Which to buy: X800XT PCI-E or two 6800NU PCI-E's in SLI?

[GoffyDude]

So I just got an A8N-SLI and I'm wondering if I'll get better performance from two 6800NU pci-e's in SLI or a single X800 XT PCI-E (not platinum but i could probably OC it to those speeds).

I'm leaning towards the ATi for simplicity, but I'm guessing that two 6800NU's in SLI would be faster...

What do you guys think?

EDITED for clarity

 

[Todd33]

I like the idea of one lower power, cooler single fast card. SLI is too new, buggy and uncertified. Just wait on it for another year.

Or wait for a 850 XT.

 

[bjc112]

You will def. get better formance out of 2x6800GT over the x800xt.

If you can find either of them 😉 a single 6800GT or X800xt should do fine. Grab a second one down the road..

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: bjc112
You will def. get better formance out of 2x6800GT over the x800xt.

If you can find either of them 😉 a single 6800GT or X800xt should do fine. Grab a second one down the road..

True, but he's asking about 2x6800NU, not 2x6800GT (I think; he asks about a "vanilla" 6800 in his topic title, which is not very specific).

I suspect performance would be somewhat higher with two 6800NUs -- but you might start to be bandwidth-limited with AA/AF enabled, since they only run the memory at 350Mhz on those cards (as opposed to 500-600Mhz on the GT/Ultra). It's hard to say.

I have to say I'd want to wait a bit given the complexity of SLI and the fact that it's still very new. But that's just me. If you're going to get an SLI board, I'd go with a single 6800GT for now.

 

[Todd33]

If you can find a PCIe 6800GT go for it. Otherwise a X800XT now and whatever later.

 

[Kalessian]

Why haven't I heard of 6800nu's in SLi at all?

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: GoffyDude
So I just got an A8N-SLI and I'm wondering if I'll get better performance from two 6800NU pci-e's in SLI or a single X800 XT PCI-E (not platinum but i could probably OC it to those speeds).

I'm leaning towards the ATi for simplicity, but I'm guessing that two 6800NU's in SLI would be faster...

What do you guys think?

EDITED for clarity

nV has stated that you cannot run 6800NU in SLI. Only 6800U, 6800GT, and 6600GT. PDF

Theoretically, all of the NV45/43 cards should be able to do it, but nV isn't allowing that to happen at the moment.

But some manufacturers are putting it in their specs. See MSI here.

I would suggest that anyone interested in SLI to tread carefully and probably stick with this list.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel

Originally posted by: GoffyDude
So I just got an A8N-SLI and I'm wondering if I'll get better performance from two 6800NU pci-e's in SLI or a single X800 XT PCI-E (not platinum but i could probably OC it to those speeds).

I'm leaning towards the ATi for simplicity, but I'm guessing that two 6800NU's in SLI would be faster...

What do you guys think?

EDITED for clarity

nV has stated that you cannot run 6800NU in SLI. Only 6800U, 6800GT, and 6600GT. PDF

Theoretically, all of the NV45/43 cards should be able to do it, but nV isn't allowing that to happen at the moment.

That was from last August, probably before they had even announced the PCIe 6800NUs (there was apparently some doubt for a while if they would even release them, or just go with the 6600GT). The PCIe 6800NUs have SLI connectors, and AFAIK they should work in SLI mode on an appropriate motherboard.

Edit: Here's another NVIDIA page where they list the "GeForce 6800" (as well as the 6800GT and 6800Ultra) as supporting SLI: SLI homepage

I would suggest that anyone interested in SLI to tread carefully and probably stick with this list.

Solid advice. Doing research is always a good thing.

 

[nRollo]

Technically the PCIE 6800 isn't the same as a 6800NU, or even a PCIE 6800GT or Ultra.

It's a nV41 PCIe native chip, and capable of SLI.

As no one is reviewing them (wake up you fricking reviewers! with two 6800NUs costing $650 some of us would really like to see how they perform in SLI?!?!?!?) this is a tough call.

X800XT is a sweet card, but the 6800s have the potential to pound it at some games and settings.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-127-149&depa=0

Running SLI without OC 3D Mark 2005 6285pts, OC to 400/750 running 24 hours stable, 3D mark 2005 went up to 7786pts!

 

[Gamingphreek]

I agree with Matthias.

However, i would not just get the ATI and stick it in for now if you want to wait like some are suggesting. YOu just got an SLI based board and your going to stick a Radeon (Non-SLI Card) in there. Why in Gods name did you just get an SLI board then. No i would advise to get 1x 6800GT and wait until later when prices fall a little and get another.

-Kevin

 

[SaberDicer]

1 6800GT would be best, but an x800xt would still be an excellent choice.

 

[GoffyDude]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
I agree with Matthias.

However, i would not just get the ATI and stick it in for now if you want to wait like some are suggesting. YOu just got an SLI based board and your going to stick a Radeon (Non-SLI Card) in there. Why in Gods name did you just get an SLI board then. No i would advise to get 1x 6800GT and wait until later when prices fall a little and get another.

-Kevin

I got an SLI board because it was the only Nforce4 Ultra board that had the features I wanted that was in stock.

 

[nRollo]

Goffy- get the 6800NUs in SLI.

If for no other reason, you will be the hero of very many people who will want to see your benchmarks to see the performance of the only <$1000) SLI combo available.