SLI Question

AnonymousZC · Sep 30, 2009, 12:55 PM

I am looking into building a computer, for the first time in many years.

Over the past few months I have been researching the new technology and have come up with a computer suitable for myself.

But I was wondering if to go down the SLI route or not.

So my question is, do I buy two lower end 1gb graphics cards for the same price of a single higher end (more up to date) 1gb graphics card?

Will it make a substantial difference for me?

I am not much of a gamer (at the moment), but would love to get a few games.
Though I am a developer, and need to work with large images with ease.

EZero · Sep 30, 2009, 02:11 PM

Personally, the way I do SLI is to buy a mid tier graphics card (e.g. GTX 275) and use 1 card until Nvidia decides to slash prices or when you feel like you need more graphics horsepower. Though I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, so I'm not sure how much of an improvement it is for editing images.

This is even more so as of right now since ATI/AMD released their 5xxx series cards, Nvidia is bound to slash prices soon-ish. And quite possibly another price drop when Nvidia releases their GTX 3xx series card next year.

ET3D · Sep 30, 2009, 02:33 PM

You say you're not much of a gamer, so you can't really know what you need. You could try to think what games you might like, look for benchmarks using them and decide based on that what to buy. If you have no idea, I think that a single mid-range card would be your best bet, until you figure out what you really need. A single card has the benefit of working well with all games (SLI fails to provide benefit in some games).

You can still get an SLI motherboard (or Crossfire, if you're thinking of ATI cards), as long as it's not a lot more expensive than what you planned to buy anyway. That way if you do feel the need for more power, you'll be able to plug another card in.

AnonymousZC · Sep 30, 2009, 03:15 PM

Thank you for your replies.

I felt the same way (going for one good card, then upgrading later on if needed), but started getting pressured by my gaming friends to go straight for SLI (since I will be getting an SLI board, go straight for SLI).

Unfortunately cost has its restriction.

I was looking at the 9800GT, but should I spend that little more for the GTX 275?

EZero · Sep 30, 2009, 03:20 PM

Definitely, and if you keep an eye out e-tailers sometimes sell the Palit GTX 275 for as low as $199.99

AnonymousZC · Sep 30, 2009, 04:13 PM

That would be good. But unfortunately, I am from the UK.

I will look into the GTX more when I get home. I am at work, and should be working.

DJ BIG T · Sep 30, 2009, 04:39 PM

you can get 2 260 for way cheaper then 2 275...

Judas · Sep 30, 2009, 04:53 PM

imo... it's ALWAYS perferable to have a single powerful card over multiple cards...

isaak · Oct 2, 2009, 09:47 AM

Also consider the resolution that you will be playing at...higher resolutions call for more power, but I would say up to 1900 x 1080 will definately be fine with a good single card, like a GTX260+

And as most people will say, don't fall into peer pressure

...Go with the high end single card now, show off your benchmarks and be proud when you tell your friends "imagine if I get another..."

**kris23** · Oct 2, 2009, 02:29 PM

5870 is an annihilator

Sep 30, 2009, 12:55 PM	#1
AnonymousZC DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	SLI Question I am looking into building a computer, for the first time in many years. Over the past few months I have been researching the new technology and have come up with a computer suitable for myself. But I was wondering if to go down the SLI route or not. So my question is, do I buy two lower end 1gb graphics cards for the same price of a single higher end (more up to date) 1gb graphics card? Will it make a substantial difference for me? I am not much of a gamer (at the moment), but would love to get a few games. Though I am a developer, and need to work with large images with ease.

Sep 30, 2009, 02:11 PM	#2
EZero HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	Re: SLI Question Personally, the way I do SLI is to buy a mid tier graphics card (e.g. GTX 275) and use 1 card until Nvidia decides to slash prices or when you feel like you need more graphics horsepower. Though I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, so I'm not sure how much of an improvement it is for editing images. This is even more so as of right now since ATI/AMD released their 5xxx series cards, Nvidia is bound to slash prices soon-ish. And quite possibly another price drop when Nvidia releases their GTX 3xx series card next year.

Sep 30, 2009, 02:33 PM	#3
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: SLI Question You say you're not much of a gamer, so you can't really know what you need. You could try to think what games you might like, look for benchmarks using them and decide based on that what to buy. If you have no idea, I think that a single mid-range card would be your best bet, until you figure out what you really need. A single card has the benefit of working well with all games (SLI fails to provide benefit in some games). You can still get an SLI motherboard (or Crossfire, if you're thinking of ATI cards), as long as it's not a lot more expensive than what you planned to buy anyway. That way if you do feel the need for more power, you'll be able to plug another card in.

Sep 30, 2009, 03:15 PM	Thread Starter #4
AnonymousZC DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: SLI Question Thank you for your replies. I felt the same way (going for one good card, then upgrading later on if needed), but started getting pressured by my gaming friends to go straight for SLI (since I will be getting an SLI board, go straight for SLI). Unfortunately cost has its restriction. I was looking at the 9800GT, but should I spend that little more for the GTX 275?

Sep 30, 2009, 03:20 PM	#5
EZero HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	Re: SLI Question Definitely, and if you keep an eye out e-tailers sometimes sell the Palit GTX 275 for as low as $199.99

Sep 30, 2009, 04:13 PM	Thread Starter #6
AnonymousZC DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: SLI Question That would be good. But unfortunately, I am from the UK. I will look into the GTX more when I get home. I am at work, and should be working.

Sep 30, 2009, 04:39 PM	#7
DJ BIG T DH FaN BoY Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ORLANDO,FL Posts: 930 Rep Power: 69 System Specs	Re: SLI Question you can get 2 260 for way cheaper then 2 275... __________________

Oct 2, 2009, 09:47 AM	#9
isaak HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,286 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: SLI Question Also consider the resolution that you will be playing at...higher resolutions call for more power, but I would say up to 1900 x 1080 will definately be fine with a good single card, like a GTX260+ And as most people will say, don't fall into peer pressure ...Go with the high end single card now, show off your benchmarks and be proud when you tell your friends "imagine if I get another..." __________________ The first step... shall be to lose the way. - Galway Kinnell

Oct 2, 2009, 02:29 PM	#10
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: SLI Question 5870 is an annihilator __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!