What happened to using 2 graphics cards at once?

[illram]

OTOH, I can buy a single 8800GTS for around $200, and that card will almost double my performance. More expensive? Yes, but the upgrade in performance would definetly make it worthwhile.

Not to mention that you're now DX10 compatible, whereas doubling your old card wouldn't do that.

 

[warpus]

So it has been claimed. However it's been nearly 2 years since they started hyping the physics stuff, and most indications now are that if they do anything along those lines, it will be integrated into a single board. Why? It's the same reason that Aegia PhysX cards bombed. People won't drop that much money on a physics card (or second graphics card for physics) unless they see some real some real benefit - but game developers won't spend time developing for physics cards unless they feel enough consumers will have them. And so, the dog will keep chasing it's own tail until someone breaks the cycle - probably by integrating PPU's into graphics boards.

See, I think the dual+ GPU trend is only going to grow, giving developers more of a chance to relegate physics to the 2nd GPU.. and if not that specifically, writing their code with 2 cards in mind - optimizing, etc.

Most people are not going to actually have 2 video cards in their system, but look out for more and more 2-in-1 GPU cards being released.

It's a natural progression, IMO.

My card is a 7800GTX, with an SLI motherboard and all that jazz. Still a good system, but starting to be overpowered by newer games like LOTRO and of course crushed by Crysis. Problem is, the only real source for a 7800GTX card now is eBay - because the 7800 cards were replaced by the 7900s, which have been themselves replaced by the 8800s. And then you have to consider... even if I was willing to risk eBay, I'd get a 20, perhaps 30% increase in performance. Honestly? That's not enough to be worth crap - and I'd probably be paying at least $50-100 to get it.

OTOH, I can buy a single 8800GTS for around $200, and that card will almost double my performance. More expensive? Yes, but the upgrade in performance would definetly make it worthwhile.

I'll stand by what I originally said... SLI as a long-term upgrade option is never really viable.

The thing is that the 8800 is a brand new architecture that's going to be used as the basis for the next slew of cards, for a while to come. The 7800 was near the end of that generation.

Btw how do you figure a 20-30% increase in performance? Where are those numbers coming from?

Also, $200? That's used, right?

Don't forget that a SLI config it will require a powerful PSU. And those aren't cheap either. So when you finally come to the point when you need to add say, the second 8800 you may have to upgrade your PSU too.

I just picked up one of the best 8800-SLI-capable PSUs you can get.. $156

My old powersupply had been giving me trouble.. and I have to admit, I only spent $70 or so on that.. I've since come to the conclusion that if you're going to build a custom rig - the PSU should be the last thing to cheap out on.. It should be the most stable component.

So yeah, I screwed up initially, but you don't need to blow a ton on a SLI capable PSU.

 

[Speedo]

See, I think the dual+ GPU trend is only going to grow, giving developers more of a chance to relegate physics to the 2nd GPU.. and if not that specifically, writing their code with 2 cards in mind - optimizing, etc.

Most people are not going to actually have 2 video cards in their system, but look out for more and more 2-in-1 GPU cards being released.

It's a natural progression, IMO.

That depends heavily on what ATI & nVidia do. Take for example the upcoming GF9800GX2. If it hits its predicted price of $450 (not likely), IMO it will be a steal considering that it's some 30% faster than a 8800Ultra. Even so, the number of people out there willing to pay that price tag for a video card is very, very small.

The thing is that the 8800 is a brand new architecture that's going to be used as the basis for the next slew of cards, for a while to come. The 7800 was near the end of that generation.

While that's true, it's mainly irrelevant to the SLI upgrade discussion. Even if nVidia keeps making cards with their roots in NV80 for the next 5 years, you'll still need a card identical to your current model in order to do SLI. And whether you have a GTS, GT, GTX, or Ultra... they'll all be gone or on their way out by the end of this year; replaced by newer models. And after that, you're back in the boat I described.

Btw how do you figure a 20-30% increase in performance? Where are those numbers coming from?

My memory from back when 7800GTXs were still included in benchmarks, as backed up by THG's video card charts from 2006 (last year they tested 7800GTX & 7800GTX SLI)

Also, $200? That's used, right?

Nope, a brand new 8800GTS 320MB can be had for right around $200.

 

[warpus]

Ahhh a 320mb version. Mine's 640

There are test results of a 30% to 60% performance increase here with a 2nd 8800GTX.

I've also read that SLI shines when it comes to higher resolutions (ie. 1600+). I'll have to investigate that further!

While that's true, it's mainly irrelevant to the SLI upgrade discussion.

IMO it's such a powerful card that it'll be around in a year or so.

I also just read somewhere that SLI does not allow you to dual monitor. That would be a HUGE negative.. but I haven't heard anything about that elsewhere..

 

[Speedo]

There are test results of a 30% to 60% performance increase here with a 2nd 8800GTX.

Yeah, NV80 does generally do better in SLI performance than previous generations. One of the mains downsides to it though, is that the performance benefits tend to drop off in newer games.

IMO it's such a powerful card that it'll be around in a year or so.

Actually, IMO the GTS line is already on the way out. The cheapest 640 model I can find on Newegg is $290, after mail-in rebate. OTOH you can get a 8800GT-512 for $270, that is very close to the 8800GTX in performance, and definetly beats the GTS. There's also a GT-256 model that will probably be bumping out the GTS-320.

 

[warpus]

Actually, IMO the GTS line is already on the way out. The cheapest 640 model I can find on Newegg is $290, after mail-in rebate. OTOH you can get a 8800GT-512 for $270, that is very close to the 8800GTX in performance, and definetly beats the GTS. There's also a GT-256 model that will probably be bumping out the GTS-320.

Where? Best I could find was this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130071
$384

Then again, I did not look very hard.. Okay.. This was the first hit (tired)

 

[Speedo]

8800GT-512

8800GTS-640

If you didn't know, the GT is a newer card, faster than the GTS. Hence why there's really no reason to buy a GTS now, and they'll probably start to slide out of sight before much longer.

 

[warpus]

There's no reason to buy a GTS unless you already have one and a SLI system ready to go

Hey, I just installed my new powersupply and it's fixed ALL my graphics card problems.

Time to play some civ.

 

[kuukkeli]

8800GTS-640

Now who would buy that when 8800GTS-512 is only slightly more expensive. Still 8800GT looks to be best bang for a buck.

 

[damunzy]

It got my MSI 8600GT with a $20 mail-in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127306
for $104 ($84 after rebate). It is 3 bucks cheaper now.

It runs Civ4 nicely (1280x1024, 16x AA, everything High - was running at 1600x1200 but my eyes are not as good as they once were...still have 20x15 vision but not as good as before) and does a good job on NWN2 and Universe at War - Earth Assault. I haven't tried any of the first person shooters yet.