To SLi or Not To SLi That Is The Question

[Uncle_Ho]

I am building a new system based on Socket AM2. Is SLi worth the extra $$$? And if so whats better Nvidia SLi or ATi Crossfire?
I havent kept up with new tech for the past year and a half so help me out.................

My Current System is:
Athlon 3400+ socket 754 Newcastle
DFI Lanparty UT nf250gb
1.5 gig Corsair DDR400 2-2-2
500 Watt Antec ps
2x80gb Seagate SATA's
2xPlexor DVDRW's SATA's
250 gb Seagate IDE

I will prob sell that one or part it out on Ebay after I put the new one together

[FozzyBear]

NOT much help.........


I have NVIDIA, but not running in dual. Nice board otherwise. :thumbsup:


A8N-SLI deluxe by ASUS

[kilroy0097]

At this point since the future of video cards is a bit uncertain. Will they go to dual core processors on video cards? Will the SLI trend remain? etc.

Hence my solution to it is to get a modern mainboard that is SLI compliant. This way I can always just use one video card but I always have the option for two if I choose to do so. So I would get an SLI motherboard just in case.

[BigToe]

NOT much help.........


I have NVIDIA, but not running in dual. Nice board otherwise. :thumbsup:


A8N-SLI deluxe by ASUS

I have one also. I got mine right before DDR 2 ram came out and this board doesn't support it. I'm running 2 BFG 7800's and I've over clocked them.

Use an intel Processor, get yourself DDR2 ram and a good videocard like the 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E, you'll be happy with that.

[Smurf]

I have one also. I got mine right before DDR 2 ram came out and this board doesn't support it. I'm running 2 BFG 7800's and I've over clocked them.

Use an intel Processor, get yourself DDR2 ram and a good videocard like the 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E, you'll be happy with that.

I'd agree with that, with a GPU like the 8800GTX, it makes even the most demanding tasks seem simple. I also agree on the Intel processor... Especially with their recent price drops, they offer a better bang for your buck.

[Uncle_Ho]

I already bought two socket AM2's so I am committed already:smack:

Now its just a matter of Motherboards

And still reading up on Nvidia SLi vs ATI Crossfire :ak: :sniper:

After those two choices its just a matter of throwing it all together:beer:
I have always been an AMD man I like the under dog thats why I always play the enemy or is that enema? I cant ever remember:dunno:

UPDATE
I have decided to do an Nvidia based system on the 590 SLI chipset prob one of these boards

BFG NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP

XFX MB-N590ASH9 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP

EVGA 122-M2-NF59-TR Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP

I will get the vid card from the same MFG as the mobo I end up with

Anyone have or know someone that has any of the above? I have looked on most of the tech sites and its a toss up so far on paper they are all about the same with a different name on them.

[Drayu]

go with one uber card or a x2 card, SLI will fade away.

[SLCoran]

Running 7800GTX SLI and I haven't found a game yet I can't run on full graphic. Medieval 2 is my current eye candy.

[hank123]

I'd agree with that, with a GPU like the 8800GTX, it makes even the most demanding tasks seem simple. I also agree on the Intel processor... Especially with their recent price drops, they offer a better bang for your buck.

are you on crack? AMD is a much better value then Intel. Look at the prices of AMD over intel.

With intel you pay a min 2 times as much for what? Something thats a little faster?
I would buy AMD and spend the left over money that you would have spent on a intel chip and buy more ram. That would pull better benchmarks for the money spent.

As for the SLI mode, I was thinking about running SLI. After tons of reading and looking at stats i would rather spend the money on a 8800GTX. Over all you get more FPS on a 8800GTX over 2 7900GTs.
not only that but with a 8800GTX you can run DX10.


DONT RUN SLI TO MUCH MONEY!
good job on buying a AMD MoBo.

AS for the chip set all that you listed look good to me. I would just read the reviews on all the boards. If they look the same flip a 3 sided coin.

as for your processor AM2 chip are you getting?

[StevenNevets]

SLI motherboards cost more and while it's good if you want to build the most extreme-end system with 2 of the best video card out in the long run it's ussualy not worth it.
One high-end is the best choice imo, now that would be a X1950XT or 8800 GTS (whatever they call them). It realy depends on if you care for Vista and DX10 or not.


AMD is deffintly better for value if your looking at the lower dual-core models, X2 4200 vs. E6300 - small performence gain with the E6300 yet with the pricey CPU and motherboard it ends up costing a lot more, not even close to justifying the small performence gain in most cases.

Yet if you are going to overclock and/or want something even faster then the higher C2D CPUs, mainly the E6600 becomes a good choice.


Another thing to consider is upgrading. Intel is starting to come out with 4-8 core CPUs or atleast working on them. I've heard they'll be compatible with C2D motherboards and Intel has been doing great lately so you can pretty much count on it. AMD is also working on AM3 compatible CPUs but there supposed to be compatible with AM2 motherboards at the loss of a couple little AM3 boost features (almost like running 8800gtx in DX9, loose little features but still should be strong in performence). There's been little info coming from AMD which makes the CPUs appearance questionable but at the same time I dought this billion(s) dollar company is going to slip. They must be doing something.

[Mad5cout]

go with one uber card or a x2 card, SLI will fade away.

Agreed. If you had to choose between crossfire and SLI, I would go SLI. But why not just get one of the dual cards?

[StevenNevets]

Agreed. If you had to choose between crossfire and SLI, I would go SLI. But why not just get one of the dual cards?How many dual cards are there?

[Smurf]

are you on crack? AMD is a much better value then Intel. Look at the prices of AMD over intel.


Erm... No, I just looked at this: http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/12325

Intel just slashed prices, they are not twice as high anymore, not even close.

Nevets, I think the Geforce 7900 GX2 is the only dual care.

Also, to stay on topic. Those are all good picks for mobos. Let us know what your final build is.

[StevenNevets]

For less then the cost of an E6300 you can get... (look at 1st combo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036&SubCategory=343&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1


So he seems pretty set on AM2 anyway, just questionable on SLI.

[SLCoran]

Caution on the 8800GTX, my friend has one and has since found out about a hardware flaw with the 3D rendering or something. Do some research before you pick this up.

The 7950GTX is a dual card.

[Uncle_Ho]

Well, Like I said, I have commited to the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103741). thats to start, after a few hundred trips to the blood bank and the other bank I will prob step up in the 5000 series.

Now its the motherboard to think on. I thought about those I listed ^^back there but I am still thinking on the Crossfire 3200 ATI chip boards. I really like what I read about Crossfire. And since I like AMD it only make sense to go with ATI as they are one in the same now.

I dont want to spend a billion bucks just looking for a frame rate that will stop me getting killed by the guys that roll in mid air with a sniper rifle while getting a one shot kill on me from a half mile away :upyours: , or the ones that bunny hop endlessly and then kill me with a pistol from a mile away:flipoff: . By the way wich unlock sniper rifle is it that shoots from one side of the map to the other? :lol: OOPS never mind the last few rants they arent for this thread................:wallbash:

Anyway back to my point Nvidia 590 SLI or ATI 3200 Crossfire thats my next decision :dunno:

The Ho Has Spoken:rockon:

Oh Yeah, I am going to only buy one video card any way, at least thats what my wife is telling me...............................:slap:

[hank123]

nvida much better software

[SLCoran]

nvida much better software
Agreed

[GorroXXII]

I just bought two 7900GT's and am looking to do this on my AMD rig.

[StevenNevets]

nvida much better softwareYep, SLI > Crossfire overall.

For single cards ATI has better value though (just like the X2 vs. Conroe) and the drivers are fine.

[JustMeBF2]

Well, Like I said, I have commited to the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103741). thats to start, after a few hundred trips to the blood bank and the other bank I will prob step up in the 5000 series.



Anyway back to my point Nvidia 590 SLI or ATI 3200 Crossfire thats my next decision :dunno:

The Ho Has Spoken:rockon:

Oh Yeah, I am going to only buy one video card any way, at least thats what my wife is telling me...............................:slap:


The only upgrade on CPU I would look at would be to go from the present cpu with 2x512mg L2 to 2x1gig L2 like on this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103759

On the motherboard go with the nvidia north bridge.
I don't want to start a nvidia vs ati war. But in my experience both are good. I say nvidia since I would suggest a nvidia 8600- 8800 video card.

Asus video card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121068



OR
Evga video card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

[StevenNevets]

X19 series for cheaper, good performence, no D10 cards
8800 series for more expensive, great performence, DX10 cards


The 8600 is cheap for a reason
http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/8600%20launch_04160760452/14461.png

[hank123]

X19 series for cheaper, good performence, no D10 cards
8800 series for more expensive, great performence, DX10 cards


The 8600 is cheap for a reason
http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/8600%20launch_04160760452/14461.png

ya dude look at the memory interface

Memory Interface 128-bit

its not a TRUE DX10 card. drop the money and get a 320mb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

with memory interface of 320. A TRUE DX10 card

[Uncle_Ho]

WELL after all the postings and research and advice here is what I got:

Motherboard
Sapphire Pure Advantage A9RD580Adv Crossfire Xpress 3200 Socket 939
Sapphire x1950xt PCIe 16 (Waiting on santa Snake for the new ATI card)
Coolmax 550 EPS Crossfire certified PCIe ps
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2 Socket 939
2-gig Corsair XMS 2-2-2 DDR400 (Left Over From My 754 DFI)
Dual 80 gig Seagate Barracuda SATA HD's
One 200 Gig WD IDE
Antec SOHO Tower with 6 case fans
20" Samsung Syncmaster LCD monitor

I decided to go ATI becouse I like them, Started out with a ATI Radeon 9700 pro agp in my old Alienware Area 51 and loved it.
Nvidia always gives me a pain in my wallet

I realize that Socket 939 is DEAD TECH but I got the MOBO and Processor cheap. So I am in this system cheap and can go AM2 socket latter and re-use my periferals(Huked On Fonikcs Werked For Me)
I will be running Windows XP Pro since I am currently using VISTA on my wifes computer and jumping up and down on the install disk for it at least 10 times a day. Would use XP Pro 64 bit but there are driver issues with my network hardware.

I have a pair of Sapphire x800 GTO PCIe cards I may try them together to see how they do. If they suck I will use the 1950 alone

[StevenNevets]

On Newegg AM2 cpu is cheaper and motherboards are probobly around the same price too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000343%201050717007&Description=AMD%20Athlon%2064%203800%20x2&bop=And&Order=PRICE



Carrying over the ram is one reason to stay 939 but otherwise you should go AM2. Slightly faster and future proccessors are supposed to be compatible with AM2 mobos.

[SLCoran]

I found 8800gts's this weekend for $300 and I almost bought 2 then I remembered the problems my friend had with his.

[hank123]

WELL after all the postings and research and advice here is what I got:

Motherboard
Sapphire Pure Advantage A9RD580Adv Crossfire Xpress 3200 Socket 939
Sapphire x1950xt PCIe 16 (Waiting on santa Snake for the new ATI card)
Coolmax 550 EPS Crossfire certified PCIe ps
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2 Socket 939
2-gig Corsair XMS 2-2-2 DDR400 (Left Over From My 754 DFI)
Dual 80 gig Seagate Barracuda SATA HD's
One 200 Gig WD IDE
Antec SOHO Tower with 6 case fans
20" Samsung Syncmaster LCD monitor

I decided to go ATI becouse I like them, Started out with a ATI Radeon 9700 pro agp in my old Alienware Area 51 and loved it.
Nvidia always gives me a pain in my wallet

I realize that Socket 939 is DEAD TECH but I got the MOBO and Processor cheap. So I am in this system cheap and can go AM2 socket latter and re-use my periferals(Huked On Fonikcs Werked For Me)
I will be running Windows XP Pro since I am currently using VISTA on my wifes computer and jumping up and down on the install disk for it at least 10 times a day. Would use XP Pro 64 bit but there are driver issues with my network hardware.

I have a pair of Sapphire x800 GTO PCIe cards I may try them together to see how they do. If they suck I will use the 1950 alone

939 big mistake

come on man you can get a good AM2 board and even run the FX stuff in the future.

[kilroy0097]

New Radeon ATI x2900XT go for a bit cheaper than the GeForce 8800GTS and have higher FPS. Not as much as the 8800GTX but expect faster memory and perhaps better performance when they release the 2900XTX later on this year.

[Uncle_Ho]

$42 with shipping for my mobo war cheap
$77 for my processor with shipping Toledo core

939 with a chipset that will let my vid cards run at full throttle when I use two
I know its dead tech but it is CHEAP and FAST and most bang for the buck
I get to use my 2-2-2 Corsair that I already had and If I go Crossfire I already got that covered with my two 800 GTO's or more likley I will just use the 1950xt I got for a whopping $99

Total out of pocket 43+77+99+35(PSU) = $254 and I bet it will benchmark faster that my DFI Lanparty/ 3400+ 2.4 GHz/6800GT
Actually my old stuff will prob sell for more than the new stuff cost me..........................

Anyway

THE HO HAS SPOKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!

[sir_digalot]

well since my current mobo is taking an intersting if annoying turn for the worst, i am retiring it for nowand getting a new one for a little under $90 on ebay i got an asus p5n32 sli board, and a buddy of mine is giving me an additional 7900gs to go with mine ( we swap parts all the time) so i will be going sli for a while, until i find something better to do....

since i was going to spend about $50 on a normal mobo the extra money for SLI is not really an issue... it will be an intersting experiment

[hank123]

is that 939 socket or AM2 on that ASUS mobo?