SLI Upgrade suggestions

[darkavenger143]

Currently iam using Asus P5n-eSLI Mobo with c2d e4500 proc and XFX8800GT Xtreme Video card. I am using Cooler master 600w extreme PSU.

I want to plug in another card for SLI. Will I get an added performance in with SLI??

Please suggest.

 

[faxon]

can anyone attest to whether or not the 55nm 9800GTs are capable of doing SLI with an 8800GT? if not, i havent seen hardly anyone selling new 8800GTs in ages, everything has moved to 55nm G92 and my understanding was that support for these configurations is limited at best, though it is possible with other cards to some extent so im going to let someone more familiar chime in (a 9800GTX can SLI with a 9800GTX+, and a 9800GTX+ can SLI with a GTS250 (new or old power design, but you cannot SLI a 9800GTX with a GTS250).

as for my recommendation, look at putting your money away for a whole new system, most video card options from the next gen will probably start to realize the full potential of 16x PCI-e 2.0 better than they did in the past, and im not one to recommend creating system bottlenecks unless you cant help it. your CPU will start to become a bottleneck soon as more games take advantage of multicore configurations, and with newer cards + new driver sets, the cpu will become a bottleneck as well in relation to keeping the GPU fed with instructions as much as the pci-e 1.1 bus would, unless you want to buy into current gen hardware (GTX275 or HD4890) with next gen ATI only a month out at the earliest, 2 at the latest.

 

[Keysplayr]

The BIOS of each card is different. The manufacturing process "may" be different. And the ID is different. Short of a BIOS flash (which I DO NOT recommend) these cards will not SLI together. OP, your best bet is to find a used 8800GT in the FS/FT forums or on Ebay. Or, sell your 8800GT and put the cash towards a GTX260/275.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

If that's an extreme power plus Cooler Master unit, then I also wouldn't trust adding a second 8800GT without upgrading the power supply. The eXtreme Plus lineup is basically garbage and overrated. I also think your E4500, if stock, would be a bit of a bottleneck fro two 8800GTs, although you would still see an improvement if you were to add a second card.

I think you're best served saving up money and doing a major overhaul: New processor (which may mean new RAM and/or motherboard), video card, and power supply.

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
If that's an extreme power plus Cooler Master unit, then I also wouldn't trust adding a second 8800GT without upgrading the power supply. The eXtreme Plus lineup is basically garbage and overrated.

Even being an overrated PSU*, 2x 8800gt and an e4500, isn't exactly extreme load. Each 8800gt has a sub 100w draw and an e4500 even overclocked is going to be less than 60w. For the major components the maximum draw is going to be around 20a, which ironically even the crappy 460 model could do** at 75% of maximum. The 600w on the other hand would be operating at close to 55% full load.

* One review that only did 80% of maximum on a different unit.

** Hardware Secrets CM 460

 

[happy medium]

I'd suggest you sell your 8800gt and grab a 260gtx. Good upgrade and no need for a new psu. Cost you about 100$

Oh yea, overclock your cpu to.😀

 

[nenforcer]

I recommend you get another 8800GT for cheap on eBay, less than $60 they go for now.

Its too soon to the release of next generation DirectX 11 cards to buy a new DirectX 10 card.

Give the SLI a chance and you can also do PhysX with it (Batman Arkham Asylum).

BTW I bough two 9800GT's last fall and don't regret it one bit. There are no games besides Crysis I can't play maxed at my 1600x1200 monitor resolution.

I think even this falls games, like COD Modern Warfare 2 will run just fine.

 

[toyota]

if you are running that E4500 at stock speeds then dont even bother adding another 8800gt.

 

[darkavenger143]

the reason y i dont wanna sell my 8800GT is tht i bought it when it was first introduced in india for a high price...if i sell it now i don think tht even i get some 60$.....

i guess i need to save some more money and to build a new rig.....