Good SLI Compatible Mobo

[Aerandirel]

Also since im debating on wether to go with an ATI Grpahics Card and Croosfire, or a Gefore Graphics Card with SLI, I was wondering which (either SLI or Crossfire) is more commonly used, user friendly and powerful (all other things like the CPU and GPU being equal).

Anyways since im probably gonna go with a 8800 Gefore 512 mb im wondering if anyone had opinions or suggestions on what SLI mobo I should get (compatible with Core 2 Duo btw, pretty much all are but....).

Thanks

Here is the Vid Card im getting btw:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150252

[glc]

My recommendation? Neither - use a single powerful card, and get a motherboard with a P35 chipset such as an Asus P5K series. You *do* know that SLI and Crossfire require 2 cards?

[Icyman23]

an 8800 GTS 512 MB is almost equivelant to an 8800 GTX...falls behind by about %5

and 8800 GT 512 MB is almost equivelant to an 8800 GTS 512 MB...falls behind by %7, falls behing the GTX by about %10.

Which one are you talking about, and I don't reccomend SLi unless you are trying to break the 3dMark06 world record... ....SLi only sees about a %30 performance increase for twice the price...its not worth it.

We love you glc...

[Aerandirel]

yea I know it takes two cards, but I was just trying to future proff my pc by getting it, I would have one card for now and when games get more advanced in a few more years, buy a second card

And its great that the 8800 GT is only 5 percent below the GTS, because it cost $120 less.....I know there are other better cards out there lol, but they would cost a hell of a lot more money.
8800 GT seems like the best price for its ability or in other words the best deal, while still being fairly powerful, so its good for me.

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by Aerandirel yea I know it takes two cards, but I was just trying to future proff my pc by getting it, I would have one card for now and when games get more advanced in a few more years, buy a second card.

Unfortunately that is not the truth that Nvidia wants people to believe. In reality, this is not the best way to go about an upgrade when you need more power. It makes a lot more sense to upgrade a single card and history proves this correct. The original 6000 series cards from SLI's debut were ecplised in performance (even in SLI) but just one of the next generation, the 7000 series. This happened again with the new 8000s and is inevitable with the debut of the 9000 series.

So that is the reason we never recommend SLI unless you have serious cash to burn buying both cards now. You'll be much happier with a single card solution otherwise.

[Icyman23]

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...1057&chart=318

Thats what happens with a little overclocking magic

Alaron is right, I wouldn't reccomend SLi...I have an 16x16 SLi Board just incase I have lots'o'money to burn in the future...but that probably won't happen In the life of my Board...I got the board for $121 anyway so I got a bargain. It's a Foxconn 590 SLi. (Programs detect the manufacturer as Nvidia because it's the reference board.

I know I shouldn't ask, but Alaron, what happened to FreewareFrenzy?

[Beezle_Boss]

Originally Posted by Icyman23 http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...1057&chart=318 Thats what happens with a little overclocking magic Alaron is right, I wouldn't reccomend SLi...I have an 16x16 SLi Board just incase I have lots'o'money to burn in the future...but that probably won't happen In the life of my Board...I got the board for $121 anyway so I got a bargain. It's a Foxconn 590 SLi. (Programs detect the manufacturer as Nvidia because it's the reference board. I know I shouldn't ask, but Alaron, what happened to FreewareFrenzy?

How is the GT getting better FPS then the GTS? I have a GTS and this fusturates me because I payed a lot more.

[glc]

It's a newer card.

[Katreat]

SLI is a technology to make the best better. If you can afford two of the best cards right from the start it will make your system faster then running one card. If you are running a very big monitor the technology really shines. But for the average user it is twice as expensive for very little performance gain.

As an upgrade path it is seriously flawed. Not only will the next generation card likely beat two of the last generation in SLI, you will also need to find a second identical card to the one you have when the time comes to upgrade. And identical means same make and model, you can not match a couple of 8800 GTs from different manufactures. Add to this the need for what is generally a more expensive MB and the requirement of an extra 200-300 watts on the PSU (needed for when you install the second card) and you are money ahead just buying a new generation card when you need it.

As for the question about GT out performing GTS....... they developed a new chip for the GPU. Video cards based on the new G92 chip are significantly faster than the older cards. So, the 8800 GT 512 is faster then either the 8800 GTS 320 and 640 cards that used the older chip. But the new 8800 GTS 512, which also uses the new G92 chip, is faster than the GT. I expect the 320 and 640 are on their way out and would not be supporised to see a GTX with the new chip soon to re-gain its clear lead possition, but maybe the next generation will be out befor that happens.

Kat

[glc]

Since driver version 90.xx, SLI is supported with different brand cards, even different amounts of memory and speeds. They just have to have the same exact GPU.

[Aerandirel]

yea heres another site supporting the GT 512 over the GTW 320 and 512's, it shows the rankings of atleast 50 Graphics Cards out there now and some CPUs too.

this is what I was using to decide what CPU and Card to buy:
http://www.yougamers.com/hardware/st...?mainnavi=true

Anyways thanks for the help, Ill just be getting an intel board and the 8800 GT then.

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by glc Since driver version 90.xx, SLI is supported with different brand cards, even different amounts of memory and speeds. They just have to have the same exact GPU.

Thx for the info I did not know that had been changed. Last time I helped someone with an SLI set up we had a very difficult time finding the matching card which was no longer being made. Has there been any studies oh how different cards perform together?

Kat

[Icyman23]

Originally Posted by Aerandirel yea heres another site supporting the GT 512 over the GTW 320 and 512's, it shows the rankings of atleast 50 Graphics Cards out there now and some CPUs too. this is what I was using to decide what CPU and Card to buy: http://www.yougamers.com/hardware/st...?mainnavi=true Anyways thanks for the help, Ill just be getting an intel board and the 8800 GT then.

That is not a site supporting the GT 512, that is the futuremark corporations gaming website...The GT and GTS overclock like crazy, and people are taking advantage it. Those statistics have no meaning whatsoever, as they are based on users results. (Including full 3dMark scores with the cpu, gpu, and even ram contributing.)

[Aerandirel]

well it did support the 8800 512 by having it ranked above the GTS, that what I meant by that...

didnt know all the other stuff though lol, thx for the info