SLI question

[Dorkenstein]

A relative of mine got a new pc and he has 3870's in crossfire. Call of Duty 4 looked AMAZING on his computer, much more vivid than on mine and I had a faster CPU and a GTS 8800 G92.

Is it worth going SLI or is it my imagination playing tricks on me? If it is worth it, should I grab another card identical to mine and do it?

The only thing (besides money) that I am concerned with is that I need to OC my cpu pretty heavily and I haven't heard that the Nvidia boards are great with that. Thanks for any insight.

 

[bailw]

First of all, what are you computer specs?

 

[angry hampster]

could be a difference in monitor.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Well I run the 8800gts 512 in sli and I also have a 24" lg lcd monitor and it looks fantastic while gaming. You might need to break down and buy a new monitor. A good 22" lcd won't set you back too much these days.

 

[Cuular]

Could also be the difference between ATI and Nvidia color display. I currently have an 8800GTX, and before that had the X1900XTX and before that 7800's in SLI.

One constant has always been that the ATI out of the box with no fudging to settings, has more vivid colors. With a bit of fudging you can get the nvidia to look close, but the ATI just still has slightly more vivid and bright colors.

I'm guessing that running in crossfire has nothing to do with why it looked "better". And as posted above, it could also be tied to a different monitor. But my differences noted above were all using the same monitor, just updating the graphics cards, and motherboards to support them.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
A relative of mine got a new pc and he has 3870's in crossfire. Call of Duty 4 looked AMAZING on his computer, much more vivid than on mine and I had a faster CPU and a GTS 8800 G92.

Is it worth going SLI or is it my imagination playing tricks on me? If it is worth it, should I grab another card identical to mine and do it?

...

What are your current rig's specs? What HW/display are you running?

the IQ won't change with SLi [unless performance is a slide-show] All you will probably get is much faster frame rates. If you need that, then it is a reason to go SLi ... not for a better IQ.

is everything on your rig up to date, drivers etc.? And have you tried adjusting your LCD's settings? Maybe you could take your LCD over to your relatives house to check it out. Or buy another LCD fro a B&M to see if your's is subpar, somehow.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Cuular
Could also be the difference between ATI and Nvidia color display. I currently have an 8800GTX, and before that had the X1900XTX and before that 7800's in SLI.

One constant has always been that the ATI out of the box with no fudging to settings, has more vivid colors. With a bit of fudging you can get the nvidia to look close, but the ATI just still has slightly more vivid and bright colors.

I'm guessing that running in crossfire has nothing to do with why it looked "better". And as posted above, it could also be tied to a different monitor. But my differences noted above were all using the same monitor, just updating the graphics cards, and motherboards to support them.

I was thinking the same thing. Adjusting the Digital Vibrance in the NVIDIA control panel can help make the image 'pop' more like it does with an ATI card.

 

[bryanW1995]

I thought that the color on the 8800 was supposed to be better than or at least equal to the hd2/3k series. apoppin, did you notice any difference when you had both?

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
could be a difference in monitor.

It's amazing what a difference a monitor can make.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
I thought that the color on the 8800 was supposed to be better than or at least equal to the hd2/3k series. apoppin, did you notice any difference when you had both?

really really close

there were some very slight IQ differences ... just like there are audible 'sound' differences between Yamaha and Pioneer. i couldn't say one was "better" than the other even after swapping them back and forth

both superb

if i ever get my hands on a [NVIDIA ] 9800 series, i will do some kind of comparison for us here - between r600/r670 and G92. Right now, i am just working on r600 .. i have a ways to go.

Since i am *waiting* to buy 3870x2 on sale ... i just bought a really nice 1500va/865w [2 battery] UPS for my rig - $140 shipped !!
-- really nice

Typical backup time at full load w/ 1 additional battery: 16.1 minutes (865W)

http://www.apc.com/resource/in...ku=BT1500BP&tab=models

damn .. the price is already up to $199 .. glad i jumped yesterday

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2168141&enterthread=y

i won't have to sweat blackouts or interruptions anymore. That IS an expense you have to consider with a larger Power draw than usual - and my LCD and some peripherals will be on a separate UPS