going sli..?

**MinfordTeK** · January 29th, 2007, 10:31 AM

Hey, I am thinking bout going SLI on my computer. was wondering if there is a really noticeable benefit to it and how much power is needed to keep it going. Thanx!

my specs are:
ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe nForce 590
2 x 1gig corsair memory ddr2 800
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
West Digital HD 120 gig sata 3.0
XFX geforce 7600 256 xxx edition (would plan on getting a second)
and have a raidmax case with stock power supply 450w. plan on swappin it out soon open to suggestions for a decent p-supply.

XP pro

**Ultima** · January 29th, 2007, 11:14 AM

You would definetely see an increase in framerate, since the 7600 isn't exactly top of the hill in graphic card land, but very nice still, when you pair it, it will probably perform around the same as 1 7900GT or GTX, try and find benchmarks for it, THG has always been good in that department.

**Douce33** · January 29th, 2007, 11:33 AM

well not to contradict, BUT, in my opinion, SLI is more braggin rights than anythin else at the moment. there isn't enough of a performance gain to justify buyin another $150 card just for a couple frames, cuz with the 7600 thats all it is, maybe 4-10 fps. not worth it. save yur money and buy a mid range 8 series when they come out or look to ATI's R600 midrange chip in the future, it'll be DX10 and give u a much better result than buyin another 7600.

**MinfordTeK** · January 29th, 2007, 11:54 AM

seems like waiting it out for a higher quality sli card is not a bad idea... I'm plannin on selling an older laptop to a friend and what not might go ahead and get an upgraded vid card then sli it later... still looking around on tigerdirect/newegg this one looks pretty good... any thoughts? better cards? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=2&NoMapp=0

**Douce33** · January 29th, 2007, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by MinfordTeK

seems like waiting it out for a higher quality sli card is not a bad idea... I'm plannin on selling an older laptop to a friend and what not might go ahead and get an upgraded vid card then sli it later... still looking around on tigerdirect/newegg this one looks pretty good... any thoughts? better cards? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=2&NoMapp=0

actually the GTS does seem like a very good card, i was thinkin of goin that way myself in the near future if they ever fall a lil more in price. that GTS will give u a HUGE increase in performance that u wouldnt see if u bought 4 7600's. if u have the money i say go for it, but u will probably need to upgrade yur power supply. how many amps does it have on the +12V line?

**MinfordTeK** · January 29th, 2007, 12:05 PM

not really sure on the p-supply, I was thinking of replacing it anyways though... I never really trusted the ones that came with the case.

**Douce33** · January 29th, 2007, 12:07 PM

probably a good call on that, but JPMiller would be the one to know most if yur PSU is good or not. open yur case and there should be a sticker on yur power supply, and then look under +12V and it should tell u how many Amps it has. for the GTS u need a minimum of 26A on that line. which a stock PSU most likely wont have.

**MinfordTeK** · January 29th, 2007, 12:17 PM

ok I will check that out... wont be able to know til tommorow though more than likely I check this stuff at work.. dial-up at home... to slow for me to do anything lol I refuse to beleive in the internet when im not at work.

**MinfordTeK** · January 29th, 2007, 01:41 PM

had another thought/question... I was never really sure about how sli works... does it have to be 2 of the same cards or can it just be 2 cards that are sli capable? or could I take my 7600gt xxx edition and the 7600gt fatality edition and bridge them since their essentially the same??

**pullmyfoot** · January 30th, 2007, 10:19 AM

they have to have exactly same GPUS. not really sure if the clock speeds matters. but a different brand is alright i think.. as long as the GPUs are the same. and RAIDMAX sucks for power supplys. get yourself a good FSP

**Lasher13** · January 31st, 2008, 12:17 AM

Ok I have a Nvidia 8800 GT and a EVGA 8800 GT. I assume if I buy a XFX 8600 GT it will come with a sli bridge. Will the sli bridge that comes with my 8600 GT be compatible with my 8800 GT's?

**RicheemxX** · January 31st, 2008, 12:23 AM

Lasher13, why do you keep bumping old threads to ask your random sli questions just create your own thread or stick to one of the other discussions you already have going.

As for the sli bridge why buy another card just to possibly get the bridge just buy the dang bridge itself.

**Atomic Rooster** · January 31st, 2008, 12:28 AM

The SLI bridge is not included with the video card. They come with the motherboard. If you don't have one, you'll have to purchase it separately.

**Lasher13** · January 31st, 2008, 01:12 AM

Oops sorry I didn't realize this one was old until now. But to answer the question of Why do I keep bumping old threads? I don't know, I keep thinking it is best to search for existing threads rather than create the same ones, I guess it's a habit at another forum, it won't happen again.

Why buy another video card to possibly get a sli bridge? I believed that was the only way I could get one. And I thought well if I get another graphics card just for the sli bridge I minus well uselessly upgrade my 7600 GT thats in my other PC. Wow guess I'm just gonna have to buy the bridge itself than. All in all you guys did stop me from making a retarded investment so I'm grateful.

edit:

A whole year old the thread started January 29th 2007, I guess I didn't check the year when I found the thread.