nforce sli x16...

[imported_clover]

I've been searching for information on when we'll see AMD compatible boards that support using the full bandwidth of each pci-e channel - but I'm having trouble finding anything other than P4 results.

Can anyone fill me in on what the current offerings are, or when they will become availalbe?

 

[solofly]

No one knows for sure. I'm waiting for one myself and Asus should be first to deliver...

 

[imported_clover]

I was considering building myself a new computer - and looking at it from the standpoint of "one that lasts awhile", it sure seems I should wait this one out. Only problem is waiting is no fun. I'm kinda shocked they don't have an AMD offering.

 

[ElTorrente]

I have a single 7800gtx card, and I'm running at x8 PCIe speed (because my RAID card is using the other x8).. and I score ~9450 on 3Dmark05 and ~7450 on PCMark05. Believe me- no card uses even half of the x16 bandwidth - it's all hype right now.

 

[imported_clover]

Yeah, I know I won't see any gains right now - its more for looking towards the future. (It drives me crazy knowing that I'd be wasting available bandwidth). Actually ElTorrente, as an interesting test... mind running a fresh benchmark using the full x16? I know you'd be losing out on your raid setup, but I'd still be interested in seeing the numbers.

 

[ElTorrente]

Originally posted by: clover
Yeah, I know I won't see any gains right now - its more for looking towards the future. (It drives me crazy knowing that I'd be wasting available bandwidth). Actually ElTorrente, as an interesting test... mind running a fresh benchmark using the full x16? I know you'd be losing out on your raid setup, but I'd still be interested in seeing the numbers.

I did that, actually. At first, I had my board setup in "normal" mode- which means one PCIe was at x16, and the other was at x2 (I'm in "sli" mode now, with both at x8). My scores were in the same range (within 20 points or so- which is a perfectly normal variation in 3Dmark).

I've seen others run similar tests also, and there is really no difference.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: ElTorrente
I have a single 7800gtx card, and I'm running at x8 PCIe speed (because my RAID card is using the other x8).. and I score ~9450 on 3Dmark05 and ~7450 on PCMark05. Believe me- no card uses even half of the x16 bandwidth - it's all hype right now.

Dual dual 7800GTX SLI?

+ 30 drive RAID 50 SCSI array?

 

[jam3]

I am in the exact same boat but while the possibility of sli x16 someday showing a performance gain pales little to me. The fact that its a quick refresh on the n4 which introduced a bunch of new technology and alot of boards that had problems ( like MSI and that dar spacer "upgrade" that you had to send the board in for) does seem like a good reason to wait a few more weeks. Also no paddle switch for SLI on these boards from what I gather as well.

 

[imported_clover]

It does kind of annoy me though - the P4 boards have been out for what, like a month now? Not fair!

 

[Fresh Daemon]

Dual dual 7800GTX SLI?

+ 30 drive RAID 50 SCSI array?

Just think, in five years time (going on previous rates of increase), that setup will suck and be completely incapable of running the latest titles.

 

[solofly]

Shouldn't be long now...

http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=0&model=744&modelmenu=1

 

[Peter]

The NForcePro chipset offers dual PCIE-16 slots, but only in its full blown implementation with both chips - 2200 and 2050. And it's been out for a while - just not in the gaming/desktop arena.