SLI setups - loud, and with lots of drawbacks?

[Gomce]

Using 2 x 6800GTs, I suppose it will be very loud right?
+ you can't use dual monitors in a SLI mode, you have to disingage the SLI & reboot right?

Anyone here using an expensive sli setup? 2 x GTs or 2 x ultra?

 

[kd2777]

I had two 6600GTs in SLI, and it is true that you can not use dual monitors in SLI. That sucks!!! It is a pain in the ass to reboot after every game, and then reboot again when you want to play. I found myself saying F-it, it plays OK on just one of these cards, within a couple of weeks I decided to sell one of my cards since I wasn't using it.

As far as sound I can't comment on that. You will have to find out which card you are going to get first, because nearly every HSF on a video card sounds different. I have owned 2 different 6800GTs (AGP) and they where quite a bit different. One was an eVGA and it was loud as hell, I traded it off to a BFG OC and it was much quieter. That said, an option I was going to explore if my SLI was loud (and if I kept it), was the Artic-Cooling HSFs. I have used a couple of these before and they are amazingly quiet. Linky. They are a little pricy for two of them, but if sound is a concern and you want SLI, then this may be the ticket. One thing to keep in mind is the space between your video slots. I have the ASUS SLI Deluxe and there is plenty of room (I choose it because I was going to put two of these on down the road), but I have seen some that two of these would be tight. But if the dual monitor thing doesn't bother you and the cash isn't a factor then maybe SLI will work for you, because if it is too loud you can always stick on these HSFs and tone it down.

kd
kd

 

[imported_X]

You only have to reboot after each game due to having dual monitors, right? With a single monitor it's not an issue?

 

[kd2777]

Originally posted by: X
You only have to reboot after each game due to having dual monitors, right? With a single monitor it's not an issue?

Right, with a single monitor you can let it run SLI all the time.

kd

 

[thehype2049]

alright let me clear up a few things,first of alll, yes i am using an sli setup, it's MSI 256MB 6800GT's and they are extreamly quiet, My case, cm stacker, has alot of insulation, and the only noise i get it from the exaust fan. Drawback's eh i wish, how bout runnin far cry on very high seeting,s with fill AA/AF on. Or Half Life 2 on full setting with high framrate. Power compusition, nah, who care's wow and extra $5 on ur hydro bill per year, if u picked up 2 pennies every day, u could make sum money in the process. Cost, a lil bit expensive in retial, buh price match helps alot, avalibility is the only draw back if u ask me.. None of the current stores carried that parts i needed in stock, so i ahd to order online from ncix.