A8N-SLI Setup and Pre-Purchase Questions

[zednanreh]

I have been waiting for QUITE some time to buy a new computer and now the bell is tolling. I've decided to go to the 'near' bleeding edge (SLI). I have decided on the following setup of hardware for the new system:

From Newegg.com:
Thermaltake VA4000 Series SViking (case)
Maxtor 300gb SATA
PQI 2gb (1gb x 2) PC3200
Asus A8N-SLI
Roswell 500W (model: RE501-BLK)
Athlong 64 3200+ (item code: N82E16819103502)
eVGA 6800 GT PciExpress
(I have a dvd burner already ready to go in)

My main concern is the compatability between the parts. Has anyone had any experience with these parts combined? What combinations have you gotten working sofar?

 

[joelslaw]

sure you have confidence in that psu? I'm not saying anything bad about it, I just haven't ever heard too much about Roswill psu's. Seems to have good railings (34A on the 12v) and it's got alot of good reviews on newegg (for what that's worth) You might ask around the forums and see if n e one has experience with that model.

and congrats on the new rig. planning on using SLi in the future?

 

[zednanreh]

Well, that appears to be my only concern (the PSU). And yes, SLI is not a question, it is a requirement later. I have realized that the first thing that always ends up 'hurting' with games I play is the framerates from having an 'obsolete' card. Granted, there is no way to prevent obsoletion (if thats a word), but SLI will allow me to extend the life of my rig hopefully.

 

[joelslaw]

I deffinately read this, if you already haven't. I was a bit shocked that in some cases: 1 higher grade card can preform better that 2 cheaper cards.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2284

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: zednanreh
Well, that appears to be my only concern (the PSU). And yes, SLI is not a question, it is a requirement later. I have realized that the first thing that always ends up 'hurting' with games I play is the framerates from having an 'obsolete' card. Granted, there is no way to prevent obsoletion (if thats a word), but SLI will allow me to extend the life of my rig hopefully.

Obsolescence... Anyway it is true that one faster card (6800Gt) is faster than two slower cards (2x6600GT). However with SLI you can always get another 6600GT when it drops to $120 or so. Ideally, even though I have an SLI board, I would just sell the 6600GT and get a faster single card though.