CPU too slow for SLI?

[ltwentoncha]

Hi all,

I'm planning to put this 'pooter together:

ASUS A8N-SLI DLX
PDC1G3200+XBLK
3500+ Winchester
200GB Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA
BFG 6800GT OC PCIe (Just one)
Enermax 565VE 535W

Missing anything? The big issue I'm aware of is that the ASUS board drops NCQ drives (doesn't have onboard NCQ support? Which board does, then?) with BIOS 1003+ but I don't plan to OC so I'll do 1002. My main concern is the mobo-memory-CPU-GPU combo; it seems like putting a ferrari engine in a Ford Pinto with the 3200+ paired with a 6800GT. To acheive the full benefits of SLI, don't I need a 3800+ or better? I was leaning towards a one card solution until I can confirm as to whether or not the benefits were achievable. Also, I picked the 535W Enermax because the ASUS website listed a 400W or > PSU as a requirement for SLI and a 3800+; should I future proof in case I get another card for SLI and go with a 600W because the theoretical max load for the 535W is about 485W? I'm also unsure as to whether or not low latency RAM was necessary; if not, can someone make an informed recommendation?

Sorry for the long post, I just started doing research again for this build and it's slow going. For others, this may be the best part of the build, but for me it is confusing and excruciatingly time consuming.

TYIA for reading and posting.

 

[chilled]

Well you can always overclock the CPU...the pinto will go like a ferrari! However, if you are against OCing then I see your concern. I guess it would help if there was a CPU scaling with an SLI setup somewhere on the web. With the dual core CPUs about to hit in the third quarter, why not pick up a 3200+ now and then get a dual core as and when you can?

Low latency RAM is not the be-all-and-end-all for the A64. I'd stick with the Patriot RAM you have there - it's pretty good stuff with TCCD chips. Anything more is likely to be much more expensive with relatively little gain.

The Enermax 535W should be plenty for SLI. Do you know its 12V rail? If your looking at over 25A I think it should be okay.

 

[BenSkywalker]

What kind of monitor do you have?

May sound odd, but that is extremely important in figuring out if the CPU is going to be a major bottleneck in your rig w/SLI.

 

[ltwentoncha]

'aven't gotten that yet. I figure no more than 1280x..., the one a step above from 1024x768. I have the conception that all settings on high with 4xAA and 8xFF will be playable on any SLI supported game (save maybe D3) with FPS around 50.

TYIA

 

[BenSkywalker]

'aven't gotten that yet. I figure no more than 1280x..., the one a step above from 1024x768. I have the conception that all settings on high with 4xAA and 8xFF will be playable on any SLI supported game (save maybe D3) with FPS around 50.

You have very low expectations

Yes, you will be CPU limited at those settings with SLI most of the time. Actually, with resolution that tiny, I wouldn't bother with SLI at all. The framerates and settings you are looking for are well handled by the higher end single boards, check out the charts on this page. Even in DooM3 a single 6800GT can push ~50FPS at 1280x1024. SLI two of the high end boards is good for displays pushing high resolutions, 1920x1440 or 2048x1536 in particular. Looking at the low resolutions you are talking about a single 6800GT should handle what you are looking for with ease.