I also think that SLI is pretty useless as an upgrade option. The high end cards of any generation don't seem to fall in price as fast as the midrange ones and instead just go out of production and become hard to find. There is one SLI setup that I think is actually a pretty good deal though, getting two 7800GTs right now. You can get two of the 3dfuzion ones for under $600 and this setup might actually be serious competition for the upcoming 512MB 7800GTX.
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AT recommends eschewing SLI
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deadseasquirrel
Golden Member
The SLI 7800GTs is the absolute best bang-for-(high)buck out there. And like the 2 posters quoted, I think it will still beat the upcoming 512mb GTX. Just look at some of the #s for the SLI 7800GT--
(*XT scores taken from different benchmark articles that did not have SLI comparisons)
BF2 at 2048x1536 4xAA
XT......56*
GTX....42
2xGT...71
Well, BF2 is kinda old now. So, let's take a look at what SLI does with FEAR at 1600x1200 4xAA 8xAF:
XT........28*
GTX......30
2xGTX...54
Obviously not a GT but you can see how much of an impact SLI has. Almost 2x.
So, for $600 you could get the XT, the new 512GTX, or 2x7800GTs. We don't yet know the numbers for the 512GTX but for the life of me, I can't imagine that they've figured out a way to increase its performance by +50% over its little GTX brother.
Still can't get over the ancient history, eh BFG?
Like I said, some will trade not having a few db of fan noise for lower resolution, lower AA/AF settings, and much lower minimum framerates. They don't mind not having the shadows, or the game stuttering.
Others, want a real gaming computer they can crank everything on, with any game.
I've got a XBox on a 35" tv for the single card experience. 😉
Gamingphreek
Lifer
OP: They are only referring to the 6800GS from what i could tell in that article
-Kevin
-Kevin
jiffylube1024
Diamond Member
How does this refer only to the 6800GS:
They speak about SLI being not the best option in general (except when getting top performance, eg dual 7800GT's or GTX's), and then add an additional point against getting SLI for the 6800GS in particular.
SolMiester
Diamond Member
Thats so funny, I was saying the very same thing when SLI came out!, the next generation of cards are normally twice as good as the previous and have extra features. Apart from the fact that really, unless you have 1600x1200 resolution monitors, SLI just isnt worth it. Will you notice a frame rate increase from 75 to 120?
Guess you have to have a web site before anybody takes you seriously!
Guess you have to have a web site before anybody takes you seriously!
imported_Rampage
Senior member
To me the point to SLI is that since most everyone uses Nforce chipsets, might as well go with an SLI chipset "just in case" some killer SLI setup is released that you want..
and its very nice, even if you *probably* arent going to add another 7800GTX that you can at least do it if you wish.
With ATI cards, Crossfire is not only kinda sloppy but unavailable and hasnt been available for some time now compared to SLI.
It means more options, having SLI, and thats something I have a hard time comprehending anyone turning their nose up to.
Certainly I'm sure in time, hobbyists will be giving/selling (cheaply) their old 6600GT to their buddys and while 6600GT SLI (by that time) wont be very fast.. its certainly a very nice improvement for an old rig (about double the performance).
So as rigs age, people will have double the performance (basicaly for free/cheap), while in the olden days if you have a GF4 4200.. you were stuck with that..
I'd certainly love to toss a 2nd GF4 4200 in with my other one and get double the performance.. even today, why not?
A 4200 is already playable, and would be pretty good IMO doubling that performance in an older rig.
Be nice to do the same with the old Geforce 6 cards and beyond as they age.
Just me I guess.
2 sense.
BlingBlingArsch
Golden Member
Rollo for Video Forum Mod
Fair and Balanced
shuddering whenever i read that.
Fair and Balanced
shuddering whenever i read that.
dug777
Lifer
hehe, as does anyone who saw rollo post that thread about the ati/sacrifice issues (that turned out to be 100% bs) in response to my nvidia farcry shadows thread, or the time he tried to link to the ATI driver issues page, or that thread about hardocp grandly declaring shimmering is merely a figment of our diseased imaginations...i could go on and on 😉
apoppin
Lifer
can't agree . . . having a SLI capable MB is a minimal expense . . . and there is nothing wrong with the OPTION to upgrade - whether you take it or not probably depends if there is a Hot Deal or not 😉
. . . and i'd probably buy the 2nd card in 1-1/2 years with much less hassle than at your example of 2-3 years and when the cards traditionally get dramatically cheaper.
Here's someone with experience . . . i couldn't say it better:
:thumbsup:
I don't know that this thread was necessary, but the op is entitled to his opinion.
By now, most of us know that the "bang for buck" way to do SLI is two high end cards at once. This owns everything else, so the price becomes secondary.
The SLI as an upgrade path isn't quite as clear. A person with dual 6800GTs or Ultras has a rig that is much faster than a 7800GTX at some games, the same speed at others. You miss out on the newer features like TAA. So it comes down to what you're looking for: what games you play, what features you want.
It's easier to make a case for one high end card, that does not mean there aren't reason s to use SLI as an upgrade.
My son's 6800GT SLI served me well this year, and to be honest, it could have probably served me well next year.
By now, most of us know that the "bang for buck" way to do SLI is two high end cards at once. This owns everything else, so the price becomes secondary.
The SLI as an upgrade path isn't quite as clear. A person with dual 6800GTs or Ultras has a rig that is much faster than a 7800GTX at some games, the same speed at others. You miss out on the newer features like TAA. So it comes down to what you're looking for: what games you play, what features you want.
It's easier to make a case for one high end card, that does not mean there aren't reason s to use SLI as an upgrade.
My son's 6800GT SLI served me well this year, and to be honest, it could have probably served me well next year.
n7
Elite Member
As was mentioned, presently (will change soon enough), there is one somewhat viable SLI option, that being 2x cheap 7800GTs.
The issue with that is that you have effectively used your upgrade option though, which defeats the purpose of SLI.
I have thought over the SLI/Crossfire option many many times, & i simply cannot see the value in it, since no matter how you figure it, it ends up being more expensive than buying a single card & then selling & upgrading. That doesn't even begin to cover the issue of your card possibly not being produced anymore, or the fact that new features come out with each new generation.
The only reasons that can justify SLI/Crossfire: uber-high end systems with two high end cards, or people who really hate to sell cards & buy new ones.
I knew before making this thread how you would feel about about it, but it's just your opinion.
I know most people agree with me on this one.
TBH, i feel many of your threads are designed to draw in trolling & flaming & are ridiculously unnecessary, but you are entitled to your opinions 😉
The issue with that is that you have effectively used your upgrade option though, which defeats the purpose of SLI.
I have thought over the SLI/Crossfire option many many times, & i simply cannot see the value in it, since no matter how you figure it, it ends up being more expensive than buying a single card & then selling & upgrading. That doesn't even begin to cover the issue of your card possibly not being produced anymore, or the fact that new features come out with each new generation.
The only reasons that can justify SLI/Crossfire: uber-high end systems with two high end cards, or people who really hate to sell cards & buy new ones.
Thankyou.
I knew before making this thread how you would feel about about it, but it's just your opinion.
I know most people agree with me on this one.
TBH, i feel many of your threads are designed to draw in trolling & flaming & are ridiculously unnecessary, but you are entitled to your opinions 😉
BFG10K
Lifer
I'm sorry, this comment has what to do with your blatant double standards?
And like I said, there's a third group that will pick up whatever their vendor of choice offers despite being inferior in both departments. A great example of this would be someone dumping a 9700/9800 for a 5800U and also preaching that a 6800 SLI/6600GT SLI system is viable.
For these people normal logic and rational thinking doesn't apply.
Personally I have to restrain myself from bursting out in laughter. What's even more funny is that the individual in question is dead serious with that signature.
BFG10K
Lifer
That's really rich considering your AF slider is stuck at 8x and your AA slider is stuck at 4x while I run all games at 16xAF and a lot of them at 6xAA. In fact it was only a few months ago that you discovered resolutions above 1600x1200 existed.
Wait don't tell me, I'm jealous for pointing this out, right? :roll:
You MUST be joking. Aren't you the same Rollo who was given a 2 week vacation after the Moderators became sick and tired of dealing with all the complaints from other members about your behavior? And haven't you been given MULTIPLE warnings from the Moderators? Haven't some of your recent threads/comments been deleted by Moderators because of their inflammatory nature? (Your "I'm drunk on my anniversary so I'll post flamebait" thread springs to mind)
Yeah, that's JUST what we need around here. A Moderators who stirs up trouble instead of calming it down.
Right...
imported_Rampage
Senior member
Sure. We could have a motivated and obviously someone who is deeply committed to this forum.. or we could have someone who walks on the easiest grease he can walk on.. like you. Pass on that guy.
Rollo says things worth talking about, makes controversy, gets the mind working, theres NOTHING wrong with exchange of ideas.
And censoring someone is just wrong. You dont like his posts, we have an ignore feature.
Don't know how to use it?
Or!!!!! JUST can't HELP reading those Rollo threads because you might be a bit of a drama queen that would rather continue talking about how bad Rollo is instead of simply ignoring him. 😀
You comment in his threads.. you are just as guilty as he is of what you are accusing him of.
You are a participant and a active supporter of his threads.
imported_Rampage
Senior member
Need better proof as to what kind of mod Rollo would be?
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