SLI question

[CHiLL]

I have a question about SLI.

I am looking to make my computer SLI, but the current graphics card I have is 'discontinued' in places where I've looked.

I can get it direct from XFX or from eBay.

I have the XFX GeForce 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E card.

I bought the card last October, and I can't find out the model of the card (will something like Everest show this?)

What I want to know, is if I buy another one...and it's a newer/older model of the XFX GeForce 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E, will it work with the current card on SLI?

Also, will a 700W PSU cope with;

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 2.4GHz
4GB DDR2 6400 800MHz Corsair XMS2
2x XFX GeForce 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E
Creative X-FI Xtreme PCI-E
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RMP
Samsung DVD RW
Various fans, such as CPU fan, case fans, etc.

Thanks.

[Graham M]

for the cards I can't answer you as for the power supply, as long as it is efficient enough then there should be no problems on 800W

[CHiLL]

Thanks, I didn't quite expect such a fast reply, though I'm not used to forums which has such a large user base.

Edit; I've just realised that it is a 700W PSU...will it be any different?

sell it and buy a 4870x2 lol

[CHiLL]

I've always been an nVidia boffin, and I've never had any experience with ATI.

I have an nForce motherboard, and I'm guessing I'd have compatability issues if I used ATI cards on that motherboard.

Who're better at the moment, nVidia or ATI?

you would not have compat problems or you should not. The 4870 X2 is 2 gpus on one card and does perform very well

[CHiLL]

Originally Posted by David F

you would not have compat problems or you should not. The 4870 X2 is 2 gpus on one card and does perform very well

Looking on eBay, I could sell this card for around £100 or something.

Would spending another £100 on another 8800GTX be better than spending £200 on 2x ATI's?

Would I get the same/better/worse performance with that budget on ATI or nVidia?

[boroboi]

You cant crossfire ATi cards on an nForce motherboard. You'd need an X38 or X48 intel chipset for that (for 16x16) or you could buy a cheaper P45 (for 8x8) There will be no difference despite the slower slot speeds with the P45.

You'd have no problem running a 4870x2 on an nForce board, just you wont be able to double ATi cards up.

Aslong as the GTX is the same core type (eg. G80) then it will work. It doesnt matter what vendor they're from. The 8800GTX only comes in the G80 flavour anyway so whatever card you pick up, it will work no problem.

The power supply should be fine.

---------- Post added at 19:25 ---------- Previous post was at 19:23 ----------

Originally Posted by chill

Looking on eBay, I could sell this card for around £100 or something.

Would spending another £100 on another 8800GTX be better than spending £200 on 2x ATI's?

Would I get the same/better/worse performance with that budget on ATI or nVidia?

Personally, i'd sell the GTX you have and buy a 4870x2... you'll get much more longetivity out of it. Even in games that don't support crossfire, you'll still see a better improvement using one core over SLI 8800GTX's

[CHiLL]

From what I can see, the 4870's are expensive (in excess of £300). I'm only a student, so I'm fairly limited on cash at the moment. :P

The current computer configuration can play Crysis smoothly on High settings (the only one higher is blanked out), so I'm wondering if it's even worth spending that extra £300 at all.

[boroboi]

Depends what resolution you play in to be honest, but either way a 4870x2 murders 8800GTX SLi in its sleep whatever the situation, apart from in crysis. (CryEngine seems to run better on nvidia hardware, probably a driver issue)

Not only that, but the 4870x2 is a lot more future proof.

[CHiLL]

I'll look into upgrading some time in the near future probably. I need a new motherboard too though. This one doesn't allow much overclocking.

[SMG]

It seems to me that Fire is pushing SLI out. The main mobo producer of SLI boards is, I think, Asus. There arnt many other manufacturers producing them.

On the other hand, I have seen plenty of Crossfire boards.

Of course, the two are incompatible. Doesn't the SLI rely on Nvidea chips? Or am I on the wrong track?

[CHiLL]

Originally Posted by SMG

It seems to me that Fire is pushing SLI out. The main mobo producer of SLI boards is, I think, Asus. There arnt many other manufacturers producing them.

On the other hand, I have seen plenty of Crossfire boards.

Of course, the two are incompatible. Doesn't the SLI rely on Nvidea chips? Or am I on the wrong track?

I believe SLI works best with nVidia, and Crossfire works best with ATI.

What is Fire? Got a link where I can update myself?

you are right. Intel chipsets cover crossfire and crossfireX. Intell chipsets are better with Core cpus

[boroboi]

Originally Posted by David F

you are right. Intel chipsets cover crossfire and crossfireX. Intell chipsets are better with Core cpus

Not the case anymore, well, not for the next generation of boards.

Intel's X58 boards support both Crossfire and SLi natively.