Dual GPU card

[Dorkenstein]

I was thinking of picking up a vista-ready dual gpu graphics card but I am curious beforehand, do I need to get a slot fan to go under it? Are they really really hot-running? Right now I have an mATX motherboard so it will just fit if I take out my sound card. Thanks.

 

[Nightmare225]

It would help, but it's not really neccesary. My 7950GX2 works well with a 120mm fan partially blowing on it, though.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Ok, thanks. I will probably leave the side off and point a small desk fan on it.

 

[aka1nas]

Any particular reason it needs to be a dual-GPU card? Sounds like you have a space/cooling impacted scenario. Might be better off with a single GPU card that doesn't need quite as much power or put out as much heat.

 

[Zenoth]

No such thing as to get a "ready" product, for the product in question that ain't ready.

Unless you were talking about waiting for the actual new OS ? Or you really want a current generation GPU technically "ready" for it, even though you don't have what it's supposed to be ready for anywhere around you ?

 

[Sc4freak]

Dual-GPU cards are pretty rare nowadays. I mean, you might still be able to find a few Voodoos around, but I think the only modern one was the Gigabyte 3D1 and a couple of other variations.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
Dual-GPU cards are pretty rare nowadays. I mean, you might still be able to find a few Voodoos around, but I think the only modern one was the Gigabyte 3D1 and a couple of other variations.

There was a 6600GT by Gigabyte (I think) and a 6800GT Dual too, I think that it was by Asus.

Neither will be powerful enough to keep up with current games, especially if you're after playing games intended for Vista.

 

[Dorkenstein]

I just want the best I can get for the current generation without using 2 slots. This seemed like the best bet.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Any more thoughts?

 

[Dorkenstein]

Is there a single card solution that outperforms the dual card? Thanks.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
I just want the best I can get for the current generation without using 2 slots. This seemed like the best bet.

Maybe I'm unclear on which card you are talking about, but the only dual gpu card that I know of worth getting nowadays is the 7950GX2, and it's a two slotter. It only uses one PCI-E slot on your motherboard, but it takes up the space of two (big) cards inside of your rig and on the backplane. It also isn't compatible with every motherboard, so you would want to check that first as well. All that aside, it is the fastest single card you can buy, although it kinda cheats a bit with 2 gpus.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Ok, thanks. I'm going to get a new motherboard and processor first so it won't be so much of a task for my mATX that I have right now. Thanks again.