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The Difference Between NVIDIA SLI And AMD Crossfire

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http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/04/the-difference-between-nvidia-sli-and-amd-crossfire/

Running two graphics cards in your computer can sometimes be a good way to boost your graphics power, but there are a few critical differences between NVIDIA and AMD when it comes to dual graphics. Linus from Techquickie breaks it down.

If you’re thinking about running two cards, you have one more factor to think about when deciding between NVIDIA and AMD, since they both handle it differently. I highly recommend watching the video to get the full gist, but it boils down to:

  • NVIDIA cards must be identical GPUs, while AMD cards are Crossfire-compatible with other cards in the same family and with different RAM configurations
  • Crossfire is available on more motherboards (and on cheaper ones)
  • Newer AMD cards do not require a connector — which isn’t a huge deal, but it looks cleaner and is one less link in the chain in which something can go wrong
  • AMD cards can crossfire a GPU with an onboard APU
In the end, NVIDIA’s SLI is a more constricting but consistent experience, while AMD is more flexible.
All that said, we still think single-GPU solutions are better than dual-GPU solutions, except perhaps in special situations (like multi-monitor gaming, for example). It’s up to you, though, and if you want to go with two GPUs, this video is a great primer on the difference between NVIDIA and AMD’s implementation.
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while most of that is true not just any AMD card can CF with an APU, its a bit disingenuous not to say that.

Having said that i do like the flexibility CF offers.
 
At the end of the day, both SLI and CrossfireX (do they still use the "X" at the end?) are both quite mature technologies now and for the most part, work well. I don't have any experience of SLI, but have had a few CF set-ups and other than a problem way back near the beginning of CF (X1900 era), I have found it to be a good experience.

I never really experience micro-stuttering to a great degree, but I must just not be very sensitive to it, because I am well aware it was a problem that AMD especially took a very long time to solve. But it would appear that they have fixed this now and both technologies offer equally smooth experiences.

1 thing that does really annoy me though, is when a supposedly "triple-a" title is developed and does not cater for multi-gpu set-ups. COD Ghosts being a prime example. You actually need to switch off CF (and I believe SLI also) to be able to get a smooth experience, but then as a result have to also turn down settings due to not having enough "grunt" with a single card. Really should not be happening!
 
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They ignore the obvious which is that NVidia have far superior blowers, with AMD you'll either need to wear ear protectors or have 600Watts worth of heat added into your case with third party coolers.

That for me is a far bigger plus than all of the articles pro-AMD points put together.
 
mmj_uk said:
They ignore the obvious which is that NVidia have far superior blowers, with AMD you'll either need to wear ear protectors or have 600Watts worth of heat added into your case with third party coolers.

That for me is a far bigger plus than all of the articles pro-AMD points put together.
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3rd party coolers are far better when you are overclocking than blower coolers. So even if AMD had a good cooler its still better to go after market.
 
mmj_uk said:
They ignore the obvious which is that NVidia have far superior blowers, with AMD you'll either need to wear ear protectors or have 600Watts worth of heat added into your case with third party coolers.

That for me is a far bigger plus than all of the articles pro-AMD points put together.
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I find this to be a blanket statement, I have 2 Ref 290's and my case temps are no hotter now than they were with my 560Ti, I run my fan up to 60% and do not find the noise invasive or distracting. Where is this extra heat? I'm just not seeing it....
 
mmj_uk said:
They ignore the obvious which is that NVidia have far superior blowers, with AMD you'll either need to wear ear protectors or have 600Watts worth of heat added into your case with third party coolers.

That for me is a far bigger plus than all of the articles pro-AMD points put together.
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I haven't watched the video (damn being at work) but do they explicitly state that they are only talking about the latest, top end cards? If not, then the fact that the stock 780 cooler is better than the stock 290 cooler is only one possible plus point for SLI, rather than the "obvious" and "far bigger" point you are painting it to be.

For the record, I've got my 290's set to go as high on fan speed as they need rather than throttle, and I've never felt the need for "ear protectors" as I cannot hear them over the game audio except where there isn't any (loading screens for example). I fear you may be exaggerating, good sir. :D
 
I really like crossfire and my setup now wouldn't be possible using nvidia or the old xfire with bridges. So in case configuration amd are owning it.
 
I have built 2 crossfire 7950 systems for friends and no issues doing that and I run SLI and again, no issues with that.
 
Never ran crossfire myself, but ive had sli setups with quite a few nv cards going back to the 600 series. Theese were the only ones that gave me issues. Everyone since has been great. Cant wait to get sli running again.
 
I ran a couple of 7970's not long after they 1st came out on a triple screen setup and it ran like dog ****. Dunno what it runs like now with eyefinity on the 7 series cards.
 
Rroff said:
Meanwhile in the realworld software wise crossfire is still about 2 generations behind SLI :P
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Graphic grunt is lagging behind the progression on monitor resolution (with 4K monitor already hitting sub £500). We should have had single GPU graphic card with the grunt of CF290 for £600 instead of a GTX780Ti, or a pair of 290 by now :p
 
Things like window mode support, application tweaking, etc. every time I have anything to do with crossfire it reminds me of the state of SLI a couple of generation of cards back (viewpoint might be slightly skewed by the fact that anytime I do have anything to do with crossfire its because someone has a problem with it and wants my help).

Frame pacing is a good example actually - 2 generations behind nVidia supporting it.

Sure each has strengths and weaknesses that other doesn't and so on, but I get a feeling of dejavu with the typical problems with crossfire and remember the days when SLI used to have X problem.
 
Rroff said:
Things like window mode support, application tweaking, etc. every time I have anything to do with crossfire it reminds me of the state of SLI a couple of generation of cards back (viewpoint might be slightly skewed by the fact that anytime I do have anything to do with crossfire its because someone has a problem with it and wants my help).

Frame pacing is a good example actually - 2 generations behind nVidia supporting it.

Sure each has strengths and weaknesses that other doesn't and so on, but I get a feeling of dejavu with the typical problems with crossfire and remember the days when SLI used to have X problem.
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Hmm windows mode is a good point but it needs support.

Using both i can say that amd has better multimonitor support and a bit better scaling for 3 or more cards and with nvidia you can tweak way more easily.Both have problems its not near close as a polish solution

Yeah but now they have framepacing so they arent behind at all
 
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