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3x SLi vs 2x SLi

Post Date: 2008-11-19
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parallox View Drop Down
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Posts: 48 		  Quote parallox Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: 3x SLi vs 2x SLi
    Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 3:08pm

Forgive me if this post is a duplicate, but I couldn't find another post like this on this specific topic.

In my attempts to build a Ninja Killer system Star, I was recommended to consider a 3x SLi setup for my new Core i7 system, using the new top of the line ASUS board.  I have a 23" 1900x1200 monitor now, not sure if I will upgrade it to a 30" or not.  I was considering just doing a 1080p HDTV instead, which would be on pair with the resolution I use now.
 
Now I have 2x SLi now with a pair of old 6800 Ultras.  At times with this setup, one of my cards would not respond (appearantly common with the first set of SLi boards/cards due to the bridging mechanism.  When I was on one card, I didn't notice that much of a difference, unless it was a really intensive graphics game, and even then, it wasn't horrific.  In either case, it seems like the biggest bottle neck was my motherboard and FSB, but with a new board, not sure if that will be the case anymore.
 
Now from what I can tell, the performance difference between a single SLi 280 and a 2x SLi 280 setup is about a 10% difference (see link), significant but not ZOMG crazy.  Now with a 3x SLi setup, I would tend to think it would not be a 20% difference, but maybe more like 15% total difference at best, and I am not sure if the cost justifies the 3rd card.  Does anyone have some actual numbers/charts or actual experience to say that the 3rd video card would justify the cost?  I just can't see the 3rd card giving that much of a performance boost.
 
 
Remember, Guns don't kill people... Ninja's kill people. Star
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 3:11pm
Here's a review of 2 way SLI vs 3 way SLI vs CrossfireX:

http://guru3d.com/article/core-i7-multigpu-sli-crossfire-game-performance-review/

3 Way SLI imo is a total waste of money.

Most games today are still GPU bottleneck but there are exceptions where it's the CPU.
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 3:38pm
I have to also agree on the 3 say sli being a waste right now, 2 cards can handle anything you throw at it.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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parallox View Drop Down
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Posts: 48 		  Quote parallox Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 3:55pm
Originally posted by skyR

Here's a review of 2 way SLI vs 3 way SLI vs CrossfireX:

http://guru3d.com/article/core-i7-multigpu-sli-crossfire-game-performance-review/

3 Way SLI imo is a total waste of money.

Most games today are still GPU bottleneck but there are exceptions where it's the CPU.
Lots of good info in the article, my google must be broken to not have found that.Ying%20Yang  I think I will stick with a x2 280 setup, although some of the ATI numbers were rather nice of a couple game titles.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 3:58pm
Nvidia is comeing out with dual core gtx anyways so by feb ati will no longer be the king

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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parallox View Drop Down
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Posts: 48 		  Quote parallox Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 11:14pm
Originally posted by DST4ME

Nvidia is comeing out with dual core gtx anyways so by feb ati will no longer be the king
The hardware manufactures are always coming out with something, I don't think I can wait that long, kind of down to my last 2 gigs on my main drive. Ouch
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2008 at 11:18pm
I'm just giving info, I understand you not being able to wait, I'm trying to control myself also

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Rad!caL View Drop Down
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Posts: 292 		  Quote Rad!caL Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Nov 2008 at 1:12am
I would highly suggest you get 2 4870 X2's instead of 280's if you have the extra $.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Nov 2008 at 1:26am
2 4870 X2 is overkill IMO

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Posts: 93 		  Quote Statman11 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 12:31am
3X 280's IS overkill. Don't spend the money on the third card now, just for maybe a 5-10% increase that you probably won't even be able to detect. I went with two (2) 8800 GT's on mine. Then, wenever 8800 GT are at closeout prices like, 30-40 bucks ill pick me up a 3rd one.Angry

Edited by Statman11 - 21 Nov 2008 at 12:36am
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 12:39am
you can't triple sli a 8800gt. you can only triple sli high-end cards such as the 8800 gtx/ultra, 9800 gtx, and gtx 260 / 280
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Rad!caL View Drop Down
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Posts: 292 		  Quote Rad!caL Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 2:17am
Originally posted by DST4ME

2 4870 X2 is overkill IMO


No it's perfect. Costs a little more than SLI 280's and offers much better performance Embarrassed.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 2:20am
No its overkill cause there is nothing that needs that much power

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Statman11 View Drop Down
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Posts: 93 		  Quote Statman11 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 8:03am
Originally posted by skyR

you can't triple sli a 8800gt. you can only triple sli high-end cards such as the 8800 gtx/ultra, 9800 gtx, and gtx 260 / 280
 
Haha, dumb me. My bad, guess ill be gettin 3 gtx sumday down the roadBig%20smile
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Rad!caL View Drop Down
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Posts: 292 		  Quote Rad!caL Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 12:43pm
Originally posted by DST4ME

No its overkill cause there is nothing that needs that much power


"Need" is subjective in this case. You "need" that much power if you want to play the latest games for a while at the highest settings and resolutions.
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Kliebor2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 659 		  Quote Kliebor2 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2008 at 1:29pm
The need many feel for this hardware is the same need Tim Allen Feels for a bigger hammer...

Too much is never enough for people that like to push the envelope.

Those of us with lesser desires, or no need to play Crysis at max settings at 100 FPS+ sometimes lesser solutions are fine

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