SLI Vs Non-SLI

[smitha]

I'm currently looking into replacing my aging PC and am tempted to go SLI on the new system.

I've seen mixed reviews and am not convinced that I will get significant performance enhancement for my money. Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm no closer to making a decision!

 

[jpe20]

Just testing my SLi rig at the moment. It is 2x7900GTX. On a single card I get 3dMark06 score of 6000 or so and in SLi I get a score of 8600 a 40% improvment. The GTXs are dear and in hindsight I would have perhaps gone for 2x7950GTs. I would get the 7950s over the 7900s as the 7900s have had reliability issues. I sent back one of my cards for replacement.

Very dependent on the type of game you are playing as to how much boost you get from SLi as 3dMark06 is a synthetic benchmark.

HTH
Jules

 

[MeatLoaf]

Well ive had SLI 5 times now. And im very happy with my current cards, they were cheap and are fast. I get almost 8k as per sig.

So far ive tried :

SLI 6600GT, SLI 7800GT, SLI 7600GT, SLI 7900GT, SLI 7900GS

Next plan is SLI 7900GTO in the next few months

 

[topgun06]

I'm impressed. In 3DMark 05 my score went up 55% and i noticed the performance increase in games.

 

[HangTime]

Depends how much money you have to throw around really. If you are loaded, then SLI is nice to have you get a significant boost over a single card setup when using high rez/aa/af.

However, I wouldn't recommend it as an attempt to cut corners on costs, by going for two slower cards (say 7600GT) in SLI. You're often better off going for a single more expensive card as they will produce less heat, use less power, take up less room, and have fewer driver/performance issues .

So in my eyes, SLI is only worth it for:

1) Rich people who want very high end performance (7900GT or better SLI)
2) People who already own an existing card and are looking for a cheap and simply boost to performance.

Basically when building a new system I would only look at single card setups.

 

[fobose]

Well ive had SLI 5 times now. And im very happy with my current cards, they were cheap and are fast. I get almost 8k as per sig.

So far ive tried :

SLI 6600GT, SLI 7800GT, SLI 7600GT, SLI 7900GT, SLI 7900GS

Next plan is SLI 7900GTO in the next few months

Blimey... more money than sense some people!

 

[MeatLoaf]

Blimey... more money than sense some people!

Not at all

Sell the other stuff on for a good price thjen get the new cards

Changinig from SLI 7600GTs to the SLI 7900GS's only cost about £100 as i got £75 each for the 7600GT's

 

[smitha]

Thanks for the advice, looks like the consensus is that they do make enough of a difference to justify the cost.

Am currently looking @ twin 7950GX2's at the moment which I'm hoping will spice things up a touch! Any alternative recommendations?

 

[HangTime]

No.

7950gx2 SLI is the fastest setup currently available, so if you have the $$$$, you won't be disappointed

 

[easyrider]

Have ran two 7900 GTX's in SLI

got 10,900 06 with SLI GTX at stock

10,150 with my GX2 this is with rig in sig.


near enough 600 quid for SLI 7900 GTX,Don't get me wrong it was fun,but not worth it.

Sold my 7900 GTX and got GX2 the upgrade cost me 100 quid.

Up to now,IMO SLI is not worth it.Single card for the win.

Although some would question GX2's single card status

 

[GoRedwings19]

Have ran two 7900 GTX's in SLI

got 10,900 06 with SLI GTX at stock

10,150 with my GX2 this is with rig in sig.


near enough 600 quid for SLI 7900 GTX,Don't get me wrong it was fun,but not worth it.

Sold my 7900 GTX and got GX2 the upgrade cost me 100 quid.

Up to now,IMO SLI is not worth it.Single card for the win.

Although some would question GX2's single card status

Was the 7900gtx Sli Rig with your old opteron setup or with your conroe?

 

[easyrider]

Was the 7900gtx Sli Rig with your old opteron setup or with your conroe?

with my conroe.