Been asked what cards t setup a SLI Using Nvidia. Advice please.

[tnx]

Hey up.

On another forum I frequent somebody asked me what GPU I would recommend.
I told them my son is more than happy with his Gigabyte R9 280X.

They asked what was best for SLI.

I know nothing about SLI but told them I can find out.

So for a noob to SLI what is a good pair of GPU's.

I don't know the budget, lets say no more than £500. If that is possible for two.

While I am asking.

What are the benefits ?
One R9 280X is good. Does two R9 280X's make things twice as good ?

Will pass on the info..

cheers..

 

[jesusismyairbag]

tell ya mate to do some research the lazy get

 

[Fulax]

SLI - Scalable Link Interface. It's Nvidia's technology for utilising two (or more) graphics cards in a single system. So you buy two Nvidia GPUs, pop them in your motherboard, connect them with the SLI bridge that came with your motherboard, and hey presto you've got SLI.

The AMD equivalent is called Crossfire. Crossfire connectors are provided with the GPU itself (except with the 290 series, which doesn't need one).

YOUR BASKET
2 x KFA2 GeForce GTX 770 LTD OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **WHITE EDITION** (77NPH6DT8KTZ) £259.99 (£519.98)
Total : £519.98 (includes shipping : FREE).



YOUR BASKET
2 x MSI Radeon R9 280X Gaming Edition OC 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £259.99 (£519.98)
Total : £519.98 (includes shipping : FREE).

 

[Mr crowley]

Hi
For using 2 gpu's in a system, Nvidia call their version of the technology SLI and AMD have crossfire.
Usually the reason behind using 2 gpu's is to get the most performance possible as any one card just wouldn't be enough.
Generally you should try to stay with 1 more powerful card because when you use two lesser cards, there is a much higher chance of all sorts of problems occuring.
If he really wants two cards he could get 2x280x's right now for less than 500, i'd choose them over 2x770s because of the 3gb vram.
Or he could choose to get a redonkulous 780ti for the same price which will be much more reliable but less powerful.
Personally I'd say does he even need that much power and maybe take a step back to the standard 780, which is a pretty good deal for what you get and it's no slouch

 

[Doomedspeed]

One doesn't just go SLI

(that sounded good in my head)...

Anyway, theres a lot of variables when going with 2 GPU's. Lets bullet point them..

- Motherboard - has it got 2 PCI-E x16 lanes, running at x8/x8 for SLI [x16/x4 is fine for Xfire (AMD version)]

- PSU - has it enough connectors to take 2 GPU's. Has it got a powerful 12V rail(s).

- Case/Cooling - You don't want them getting too hot, so you need good cooling.

 

[tnx]

Great replies there...

He has splashed some cash and bought a nice Z87 Asus mid range board and is gunna plug in a i5 4670K.

This is how I sort of got involved, he was going to get an i5 3570K for the Z87 board.

He asked me one or two more questions then it got round to GPU.

I said just to go for a R9 280X. My son as one and he is more than happy.

He said he wanted to go SLI.

I advised to get a top quality PSU. He showed me a billy no make PSU for £25.
I just laughed and pointed out that just would not cut the mustard in a good spec gaming rig.


@jesusismyairbag



@Fulax

thanks for those two. I will pass that info on..

@Mr crowley

Thanks for the info..

@Doomedspeed

Indeed. I have pointed out to him that it is not one thing which makes a good PC but all the bits combined and some bits can not be scrimped on.

I recon for his rig one good quality GPU will do.

Thanks guys..

 

[tnx]

I also pointed out that a good quality roomy case will be needed too.
These top end GPU's are not small.

 

[Doomedspeed]

No offence to you but why not tell/ask him to sign up here and ask specifically about his purchases?

 

[tnx]

No offence to you but why not tell/ask him to sign up here and ask specifically about his purchases?

I will do that.

Don't know why I didn't tell him that in the first place.