Do I need SLI support on board???

[fretman]

Confused as to what SLI really is. Based on my readings and research it's something that is supported by Nvidia graphics cards. But upon further reading it seems that the main and only purpose for SLI is to allow for 2 video cards at the same time.

Is that all SLI is? Or are there other benefits to getting an SLI supported board.

I really only plan on have 1 graphics card in my system. So should I get SLI? Thanks.

 

[Heidfirst]

SLI (or Crossfire is ATI's equvalent) is a way of using 2 video cards in tandem to allow for higher video performance.
Imo it's only really worthwhile if you are running 2 top of the line cards at high res/anti aliasing etc. on a v. large monitor - for most people 1 better gfx card is a better solution than 2 weaker ones.

As such from your statement no, you don't need a mobo that supports SLI.

 

[fretman]

Thanks for the response. Are the 680i chipsets supported by only SLI boards? I was looking at the 680i chipset.

 

[Heidfirst]

680i is an nVidia SLI chipset - any particular reason that you were looking at those?
Unless you need SLI (& it sounds like you don't) also consider the Intel P35 chipset.

 

[fretman]

I was looking at the 680i chipsets because that seemed to be what everyone was going for. I'm building around the E6700 or E6850 processor.

I'm going with an Nvidia graphics card and from what I read in Anands reviews it appears the P965/P975 chipsets only support ATI graphics.

So the talk really was around the 650/680 chipsets. And I think the 680 was recommended by Anand.

I haven't heard anything about the P35.

I guess I'm thinking 680i because that's all I've been hearing....and also the news I've been hearing about this chipset is good.

 

[covert24]

the p965/p975 do support nvidia graphics.

Also, Get the P35 chipset if your going with intel. The P35 has support for the future 'Penryn' quads cores that are built around the 45nm architecture. Its def., i think, the best intel chipset out there right now. Plus it has a plethora of overclocking features and is very stable.

And like everyone has been saying if your not into SLi stay away from the 680i

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: fretman
I really only plan on have 1 graphics card in my system. So should I get SLI? Thanks.

It wouldn't do you any harm to have it, but it would also not provide any benefit.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: covert24
the p965/p975 do support nvidia graphics.

Also, Get the P35 chipset if your going with intel. The P35 has support for the future 'Penryn' quads cores that are built around the 45nm architecture. Its def., i think, the best intel chipset out there right now. Plus it has a plethora of overclocking features and is very stable.

And like everyone has been saying if your not into SLi stay away from the 680i

So does some 680Is like asus striker extreme and its derivatives. So people with those boards could go and upgrade to 45nm penryn when they hit the stores.

 

[JustaGeek]

If you want something from the newest NVidia 600 series chipset family, consider 650i Ultra

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188017

Much less expensive then 680i or 650i SLI with all the overclocking benefits of these chipsets.

Essentially the same MCP C55 chip with less features.

 

[fretman]

Thanks to all of you for the great advice. I was going to get my system this weekend but will now hold off until the July 22nd Intel price drop.

Plus it'll give me some more time to do some research on the P35 chipset.

 

[PCTC2]

The eVGA 680i (and probably every other 680i SLI board) is an awful overclocker. It puts out a huge heat load from the chipset and with that, using the standard HS on the board, the board is FSB limited to about 470FSB I have found. Both Aigomorla and I have had HUGE vDroop problems because of faulty boards (~0.1-0.2v) from busted caps. Try setting your vCore to 1.5v to get 1.35v to your processor. It may not be common, but it happens. The only reason to get a 680i is for SLI and it's ability to tweak memory. The options is has to tweak memory are endless. I use it b/c I run 2x eVGA 7950GT KO in SLI configuration. I get about a 70% performance boost from a single card @ 1440*900

The P35 chipset is far superior if you are running a single card. Plus, it supports the future 45nm processors. If you get a quad-core, then definitely get a P35 to overclock it. If you can wait a while, then wait until the X38 chipset. It will *THEORETICALLY* outperform the P35 (965P vs 975X) but it also may support SLI (we'll see if nVIDIA will play nice).

 

[fretman]

I think you just convinced me to go P35. But does the P35 chipset support Nvidia graphics cards as well as ATI graphics cards?

 

[masteraleph]

Originally posted by: fretman
I think you just convinced me to go P35. But does the P35 chipset support Nvidia graphics cards as well as ATI graphics cards?

Yes. Every ATI, AMD, nVidia, Intel, Via, etc...every modern chipset with a PCI-E x16 slot supports nvidia graphics cards. What they don't support is SLI, or two nvidia gpus working in tandem to give increased graphics processing for one monitor.

 

[fretman]

Originally posted by: masteraleph

Originally posted by: fretman
I think you just convinced me to go P35. But does the P35 chipset support Nvidia graphics cards as well as ATI graphics cards?

Yes. Every ATI, AMD, nVidia, Intel, Via, etc...every modern chipset with a PCI-E x16 slot supports nvidia graphics cards. What they don't support is SLI, or two nvidia gpus working in tandem to give increased graphics processing for one monitor.

Thanks for the response. I thought I read somewhere that the 680i chipsets didn't support ATI cards.