p5n-d + SLI ?

[roaming_builder]

Hi all.

I currently have a system that is failing and I do not have the available cash to build new. I am 99% certain that my motherboard is the culprit (all components have been tested on other machines). I am currently running an ASUS P5K-E Deluxe with an E8400 (Core 2 Duo, dual core, 3.0GHz) with a GTX 550ti.

A friend of mine, who has upgraded recently, is offering me his old p5n-d board and another 550ti for a trade of some other electronics (a sure trade in my favor, but he does not need the old parts anymore). He might even throw in his quad core that he had on the system.

All of my parts should be compatible with the new motherboard. I was looking at SLI, this is something that I was really interested in for my next build. I was thinking that I might be able to eek out a few more months of life out of this build. I am aware of the diminishing returns of SLI, and how it is better to buy a single, better card. However, since I am getting another 550ti for basically peanuts, I think I will give it a try.

I know that there are alot of different versions of the nForce controllers, and now some of the new intel chipsets are capable of SLI? I was looking into something called nvidia surround. I am interested in three monitor surround gaming (2d, not 3d) for some less intense games (WoW specifically for now). Is there any reason that nvidia surround would not work on a 750i nforce SLI board?

Granted that this is not the reason I am getting this, but it would be fun to check out. I imagine that I will play with it a few days, then turn it back to normal SLI for the extra performance for Battlefield 3.

Does anyone have any input on this?

[David M]

The graphics cards and possibly the chipset needs to be compatible for a three monitor Surround setup. Have you gone to Nvidia's website to search for the Surround hardware compatibility requirements?

[glc]

It doesn't look like the 550ti supports Surround.

System Requirements

What do you have for a power supply?

[roaming_builder]

That was something that I was interested in.

On Nvidias site, they do not mention it as one of the surround cards, but the box that the card came in, and the description of the card online explicitly states that it is compatible, look here under details . It mentions 3d surround, but it is the exact same thing, without turning on the 3d. That leads me to believe that it is at least a chance, and a good enough one to give it a try?

Where my concern was in that system requirements link posted above, it does not mention a chipset at all, only that you should have pci-e 2.0 x16 for the best results. This board seems to meet all the requirements, but since I have absolutely zero experience with SLI, I am a bit out of my comfort zone.

Maybe I should do it, SLI them, and not even worry about surround until I build a new computer. the 550ti's are not the most powerful and triple monitor will probably tax them hard.

As far as the psu, I dont remember the exact model, because I bought it at a brick and morter, but it was a decent antec 550W SLI Certified one. Now that you are asking, that might not be enough power for two of those cards. Do You agree? I would not have a problem buying a new Power supply that is sufficient, since that could be reused when I actually build the new computer. Maybe I could pick up one of these?

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Is there a better price one that I should look at?

[glc]

There are no Antec 550 watt PSU's on the certified list:

http://www.geforce.com/Active/en_US/en_US/pdf/PSU.pdf

[roaming_builder]

I think it was this one...

Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

[David M]

I can't imagine a 550 watt PSU getting certified for SLI unless it is for a couple really weak cards. If that is the case then it may be better to sell the weak card and get a single stronger card, which will scale better than two cards.

[roaming_builder]

Is there a recommendation on a better (decently priced) psu that I should look at?

[glc]

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Continuous Power Supply

[roaming_builder]

Thanks guys for the heads up. I think that I will go ahead and pull the trigger on these and see how things go.

I do appreciate all of your time =)