SLI- benefits?

[intelconvert6079]

I have looked through reviews on SLI'd cards and you only see a big difference over 1 card on high resolution monitors. Can anyone explain to me the benefits of SLI?

 

[intelconvert6079]

With SLI you use 2 cards to get about the same performace you would out of a single high end card. The problem is for the price of the 2 cards you could buy a single that would out perform the SLI setup for the same or lower price. It's only worht SLIing witht the High end cards to get max performance out of games. But you only really need it if your gaming in resolutions greater then 1600x1200.

That is what I have been seeing. I looked at reviews where cards were SLI'd and only saw a noticeable improvement in high res.

 

[sirheck]

it will keep you warmer in the wintertime.

 

[intelconvert6079]

it will keep you warmer in the wintertime.

Very true. Put enough fans on the case and you can use the cards and your 700 watt PSU to heat your room/apartment!

 

[Flewis]

The only reason to use SLI is if you need greater performance than the fastest graphics card on the market, so unless your getting dual 8800GTX's dont bother using SLI because a single 8800GTX will be faster.

 

[chuckshissle]

Hi res gaming would be it.

 

[intelconvert6079]

I found that you do get a somewhat significant improvement if you play on HIGH settings in games. However, I turn the eye candy off for the most part....

 

[chuckshissle]

I used my SLI for 1280x1024 res with all games settings turn up with 4xAA. Get smooth frames all the time even with Oblivion.

 

[intelconvert6079]

I used my SLI for 1280x1024 res with all games settings turn up with 4xAA. Get smooth frames all the time even with Oblivion.

That would be an example where SLI actually gets a noticeable increase over 1 card. I am looking at running 1440x900 with no eye candy. SLI might get a 5-10 FPS increase for me, not worth the money though.