Probably a really stupid question...

glitch · 24 Feb 2006 at 00:13

But should you mix and match a SLI motherboard with an ATI graphics card? I mean, obviously SLI is right out of the window but are there any likely issues from a pairing like this?

Not understanding motherboards very well, the reason I'm swayed by the SLI boards are the features on offer. I've got a Opty 165 just begging to be overclocked and I haven't really been able to find (probably my lack of experience showing here) a board that's not SLI which has the features I'm after. Namely good overclocking features, firewire, Optical SPDIF out and good onboard sound, SATA 2 and all the other 'usuals' a high-end board should have.

So, what's the deal?

sablabra · 24 Feb 2006 at 00:31

You can use an sli mobo for ati cards without any problems at all. But you obviously can't use crossfire with an sli mobo

Steves_pc · 24 Feb 2006 at 00:40

Running a DFI mobo here which can be made sli but it runs Ati's no problem.

As for the opty/mobo dilemma, i'll swap you my x2 for it then you wont have to worry about the motherboard

I'd send you the oc results too

Seriously though, you'd not have a problem, apart from it not having the optical out i would have said Dfi Ultra-D.

glitch · 24 Feb 2006 at 00:42

sablabra said:
You can use an sli mobo for ati cards without any problems at all. But you obviously can't use crossfire with an sli mobo

I'm not that thick! And anyway, Crossfire isn't an option for me. I'm a relatively undemanding gamer.

Steve; you're too kind. I couldn't put you to all that trouble.

glitch · 24 Feb 2006 at 01:04

Steves_pc said:
Seriously though, you'd not have a problem, apart from it not having the optical out i would have said Dfi Ultra-D.

Thanks for tip, Steve. Unfortunately I'll need optical out as the speakers I'll be using for this new machine sound sweeter on optical.

Any other suggestions, chief?

Steves_pc · 24 Feb 2006 at 01:41

Hmmm, cant find one here that has optical, one option maybe http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Terratec.html
depends on whether your on 2speakers or 5.1 though, i'll keep an eye out.

on OcUK i havent seen a mobo with Optical out since my NF7 v2.

ajgoodfellow · 24 Feb 2006 at 01:42

Go for the ASUS A8N-SLI Premium

Steves_pc · 24 Feb 2006 at 01:45

good spot ajg, i hadnt looked at manufacturers info :rolleyes:

Quote from the Asus Site

S/PDIF-out on Back I/O Port
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via an optical or coaxial S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) jack. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and keeps the best signal quality.

glitch · 24 Feb 2006 at 07:23

The Premium was actually why I created the thread, although for some inexplicable reason I failed to mention the name of the SLI board I'd was considering!

Right, Premium it is then. Thanks for the pointers, gents.