To SLI or Not?

[cjv4]

Basically, within the next month, I plan to build a computer based around a q6600, 4 GB PC6400 RAM and a 9800GTX. I will buy from eVGA so that I can step up to a new card in July when they come out.

Now, I can't decide between a couple options, which are:

1) Buy an eVGA 750i SLI FTW mobo, and throw another 9800GTX/step-up in in Decemberish.
2) Buy a non SLI mobo and just buy a new card next summer or something.

I know people normally say don't buy SLI if you don't plan on using it right away, since you won't use it and new tech will be out, but I almost think that adding another card by the end of 2008 will still be a legit idea.

Also, if you recommend a non-SLI mobo, what are your favourites? Looking at $200 max.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kowan]

Doesn't hurt to get an idea of what you want in your setup, but with the R770 rumored to be released late this month or early next...

 

[@lone@nyt]

I say FI, I just jumped on the boat and bought some cards to setup in SLI mode. I really don't game but use my pc for movie watching/graphics etc... I had never had an SLI build before but I don't think for what it can do and the price you can get some components for now, it is a bad idea. I say go for it, chances are, there will be someone looking to buy your used setup when that new tech comes out because they are two steps behind you as far as their own builds. I buy used parts mostly because once they work most of the time they will continue to do so. In my experience though. And they allow me to explore parts that I could never afford new. JM 2 Cents, GL

 

[cjv4]

Doesn't hurt to get an idea of what you want in your setup, but with the R770 rumored to be released late this month or early next...

Yeah, I know, I am waiting for that as well. If it performs as expected, then you could substitute that in for the 9800GTX and an X38 Crossfire in for the 750i FTW.

It is more just a determining whether it is worth the sli mobo now, adding another card later, or a non-sli mobo, and just get a new card a little later.

 

[silent-circuit]

What size/resolution monitor do you intend to run, and what aside from Crysis which doesn't really fall in the same category as anything else (and thusly, I ignore) will you be playing?

 

[Gorankar]

Basically, within the next month, I plan to build a computer based around a q6600, 4 GB PC6400 RAM and a 9800GTX. I will buy from eVGA so that I can step up to a new card in July when they come out.

Now, I can't decide between a couple options, which are:

1) Buy an eVGA 750i SLI FTW mobo, and throw another 9800GTX/step-up in in Decemberish.
2) Buy a non SLI mobo and just buy a new card next summer or something.

I know people normally say don't buy SLI if you don't plan on using it right away, since you won't use it and new tech will be out, but I almost think that adding another card by the end of 2008 will still be a legit idea.

Also, if you recommend a non-SLI mobo, what are your favourites? Looking at $200 max.

Thanks in advance.

The reason people say to skip sli as a long term upgrade path is because it usually sucks as one. SLI is really for the top end. Buying another 9800gtx 7 or 8 months from now and running sli will just cost you more than if you bought a non sli mobo, lower rated psu, and the gtx, and then in December sold the your gtx and put the money towards a new gen high end card. Nv is rumored to have new cards coming out in the late 2nd or early 3rd quarter. Ati is rumored to have new cards coming out end of this month or beginning of next.

The 8800 series was the exception to the norm. One 8800gt/gtx/ultra at launch then another one 6-9months later turned out be a good plan this time around. Normally, new cards come out that destroy the previous high end in well less than a year, not the over 2 it took this last time. Well actually the 8800gtx still has not been "destroyed" by anything yet.

 

[vanilla_guerilla]

if you upgrade every year or less, get sli. i know i do. i play 19x12 and would like to have the best graphics. if you dont game that much, dont bother. you can use an 8600gt for movies. i have one in each of my htpcs.

 

[cjv4]

What size/resolution monitor do you intend to run, and what aside from Crysis which doesn't really fall in the same category as anything else (and thusly, I ignore) will you be playing?

I play on 1680x1050.

I will be playing Crysis, Sins of the Solar Empire, Age of Conan maybe, Warhammer MMO, CoD4, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., UT3, all the normal games.

Also, I will be using solidworks a decent amount, and I have heard ATi is a little better for that?

 

[haadij404]

I play on 1680x1050.

SLI is pretty useless at that resolution. I had two 8800GT's in SLI for a while and there was only a 10fps increase in most games. Pretty useless for that extra money. Just get one highend card and call it a day.

 

[silent-circuit]

I play on 1680x1050.

I will be playing Crysis, Sins of the Solar Empire, Age of Conan maybe, Warhammer MMO, CoD4, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., UT3, all the normal games.

Also, I will be using solidworks a decent amount, and I have heard ATi is a little better for that?

Aside from Crysis you will see pretty much zero return with that second 9800GTX. I'd recommend you get a nice P35 board -- I personally like the DFI P35-TR2S, Gigabyte EP35-DS3R, and MSI P35-Neo2-FR -- and a single 9800GTX or 8800 GTS 512MB (practically the same thing, clocked lower, $100-150 less), and step up if you feel it isn't fast enough when the new stuff comes around.

 

[cjv4]

Aside from Crysis you will see pretty much zero return with that second 9800GTX. I'd recommend you get a nice P35 board -- I personally like the DFI P35-TR2S, Gigabyte EP35-DS3R, and MSI P35-Neo2-FR -- and a single 9800GTX or 8800 GTS 512MB (practically the same thing, clocked lower, $100-150 less), and step up if you feel it isn't fast enough when the new stuff comes around.

I am kinda digging the EP35-DS3R. I will probably wait though for the new cards, since I now have $350 to spend on a card if I get the cheaper board, but nothing for that price right now. Maybe the 4870 will debut at that price, or the 9900GTS.

 

[silent-circuit]

I doubt you'll see either for under $400-450, but hey, who knows. Could easily be $550, could be $350. Pure speculation at the moment.

 

[Glow]

You buy 2 video cards. You connect them. Does it give you twice as much power? No you just wasted $400 or however much to get what 20% more performance? Horrible scam but somehow the marketing works on suckers. You might as well save your cash and just buy a high end card.

 

[silent-circuit]

You buy 2 video cards. You connect them. Does it give you twice as much power? No you just wasted $400 or however much to get what 20% more performance? Horrible scam but somehow the marketing works on suckers. You might as well save your cash and just buy a high end card.

It's not a scam if you're running 1920x1200 or higher. Period. End of story. At 1680x1050? Yes, total waste.

SLI is /meant/ for high end cards. With the exception of this latest push to get people to buy 9600GTs for SLI (which I do not at all agree with) even Nvidia, money-grubbing corp. that they are, has made that clear.

SLI only makes sense if you fit the following criteria:
1. are willing to buy a pair of high end cards right off (currently 8800 GTS 512MB, 9800 GTX 512MB, or 8800 GTX/Ultra 768MB in my mind)
2. are willing to spend the cash on a quality 750+ watt PSU to keep them fed
3. are willing to deal with the potential crap from Nvidia Intel-compatible chipsets
4. have a monitor capable of 1920x1200 or higher (usually 24"+ LCD)
5. are highly demanding and not willing to drop settings/resolutions from very high levels in all your games

That's a subset of a subset of a subset... it's not meant for 'everyone' and it's not a ripoff or a scam to those who benefit from it. Those it is intended for.

 

[Pyros]

It's not a scam if you're running 1920x1200 or higher. Period. End of story. At 1680x1050? Yes, total waste.

SLI is /meant/ for high end cards. With the exception of this latest push to get people to buy 9600GTs for SLI (which I do not at all agree with) even Nvidia, money-grubbing corp. that they are, has made that clear.

Totally agree. I tried crossfire with two 3870's, which I got at a dumb price due to a Circuit City mistake ($129 each for slighty OC'ed Vistionteks). The performance boost was about 20% over my single XFX 8800GT, and 40% over a single 3870.

The problem was that Hellgate, LOTRO and The Witcher ran worse with the 3870's. It was stupid. Hellgate wasn't playable with DX10 with the same settings as the 8800GT. The Witcher had some major artifacts and lousy FPS.

I've seen this debate at [H] before and from what I can tell, a lot of folks don't think two cards are worth it in most cases. Now that I've tested I'm of the same mind. I'll wait for next gen and price drop and stick with single cards.

 

[cjv4]

I doubt you'll see either for under $400-450, but hey, who knows. Could easily be $550, could be $350. Pure speculation at the moment.

I don't see how they could put the 9900GTS higher than $300-350. They would leave a huge price gap if it were any higher.

 

[ferr]

I have an eVGA 680i board and I hate it. The MCP is hot as hell, hot enough to cause problems with certain parts of the motherboard. The only time I've seen a real jump in anything with SLi on or off is with 3dmark (and I'm using 2x Ultras).

 

[silent-circuit]

I don't see how they could put the 9900GTS higher than $300-350. They would leave a huge price gap if it were any higher.

The 9800 GTX is $300-350. Also I was thinking you were talking about the new GTX, not the high/mid range. Still, no reason to bother with speculating. It costs what it costs when it gets here.

 

[cjv4]

The 9800 GTX is $300-350. Also I was thinking you were talking about the new GTX, not the high/mid range. Still, no reason to bother with speculating. It costs what it costs when it gets here.

pretty much. Now it is just a waiting game.

 

[jxaznxk]

Hmm well if your gonna SLI i suggest not getting the 750i its not a great board at all but if u dont SLI i recommend intel chipset boards maybe a Intel P35 chipset board would be nice it also depends on what your doing.

 

[silent-circuit]

Hmm well if your gonna SLI i suggest not getting the 750i its not a great board at all but if u dont SLI i recommend intel chipset boards maybe a Intel P35 chipset board would be nice it also depends on what your doing.

Thanks for the completely baseless statement. What exactly is bad about the 750i?

 

[cjv4]

Hmm well if your gonna SLI i suggest not getting the 750i its not a great board at all but if u dont SLI i recommend intel chipset boards maybe a Intel P35 chipset board would be nice it also depends on what your doing.

I am curious as to your source of the information saying that the 750i FTW is not a good SLi board. I have heard pretty much all good things about it, it is the only 750i board that does x16/x16 SLi, and is made with solid parts.

 

[Gorankar]

I am curious as to your source of the information saying that the 750i FTW is not a good SLi board. I have heard pretty much all good things about it, it is the only 750i board that does x16/x16 SLi, and is made with solid parts.

He may have been commenting on the 750i in general for sli and not the particular board you are looking at.

 

[Glow]

It's not a scam if you're running 1920x1200 or higher. Period. End of story. At 1680x1050? Yes, total waste.

SLI is /meant/ for high end cards. With the exception of this latest push to get people to buy 9600GTs for SLI (which I do not at all agree with) even Nvidia, money-grubbing corp. that they are, has made that clear.

SLI only makes sense if you fit the following criteria:
1. are willing to buy a pair of high end cards right off (currently 8800 GTS 512MB, 9800 GTX 512MB, or 8800 GTX/Ultra 768MB in my mind)
2. are willing to spend the cash on a quality 750+ watt PSU to keep them fed
3. are willing to deal with the potential crap from Nvidia Intel-compatible chipsets
4. have a monitor capable of 1920x1200 or higher (usually 24"+ LCD)
5. are highly demanding and not willing to drop settings/resolutions from very high levels in all your games

That's a subset of a subset of a subset... it's not meant for 'everyone' and it's not a ripoff or a scam to those who benefit from it. Those it is intended for.

LOL Soooo 20% more performance on your 24+ plus is worth $400? Anytime you buy 2 of something and you dont get twice the performance it's a pretty big rip off if you ask me. 2 sticks of ram, makes sense! if 1 stick of ram worked and the other stick only gave out 20% would you say it's a good buy? No

 

[silent-circuit]

LOL Soooo 20% more performance on your 24+ plus is worth $400? Anytime you buy 2 of something and you dont get twice the performance it's a pretty big rip off if you ask me. 2 sticks of ram, makes sense! if 1 stick of ram worked and the other stick only gave out 20% would you say it's a good buy? No

When there aren't an other options, it's not a ripoff. If there were something else available that actually doubled performance and did so for less than 120% of the cost of a single high end Nvidia card (since you are getting a 20%+ improvement in framerate from SLI) you could call it a ripoff. There isn't, so you can't.

 

[Gorankar]

LOL Soooo 20% more performance on your 24+ plus is worth $400? Anytime you buy 2 of something and you dont get twice the performance it's a pretty big rip off if you ask me. 2 sticks of ram, makes sense! if 1 stick of ram worked and the other stick only gave out 20% would you say it's a good buy? No

All a matter of opinion as to whether or not it is a ripoff. If the extra card gets someone over the top of a performance hurdle and allows them to run at native res then it might not be a ripoff to that person.

 

[cjv4]

LOL Soooo 20% more performance on your 24+ plus is worth $400? Anytime you buy 2 of something and you dont get twice the performance it's a pretty big rip off if you ask me. 2 sticks of ram, makes sense! if 1 stick of ram worked and the other stick only gave out 20% would you say it's a good buy? No

You can't make the association of doubling price and doubling performance when no such technology exists. The increase that we have is what is available, and people can decide for themselves whether it is worth it.

 

[Glow]

You can't make the association of doubling price and doubling performance when no such technology exists. The increase that we have is what is available, and people can decide for themselves whether it is worth it.

I'm pretty sure it is To SLI or Not correct? So if the current technology is marketing junk you'll let your buddy buy into it? Hey why not get a new SLI board with 3 slots! even more uselessness. Think about it..... If they can't perfect 2 why are they adding a 3rd slot hrmmmm marketing? I think so. But hey you keep tossing money at them they aren't gonna change.

 

[Kowan]

SLI or Crossfire are not meant to double performance. They are meant to allow running a resolution/IQ settings a single card would choke on.

Anyone thinking double fps is their purpose hasn't researched their options.
As monitors increase in resolution, the need for multi-gpu platforms increases.
Or you could play at lower resolution at default settings. I like choices myself instead of being limited by what another thinks is good enough for them should be good enough for all.

 

[crew10489]

go with the sli for now, its aloway worth it to have head room for an upgrade in the future. just dont go off buying 2 crappy cards in sli from the start, buy 1 good card and then upgrade wen you need to.

 

[snaggletooth]

i've had my 8800gt sli setup for about 5 months now and it's been plenty worth it for me. the performance delta isn't huge from 1 to 2 cards but it's large enough that i can up my IQ significantly above what a single card can do.

i don't have any problems with excessive heat or noise and my hx620 is way more than enough.

it really depends on timing. when i bought my 8800gt's, it was a good time to do so.


and sure, sli might be mostly marketing hype but if you can afford 2 of the card you're after, together, those cards will be much better than just the one.

don't let any of those poor misers tell you different.