SLI

[imported_rod]

I have a PCI-E 128MB Sparkle 6600GT that I bought in march this year. (Picpic)

Now, I just found a sparkle 6600GT for just over AU$200, which is a fairly decent price for one. But I looked at it's pic, and it look's like this:pic

So obviously they've made some changes. My question is, do you think i could run these together? I heard that the new drivers allow you to use slightly different cards, but i couldn't find info about this on nVidia's site.

Thanks ppl
RoD

 

[ribbon13]

memory chips are in the same spot. all the caps look the same. only thing looks different is the HSF. probably have no problems with that at all.

 

[imported_rod]

Yeah, I think you're right. I found this on nVidia's SLI zone(http://www.slizone.com/page/slizone_faq.html):

Can I mix and match graphics cards?
In order to provide optimal symmetric scaling, SLI Technology requires the NVIDIA GPU to match. For example, a GeForce 7800 GTX must be paired with another GeForce 7800 GTX. Likewise, a GeForce 6600 GT must be paired with another GeForce 6600 GT. However, using the latest Release 80 Graphics Drivers, NVIDIA GPUs sold by different manufacturers can be used together in SLI Mode. For example, a GeForce 7800 GT from vendor ABC can be matched with a GeForce 7800 GT from vendor XYZ.


Can I mix and match graphics cards is one of them is Overclocked by the Manufacturer?
Yes. A GeForce 7800 GTX that is overclocked (for example BFG GeForce 7800 GTX OC) can be mixed with a standard clock GeForce 7800 GTX.


Can I mix and match graphics cards with different sizes of memory?
While it is not recommended, NVIDIA does offer this flexibility using Coolbits. When purchasing a second graphics card, you should try to match the memory size so that you are ensured full value and performance from your purchase. For example, if your first card is a GeForce 6600 GT with 128MB of memory, you should purchase a second GeForce 6600 GT with 128MB of memory. However, using Coolbits, customers can force both of the cards to use the lower of the two memory sizes and operate together in SLI Mode. Instructions to enable this feature can be found here.

Now I'm wondering if i should even bother going with the same vendor, or if i should get a better card, maybe one with VIVO?...

RoD

 

[pontifex]

i wouldn't even bother with sli

 

[sensazn]

pontifex: i dont think that answers his question, nor is it very constructive in this topic.


I would go with a 2nd sparkle, just so i can say i have 2 sparkles in my machine

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: sensazn
pontifex: i dont think that answers his question, nor is it very constructive in this topic.


I would go with a 2nd sparkle, just so i can say i have 2 sparkles in my machine

how is it not constructive? all i said is i wouldn't bother with sli, its not going to help him that much.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: sensazn
pontifex: i dont think that answers his question, nor is it very constructive in this topic.


I would go with a 2nd sparkle, just so i can say i have 2 sparkles in my machine

how is it not constructive? all i said is i wouldn't bother with sli, its not going to help him that much.

He shouldnt bother with sli all together, or not bother with 6600 gt's in sli?
I would personally sell the 6600gt and get a 6800gt.

 

[pontifex]

shouldn't bother with sli at all.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Only thing that matters with SLI is same card model (7800GT with 7800GT and NOT with 7800GTX) and same memory size (and reccommended same overclock if you are). Everything else like different company doesn't matter. However, it would be much better just to sell you 6600GT and get a 7800GT. SLI on a 6600 just isn't worth it.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: pontifex
shouldn't bother with sli at all.

Very informative post, im going to counter that with "yes he should buy sli, its great".

 

[thelush84]

I would advise against SLI at the moment. It's just too expensive for performence benefits that can only be measured on special benchmarking software. Hell, one 256mb 7800GTX will do you better than good so why use two cards? My advice is to get an SLI capable motherboard, which it would appear that you do already have, and then buy one 78000GTX.

Seriously, you guys are getting too caught up in marketing campaigns. Save your money now and upgrade later when it's actually a need, not a desire.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: pontifex
shouldn't bother with sli at all.

posting that the first time, i understand

reiterating the same thing on another post, that's trolling.

 

[lopri]

Try playing Age of Empires 3 / Qake 4 / Fear / SC: Chaos Theory on 1920 x 1200 with anything less than 7800GTX SLI.





Yes I know what it was like.

 

[EKKC]

my monitor only goes to 1600x1200

so i have to shell out another 800 bucks for the 2405FPW?

 

[Pabster]

Shelling out for a 6600GT SLI setup is pretty asinine.

You'd be better off with a single, faster card.

 

[imported_rod]

Here's how i see it. i've done the numbers, and SLI is the better option.

Dual 6600GTs in SLI perform at the same level as a single 6800Ultra. Now i don't know what prices in the US are, but here it costs ~AU$200 for a 6600GT, but a 6800Ultra costs ~$600, and a 7800GT costs >$600. Now, if i were to sell my 6600GT, i would get about $100 for it, and then need to pay another $500 for a 6800Ultra. Or i could pay $200 for another 6600GT and get the same perofrmance. $200 or $500 - seems like a simple choice to me.

Anyone see anything wrong with my logic???

RoD

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: EKKC

Originally posted by: pontifex
shouldn't bother with sli at all.

posting that the first time, i understand

reiterating the same thing on another post, that's trolling.

wtf are you talking about? another poster asked if i meant sli at all or sli with those cards. i answered with don't bother with sli at all. so learn to read and go f*ck off.

 

[w00t]

this is how it goes:

two 6600gt's = a 6800gt
two 6800gt's = 7800gtx

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: rod
Dual 6600GTs in SLI perform at the same level as a single 6800Ultra. Now i don't know what prices in the US are, but here it costs ~AU$200 for a 6600GT, but a 6800Ultra costs ~$600, and a 7800GT costs >$600. Now, if i were to sell my 6600GT, i would get about $100 for it, and then need to pay another $500 for a 6800Ultra. Or i could pay $200 for another 6600GT and get the same perofrmance. $200 or $500 - seems like a simple choice to me.

Anyone see anything wrong with my logic???

RoD

Yeah, the problem I see is that 2 6600GT do not perform as well as a single 6800 Ultra. More like a 6800GT in most cases...

EDIT: You've also got to realize that you only have 128MB of memory per card, on a 128-bit bus. The limitations of that will be apparent. As well, SLi doesn't offer a certain benefit across the board. A lot of titles are not SLI optimized and you won't see the near-50% performance gain versus a single card you might expect.

If it were me, I'd look at a 6800GT (if on a tight budget).

 

[imported_rod]

Benchmarks:
http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/nvidia%20sli_112304101104/5532.png
http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/nvidia%20sli_112304101104/5523.png

And this:

If NVIDIA is able to get their SLI certification program successful enough and if motherboard manufacturers are able to get SLI boards cheap enough, then the upgrade value of SLI is significant. We?ve already seen that going from a single $200 GeForce 6600GT to a pair of them offers performance greater than that of a single $400 GeForce 6800GT. Take into account that the price of these cards goes down over time and you?re looking at a pretty decent upgrade path for the future, requiring minimal investment today.

RoD

 

[Pabster]

Do you only play Half-Life 2?

EDIT: Look here.

Notice what happens to the SLI'd 6600GT's when 4x AA / 8x AF are enabled?

 

[johnnqq]

i thought u could use any 2 of the same card...like 2 6800gts 1 from evga and one overclocked from bfg...no?

 

[imported_rod]

The games i mainly play are HL2,CS-Source, BattleField2 (and starcraft, but i dont think it's pushing my 6600gt ).

But seriously, Price Vs Performance, the SLI set-up seems to be the best option - doesn't it?

Here are the best prices i can find (they're all in Australian Dollars):
------------
6600gt (sparkle - 128MB) - $209
6800gt (sparkle - 256mb) - $465
6800U (Albatron - 256MB) - $550
7800GT (XpertVision - 256MB) - $550
7800gtx (MSI - 256MB) - $670
------------

RoD

 

[Pabster]

You need to leave Australia ... those prices are too high

If you sold you current card for $100 and got a 6800GT, you'd be out $365. A second 6600GT + the extra $50 you are spending for an SLi board runs about $260. The 6800GT is (IMHO) the better option, but I guess it is your $100 to play with.

 

[imported_rod]

Those prices are in Australian dollars, but they're still pretty high. {My friend has family in HongKong, and gets them to bring over computer gear whenever they visit - saves heaps of $$$ }

I already have an SLI MoBo (ASUS A8N-SLI deluxe - with a Zalman ZM-NB47J) and a beefy PSU, so it's only the 6600gt that i need.

In that case, Im spending $210 instead of $365 - that seems a fairly decent saving doesn't it?

RoD