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SLI, Worth it or not?

Remote_zero

Remote_zero

Remote_zero

Associate
Joined
14 Sep 2012
Posts
298
Location
Boston
Hi guys, I've been choosing components for my first build and I need to decide on a PSU, the main factor seems to be weather I plan on a dual GPU setup in the future.
I've been reading up on SLI and it seems to come with no end of problems, the majority view appears to be that it is not worth it.
I'm planning on getting a GTX670, probably the gigabyte windforce, so I wouldn't need any extra power for quiet a while. When that time comes do you think getting a second card will be better than selling the 670 and getting a shiny new single card?
 
I prefer just one beastly card, then sell and get another beastly card. Nothing wrong with investing in a great power supply though my 600w is fine for 7970 and 3570k overclocked.

Though I may be pushing it hehe.
 
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I'd stick with one card unless you want your electric bill to go up a lot, get loads of heat problems inside your case and have countless driver problems
 
Remote_zero said:
Hi guys, I've been choosing components for my first build and I need to decide on a PSU, the main factor seems to be weather I plan on a dual GPU setup in the future.
I've been reading up on SLI and it seems to come with no end of problems, the majority view appears to be that it is not worth it.
I'm planning on getting a GTX670, probably the gigabyte windforce, so I wouldn't need any extra power for quiet a while. When that time comes do you think getting a second card will be better than selling the 670 and getting a shiny new single card?
Click to expand...

Sli normally works quite well (for me anyway). The best way to do it though is with 2 high end cards of the same type ie GTX 670/80/90. If you try it with low end cards you can end up with things like low minimum frame rates (sli is only as good as its weakest link).

If you get a GTX 670, on its own it may enough (its a powerful card). It would be a wise move to get a PSU that can do SLI as you may be temped to go sli or tri sli in the future (you may want to use 3 monitors for example).
 
Depends what you want out of your set up, for me it is worth it.

If you only plan to use a 1080 monitor then its probably not worth it.

As above a decent PSU gives you the option for a later upgrade.

Sli problems are few and far between with the 6xx series cards,
also you shouldn't believe all you read(IMO)
 
whyscotty said:
also you shouldn't believe all you read(IMO)
Click to expand...
I completely agree, that's why I thought I'd ask you guys. But now I'm not sure if I should believe you.

I think you've helped, i seriously doubt I'll ever have more than one monitor or be gaming on silly resolutions. So I guess I'll stick with a lower wattage PSU, can probably spend a bit more on it that way too.
Now I just have to decide which brand to pick, lol.
Thanks a lot guys.
 
Remote_zero said:
I completely agree, that's why I thought I'd ask you guys. But now I'm not sure if I should believe you.

I think you've helped, i seriously doubt I'll ever have more than one monitor or be gaming on silly resolutions. So I guess I'll stick with a lower wattage PSU, can probably spend a bit more on it that way too.
Now I just have to decide which brand to pick, lol.
Thanks a lot guys.
Click to expand...

If you look at "whyscotty's" rig, you'll see he is using SLI so you should believe him :D. Plus he posts the performances he gets, not what he wants. His advice is trusted around here.

If you've no plans for SLI and are happy at the resolutions you play at then as you said, "spend a bit less on the PSU and more elsewhere".
 
I was thinking about spending the same on the PSU, but getting a better model.
But I don't think that discussion has any place in a graphics card thread.
You guys are great, I'm so glad I found this site.
 
more info
Remote_zero said:
I completely agree, that's why I thought I'd ask you guys. But now I'm not sure if I should believe you.

I think you've helped, i seriously doubt I'll ever have more than one monitor or be gaming on silly resolutions. So I guess I'll stick with a lower wattage PSU, can probably spend a bit more on it that way too.
Now I just have to decide which brand to pick, lol.
Thanks a lot guys.
Click to expand...

That's why you should research as much as poss as you are doing,
never say never.

I swore blind I would never go multi Gpu,
now I'm using TriSli on multi monitors.

If you decide to get one 670, the concensus on here
is the Windforce X3.
Good all round performance and value for money

As for your PSU, don't cut cost a little headroom is recommended?:)

Don't forget about Amd cards as they have the best value,can't recommended any as never had one.

Others have more knowledge on them, just ask and they'll point you in the right direction
 
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Remote_zero said:
You guys are great, I'm so glad I found this site.
Click to expand...
I'd going to temporarily retract this statement, I started this thread to help me decide what PSU I was going to need, and now I'm rethinking my whole build :confused:
I was looking at the 7970's, mainly due to the extra VRAM, but decided I wasn't going to use it due to the resolutions I'd be playing at.
 
I've decided. I'm going to get the higher wattage PSU, it's not much more money, and I think I would be crazy not to leave my options open.
750w should be ok for possible future SLI? (or crossfire, but I'm sure we'll come back to that later)
 
Remote_zero said:
I've decided. I'm going to get the higher wattage PSU, it's not much more money, and I think I would be crazy not to leave my options open.
750w should be ok for possible future SLI? (or crossfire, but I'm sure we'll come back to that later)
Click to expand...

If you want a bit of headroom go for a decent 850w. For more than 2 cards I'd suggest 1200w especially if you have a lot of hard drives and such.
 
I started my build with a 750W PSU. Next I got a 560TI with a Q chip (from a E chip), next I got a I5 with an Asrock mobo, next I got a 1080P 24" monitor, next I got a 27" 3D monitor, next I got a 680, next I got 2 more 27" 3D monitors with another 680.

It may sound a lot of money but I only upgraded the PSU once (from many years ago at least).

I had no intention of going as far as I did with my computer however I am glad I bought a decent PSU when I did because at least this way, it has saved me a few quid on an upgrade in that department.
 
I would go with the XFX or Corsair purely for the saving. If you do intend to go SLI, a 750W decent brand will be ample but it can't hurt to have more (so long as the budget allows).
 
I had SLI for years and didn't ever have a problem, first time round with the 6800 ultra's aswell. There was 1 user error where I couldn't get the second card to work and that was because the bridge wasn't connected tight enough.

Would I go back? No.

The added noise, heat and power draw to me just isn't worth it. And if you're going SLI for the most part you will be keeping it for some time, so bare that in mind.
 
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