Need help with information on SLI

[bluceree]

Hello I'm new here so please guide me through things
my trouble is that I'm thinking of using SLI with Nvidia Geforce FX5200
WITH a Radeon 256mb 9800 pro will this work ?
also isn't SLI just two graphics cards in one computer on a mobo
that has more than 1 VGA slot ?

 

[Crashman]

No, SLI is something different. If you want more displays, you can use more cards, but there aren't any motherboards with two AGP slots.

SLI is now a custom configuration that requires two identical nVidia PCI-Express video cards, where half of the video is processed by one card, the other half by the other card.

 

[RichPLS]

SLI is also nVidia specific, ATI uses Crossfire...

 

[bluceree]

well thanks for that info well I also need to know what is the best gaming
graphics card (ATI)ofcourse for a gaming machine my computer at the
moment has 1gig of ram 256 graphics memory 80 gig hard drive
1.6 Ghz prosessor (I find 1 and up works good enough).

 

[Crashman]

If you already have the 9800 Pro, it's around 4x the performance of your current card. If you're still shopping, the 6600GT is a little more modern, wins most benchmarks against the 9800 Pro. If you'd like to spend more money, consider an X800 XT or X800 XL.

 

[Guzi]

I'd say the 6600GT is quite a waste of money is he already has a 9800 Pro 256 MB. 9800 Pro is still a decent card these days.

 

[Crashman]

Uh, Guzzi, reread what I wrote. The 6600GT was suggested if he had not yet purchased the 9800 Pro.

 

[Guzi]

Eeek...sorry, kind of misunderstood it.

 

[linux_0]

Maybe you should look into upgrading to AMD 64 939.

Why don't you grab yourself an inexpensive Athlon 64 939 and an nForce4 or VIA K8T890 or K8T800 motherboard, at least 512MB PC3200 and OPTIONALLY a cheap PCI-E VGA you'll be all set!!!! Your 9800 pro should still be good for most things.

You can pretty much keep everything else you currently have

An nForce4 with PCI-E will run you 90 bux maybe,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569

or

get this board and keep your AGP VGA for now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131541

plus

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

a nice 6600GT will cost you about $120 if you decide to get the nForce4 board.



MOBO: nForce4 with PCI-E 94.50 or K8T800 with AGP 82.99

CPU: AMD64 3200+ RETAIL 162.99

RAM: 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit 81.06

VGA: 6600GT PCI-E about $130 delivered [OPTIONAL - only if you use nForce4]

Total damage:

$327.04 delivered for the K8T800 with AGP

$468.55 delivered for the nForce4 with PCI-E and 6600GT :-D

Not bad at all :-D

 

[Crashman]

Damn d00d, I can't see any reason whatsoever to buy a VIA chipset board when nForce4 boards are going for as little as $72. Hell, even ULi chipset boards are cheaper than VIA.

 

[linux_0]

You are correct oh wise one

If the OP plans to keep his 9800 PRO AGP then the VIA K8T800 would make sense would it not?

However if the OP prefers to upgrade to a nice and shiny 6600GT PCI-E then OBVIOUSLY an nForce4 motherboard like the ASUS A8N5X is the way to go.

 

[Crashman]

I'd go with that crappy Asrock board if I had to stay with AGP. You know, the one with the PCI-Express northbridge and AGP southbridge, both connected to the CPU via the HyperTransport bus.

The chipset is foolproof, I have the reference board here. I was just hoping for a higher-quality retail product.

 

[linux_0]

How did you get a reference board????

PLEASE sign me up!!!

 

[Crashman]

I asked, they sent me one.

 

[linux_0]

Oh my gosh!

How did you ask? Is there an application page? A process you have to follow?

Many thanks!

Happy holidayz 2 all

 

[Crashman]

I just looked around their corporate website for a good person to contact, and sent out an email. Two or three weeks later it arrived at my door. That was last spring, so I was really hoping to see some variety in retail products by now!