Need new mobo - what's all this SLi stuff about?

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

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I'm considering building a new 64bit PC, will be using either a AMD 64 bit CPU or an AMD Dual Core, not decided yet.

I've never really paid much attention to motherboards though, so have just been looking in the shop and they're a little confusing. I've always used Asus boards in the past and get on well with them so would like to stick with them if possible.

I keep seeing SLi mentioned though and I have no idea what it means? I'm not much of a gamer, if at all actually so I don't really need dual graphics card slots, but I'd like a decent board too and money isn't really an issue.
 
hi,

sli has the ability to use 2 nvidia cards together.

the cards have to be sli compatible think the lowest is the 6800GS, not 100% sure.

the cost difference isnt that great what ive seen, but not sure if it gives the performance hit on the system if it isnt used.
 
If you're not a gamer then SLI isn't for you. If you don't use it then there's no performance hit to the system however.
 
Ok, thanks for the info guys.

Bearing in mind that I'm not a gamer, but I want as decent a board as I can get (I don't mind getting an SLi board if the other features are better) which would you suggest?

I don't know if AGP slots have all but disappeared, but my graphics card (Radeon 9600) is AGP. Also, I'd like it to be reasonably future proof as it were (I know this is more or less impossible in the world of computers!) but I'd like to be able to keep this new system for a couple of years before I have to upgrade again.
 
In Q2 AMD are releasing a new socket, AM2. If you can wait that long that'll probably give you the most longevity. AGP boards (and cards) are getting thinner and thinner on the ground so I'd get a budget PCI-E card as well if you can stretch to it.
 
Thanks Arcane, sounds like the best way to go.

I'm not in a great hurry to upgrade, but I have the money to do it at the moment so was just thinking about it.

I only really browse the web and download on my machine, but I like want to run Windows Vista looking pretty decent when it comes out and I'm not sure my current machine is up to the task (AMD Barton 2500+, 1GB PC2700 RAM).
 
Yeah I agree with Arcane, wait till AM2 comes out or if your desperate to upgrade now then get a mobo with a Nforce 4 ultra chipset, essentially identical to the nforce4 sli but without the extra gfx card slot.
 
Looks like I'll be hanging on for a bit then. I've got £1k put aside for a new rig as and when it's needed, not including case and optical drives so I should be able to sort out something fairly decent.

Nforce 4 is another thing I keep hearing mentioned, what's it all about?
 
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