A push for SLI . . . your thoughts.

[Mrpilot007]

So here is my thought. I was reading an email I received from Nvidia which was an ad for getting your system SLI compatible. I usually get a new gpu once every 2 years, so the trend has been at least.

So I'm thinking, with each new video card comes new compatibility like new direct x stuff. Each new vid card was about $300-400 price range. Is a push for SLI saying that they will not spend as much time making new and inovating video cards that can handle current gaming demands? I know I'm not going to start spending twice as much on video cards, and I don't want to keep the same card so long that adding a second will do the same as just getting one with new technology.

This topic is geared for the people with $ issues in mind. I save up for a good card and dont have the disposible income to go SLI with some kick a$$ cards.

 

[JackBurton]

Seeing that the 6xxx series nVidia cards were the first SLI capable cards, I think nVidia and ATi (Crossfire for them though) are still pushing each new series to the bleeding edge. The 8800GTX is proof of it (The 8800GTX is leaps and bound better than the 7xxx series). SLI is really designed to push a high end display. If you have a 20" LCD, SLI would be a waste. Now if you have a 24" LCD and want to play at 1920x1200 and MAINLY if you have a 30" Dell/HP/Apple LCD and want to play at 2560x1600, then I'd say your best experience would be with SLI (8800GTX). If you are looking to get the most for your money and want to turn on all the eye candy on a 20" LCD, I'd get the single fastest card you could afford and not worry about SLI.

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Seeing that the 6xxx series nVidia cards were the first SLI capable cards, I think nVidia and ATi (Crossfire for them though) are still pushing each new series to the bleeding edge. The 8800GTX is proof of it (The 8800GTX is leaps and bound better than the 7xxx series). SLI is really designed to push a high end display. If you have a 20" LCD, SLI would be a waste. Now if you have a 24" LCD and want to play at 1920x1200 and MAINLY if you have a 30" Dell/HP/Apple LCD and want to play at 2560x1600, then I'd say your best experience would be with SLI (8800GTX). If you are looking to get the most for your money and want to turn on all the eye candy on a 20" LCD, I'd get the single fastest card you could afford and not worry about SLI.

i agree, but what I would like to see the videocard company release some kind of dual gpu video card. That doesnt need a crossfire/sli motherboard for it to work. I believe sapphire has release a ati x1950 pro that a dual gpu card. I rather have one video card in my computer with the power of two video cards in sli/crossfire mode.

 

[TheRyuu]

Single, more powerful solution>*

 

[BFG10K]

SLI is only worthwhile if you're pairing the fastest video cards at the time of purchase. Otherwise just buy the fastest single card you can afford.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
SLI is only worthwhile if you're pairing the fastest video cards at the time of purchase. Otherwise just buy the fastest single card you can afford.

I'm gonna have to QFT this.

Though there have been a few very rare exceptions when buying two lesser cards would beat the higher end for less (e.g. 2x 7800 GTs vs. 7800 GTX 512 MB).
Of course a good PSU & SLI-capable mobo would need to have been purchased already, or even those incredibly rare situations wouldn't even aply.

Overall though, SLI & CF have indeed been a poor option since their introduction.

 

[Piuc2020]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: BFG10K
SLI is only worthwhile if you're pairing the fastest video cards at the time of purchase. Otherwise just buy the fastest single card you can afford.

I'm gonna have to QFT this.

Though there have been a few very rare exceptions when buying two lesser cards would beat the higher end for less (e.g. 2x 7800 GTs vs. 7800 GTX 512 MB).
Of course a good PSU & SLI-capable mobo would need to have been purchased already, or even those incredibly rare situations wouldn't even aply.

Overall though, SLI & CF have indeed been a poor option since their introduction.

Indeed for every option except the absolute top of the line, for every SLI/CF combination there is a single card solution that is faster, in some cases cheaper and doesn't come with the complications of SLI/CF.

 

[the Chase]

Garbage.

 

[nitromullet]

get the single fastest card you could afford and not worry about SLI.

Jack speaks the truth.