X850XT vs. 7800GT in SLI

Nromncr

Member
Oct 9, 2005
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All, I am thinking about upgrading my computer. Currently I have an ATI X800XT and am looking at moving towards an SLI setup.

I'm thinking about going with the 7800GT in SLI Mode but am wondering if I am wondering how much of a benefit I will see?

Also, the cards I'm looking at are all PCI Express x16. In order to do SLI, I would need a motherboard with two 16x PCI-E Slots, right?
 

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
10,084
4
76
Originally posted by: Nromncr
All, I am thinking about upgrading my computer. Currently I have an ATI X800XT and am looking at moving towards an SLI setup.

I'm thinking about going with the 7800GT in SLI Mode but am wondering if I am wondering how much of a benefit I will see?

Also, the cards I'm looking at are all PCI Express x16. In order to do SLI, I would need a motherboard with two 16x PCI-E Slots, right?

huh...there is no SLi in ATi, only cross-fire which is not out yet to the public.
 

Nromncr

Member
Oct 9, 2005
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Sorry, my mistake.

I currently have a single X850XT and am looking to venture into the world of SLI by going to two 7800GT's.

It's going to require a huge upgrade though, going to a 3800 X2 socket 939.
 

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
10,084
4
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Originally posted by: Nromncr
Sorry, my mistake.

I currently have a single X850XT and am looking to venture into the world of SLI by going to two 7800GT's.

It's going to require a huge upgrade though, going to a 3800 X2 socket 939.

ok then. One question...SLi is great for 1600x1200 resolution or higher. Anything lower than that is useless for an SLi setup from many people's standpoint. You could grab a 7800GT or even a 7800GTX and still be happy about it. Saved yourself 500 bux
 

Dman877

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2004
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Newegg has crossfire cards in stock, they'rw a bit pricey though. I think you buy the X850 crossifre control card and then pair it with any other X850. Only thing is the X8 series is limited to 16x12@60 hz iirc.
 

Nromncr

Member
Oct 9, 2005
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Originally posted by: Powermoloch

ok then. One question...SLi is great for 1600x1200 resolution or higher. Anything lower than that is useless for an SLi setup from many people's standpoint. You could grab a 7800GT or even a 7800GTX and still be happy about it. Saved yourself 500 bux

Ah ok. See, I have a Dell 210xFP LCD monitor that has a native resolution of 1600x1200. It drives me nuts to have to look at anything lower than 16x12 because the textures and fonts are all fuzzy.

So, in your opinion, would I benefit from having the SLI setup with this monitor?

 

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
10,084
4
76
Originally posted by: Nromncr
Originally posted by: Powermoloch

ok then. One question...SLi is great for 1600x1200 resolution or higher. Anything lower than that is useless for an SLi setup from many people's standpoint. You could grab a 7800GT or even a 7800GTX and still be happy about it. Saved yourself 500 bux

Ah ok. See, I have a Dell 210xFP LCD monitor that has a native resolution of 1600x1200. It drives me nuts to have to look at anything lower than 16x12 because the textures and fonts are all fuzzy.

So, in your opinion, would I benefit from having the SLI setup with this monitor?

Yes, certainly.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Originally posted by: Nromncr
Originally posted by: Powermoloch

ok then. One question...SLi is great for 1600x1200 resolution or higher. Anything lower than that is useless for an SLi setup from many people's standpoint. You could grab a 7800GT or even a 7800GTX and still be happy about it. Saved yourself 500 bux

Ah ok. See, I have a Dell 210xFP LCD monitor that has a native resolution of 1600x1200. It drives me nuts to have to look at anything lower than 16x12 because the textures and fonts are all fuzzy.

So, in your opinion, would I benefit from having the SLI setup with this monitor?

I would think you would be fine with your current X800XT. I currently run dual monitor(23" LCD @ 1900x1200 and 19" CRT @ 1600x1200) w/ my X800XL. And I'm also able to play BF2 @ 1600x1200, med settings @ 60fps.

 

Sunrise089

Senior member
Aug 30, 2005
882
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71
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: Nromncr
Originally posted by: Powermoloch

ok then. One question...SLi is great for 1600x1200 resolution or higher. Anything lower than that is useless for an SLi setup from many people's standpoint. You could grab a 7800GT or even a 7800GTX and still be happy about it. Saved yourself 500 bux

Ah ok. See, I have a Dell 210xFP LCD monitor that has a native resolution of 1600x1200. It drives me nuts to have to look at anything lower than 16x12 because the textures and fonts are all fuzzy.

So, in your opinion, would I benefit from having the SLI setup with this monitor?

I would think you would be fine with your current X800XT. I currently run dual monitor(23" LCD @ 1900x1200 and 19" CRT @ 1600x1200) w/ my X800XL. And I'm also able to play BF2 @ 1600x1200, med settings @ 60fps.

OP has a X850XT, not X800XT (though he seems to be confused himself). As to the original question - save your $$$. Upgrading from the best of the previous generation to the second best of this generation is foolish. Give it six more months.
 

Topweasel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2000
5,437
1,659
136
Originally posted by: Powermoloch
Originally posted by: Nromncr
All, I am thinking about upgrading my computer. Currently I have an ATI X800XT and am looking at moving towards an SLI setup.

I'm thinking about going with the 7800GT in SLI Mode but am wondering if I am wondering how much of a benefit I will see?

Also, the cards I'm looking at are all PCI Express x16. In order to do SLI, I would need a motherboard with two 16x PCI-E Slots, right?

huh...there is no SLi in ATi, only cross-fire which is not out yet to the public.

I know the that your statement was answered later but I have to call you out on this.

The OPs post unedited (and what you quoted) very clearly stated he was looking at a Dual 7800GT setup. It should be common sense to re-read a post if it confuses you, instead of looking like an idiot.

To the OP.

Yes you need a motherboard with dual 16x physical slots, and while future Intel chipsets will work you need a Nforce 4 chipset, either the original SLI version with 16x physical 8x electrical or the new SLI32 with dual electrical 16x slots. But as stated by another poster unless the performance isn't good enough for you I would porbably wait and see what the G72 and R580 perform like before upgrading. Their is a big performance difference between the 2 but for the most part both will handle everything well. Now if you are using a AGP version or can sell your current card, I would say go for it you will love it.

Edit: Under no circumstances should you get a 939 board with AGP. You have a chance to break out of a technilogical barrier don't screw yourself over by making any future high end purchases harder on yourself.