's and came to one conclusion. Nvidia is crap with AA & AF turned on, and the SLI is the only way to overcome it. The fact is you can pay $300 a piece for a pair of 6800gt's and a little extra for an SLI mobo, or you can save a hundred or 200 bucks and just get the ATI. I have chosen to go ATI x850 xt since it is the best single card dollar for dollar of the high end cards, clearly smoking the piss out of the Ultra with AA & AF on at high rez settings.
Click to expand...

Even if I am to believe the traditionally false data is acurate that Toms has provided in your link,I don't feel an unnoticable 5fps on games ihave already played is relevant. The Utlra will affford me better and better visual experiences as more Dx9 games come to fruition. The typical x850 owner would be left to relish in the past glory of 5pfs while anquishing over the lack of emerision in new games afforded the Ultra owner by its advanced feature set
 
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