8800gt SLI advice needed

[rjk]

im running an 8800gt and just need clarification
i read somewhere that you can use the same chip card regardless of speeds

eg. a leadtek + BFG 8800gt would work together being the same chip regardless of the clock speeds

am i right in thinking this?

normally i have always gone for a powerful single card
but i had to go for the 8800gt on pricepoint as i needed a card on a budget
this was after moving from my old 7900gtx [as it burnt out - over enthusiastic overclock - my bad]

so really what im asking is
8800gt sli?
is it compatible using different manufacturers cards
will i see any benefit?

any other advice?

TIA
Rich

ps - have googled this before you all suggest
and would prefer a range of opinions from other enthusiasts

 

[Tooks]

Yes, as long as the cards are the same chipset, then they will work fine. Even if they are clocked differently, the faster card will downclock to the speed of the slower one.

Benefits?

Well, what resolution do you game at?

The two cards in SLI respond well to a fast CPU, so with the processor in your signature you're going to be CPU limited at lower resolutions.

Whether you'll see any benefit depends on what games you play. Until very recently I was running an 8800GT SLI setup, and the fact I'm not now probably tells you all you need to know!

For instance, in Crysis on my system and using a Q6600 quad at 2.7Ghz, using the GPU benchmark loop, at 1280 x 1024 all on high;

SLI 8800GT - 60fps Max - 17fps Min - 40fps Avg

Single 8800GT - 48fps Max - 24fps Min - 39fps Avg

So, for me gaming at 1440 x 900, it wasn't really worth the expense, heat and PSU upgrade that I needed to run it all.

That's why I was asking what resolution you plan to game at. At a higher resolution, ie 1900 x 1200 etc, and where you become GPU limited rather than CPU limited, then SLI definately will benefit games where it is supported. As I say though, you might need a faster CPU to get the best out of it.

Otherwise, I really wouldn't bother to be honest.

 

[rjk]

well i will be getting a Q6600 and mobo to accompany it

most games i have run fine at my single 8800GT's max res [1680 or whatever]

however i have to play some games at lower res

i was just really enquiring as to weather i should bother going for the extra card as i am upgrading cpu and mobo anyway

 

[Tooks]

Well, for those games that support it, you will see a benefit at that res, it just won't be as much as maybe you're hoping?

Do you know if the games you are playing at the lower res are SLI compatible?

Personally, I would get the mobo and CPU, the new CPU alone should help your framerates in some games. See where you're at after that, and how the new cards coming along perform, and take it from there.

One fast card is preferable to two slower ones in SLI is my newly formed opinion!

 

[homi-sid-al]

i run 2 gt's and think its great,lot of people say theres no differance at a resolution of 1280x1024 but i disagree,when i first set sli up i didnt see a differance and was on the verge of offing 1 of the cards,then i realised i had not enabled the slianyway made huge differance in 3dmark06 if your into that and also im able to play cod4on my sony 40" lcd at max settings

 

[cooljimy84]

hang on a second, ** saying a dual core AMD @ 3 Ghz is limiting his graphics ??

I think that depends on which game it is....

Or am i speaking out my bottom ???

 

[davecarter]

2 gts work great on my setup, admittedly some games are better than others with Crysis , FEAR and FSX being particular boosted