dual gpu question

[SirCrono]

What do I need to get a dual gpu setup up an runnig (aside the mobo with 2 PCIe slots and 2 compatible videocards)??

Does the mobo has to be SLI or CF compatible or something??



PS: first post sorry if this is the wrong forum

 

[prozac26]

It's MUCH easier to have a motherboard with a SLI or Crossfire chipset. For ATI, most configurations need a Master card.

For both, you need same GPU (any 7900GT with any 7900GT only).

And then, you need to enable it through the drivers.

 

[Nomans63]

Yes, you do need a SLI-enabled mobo besides 2 PCIes and 2 GPUs. I don't have ATI Crossfire, but for NVidia:
1. Just put the 2 GPUs into the 2 PCIe slots, make sure they got the extra power (7900s do need extra power via 6-pin power connector)
2. SLI-enabled mobos may require extra molex connector (4-pin) on the mobo for SLI. If it does required, you need to connect as well
3. Make sure that the SLI bridge is seated correctly (across the 2 GPU on top, check with your mobo manual)
4. And lastly, connect your monitor to the 1. GPU. Upon reboot, go to NVidia control panel and enable SLI (at least NVidia does not enable SLI automatically for you).

If any doubt, go to NVidia web site for info. Enjoy.

 

[sirheck]

and a good quality powersupply

 

[Track]

What do I need to get a dual gpu setup up an runnig (aside the mobo with 2 PCIe slots and 2 compatible videocards)??

Does the mobo has to be SLI or CF compatible or something??



PS: first post sorry if this is the wrong forum

ALL u need for SLI/Xfire is a compatible motherboard:

ATI CrossFire = i975 chipset motherboard.
Nvidia SLI = Nforce 590 SLI chipset motherboard.

And of course a CPU that will not bottlneck the system, an Athlon X2 64 4200+ or above, or preferably a Core 2 Duo.

 

[darkstar782]

It's MUCH easier to have a motherboard with a SLI or Crossfire chipset. For ATI, most configurations need a Master card.

For both, you need same GPU (any 7900GT with any 7900GT only).

And then, you need to enable it through the drivers.

While that is strictly true, I'd be willing to bet that by changing the device id in nBiTor and re-flashing a 7900GTX with a 7900GT 'label' you could get it to work with a 7900GT.

That may seem pointless, as obviously the clocks will be adjusted to the speed of the lower card and the extra memory will be 'hidden', it could be usefull in a few months time when there are no 7900GTs availible, and we have to buy 7950GTs instead. (especially as it looks like there will be 256mb 7950GTs and alot of people have 'superclocked' 7900GTs that will match them in frequency.)

ATi are kind of simpler in that regard, in that their Crossfire Master cards work for that entire series, for example an x1900 Crossfire edition works with an x1900GT, x1900XT, or an x1900XTX. The problem comes however in the fact that except for the new x1950 Crossfire, the Crossfire cards are always slower than the best single card.

The x1900 Crossfire for example runs at x1900XT speeds, and will cause an x1900XTX to 'detune' itself to match, while the crossfire card itself would drop a load of shader units and extra RAM to run with an x1900GT.


If you are building a new rig and going Core 2 Duo, I'd strongly suggest an Intel 975x chipset EVEN IF YOU WANT SLi.

The nForce 590/570 Intel edition chipsets just aren't up to much compared to the 975x. The only one I have seen reviewed was a DFI board that had a max FSB of 350 (1300 effective) in the BIOS, and 332 in practice, while 975x board have been regularly hitting 540 or so. This indicates to me the 975x is a much higher quality chipset.

There are drivers availible that will run SLi on a 975x, and it does seem likely that nVidia will 'unlock' SLi on all platforms in the future in light of the AMD/ATi merger.

 

[Tiger89]

So if you don't have alot of cash to spend on a Video card for the higher end games coming out. What pci e would you reccomend? 6800?

 

[prozac26]

No, it depends on the budget.

7600GT and X850XT are good cards for about $100-$150 that I would recommend.

X1800XT and 7900GT are in the $200-$250 range. Both are great.

 

[Track]

X1800XT and 7900GT are in the $200-$250 range. Both are great.

7900 GT can overclock to a 7900 GTX, so its best if u cant spend an extra 50$ for an X1900XT.

 

[darkstar782]

X1800XT and 7900GT are in the $200-$250 range. Both are great.

7900 GT can overclock to a 7900 GTX, so its best if u cant spend an extra 50$ for an X1900XT.

Yup, if you get one go for one with fast RAM tho, like the EVGA 580/1580 one, or you could end up RAM limited like me

If I could turn back time I would have bought an x1900XT rather than my 7900GT tho.

 

[Tiger89]

I would like to put an impresive signature with your system specs but i don't feel like putting down a

AMD 3000+ 64 Venice
1GB Corsair
ATI Radeon 9550
Gigabyte K8u 939
Packard Bell case