When it comes to SLI, you're buying two of the same card, so clearly you don't want two copies of all the silly software that is often "bundled" with the product.
If companies would release bundle-free versions of the videocards, that problem would be solved as SLI peoples could then buy a bundle-free edition of the card for their second card and not be burdened with two copies of software (and save a few bucks on the bundle-free version).
But the real benefit in my opinion would be for those of us who simply don't want the stupid software even with our first GPU purchase. We could then pick up one of those bundle-free editions (logically for less money than a software-bundled version) and not only save some money but also avoid getting extra copies of games we already bought months ago and no longer care about (which is what 95% of bundled software is anyway).
It's also environmentally beneficial since there aren't worthless extra CDs and paper sleeves being produced.
So I for one hope we see some bundle-free editions of GPUs coming soon, targeted for SLI buyers but also extremely useful for those of us who don't want to get another copy of Doom3 or FarCry or Tribes: Vengeance or UT2k4 or whatever other now-dated software we clearly would already own if we're avid gamers - who are the target audience of these cards in the first place.
I'll also look forward to the ~$30 cheaper price for such packages.
If companies would release bundle-free versions of the videocards, that problem would be solved as SLI peoples could then buy a bundle-free edition of the card for their second card and not be burdened with two copies of software (and save a few bucks on the bundle-free version).
But the real benefit in my opinion would be for those of us who simply don't want the stupid software even with our first GPU purchase. We could then pick up one of those bundle-free editions (logically for less money than a software-bundled version) and not only save some money but also avoid getting extra copies of games we already bought months ago and no longer care about (which is what 95% of bundled software is anyway).
It's also environmentally beneficial since there aren't worthless extra CDs and paper sleeves being produced.
So I for one hope we see some bundle-free editions of GPUs coming soon, targeted for SLI buyers but also extremely useful for those of us who don't want to get another copy of Doom3 or FarCry or Tribes: Vengeance or UT2k4 or whatever other now-dated software we clearly would already own if we're avid gamers - who are the target audience of these cards in the first place.
I'll also look forward to the ~$30 cheaper price for such packages.
