I dont think everyone is "down on SLI". Its just that SLI, has some downsides to it. The "buy one card now, and another a year or two later" way of thinking, is not going to work most of the time. One 7800GTX is pretty much equal to two 6800U's in SLI according to AT's review. One game were SLI dominates is Doom3, but then the single GTX takes SC:CT by far as well. All other games are usually within a frame or two, making it pretty even to me. Going by 1600x1200 resolutions only.
The 6800U PCI-E has been out, what one year? Its already hard to find. I only looked at my two favorite places, ZZF and newegg. Newegg has one model, the BFG 6800U, for $515. ZZF doesnt even carry one anymore. Who in their right mind would buy a 6800U, to SLI that costs more than a 7800GTX? Sure you can probably find one on a forum for much less, I still dont think its worth it unless you get a really good deal.
In my opinion it would be much better for the person thinking of SLI'ing a 6800U, to sell the single card, and get a GTX. They would save money, and have about the same performance. A GTX (stock clocked version) is about $450. Selling the old 6800U would get you well over half of that, probably about $300. Seems much smarter to me to get the GTX, than to SLI the 6800U's.
Not to mention, certain people like to bring up power issues, heat, noise, etc. when its convenient for them. Then disregard it when its not... 2x6800U's would be hotter, louder, and require more power than a single GTX. You also get TRAA with the GTX, which greatly increases AA quality, especially on certain things in games. SLI AA is nice, but far from playable in a lot of newer games.
Ive said this before, I but I think SLI only makes sense, if you buy them together, when they first come out. Or very close to it. As you can see, its only been a year since the 6800U has been out, and they are already hard to find, and about the same price as a 7800GTX, when buying new. Making it a silly buy. The chances are that if you wait a "year or two down the road", there will be a single card that is faster, has more features, and is cheaper than adding another card that you already have.
In short, SLI can indeed rock, but dont get caught up in the upgrade way of thinking.
The 6800U PCI-E has been out, what one year? Its already hard to find. I only looked at my two favorite places, ZZF and newegg. Newegg has one model, the BFG 6800U, for $515. ZZF doesnt even carry one anymore. Who in their right mind would buy a 6800U, to SLI that costs more than a 7800GTX? Sure you can probably find one on a forum for much less, I still dont think its worth it unless you get a really good deal.
In my opinion it would be much better for the person thinking of SLI'ing a 6800U, to sell the single card, and get a GTX. They would save money, and have about the same performance. A GTX (stock clocked version) is about $450. Selling the old 6800U would get you well over half of that, probably about $300. Seems much smarter to me to get the GTX, than to SLI the 6800U's.
Not to mention, certain people like to bring up power issues, heat, noise, etc. when its convenient for them. Then disregard it when its not... 2x6800U's would be hotter, louder, and require more power than a single GTX. You also get TRAA with the GTX, which greatly increases AA quality, especially on certain things in games. SLI AA is nice, but far from playable in a lot of newer games.
Ive said this before, I but I think SLI only makes sense, if you buy them together, when they first come out. Or very close to it. As you can see, its only been a year since the 6800U has been out, and they are already hard to find, and about the same price as a 7800GTX, when buying new. Making it a silly buy. The chances are that if you wait a "year or two down the road", there will be a single card that is faster, has more features, and is cheaper than adding another card that you already have.
In short, SLI can indeed rock, but dont get caught up in the upgrade way of thinking.