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7950GX2 question (SLI related)

Forum Graphic & Displays : Nvidia - 7950GX2 question (SLI related)

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Can you guys tell me what the difference between SLI and multi-GPU is? I know my gfx card is multi-GPU, and when I bought my new PC I took that to mean the same as SLI.

But as I can't find any SLI options in nVidia control panel, and after doing some reading, it seems SLI & multi-GPU are not the same thing.

Thanks

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Multi gpu is usually multiple cores on one card.
SLi is two separate cards. Two 7950 GX2's in SLi would be a multi gpu SLi set up.

Did I help or just confuse more??? 8O

Reply to lostandwandering

Confused me more ;-)

Isn't having 2 chipsets on 1 card (logically thinking) the same as having 2 cards?

My card, as I believe, is basically 2 7900s "welded" together?

What's better about 2 single GPU cards running in SLI then?

Reply to markmcrobie

Yeah, having two chips on one card is the same as having two cards. That was the whole idea behind the 7950 GX2.

The GX2 is two GT's or GTX's I think. The whole idea behind the GX2 is that you could basically run SLi off of one PCI x16 lane instead of taking up two with double GT's or whatever.

The GX2 is an excellent card that is only really able to show itself off at higher resolutions. Two regular cards in SLi with give better performance at most resolutions, not just high end.

Reply to lostandwandering

I'm confused even more - if a GX2 is basically 2 cards running in SLI on 1 PCI-E socket, why does 2 single cards running in SLI give better performance? Didn't you basically just say it's the same thing?

Reply to markmcrobie

Having multiple GPU's is advantageous at high resolutions.

The 7950GX2 is like 2 7900GT's in SLI. At lower resolutions, it is bested by faster, single-GPU cards such as the 7900GTX due to the 7900GTX's higher clock speeds. At higher, resolutions, the 2 GPU's on the 7950GX2 come in handy and it takes the lead.

Of course, 2 7900GTX cards in SLI will beat a single 7950GX2 at high resolution, but if you SLI the 7950GX2 (meaning 4 GPU's) it is pretty much unbeatable at high resolutions (except by the 8800 cards and maybe X1950XTX's in CrossFire).

Reply to SEALBoy

What he said.

[/quote]The 7950GX2 is like 2 7900GT's in SLI. At lower resolutions, it is bested by faster, single-GPU cards such as the 7900GTX due to the 7900GTX's higher clock speeds. At higher, resolutions, the 2 GPU's on the 7950GX2 come in handy and it takes the lead. [/quote]
This is what I meant. Sorry if I confused you with my really crappy word choice. Migraines bring out the worst in people. :lol:

Reply to lostandwandering

Quote :

Of course, 2 7900GTX cards in SLI will beat a single 7950GX2 at high resolution,



This is what's confusing me - isn't a 7950GX2 the same thing as 2 7900GTX's?

Reply to markmcrobie

No, it has 2 7900GT chips, not 7900GTX chips.

Reply to SEALBoy

Ahh, got it now - GTX is not the same as GT?

So 2 GT's = 1 GX2, which is better than 1 GTX at hi res, but 1 GTX beats a GX2 at lower res?

Reply to markmcrobie

Quote :

Ahh, got it now - GTX is not the same as GT?

So 2 GT's = 1 GX2, which is better than 1 GTX at hi res, but 1 GTX beats a GX2 at lower res?



now im confused :lol:

Reply to sirheck

Screw it. Just remember: more expensive = better.

Reply to SEALBoy
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