SLI excels in benchmarks, but fails to deliver during gameplay? I'm so confused...

[RahulM]

specs:

Processor: Athlon 64 4000+
Operating System: WinXP Pro
Mobo: DFI Lanparty UT NF4 Sli-DR
RAM: 2 gigs kingston KVR (bleh)
Video: 2x MSI 6800 Ultra Forceware 77.72 (but have tried 77.30, 77.50 AND 77.62)
Storage: 2x Raptors (Raid 0)

Ok, here's the problem. With SLI turned on, I get 9932 in 3dmark05 and 119FPS (1920x1200, all max) in the CS stress test. Without it, I get 5460 in 3dmark05 and 67FPS in the CS test. Well, from what one would figure that the hardware seems to be in order and everything is fine. Problem is that I don't see the performance increase DURING gameplay. With SLI turned on, BF2 struggles to maintain 40fPS at 1600x1200, all high and 4xAA/8xAF. Sure, the settings are maxxed, but my system should be able to handle it with ease. Considering that ONE 6800U in Anandtech's report gets better FPS than both of mine, I'm confused.

With SLI turned off, BF2 performance suffers, the FPS dips down to 15 at times in single-player. In CS, I see absolutely NO difference with or without SLI in multi games. The same goes for Half-life 2 single player. What's going on? What could be the problem? How is it possible for 3dmark05 to get such a great score with all the drivers listed above (+- 100 points), yet BF2 and the other games not performing as they should.

EDIT: I've tried the different SLI profiles as well, same results with AFR and SFR.

 

[Bushman5]

my single x800 pro gets 129 in the cs test

 

[RahulM]

What settings?

EDIT: I don't understand, you give me no information whatsoever. Are you just trying to gloat?

 

[Polish3d]

No idea bro.

With a P4 3.4 and 7800gtx I get a steady 60-70fps on BF2 to with

1680x1050, all settings High except Dynamic Light+Shadows at medium, and 2x AA

No way you should only be getting 15 fps, I got more w/ my 6600 gt

 

[RahulM]

Yeah, it's ridiculous. I would immediately blame it on faulty hardware or improper installation/configuration, but then there's the question of my 3dmark05 score... this is why I'm totally confused... Hell, I wish it WAS faulty hardware, so at least I can have the store replace it for free.

I'll give 'em a call tomorrow.

 

[Icopoli]

Reinstall XP on a different partition, install newest drivers and all that good stuff. I get the same HL2 + BF2 benches that you do.

 

[DaveSimmons]

For this game, it looks like you need to sell your 2 x 6800U and buy 1 or 2 x 7800GTX. Or drop resolution down, or turn off 4xAA.

3dmark scores tell you nothing about how SLI will perform in any particular game. Read the AnandTech 7800 review to see 6800SLI sometimes offering worse performance than a single 6800U.

 

[RahulM]

"Reinstall XP on a different partition, install newest drivers and all that good stuff. I get the same HL2 + BF2 benches that you do."

What will this do exactly?

 

[Rami7007]

that is crazy... with 1280x1024 and all high accept dynamic lighting to medium and 4xAA, i get 60 - 80 fps... with my x800XT

Oh and CS i have 1280x1024 (my LCD max) and ALL high with 4xAA and 8xAF and i get 120 - 140 fps... my valve stress test was 125 i believe... something is fvcked

 

[RahulM]

I ran the CS stress test at your resolution and 142.5 FPS, that's good, right?

 

[Rami7007]

yes that is good...

 

[RahulM]

I should have just waited 2 weeks for the 7800 GTX to come out...

 

[DanDaMan315]

I get 50 fps with my oc'd 9800 pro

 

[Rami7007]

yeah it really sucks when that happens... I bought my X800XT and a week later the X850 came out and was the name price of the X800XT

 

[otispunkmeyer]

cpu limited?

i would imagine BF2 is CPU limited, but SLI does have problems with a few games, where it basically doesnt work and actually performs slower than a single card. it wouldnt suprise me if SLI didnt work with an EA game

 

[sandorski]

Aren't there newer Nvidia drivers that are known to work better with BF2? Seems to me I heard something about there being some(use ATI myself so don't know firsthand).

 

[aatf510]

Originally posted by: Rami7007
yeah it really sucks when that happens... I bought my X800XT and a week later the X850 came out and was the name price of the X800XT

Good thing that x800xt and x850xt are almost the same.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Aren't there newer Nvidia drivers that are known to work better with BF2? Seems to me I heard something about there being some(use ATI myself so don't know firsthand).

77.30 and newer officially support BF2.

Edit: chipset drivers?

SLI bridge properly set on mobo (new nv drivers will work with the SLI bridge not configured, but will lose performance)?

forcing AA + AF in game and not via drivers?

 

[dguy6789]

You may find it hard to swallow but your system is not powerful enough to get better fps. You are running 6800 Ultra SLI, it will not get you about 50FPS constant in BF2 at 1600X1200 with 4XAA.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2451&p=8

There the 6800 Ultra SLI gets 53.3 FPS AVERAGE. That means the fps will go both lower and higher than that. Your FPS will dip down quite low with a setup only as fast as 6800U SLI
Tough luck. If you want more fps get a faster video card.

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
You may find it hard to swallow but your system is not powerful enough to get better fps. You are running 6800 Ultra SLI, it will not get you about 50FPS constant in BF2 at 1600X1200 with 4XAA.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2451&p=8

There the 6800 Ultra SLI gets 53.3 FPS AVERAGE. That means the fps will go both lower and higher than that. Your FPS will dip down quite low with a setup only as fast as 6800U SLI
Tough luck. If you want more fps get a faster video card.

wow, no way

 

[Acanthus]

Disable 4xAA and itll run fine in BF2.

 

[Sunbird]

Your power supply good, big and juicy?

 

[RahulM]

If that's how BF2 is supposed to run, it's a big letdown. I really regret getting these two ultras, one 7800GTX would have been much better.

And yup, Enermax 600w PSU, big and juicy.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Disable 4xAA and itll run fine in BF2.

:thumbsup:

At your high res 1920x1200 even the 7800 will suck with 4xAA on

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: RahulM
If that's how BF2 is supposed to run, it's a big letdown. I really regret getting these two ultras, one 7800GTX would have been much better.

And yup, Enermax 600w PSU, big and juicy.

caveat emptor...

SLI is pretty much worthless, unless you must have bleeding edge, which your setup was, at one time. However, Nvidia already had a card cooking that can almost beat two of their most expensive cards. Obviously there is always something better on the horizon, but SLI makes you pay double for said product.