Talk to me about SLI

[jonessoda]

I've been working out the specifics of a new computer I'll be building (it's not going to come together until about December, though) to replace my current POS. I've already talked to a few people, and one of them recommended, instead of a high-end single video card, getting a mobo that's SLI-compatible (Asus A8N-SLI, specifically), and putting in 2 SLI-compatible video cards to run in parallel.

However, given the expense of this (my budget is capped at $2500, with less being better), I'm wondering if I'd actually get a noticible gain in performance from parallel cards.

The specifics as pertaining to this subject are:

The computer will have heavy use in gaming, photoshop and illustrator, and potentially (but not definitely) 3d-graphics (3DSMax or Maya, as well as CAD), and lesser common uses will be video editing. It will also be used for programming, MS Office, and the internet, but these hardly require high-end video performance.

The graphics setups I'm looking at are, most likely, either dual GeForce 6800GT (Chaintech, 256MB) on the Asus A8N-SLI, or a single Sapphire Radeon X800XL, 512mb, on an unknown mobo.

Would either significantly outperform the other?

Also, I assume that since SLI is an Nvidia technology, there are no SLI-compatible Radeons. Am I wrong in that assumption?

Edit: And is it possible to run 3 video cards in parallel with SLI?

 

[Gamingphreek]

1. Uh yeah the 2x 6800GT's would simply slaughter a single X800XL. A single 6800GT edges out overall performance against an XL.

2. SLI is an Nvidia technology. ATI has Crossfire, however it is still yet to be released. Additionally, you would need ATI's own motheboard, which is also not released.

3. No it is not possible to run 3 card with SLI. For one the motherboard would not have enough PCI-E lanes. Additionally, as a result of that there are no boards out that support 3x x16 PCI-E slots.

4. To outright buy 2x 6800GT's is not a smart move now. 1x 7800GTX costs less, uses less power (as a result less heat), and it leaves a PCI-E slot open if you want to add another one later.

As for your system, you are trying to do way too much. You are trying to make a miracle system that will do everything really good, which will not happen.

First of all i would look at the DFI boards over the Asus board. Next, if you are going to do 3d Rendering, and design, while it will run fine on that setup, you would be better building a computer dedicated to CAD and what not. With the aformentioned card, you will not be able to do some of the advanced rendering, and line anti-aliasing (etc...), that a Quadro or FireGL would be able to do.

You could probably manage to combine a photoshop and a gaming system, as both like a lot of memory. For Programming and the rest, any computer can do that.

As i said, ifyou plan on doing CAD and what not, you should not try to fit it all into one system.

-Kevin

 

[Ronin]

Kevin's right, but let me break it down more easily for you (not a fan of the DFI, Kevin, for those not intent on OCing):

CPU: 4400+ X2 $613
Motherboard: MSI Neo4 SLi $125
Vid Card: 1 7800GTX $530 (if you plan on doing ANY CAD work, you might consider a Quadro, but those are much more pricey)
RAM: 1GB (2x512MB) $100 (Patriot Memory, which is perfectly good)

Spend the remaining $1100 on the other components, and you'll have a decent system

 

[DaveyTN]

I wouldn't recommend getting 2 x 6800gt video cards. Personally, I would probably opt for a single 7800 gtx video card which performs about the same as the 2 x 6800gt video cards while consuming much less power, generating less heat and noise, and is also more feature rich - i.e. better support for upcoming games that use HDR, etc.

 

[Ackmed]

2gigs if you play BF2. 1gig is simply not enough with options on high. No matter how fast your video card is, you will still stutter a lot.

 

[jonessoda]

well, I was already planning on at least 2 gigs RAM.

So, a 7800 performs as well as 2 6800GTs? Huh.

As a theoretical, what about dual 7800's? Any idea on what performance that would have?

 

[DaveyTN]

Check out this benchmark link for comparisons between 1 x 7800, 2 x 6800gt, 2 x 7800. Nothing currently beats 2 x 7800 gtx - but of course it will cost you more.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2451

 

[DaveyTN]

Edit : correction to my last post : the review in the link has 2 x 6800 ultras in it and not 2 x 6800gt. But, 2 x 6800gt is pretty close to 2 x 6800 ultras.

 

[xalar]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
2gigs if you play BF2. 1gig is simply not enough with options on high. No matter how fast your video card is, you will still stutter a lot.

I run BF2 at 1024x768 resolution with everything on High and it runs flawlessly. I have yet to experience this stutter I've been hearing about. Could be I'm an exception to the rule though.

 

[roguerower]

OMG, could you imagine a 3 card SLI?! That mobo would have to be huge.

 

[DaveyTN]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see 3 video cards in SLI within the next 2 years.

 

[Genx87]

I am building this, may even order the parts this week.

Athlon XP2 4200+
2x1GB PC3200
76GB Raptor drive
NEC DVD\CD-RW
ASPIRE X-Navigator w/500 Watt PS
ASUS A8N-SLI
eVGA 7800 GTX(may get this overclocked version for 50 more bucks)

Total will be ~1900 bucks and 1950 if I go with the top of the line 7800 GTX.

This machine is expected to last me 36 months. I expect in about 12-18 months Ill be pruchasing a 2nd 7800GTX for a lower price.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I am building this, may even order the parts this week.

Athlon XP2 4200+
2x1GB PC3200
76GB Raptor drive
NEC DVD\CD-RW
ASPIRE X-Navigator w/500 Watt PS
ASUS A8N-SLI
eVGA 7800 GTX(may get this overclocked version for 50 more bucks)

Total will be ~1900 bucks and 1950 if I go with the top of the line 7800 GTX.

...you will be happy with it. That is almost the identical setup I put together and it rocks. Go with the Premium A8N-SLI, it has a heatpipe instead of a fan for the chipset, so it's completely silent. With that mobo, a stock 7800GTX, a Zalman cpu fan, and a few quiet case fans, you will have yourself a powerful rig that isn't too loud either. My dual 36GB Raptors are the loudest thing in my case. ...

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I am building this, may even order the parts this week.

Athlon XP2 4200+
2x1GB PC3200
76GB Raptor drive
NEC DVD\CD-RW
ASPIRE X-Navigator w/500 Watt PS
ASUS A8N-SLI
eVGA 7800 GTX(may get this overclocked version for 50 more bucks)

Total will be ~1900 bucks and 1950 if I go with the top of the line 7800 GTX.

This machine is expected to last me 36 months. I expect in about 12-18 months Ill be pruchasing a 2nd 7800GTX for a lower price.

Out of curiosity, why are you posting this in the OP's thread?

-Kevin

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: xalar

Originally posted by: Ackmed
2gigs if you play BF2. 1gig is simply not enough with options on high. No matter how fast your video card is, you will still stutter a lot.

I run BF2 at 1024x768 resolution with everything on High and it runs flawlessly. I have yet to experience this stutter I've been hearing about. Could be I'm an exception to the rule though.

Its because you're at a low res. I didnt think someone buying SLI or a 7800GTX would be playing at 1024x768. With the res higher, and high details, the game will chug. Mainly at the start of a new level, and for me, intermittently thru the level.

I wouldnt bet on buying a second 7800GTX 12-18 months down the road. As we have already seen, that plan didnt work out well for people buying a 6800GT/U with the release of the 7800GTX.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: Genx87
I am building this, may even order the parts this week.

Athlon XP2 4200+
2x1GB PC3200
76GB Raptor drive
NEC DVD\CD-RW
ASPIRE X-Navigator w/500 Watt PS
ASUS A8N-SLI
eVGA 7800 GTX(may get this overclocked version for 50 more bucks)

Total will be ~1900 bucks and 1950 if I go with the top of the line 7800 GTX.

This machine is expected to last me 36 months. I expect in about 12-18 months Ill be pruchasing a 2nd 7800GTX for a lower price.

Out of curiosity, why are you posting this in the OP's thread?

-Kevin

I think you could infer that he is making a suggestion to the OP based on what he has decided upon.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

The SLI isn't all that great an option for 6 series cards. 2 6800GT's would be ok. But a single 7800GTX would smoke both of them. So I say go for a 7800GTX. It would cost less as well. Now I'm not thinking of price here but guys give me some verification here. Is there a possibility he could get an SLI board, Put a 7800GTX in one, a Quadro PCI-E in the other, and merely not change the jumper? You know like running 2 PCI cards? That would give him both CAD and gaming ability. Just speculation, can anyone verify that point?

 

[Tanclearas]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
I wouldnt bet on buying a second 7800GTX 12-18 months down the road. As we have already seen, that plan didnt work out well for people buying a 6800GT/U with the release of the 7800GTX.

I think it worked out fairly well for those that purchased a single 6800 GT/U when SLI first became an option (6 to 8 months ago) with the plan of purchasing a second card down the road. They got pretty good performance right away, and can probably pick up a second card now for $250 to $350 to get performance pretty much equal to the 7800.

 

[jonessoda]

Does the MSI Neo4 mobo have onboard RAID support? As part of this system, I was planning on a 2-disk RAID 0 setup.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas

Originally posted by: Ackmed
I wouldnt bet on buying a second 7800GTX 12-18 months down the road. As we have already seen, that plan didnt work out well for people buying a 6800GT/U with the release of the 7800GTX.

I think it worked out fairly well for those that purchased a single 6800 GT/U when SLI first became an option (6 to 8 months ago) with the plan of purchasing a second card down the road. They got pretty good performance right away, and can probably pick up a second card now for $250 to $350 to get performance pretty much equal to the 7800.

OR, they could sell the single 6800gt for about $250, and add the money towards a single 7800gtx. You'd have the same performance as dual 6800gt, except with less noise/heat/power consumption, and some newer features. Hence the whole reason why SLI is not such a great upgrade path as nvidia would want you to believe.

 

[Tanclearas]

I understand, but at least if you had purchased an SLI motherboard, you would have options. I think for the OP's situation, an SLI motherboard and a single 7800GTX would be a great idea. I definitely don't regret getting an SLI capable motherboard, even though I'm not running SLI at the moment.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

lol can anyone verify what i said 3 posts ago????

 

[Munky]

LOL, I'm running a board that can be modded to support SLI for free, and I'm still not using SLI. But I have the option.

 

[Ronin]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Does the MSI Neo4 mobo have onboard RAID support? As part of this system, I was planning on a 2-disk RAID 0 setup.

Has 2 raid controllers, actually. 1 Sil, one nVidia.

 

[Ackmed]

Where are you getting $250 for a PCI-E 6800GT, and $350 for a 6800U? Last I saw, it was a lot more than that for both.

In any case. If I did get a GT/U with a SLI board, and thougt about upgrading, I wouldnt buy another GT/U. It would be cheaper to get a 7800GTX, with less heat, noise, and overall fuss. Not to mention a few new graphical tweaks. Im really liking this TSAA. Playing a lot of BF2, it makes the fences look much better.

Besidses, the person who I said that to, said 12-18 months. Who knows whats coming down the pipe. But one trend has stayed true for a long time I think. In 18 months, the top card is usually at least twice as fast, as the one from 18 months ago. Making the "SLI upgrade path", a very unsure thing. For me, SLI only makes sense, if you buy two cards at the same time. Such as today, two 7800GTX's for under $1000.