So, does the 7950GX2 count as a single card solution?

[BFG10K]

so, you would say " I would like to buy that 1 1/2 AMD 4800 CPU?..."

This is beyond silly now.

I consider it as having 2 GPUs, each with 24 pipelines

My point exactly. From a physical interface point of view it's a single card (one slot, works on non-SLI motherbards, etc) but from a software and interaction point of view it's two cards because it requires the SLI driver path to function.

This is exactly what I said to begin with.

Thank you for backing me up.

Uh, you might want to carefully re-read what he said because he appears to be agreeing with me.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

so, you would say " I would like to buy that 1 1/2 AMD 4800 CPU?..."

This is beyond silly now.

Exactly what went through my mind when you said you consider 7950gx a 1 1/2 solution

I consider it as having 2 GPUs, each with 24 pipelines

My point exactly. From a physical interface point of view it's a single card (one slot, works on non-SLI motherbards, etc) but from a software and interaction point of view it's two cards because it requires the SLI driver path to function.

This is exactly what I said to begin with.

and software (SLI driver) can be manipulated through programming to "see" the 2 GPUs
as 10 or 20, would you then consider 7950 a 10/20 card solution?

my point is, how software interact with hardware DOES NOT change the fact 7950 uses single pci-e slot (w/o needing a SLI mb), therefore its a single solution.

Thank you for backing me up.

Uh, you might want to carefully re-read what he said because he appears to be agreeing with me.

..... exactly why I said "if you think basic knowledge of how software interact with hardware is "useless rhetoric", then there is no need for me to explain to you further". You simply won't get it.

 

[stubbo]

I'm new to SLI (except for my old Voodoo SLI setup). I have shied away until now because I have always wanted to have 3D games drawn across multiple monitors.

Now with the 7950, is this possible.

Reading manufacturers manuals it doesn't look like you need to enable SLI in the nVidia drivers, so in theory this removes the obstacle to dual monitor games using this card doesn't it?

By sticking my pair of 21" DVI LCD monitors on this card, Windows would see two video outputs and two seperately scalable desktops. But, would games be able to scale themselves across the two monitors, like the G400 could, using this card.

What does the Dual-Link DVI mean in this case. It kind of intimates this is the case, but I can't find any authoratative comments on the subject.

All previous SLI solutions would not work, and I understand that. But this card blurs the technology boundaries and I (and I dare say many others) will need clarrification of the capabilities.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: stubbo
I'm new to SLI (except for my old Voodoo SLI setup). I have shied away until now because I have always wanted to have 3D games drawn across multiple monitors.

Now with the 7950, is this possible.

Reading manufacturers manuals it doesn't look like you need to enable SLI in the nVidia drivers, so in theory this removes the obstacle to dual monitor games using this card doesn't it?

By sticking my pair of 21" DVI LCD monitors on this card, Windows would see two video outputs and two seperately scalable desktops. But, would games be able to scale themselves across the two monitors, like the G400 could, using this card.

What does the Dual-Link DVI mean in this case. It kind of intimates this is the case, but I can't find any authoratative comments on the subject.

All previous SLI solutions would not work, and I understand that. But this card blurs the technology boundaries and I (and I dare say many others) will need clarrification of the capabilities.

Apparently dual monitors don't work when SLI is enabled if IIRC. It will work when SLI is not enabled but then you don't get the added performance.

You know if I had money I would actually buy 2 7900GTs instead of this card.

 

[BFG10K]

Exactly what went through my mind when you said you consider 7950gx a 1 1/2 solution

Except I never said that, you're simply playing your childish rhetorical games because you have no case.

and software (SLI driver) can be manipulated through programming to "see" the 2 GPUs as 10 or 20, would you then consider 7950 a 10/20 card solution?

No it can't because there are only two GPUs. If you have evidence to suggest otherwise I'd like to see it, otherwise your nonsensical hyperbole is just that.

my point is, how software interact with hardware DOES NOT change the fact 7950 uses single pci-e slot (w/o needing a SLI mb), therefore its a single solution.

And my point is counting the number of sockets/slots to determine if something is single or multi is quite a simpleton thing to do; likewise claiming that the software implemention is meaningless.

exactly why I said "if you think basic knowledge of how software interact with hardware is "useless rhetoric", then there is no need for me to explain to you further". You simply won't get it.

Do you even read what you reply to?

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Sonikku
lol. Looking at this poll I'm willing to bet it's only the Nvidia fanboys that actually believe this is a single card, just so they can say Nvidia has a "card" that is superior to the X1900XT. Meh.

I Voted Single card because it uses a slingle 16X slot just as the 7800GT dual cards before it. Since it takes up the same ammount of space as a X1900XTX does that make the XTX a a dual graphics card. Now agreed its not a Single GPU card but seeing how that never stopped GPU manufacturers in the a Past (ATI and 3Dfx(RIP) I am looking at you) without any debate (infact the 5500 was beloved by alot of people) I am surprised anyone is making a debate about this. What would you want a manufacturer do? Admit they failed stop selling anything all together and just wait till next gen? You should be happy Nvidia keeps pushing the limits instead of just settling.

 

[josh6079]

I think this best sums it up.

What happened to make the 7950GX2 the 7950GX2

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

and software (SLI driver) can be manipulated through programming to "see" the 2 GPUs as 10 or 20, would you then consider 7950 a 10/20 card solution?

No it can't because there are only two GPUs. If you have evidence to suggest otherwise I'd like to see it, otherwise your nonsensical hyperbole is just that.

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data. Therefore, it is possible to program SLI to make 4 portions of data distribution, 1 go to 1 GPU, 3 go to the other GPU.

my point is, how software interact with hardware DOES NOT change the fact 7950 uses single pci-e slot (w/o needing a SLI mb), therefore its a single solution.

And my point is counting the number of sockets/slots to determine if something is single or multi is quite a simpleton thing to do; likewise claiming that the software implemention is meaningless.

might seem simpleton to you, but it is the truth.
software implementation IS pointless to hardware. hardware doesn't see software, it sees only data( or electrons).

 

[ItsAlive]

I think this just gives ATI more of an incentive to just move to 45nm and place 2 cores on one PCB thereby destroying anything NV or SLI can achieve . Then to take it one step further they could slap two of those together on 1 PCI-e slot and run it in Xfire

Then they need to figure a way to drop it to a $200 price point.
I can dream cant I?

 

[pakigang]

I see it as a card that takes 1 pci-e slot, hence single slot card physically.

 

[BFG10K]

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data.

Yes, it distributes it to two GPUs. Not to one. Not to four. Not to ten. To two.

That's because it's two GPUs using one PCIe slot.

Therefore, it is possible to program SLI to make 4 portions of data distribution, 1 go to 1 GPU, 3 go to the other GPU.

Irrelevant; there are still two GPUs on that single-socket board and it needs the SLI driver path to operate properly.

If you disable SLI and force the software to treat it as a single GPU it doesn't work properly, much like a uniprocessor HAL will not take advantage of a dual-core CPU because it isn't a single CPU.

might seem simpleton to you, but it is the truth.
software implementation IS pointless to hardware. hardware doesn't see software, it sees only data( or electrons).

Okay, so if you plug two microwaves into a single wall socket by use of dual-adapter you would class them as one appliance given the hardware "can only see electrons" and because the Microwaves collectively only use one socket?

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: beggerking
it sees only data( or electrons).

wow...all this time I thought it only saw neutrons

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
Okay, so if you plug two microwaves into a single wall socket by use of dual-adapter you would class them as one appliance given the hardware "can only see electrons" and because the Microwaves collectively only use one socket?

Of course Begger would...he lives in another dimension with SUPER Microwaves and electrons flowing around his head like a halo.

 

[ForumMaster]

it's two cards and it sucks even worse cause of the lower core and memory speeds. and there is less bandwidth for each GPU. SLI two 7900GT's and you'll get better performance for the same cost imo.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data.

Yes, it distributes it to two GPUs. Not to one. Not to four. Not to ten. To two.

That's because it's two GPUs using one PCIe slot.

Therefore, it is possible to program SLI to make 4 portions of data distribution, 1 go to 1 GPU, 3 go to the other GPU.

Irrelevant; there are still two GPUs on that single-socket board and it needs the SLI driver path to operate properly.

If you disable SLI and force the software to treat it as a single GPU it doesn't work properly, much like a uniprocessor HAL will not take advantage of a dual-core CPU because it isn't a single CPU.

might seem simpleton to you, but it is the truth.
software implementation IS pointless to hardware. hardware doesn't see software, it sees only data( or electrons).

Okay, so if you plug two microwaves into a single wall socket by use of dual-adapter you would class them as one appliance given the hardware "can only see electrons" and because the Microwaves collectively only use one socket?

Bad analogy. You can use the microwave ovens separately. You cannot use an individual part of the 7950GX2. It is one unit, 2pcb's, one slot.

How about this guys, the people who want it to be a single card solution gets their wish. "Yes, the 7950GX2 is the fastest single card solution."

And the folks who want it to be two individual cards get their wish, "Yes, the 7950GX2 counts as two cards and cannot ever be considered the fastest single card solution on the market."

There, now everyone is happy. :roll:

EDIT: Oh, here is a piece of the summary from Xbits recent review of the 7950GX2:

"Still, compared with the GeForce 7900 GX2, which can hardly be used (and is not even available) outside the ready quad SLI systems, the new GeForce 7950 GX2 is a huge step forward. The new Nvidia graphics accelerator is quite compact in size to fit into a standard PC case, boasts unique performance for a single graphics card and supports FSAA modes that have always been the privilege of expensive SLI and CrossFire systems. Moreover, it has quite a bit of potential to be used within a quad SLI platform later on and thus to ensure an even higher level of performance."

Well, at least we know Xbit thinks its a single card solution. Feel free to disagree of course.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data.

Yes, it distributes it to two GPUs. Not to one. Not to four. Not to ten. To two.

OMG! you just don't get it, do it!?

SLI sees 16 PCI-e lanes, distribute data through 16 PCI-e lanes, SOFTWARE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HARDWARE!!!!!

 

[josh6079]

Like BFG said, from a hardware standpoint, it is one card, from software standpoint, it is two.

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: BFG10K

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data.

Yes, it distributes it to two GPUs. Not to one. Not to four. Not to ten. To two.

OMG! you just don't get it, do it!?

SLI sees 16 PCI-e lanes, distribute data through 16 PCI-e lanes, SOFTWARE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HARDWARE!!!!!

Thanks for the laugh!! I'm going to make that my sig!!

 

[imported_goku]

As much as I'd like to say it's a single card solution, it's really two cards. Just because it occupies 1 PCIe slot, doesn't make it a single card solution, this and the fact that it has to run in SLI, it makes it two cards.

 

[atom]

I can't believe I read through this whole stupid thread and the only thing I really learned is: don't argue with beggerking.

I think a lot of people are stuck on the fact that they can physically see two distinct PCB's. The same people would probably vote a dual core CPU as a single CPU regardless of the contradiction. Personally, I consider a dual core CPU as a single unit so I consider the GX2 a single unit.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: josh6079

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: BFG10K

Sli doesn't see # of GPU, it only distributes data.

Yes, it distributes it to two GPUs. Not to one. Not to four. Not to ten. To two.

OMG! you just don't get it, do it!?

SLI sees 16 PCI-e lanes, distribute data through 16 PCI-e lanes, SOFTWARE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HARDWARE!!!!!

Thanks for the laugh!! I'm going to make that my sig!!

[/quote]

Never seen you say anything technical, my guess is , you simply have nothing technical to say because you simply don't know anything.

to say "software sees 2 GPUs" is simply.. idiotic from a technical point of view.

by the way Josh, the way you had to post flame in your sig is simply pathetic and gay.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: beggerking
Never seen you say anything technical, my guess is , you simply have nothing technical to say because you simply don't know anything.

to say "software sees 2 GPUs" is simply.. idiotic from a technical point of view.

by the way Josh, the way you had to post flame in your sig is simply pathetic and gay.

Why don't you post a link or something that says somewhat the same thing that you're saying?? I'd like to see someone more involved with NVidia/ATI say the same thing that you're saying.

You're talking like you're an NVidia engineer who wrote the SLI drivers(Did you??? I doubt it)...always trying to prove to other people you have more technical knowledge although you never actually prove anything...

 

[redbox]

Beggerking, I would also like you to use the link button, but given your past posting history(i.e. the lack of using the edit button) I doubt that will happen in my lifetime.

Please post proof. If you are going to attack someone because they don't have as much knowledge as you do, then I would like to see some of your 'knowledge'.

I am not going to disagree yet because I have very little knowledge when it comes to software utilization. I would, however, like you to provide this knowledge and maybe educate me.

That would provide a worth while discussion instead of one marked by flames.

For a final point please when replying to this message, try very hard not to cry about how this person or that person is doing it too. It's not very becoming of such an intellect as yours.

Thank you.

 

[imported_Crusader]

Originally posted by: atom
I can't believe I read through this whole stupid thread and the only thing I really learned is: don't argue with beggerking.

I think a lot of people are stuck on the fact that they can physically see two distinct PCB's. The same people would probably vote a dual core CPU as a single CPU regardless of the contradiction. Personally, I consider a dual core CPU as a single unit so I consider the GX2 a single unit.

Yup. I tried to use that analogy but the ATI fanboys want it to definitely NOT be considered fair game vs the now very slow, loud and hot X1900XTX.

Unfortunately with a single GX2 (no BFG.. its not "I'm going to order me up a 7950GX2's!!! YEEHAW!"), Nvidia is stomping all over ATIs mediocre engineering.

19x12 in FEAR anyone?

Cracks me up, even X1900 Crossfire getting absolutely pummelled out by a 10FPS margin.
Dongle, Crossfire motherboard, 2 loud hot cards that require a dedicated nuclear reactor to power and still getting smacked around. All by a single card that works on any chipset with less heat/power/noise.

Arguments or not, Nvidia is now the undisputed champion.
Hail to the king baby.

 

[redbox]

Originally posted by: Crusader

Originally posted by: atom
I can't believe I read through this whole stupid thread and the only thing I really learned is: don't argue with beggerking.

I think a lot of people are stuck on the fact that they can physically see two distinct PCB's. The same people would probably vote a dual core CPU as a single CPU regardless of the contradiction. Personally, I consider a dual core CPU as a single unit so I consider the GX2 a single unit.

Yup. I tried to use that analogy but the ATI fanboys want it to definitely NOT be considered fair game vs the now very slow, loud and hot X1900XTX.

Unfortunately with a single GX2 (no BFG.. its not "I'm going to order me up a 7950GX2's!!! YEEHAW!"), Nvidia is stomping all over ATIs mediocre engineering.

19x12 in FEAR anyone?

Cracks me up, even X1900 Crossfire getting absolutely pummelled out by a 10FPS margin.
Dongle, Crossfire motherboard, 2 loud hot cards that require a dedicated nuclear reactor to power and still getting smacked around. All by a single card that works on any chipset with less heat/power/noise.

Arguments or not, Nvidia is now the undisputed champion.
Hail to the king baby.

Really now I didn't know I could use it on my NF2 chipset. I guess I can though since you said this 7950GX2 works on any chipset. Or where you being too generalized I can't tell any MORE between the words MOST and ANY and PEOPLE. Will you please be specific.