Rollo's 6600GT SLI benches

[nRollo]

I upgrade my motherboard annually, and opted to go with PCIE SLI this time. I started out with the Gigabyte K8N Ultra SLI board, had some stability issues*, just moved to the Asus A8N Pro Deluxe SLI with a 3800+ on it.
*nothing against Gigabyte, my board was defective, could not flash bios even

I wanted to check out the ways of SLI (compatibility, performance increase, etc.) and not break the bank, so I opted for a combo of eVGA 6600GTs, figuring this should give me 6800GT-like performance on games and the opportunity to try out the PureVideo capabilities of the nV43 chipset. (some of you may remember me suggesting this in the PVP threads as a possible alternative for those who value the WMV9 decode acceleration as much as gaming performance)

Here are some preliminary benches done on the Gigabyte board, more to come on the Asus. I also plan on checking some compatibility/performance with custom profiles on games as the non supported profiles for SLI seems to be a subject of concern for many considering this technology.

6600GT SLI Benches
System: A64 3800+/Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-SLI/1 GB Corsair PC3200/2- eVGA 6600GT SLI/SB Audigy2
WinXP Home, SP2 Display Driver 66.93

Far Cry, v1.3. All settings on "High", AA/AF app controlled


10X7 4X8X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...51/64/89fps
Regulator...36/59/96fps
Training...32/56/130fps
Volcano...42/72/146fps


11X8 4X8X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...36/48/67fps
Regulator...30/52/105fps
Training...27/52/105fps
Volcano...35/61/125fps

12X10 4X8X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...26/37/55fps
Regulator... 18/41/68fps
Training...18/45/81fps
Volcano...28/50/97fps

Clearly we're running out of memory bandwidth at this point, so I shift to 2X8X:

12X10 2X8X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...43/56/82fps
Regulator... 34/56/75fps
Training...30/55/114fps
Volcano...36/63/138fps

IMO, this is the performance "sweet spot" for the 6600GT SLI at Far Cry. Minimums never drop below 30, averages mid 50s and up.

16X12 2X8X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...25/37/55fps
Regulator... 21/44/79fps
Training...20/40/84fps
Volcano...24/47/104fps

I did not test 16X12 4X8X, the 12X10 4X8X clearly show this entry level SLI combo is not designed for 16X12 4X8X playability.
However; if you're like me and like to game at 16X12 0X0X on occasion:

16X12 0X0X Min/Ave/Max fps
Research...50/60/74fps
Regulator... 31/54/84fps
Training...38/62/113fps
Volcano...36/65/122fps
Looks like we've found the 16X12 sweet spot for the 6600GT SLI.


Doom3, High Quality

10X7 4X8X...69fps
11X8 4X8X...60fps
12X10 4X8X...48fps
16X12 4X8X...128MB cannot run this setting

10X7 2X8X...88fps
11X8 2X8X...82fps
12X10 2X8X...72fps
16X12 2X8X...55fps(?)

16X12 0X8X...74fps

HL2, all high, reflect world

10X7 4X8X
at_c17__12_rev7...60fps
at_canals_08_rev7...85fps
at_coast_05_rev7...95fps
at_prison_05_rev7...97fps

12X9 4X8X
at_c17__12_rev7...51fps
at_canals_08_rev7...50fps
at_coast_05_rev7...83fps
at_prison_05_rev7...64fps

12X9 2X8X
at_c17__12_rev7...59fps
at_canals_08_rev7...80fps
at_coast_05_rev7...93fps
at_prison_05_rev7...93fps

16X12 2X8X
at_c17__12_rev7...28fps
at_canals_08_rev7...30fps
at_coast_05_rev7...73fps
at_prison_05_rev7...27fps

16X12 0X0X
at_c17__12_rev7...60fps
at_canals_08_rev7...67fps
at_coast_05_rev7...84fps
at_prison_05_rev7...79fps

3DMark2001SE 10X7 0x0x = 19833
3DMark2005 10X7 0x0x = 5277(!)
(my X800XT PE was 5825)

What I noticed most in these runs was the huge performance leap at what I consider this rigs sweet spot 12X10 2X8X, compared to 12X10 4X8X.

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

 

[nitro28]

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

I agree, I am very pleased with my SLI so far. It will be interesting to see what 2 of the next generation video cards from nvidia can do. That is what I intend to upgrade to after I have gotten my moneys worth out of my 6600GT's.

 

[zakee00]

:roll:

 

[Malak]

I don't get it. You got better performance with the single card, spent more money going with SLI, and are happy with it?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: malak
I don't get it. You got better performance with the single card, spent more money going with SLI, and are happy with it?

Sure- why not? 3800+/Asus A8N SLI is a killer motherboard, should last me a year easily.

There's no past tense

got better performance with the single card

I still have that motherboard combo (A64 3000+/Asus X800XT PE) in my five year olds PC in the spare bedroom, so it's not like I've "lost" anything.

In the meantime, I get to play with bleeding edge tech. You can trust me Malak, if gaming at 12X10 2X8X on todays most intense games gets too hard on me, I'll grab a couple GTs.

As always, I just like to play with new hardware and switch out cards fairly frequently. Besides that, there's a group of guys here that think the WMV9 decode available on the 6600GTs is one of, if not THE, deciding factor on video card choice. Almost seemed a crime not to be able to test it on my nV40 (6800NU) nV43s (6600GTs) and R420 (X800XT PE) to have real answers on the subject.

Last but not least, I've had a 6800GT, getting one more wouldn't have been like "trying something new".

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Rollo

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

The way forward? Perhaps. However, SLI might just be a niche approach. There won't be any games that boldly state on the box that they REQUIRE SLI, because not many people are going to pop for two cards when one will do the job nicely and not damage their wallets any more than needed.

 

[rbV5]

Besides that, there's a group of guys here that think the WMV9 decode available on the 6600GTs is one of, if not THE, deciding factor on video card choice

Why, is it working yet?

 

[imported_humey]

Now we all know games have to have profile written by nvidia to use sli and they sat on butts doing nothing so few games fully use it yet.

Next week Rollo will be back to ATI

BTW, there will never be a new game that cant play on 1 top model new gpu, for at least 1 year of cards lifespan.

IE a ultra now can play any game, you not must buy 2 gpus.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: nitro28

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

I agree, I am very pleased with my SLI so far. It will be interesting to see what 2 of the next generation video cards from nvidia can do. That is what I intend to upgrade to after I have gotten my moneys worth out of my 6600GT's.

LOL this is awesome. Are you sure you don't work for nVidia's PR department, Rollo? The last time you did this your 9700Pro was sitting on a shelf collecting dust! I can't say I'm surprised. Congrats on the SLI setup though; I knew you'd get it one day.

If only your son were old enough to realize how powerful his computer is. Can he pwn you yet?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: humey
Now we all know games have to have profile written by nvidia to use sli and they sat on butts doing nothing so few games fully use it yet.

This isn't true? You can write your own game profile in the nvapps.xtml file? It's not hard.

 

[sparkyclarky]

welcome back

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: nitro28

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

I agree, I am very pleased with my SLI so far. It will be interesting to see what 2 of the next generation video cards from nvidia can do. That is what I intend to upgrade to after I have gotten my moneys worth out of my 6600GT's.

LOL this is awesome. Are you sure you don't work for nVidia's PR department, Rollo? The last time you did this your 9700Pro was sitting on a shelf collecting dust! I can't say I'm surprised. Congrats on the SLI setup though; I knew you'd get it one day.

If only your son were old enough to realize how powerful his computer is. Can he pwn you yet?

No way Sickbeast- I work for the world's best software VAR.

My just turned five year old son pwns me at his Xbox, he'd be mine at UT2004. (XT PE or no)

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: sparkyclarky
welcome back

Thank you- good to be here!

 

[Zebo]

Welcome back Rollo.

I've always said two 6600GT's was a good bang for buck, dispite most peoples ridicule it still offers better bang for buck than 6800GT PCIe. Because they can be had for $350 vs. $500 if you're lucky on GT. The GT certainly does'nt perform 30% better to justify it's price premium, maybe at MSRP it will.

Oh ya and PVP works as well

 

[zakee00]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Welcome back Rollo.

I've always said two 6600GT's was a good bang for buck, dispite most peoples ridicule it still offers better bang for buck than 6800GT PCIe. Because they can be had for $350 vs. $500 if you're lucky on GT. The GT certainly does'nt perform 30% better to justify it's price premium, maybe at MSRP it will.

Oh ya and PVP works as well

what do you mean "PVP works"? what kind of CPU useage do you get with the SIL 1080i trailer?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Welcome back Rollo.

I've always said two 6600GT's was a good bang for buck, dispite most peoples ridicule it still offers better bang for buck than 6800GT PCIe. Because they can be had for $350 vs. $500 if you're lucky on GT. The GT certainly does'nt perform 30% better to justify it's price premium, maybe at MSRP it will.

Oh ya and PVP works as well

Thanks Zebo, definitely missed the community here.

HardOCP seems to think the 6600GT SLI offers good bang for buck:

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Njk2LDg=

When looking at the big picture, we can?t keep from going back and focusing on our GeForce 6600 GT SLI gaming experience. It took our gaming to levels that we had not even hoped for. The average framerate numbers that we had been exposed to previously that were supplied by NVIDIA simply undervalued the real gaming experience the cards would deliver. Almost across the board, the 6600 GT SLI delivered a better quality gaming experience than did a Radeon X800Pro or a GeForce 6800 GT. There is more bang for the buck value in a GeForce 6600 GT SLI configuration than anything comparable

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: Rollo

In any case, I am convinced SLI is the way forward, my five year old has my AGP X800 XT PE, and life with SLI has been good so far.

The way forward? Perhaps. However, SLI might just be a niche approach. There won't be any games that boldly state on the box that they REQUIRE SLI, because not many people are going to pop for two cards when one will do the job nicely and not damage their wallets any more than needed.

It's definitely a niche approach- the highest of the high end (GT/U SLI) will always be a smaller share of the market than the $200 pricepoint. The 6600GT SLI that I have will appeal to some cost conscious gamers who may be buying a PCIE board, but don't want to upgrade their PSU or spend an extra $75-$150 on a single PCIE 6800GT. (especially when some reviewers say the 6600GT a comparable, if not better, experience)

There have never been games that required SLI, but it's always been the case that at the high end (V2 SLI then, 6800GT/U SLI now) that everyone who didn't have it wished they did.

Like I said in another thread on another board:

I have a X800XT PE and know what it does. The only gaming rigs I envy have 6800GT or 6800U SLI in them. Just the way it is, XT PE is an excellent card, but the 6800SLI is the Hemi Cuda of the gaming world. It owns for speed and power.

 

[imported_humey]

Yes i like sli and will use next build but nvidia are lazy and need get profiles for games, i for one aint clued up in major modding of files or ini's.

Just stating 1 new gpu top model will game perfect on all new games for at least 1 year.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: RolloThere have never been games that required SLI, but it's always been the case that at the high end (V2 SLI then, 6800GT/U SLI now) that everyone who didn't have it wished they did.

Like I said in another thread on another board:

I have a X800XT PE and know what it does. The only gaming rigs I envy have 6800GT or 6800U SLI in them. Just the way it is, XT PE is an excellent card, but the 6800SLI is the Hemi Cuda of the gaming world. It owns for speed and power.

I'm forced to correct you by saying that SLI will be VERY high-end, beyond whatever flagship card exists at the time. The same cards that will remain at the $500-$600 price-point that we see now, which will run contemporary games as well as next gen ones. As a computer person and a gamer I can say "Wow!" and marvel at the the power and expense that exists in bleeding edge tech. But as a savvy buyer and integrator, I know right where I have to be in order to play what I want, the way I want to play it. And this without having to spend SOTA-level prices.

I'd like to think that gamers at all purchasing levels are becoming more sophisticated. If we allow envy to drive what we buy, without taking the state of gaming into account, we're going to be a very unhappy group of consumers.

BTW, welcome back, Rollo.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: RolloThere have never been games that required SLI, but it's always been the case that at the high end (V2 SLI then, 6800GT/U SLI now) that everyone who didn't have it wished they did.

Like I said in another thread on another board:

I have a X800XT PE and know what it does. The only gaming rigs I envy have 6800GT or 6800U SLI in them. Just the way it is, XT PE is an excellent card, but the 6800SLI is the Hemi Cuda of the gaming world. It owns for speed and power.

I'm forced to correct you by saying that SLI will be VERY high-end, beyond whatever flagship card exists at the time. The same cards that will remain at the $500-$600 price-point that we see now, which will run contemporary games as well as next gen ones. As a computer person and a gamer I can say "Wow!" and marvel at the the power and expense that exists in bleeding edge tech. But as a savvy buyer and integrator, I know right where I have to be in order to play what I want, the way I want to play it. And this without having to spend SOTA-level prices.

I'd like to think that gamers at all purchasing levels are becoming more sophisticated. If we allow envy to drive what we buy, without taking the state of gaming into account, we're going to be a very unhappy group of consumers.

BTW, welcome back, Rollo.

You are correct in that envy should never be a motivating factor for purchasing, and is a no win situation. (someone always has something better)

Thanks on the welcome.

SLI is definitely a luxury purchase, but the same could be said of 6800Us and X850XT PEs. On a cost/performance basis, they don't win, but some will always pay for the best.

My first welcome back gift to the board is my AXP1800+/GF3/SB Live giveaway on FS/FT.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: malak
I don't get it. You got better performance with the single card, spent more money going with SLI, and are happy with it?

I still have that motherboard combo (A64 3000+/Asus X800XT PE) in my five year olds PC in the spare bedroom, so it's not like I've "lost" anything.

In the meantime, I get to play with bleeding edge tech. You can trust me Malak, if gaming at 12X10 2X8X on todays most intense games gets too hard on me, I'll grab a couple GTs.

So your 5 year old has a better computer than you now? Spoiled kid.

That is not bleeding edge tech. You have 2 budget cards from nvidia using old tech to make them work together. Furthermore, the performance from both combined still isn't as good as your single x800XT PE. Sure, get a couple 6800GT's.. waste more money. You know, you didn't have to go do all this. There were already plenty of benchmarks out there...

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: malak
I don't get it. You got better performance with the single card, spent more money going with SLI, and are happy with it?

I still have that motherboard combo (A64 3000+/Asus X800XT PE) in my five year olds PC in the spare bedroom, so it's not like I've "lost" anything.

In the meantime, I get to play with bleeding edge tech. You can trust me Malak, if gaming at 12X10 2X8X on todays most intense games gets too hard on me, I'll grab a couple GTs.

So your 5 year old has a better computer than you now? Spoiled kid.

That is not bleeding edge tech. You have 2 budget cards from nvidia using old tech to make them work together. Furthermore, the performance from both combined still isn't as good as your single x800XT PE. Sure, get a couple 6800GT's.. waste more money. You know, you didn't have to go do all this. There were already plenty of benchmarks out there...

I realize I don't "have" to do anything in regard to computers, this is one of my hobbies. Hobbies are things you spend free time and money on for enjoyment. You should see what I put in to fishing and hunting.

As far as my son goes, it's somewhat rude for you to assume he's "spoiled" because I cycle my castoffs through his computer. I've considered the possibility the XTPE would be better off with someone who would actually know what it is and appreciate it, and put it up for sale for $425 at H and nVNews.

You know what responses I got ? "Will you take $400?" (for an ASUS X800XT PE full retail pack) "Will you ship first?" I have 55-0-0 refs spanning seven years. "Will you test how high it will OC, if it will go high enough, I'll buy it".

It's not like the good old days Malak. I guarantee everything I sell. In todays "OC everything till it burns" climate that puts me out on a $400 limb.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: SickBeast
LOL this is awesome. Are you sure you don't work for nVidia's PR department, Rollo?

No way Sickbeast- I work for the world's best software VAR.

Welcome back Rollo.

Hmm. Is that Digital River, perhaps?

PS. How can we be sure that you don't have a second, part-time job, working for NV PR, after your primary one? <- note winking smiley

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: SickBeast
LOL this is awesome. Are you sure you don't work for nVidia's PR department, Rollo?

No way Sickbeast- I work for the world's best software VAR.

Welcome back Rollo.

Hmm. Is that Digital River, perhaps?

PS. How can we be sure that you don't have a second, part-time job, working for NV PR, after your primary one? <- note winking smiley

Hmmmm From your lips to nVs ears.....or Ranger bass boats....Browning firearms....Mitsubishi Electronics.....<commences Homer-esque drool>

No Digital River BTW- thanks for the welcome!

 

[Azndude51]

Yes, welcome back, Rollo and good job with the benchmarks.