Basic SLI Question :)

[konam4]

Hi guys, I have the opportunity to get a really cheap xfx 8800 GT and I am hoping to go SLI with it. My question is...

Will this card SLI with a BFG 8800 GT OC2?

Is it possible to SLI two cards of the same type but different makes?

 

[Schnippzle]

Shoule be possible yes, but both cards will have to run at the speed at which the card in the first pci-e slot is running. Also, is your ram really running at 8 GHz or do you have 8 GB of ram.

 

[Ben M]

yes and yes

they'll both run at the speed of the card in the first slot, so you may need to reduce the clockspeed of the OC2 as the new one might not be capable of those clocks (it probably will be)

 

[konam4]

Thanks guys! Really helpful

@ Schnippzle - Sorry that's a typo, it have 8 GB 4 x 2GB Sticks

 

[rjk]

have you ever used 8gb of ram?

i would leave the bfg in slot one and let the other keep up

cards work in sli if they are the same chip

i think [as an example] a 512gt works with a 256 gt because they are the same chip - not sure though

 

[konam4]

Thanks dude, I regularly use all of the RAM because i do a lot of 3D modelling and rendering so the programs run a lot faster when you can access a lot of RAM. Though graphics wise I have never really needed anything spectacular as I'm no gamer.

 

[sambo_joseph]

hey konam, another point to consider is the lane speed of your PCI slots of the motherboard. I dont think the p5n32 has x16/x16.....might be something like x8/x4 when in SLI mode. I never went SLI when I had a P5n so I cant say if the difference will be that great but u should definitely look it up before buying another card.

P.S what 3D software do you use?

 

[V|per]

I believe the '32' in the model name of the motherboard refers to the dual 16x lanes =)

 

[Rroff]

most of the ASUS P5N32 - E models that do SLI are dual 16 yes

 

[sambo_joseph]

ahhh right, i thought it was different when running in SLI mode, like x8/x8

 

[Rroff]

Some of the "deluxe" models might as IIRC they use an older chipset... tho I don't think they have the 32 in the model name... can't remember for sure.

 

[konam4]

Yeah i am pretty sure it's dual 16 but I am glad you made me think about that first

I use Z Brush, Maya and Real Flow which can all be pretty memory intensive at times. Plus Maxwell Render runs a lot faster with loads of Memory.

 

[Rroff]

BTW For 8800GT SLI 8x/8x doesn't matter... the performance difference over dual 16 is pretty much non-existant in 99% of cases. You only really start to need dual 16 when running 280GTX SLI.

 

[rjk]

would sli even benefit the programs you mentioned you will be using?

 

[konam4]

Not at all but i am pretty much getting it for free so I want to have a go with SLI I'll probably invest in Crysis for it.

 

[sambo_joseph]

if its free go for it mate!!, yea I actually use the same software you do. Do you work for a company/freelance or just do it in your spare time?

 

[konam4]

I'm doing Animation at University so it's nice to have a monster PC that means i can actually do a solid amount of work within deadlines