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Hi folks,
I intend on updating my PC, I'm concidering one of these SLi setups but have one question for anyone who knows!
If you have 2 x 256mb cards on an sli system, does this mean your pc has 512Mb of graphics memory? I know that sounds like a silly question but it sounds too good to be true! again, if the core gpu is lets say 600mhz then does that mean you double that if you have two cards on an sli system?
I can't help but think that instead of a clean double up of power, you only get a 180pc overall result? do you really get both cards full potential combined?
The mind boggles.....
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Posted: 2006-06-08 12:56:42
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It does mean that you have 512Mb of GPU memory and the idea is indeed to double the processing power by sharing the workload between cards, but the overall core and memory clock speeds do not double up. This is because each individual card can only operate at it's maximum speed, neither card can suddenly start runing at twice it's clock speed just because another card is present.
You're also right about the overall performance not being double, it's generally nearer a 1.5 times increase. There are various reasons for this, other bottle necks in the system being one of them and the fact that most games and benchmarking apps at the moment aren't programmed to make full use of the extra processing power that SLI offers.
Whether ot not SLI is any good or not is a matter of opinion. Some enthusiasts have had very disappointing results with SLI, gaining only the same kind of performance that you'd get from a top end single graphics card like a radeon x1800. Others have claimed to have achieved massive improvements in performance. The general consensus is that you need a very good (read expensive!) motherboard and processor to get the most out of SLI.
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[ This Message was edited by: Cycovision on 2006-06-08 18:36 ]
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Posted: 2006-06-08 13:37:08
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Cheers Cyco,
Thats what I figured, think I'll go back to the drawing board and re concider an single ATI card set up.
on a slightly related note:
Anyone notice performance boosts when upgrading to a 64bit system?
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Posted: 2006-06-08 13:59:50
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what are you wanting to do?games or multimedia?if games why not just invest in a console? xbox ps3 or wii. less money and better performance so far.
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Posted: 2006-06-08 20:47:23
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If money is no object, Nvidia has just launched the 7950, which is 2 7900 cores built on a single slot pci-express , giving 1gb memory
http://tomshardware.co.uk/2006/06/06/geforce_7950_gx2_uk/
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Posted: 2006-06-09 12:25:21
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@GreenKronic,
I understand where you're coming from but the simple truth is that console games are made for kids. PC games are for men:)
You need only take a look at Call of Duty 2 as a comparison. On the PC it may lack the pretty boy pre rendered animations that the 360 has but its MUCH MUCH MUCH more challenging as well as that, when it comes to 3rd person shooters you simply CANNOT beat a keyboard and mouse.
Consoles are great for micro machine type multiplayer games but just don't make the cut when it comes to "hard core" gaming.
Also, don't be fooled by the pre rendered animations on console games, on the outside these graphical additions can make consoles look better than Pc games, but a current PC will always provide more ram and faster processing power meaning levels are larger and more detailed and AI is much better.
I don't intend to cause a PC/console flame war, I like both for different reasons but its like the Times vs the Sun, ones for the intense morning reader the other is a cheaper simpler alternative.
@Msmmsm, that new Nvidia chip does look good but boy does it have a hefty price. If only money was no object! Still, its a good suggestion.
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[ This Message was edited by: Scorchio on 2006-06-12 09:48 ]
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Posted: 2006-06-12 10:46:57
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