GTX 260 in SLI on pcie 1.0 mb...

[crashingmedic]

First of all here is my build...

My PC...
Q6600 @ 3.0 Ghz (stock voltage)
Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
ASROCK Penryn 1600SLI-110db
EVGA GTX260 Core 216 896MB Superclocked Edition
WD Black 1TB
WD Black 750GB
8GB (4X2GB) PC2 6400 Corsair XMS2 (DDR2800)
Sony DRU810A DVDRW
Pioneer DVDRW
Coolmax 950 PS (CUG-950B)
Antec NineHundred Ultimate Gamer Case
2 - Acer AL2223W 22” LCDs
Dual OS Boot
W7 Ultimate 64-Bit
XP Pro 32-Bit


I am looking at getting a 2nd identical GTX 260 to use for adding 2 extra monitors to my set up and to run some of the newer games in SLI (Metro 2033 specifically). I have a concern though. Below is the link for my motherboard...


http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Penryn1600SLI-110dB


It is a 650i mb and supports SLI, specifically for the GTX 260, but it is pcie 1.0 and will run SLI in only 8x8 instead of 16x8. I am just curious of what if any bottleneck would occur to run SLI using this board. If it is going to be quite significant then I may fore go spending $130 on an older GTX 260 and just use my old 7900 GTO for the additional monitors in addition to my GTX 260 for my primary monitors.

Also, If I do use the 7900 GTO I will have both cards each in a pcie 1.0 8x slot. Currently my GTX 260 is in the pcie 1.0 16x slot and it runs fine. Will I see a bottleneck with the GTX 260 in that 8x slot alone or will it run at it's full capacity?

I've thought about getting a different board but I just can't justify the cost of $70+ for an older board.

Any ideas or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks...EWB

 

[jryan388]

8x hardly bottlenecks a Radeon 5870 so a 260 will be fine.

 

[crashingmedic]

Thanks jryan388 for the reply. Just to be clear you do mean that my GTX 260 will operate without a bottleneck in an 8x pcie 1.0. I just want t make sure you didn't mean 8x pcie 2.0 instead (which is equal to pcie 1.0 16x). Thanks again...EWB

 

[crashingmedic]

I've also been toying with the idea of upgrading my GTX 260 to a GTS 450. They are around $130 on Newegg (depending on which one you get). Of all the benchmarks I've seen, the GTS 450 scores just under a hd 5770 and if overclocked will meet and often exceed the 5770.

That said, and considering my current motherboard, would it be favorable to try a GTS 450 sli setup in my 650i board and sell my GTX 260 on eBay for @ $120 or so (that's what they are going for now). If I do that I will end up spending @ $130-$150 which is what I was considering for a 2nd GTX 260 anyway.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks...EWB

 

[notty22]

Here is a member who recently posted this video, he bought a 2nd gtx 260,
you need 3 like monitors. same resolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubUUEHN9GJc
nVidia 3D Vision Surround Checklist - What You Need to for Ultimate Gaming Linus Tech Tips
LinusTechTips 593 videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rz51v8Mmg0&feature=related