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Are two video cards worth it?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Are two video cards worth it?

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winrot   06-08-2006 at 12:52:29 AM

Hello, I am considering building a new machine that will play the latest games (oblivion) without any problems. As I have been researching I came across the nForce4 SLI X16 concept which apparently provides two pci express x16 slots for two video cards. My question is, will the quality increase be significant? Or is this just a marketing idea and I will be fine with one card? Many thanks.

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Mobius   06-08-2006 at 01:07:53 AM
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Save yourself a ton of money : stick with a single card, and don't buy an SLI motherboard.

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Bronze Graphics badge jaguarskx   06-08-2006 at 01:11:19 AM
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According to Anandtech's Oblivion GPU comparison, Crossfire and SLI does improve performance. But using two video cards will not improve quality directly. That means you can increase the graphics options in Oblivion, but still have good performance with Crossfire and SLI.

Reply to jaguarskx
Bronze Graphics badge jaguarskx   06-08-2006 at 01:13:59 AM
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If you want a single card solution the X1900XT is the best option at 1280 x 1024. The more expensive X1900XTX is only fractionally faster.

But if you are going to play it at 1600 x 1200, then get the X1900XTX for a single card solution.

Reply to jaguarskx
angry_ducky   06-08-2006 at 01:16:45 AM
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Quote :

If you want a single card solution the X1900XT is the best option at 1280 x 1024. The more expensive X1900XTX is only fractionally faster.

But if you are going to play it at 1600 x 1200, then get the X1900XTX for a single card solution.

I RE-fixed it :D

Reply to angry_ducky
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   06-08-2006 at 01:35:33 AM
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Quote :

I fixed it :D



LOL! You fixed the wrong one, it should be the second one that is an XTX since it's supposedly more expensive and faster. :lol:

No go back and fix the fix! :tongue:

Reply to TheGreatGrapeApe
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   06-08-2006 at 01:38:56 AM
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Quote :

But using two video cards will not improve quality directly.



Sure it will, SLi AA and ATi's 8+XAA is only available from 2 cards.

They are IQ improvements.

Reply to TheGreatGrapeApe
Heyyou27   06-08-2006 at 01:40:15 AM
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It depends what resolution you're playing games on. 1280x1024, stick to single card (Unless you're REALLY into Oblivion); for 1600x1200 and higher you'll probably want two GPUs.

Reply to Heyyou27
angry_ducky   06-08-2006 at 01:45:41 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

I fixed it :D



LOL! You fixed the wrong one, it should be the second one that is an XTX since it's supposedly more expensive and faster. :lol:

Now go back and fix the fix! :tongue:I had to fix yours, as well :D

Reply to angry_ducky
Bronze Graphics badge jaguarskx   06-08-2006 at 02:04:33 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

If you want a single card solution the X1900XT is the best option at 1280 x 1024. The more expensive X1900XTX is only fractionally faster.

But if you are going to play it at 1600 x 1200, then get the X1900XTX for a single card solution.

I RE-fixed it :D

Thanks, I edited my original post.

Reply to jaguarskx
Sailer   06-08-2006 at 02:05:20 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Hello, I am considering building a new machine that will play the latest games (oblivion) without any problems. As I have been researching I came across the nForce4 SLI X16 concept which apparently provides two pci express x16 slots for two video cards. My question is, will the quality increase be significant? Or is this just a marketing idea and I will be fine with one card? Many thanks.



It all depends on what you want to do and how much money you have. Most people will say that the speed increase is not worth the money spent, and for them, they're right. If you want that last bleeding edge of speed and you can afford it, why not. Of course, you can also get one of the new 7950's from Nvidia and have one card that does the work of two for less money than two cards. Or with a lot more money, two 7950's that really cook. Its all up to your checking account.

Me? I'll take one very good card like a 1900 XTX and let the matter rest. It may not be someone else's choice, but its mine.

Reply to Sailer
Silver Graphics badge TheGreatGrapeApe   06-08-2006 at 02:26:22 AM
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Quote :


Now go back and fix the fix! :tongue:

I had to fix yours, as well :D

DAMN My FEEBLE BRAIN! :mrgreen:

Reply to TheGreatGrapeApe
prozac26   06-08-2006 at 03:38:15 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

It depends what resolution you're playing games on. 1280x1024, stick to single card (Unless you're REALLY into Oblivion); for 1600x1200 and higher you'll probably want two GPUs.


Exaclty. There's no point in having two cards and playing lower than 1600x1200. SLI and CF can bring nice performance increases, but they don't double performance, so they are not worth it. Single cards are fine prety much all the time.

Reply to prozac26
winrot   06-08-2006 at 05:12:39 PM
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thats pretty much the information im looking for. Thanks for expertiese (sp?). its appreciated.

also, feel free to RE-correct the spelling/gramer with this post. ;)

thanks.

Edit--> ok folks. one more question please :) i hvae noticed that there are several different brands of Radeon X1900 XT. The card seems to be built by ATI (whom i thought was the only one) but apparently Asus, MSI, gigabyte and a myrid of others also create the card. Which brand is the best to go by?

many thanks.

Reply to winrot
winrot   06-08-2006 at 05:28:29 PM
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Also, I plan on getting an MSI Motherboard. Am i nutso to think that the MIS version of the Radeon X1900 XT would be good bet (at just a bit cheaper than ATi)?

Reply to winrot
Sailer   06-08-2006 at 05:47:54 PM
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Quote :

Also, I plan on getting an MSI Motherboard. Am i nutso to think that the MIS version of the Radeon X1900 XT would be good bet (at just a bit cheaper than ATi)?



While I have usually bought ATI powered cards that were branded as ATI, I think other manufacturors do a good job as well. An advantage of an MSI card with an MSI board would be that they should, though not necessarily, work better together because of fine tuning by the manufacturor. That said, I have also used and liked Saphire cards and Visiontek in the past.

Reply to Sailer
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