To SLI or Not to SLI --

[Cr0nJ0b]

I'm looking at upgrading my system to AMD64 from P4 and I'll be moving from AGP to PCI-e for video...but I see all this talk about SLI. Looking at the various benchmarks, it looks like a single board can be about as fast as an SLI rig for the same cost. I'm comparing say an x800 with 2 6600s. I don't understand why I would pay more for the Mobo, and deal with the complexity for relatively little cost benefit.

I'm sure that I'll get lots of comments. I'm in the throws of making a decision, so any input will help.

thanks

 

[mwmorph]

for same cost, go single card, preferably nvidia so you have a cheap upgrade card path later. sli is really more for people that want more power than a single card can provide(ex. 2x 6800gt or 2x6800ultra)
for 2x6600gt, it'll be slightly slower to about the same for same or more price. it really is only if you like to say i have sli in my machine man!

 

[Creig]

In my opinion, SLI really only becomes a sensible option if you're running a high resolution (1600x1200 or greater) along with 4x AA/ 8x AF. Anything less than that and a single card solution can provide acceptable framerates.

 

[nitromullet]

mwmorph hit the nail on the head. SLI isn't about getting better performance at the same price, but at gettting the best performance at any price. Alternatively, SLI could possibly be a good way to upgrade an already decent single card rig. That being said, I woudln't recommend going with dual 6600GT's right off the bat, since you can get the same performance out of a sngle 6800GT or X800XL for the same price. If you are considering an SLI setup, I would get a single 6800GT now. Then, when you get the upgrade itch, weigh out whether it makes more sense to get the second 6800GT or simply replace the one you already have with whatever it is that you want at that time.

 

[nRollo]

The only exception I make to the above is if you want hardware WMV acceleration when MS releases their .dll, the 6600GT SLI makes a pretty good alternative to the 6800s.

Close to 6800GT gaming performance at supported games, most complete feature set for video.

 

[Spamdini]

dont sli ATi owns

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Spamdini
dont sli ATi owns

 

[imported_Noob]

Do you have the money or don't have the money?

That is the question.

If you do get it.