Hardware Analysis - After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard + cpu

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-22T05:57:17-05:00

Oh, fair enough.
I'll still get the SLI motherboard though, because if I ever have alot of money to spend (which usually happens alot) I'll still consider getting SLI.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

MrBungle — 2008-07-21T15:40:43-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

I read that sli doesn't benefit much with resolutions lower than 1600x1200 am I right?
Because i'm running 1680x1050 and I was wondering would SLI be worth it?

I don't think its worth it... I used to run SLI back when it first came out and moved back to a single card with my new system.

At 1680x1050 a solid mid range (9800GTX) or better will easily run anything at playable framerates. By the time that video card becomes too weak to run games at that resolution you could take the same money you would have otherwise spent on the second video card and just buy one from whatever is available at that time and the kicker is that the new video card would be faster than dual 9800GTX's in SLI anyway.

The other thing is that SLI does not scale well with all games, some games will give you a decent performance bump, some will not gain anything, some will run a bit slower, some will be less stable, where a newer faster single video card will ALWAYS be faster and more stable.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T13:33:01-05:00

The important number is 30 FPS. As long as the framerate stays about that, there shouldn't be a problem.

To be honest, the benchmarks on there surprised me. SLI is returning almost a 100% gain than single card solutions at high resolutions. In any case, just look at the games that you intend to play and the benchmarks for 1600x1200 which is pretty close to your resolution. Those are the frame rates you can expect to see. You'll have to make the decision whether or not is worth the extra money or not.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-21T13:24:07-05:00

I read that sli doesn't benefit much with resolutions lower than 1600x1200 am I right?
Because i'm running 1680x1050 and I was wondering would SLI be worth it?

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T12:55:27-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

And the Asus P5N-D motherboard has 750i yes?

Yes. Here's the manufacturer's page on it:
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=1&model=2033&a...7&l4=0

Matt Iskov said:

Out of curiosity, how much performance increase will I get in games with SLI Graphics?

Depends entirely on the game. You can compare them at this site:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/graphics-cards/warhammer-ma...6,581.html

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-21T12:41:24-05:00

And the Asus P5N-D motherboard has 750i yes?

Out of curiosity, how much performance increase will I get in games with SLI Graphics?

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T12:37:37-05:00

750i SLI runs at x16 lanes each.
650i SLI runs at x8 lanes each or x16 and x4 when SLI is disabled.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-21T11:38:30-05:00

Fair enough, thankyou.
I've decided on it, and that is what i'm going to get.

1 last thing, if I run SLI, will the cards run at 16x and 16x? Or will they run at 8x 8x

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T09:59:40-05:00

I think most reach 3.2 GHz stable on stock HSF. I don't have one though so someone else should be able to give you the details.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-21T09:21:56-05:00

FordGT90Concept said:

Matt Iskov said:

I am actually planning on SLI.

"Planning" means you don't have two matching video cards now (or immediate future), correct? By the time you would buy the second card, you'd get more performance by buying a single new card. For example, rarely is two 9600 GT configured in SLI faster than one 9800 GTX which costs about $50 more than a single 9600 GT. SLI is only really useful if you already have the best available (e.g. GTX 280) and it still isn't enough.

Matt Iskov said:

That asus motherboard looks nice, should I get it?
It has everything else that I needs.

FordGT90Concept
For the price i'm looking for, around $150AUS, would you choose that Asus motherboard?

Personally, I'd take a P43/P45 chipset because they are cheaper. If you can't be swayed to pass on SLI then yes, that Asus board is worth it.

Matt Iskov said:

If not, possible you can find me another? O_O
I know this retailed doesn't have many, but it's one I really trust.
I also shop at i-tech.com.au and megapc.com.au if anyone wants to have a look around there.

There are several other 750i SLI boards out there but as far as I can tell, that Asus board is the only one they carry. I wouldn't spend money on a 650i SLI board because they are at least two years old which is a lifetime in the tech world.

Thankyou so much for all of that.
Really, everything there helps

"Planning" to me means that I WILL have SLI in the future, MAYBE not with the card i've got now, but I know i'll definately get it.
So i'll grab a motherboard now, because I just want to really, lol.

Edit: Also, possible outcome for stock cooling OCing my 6600?

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T09:05:57-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

I am actually planning on SLI.

That asus motherboard looks nice, should I get it?
It has everything else that I needs.

FordGT90Concept
For the price i'm looking for, around $150AUS, would you choose that Asus motherboard?

Personally, I'd take a P43/P45 chipset because they are cheaper. If you can't be swayed to pass on SLI then yes, that Asus board is worth it.

Matt Iskov said:

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-21T07:54:38-05:00

Thanks for the replies.
I am actually planning on SLI.

That asus motherboard looks nice, should I get it?
It has everything else that I needs.

FordGT90Concept
For the price i'm looking for, around $150AUS, would you choose that Asus motherboard?

If not, possible you can find me another? O_O
I know this retailed doesn't have many, but it's one I really trust.
I also shop at i-tech.com.au and megapc.com.au if anyone wants to have a look around there.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

FordGT90Concept — 2008-07-21T01:53:26-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

2 people posted the asus motherboard.
Why that one?
It looks nice, I just need to know why

It is the only 750i board that retailer offers.

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Mothow — 2008-07-21T00:39:45-05:00

Its a better chipset with more features and Asus just makes awesome boards.And since you linked us to a SLI motherboard we assumed you wanted SLI .Personally i think the x38 or x48 or even the p45 motherboard would be your best choice.Since you dont plan on SLI.And you could always get two 4850' s for less than $400 which beats an 280GTX.later down the road

Re: After much thinking, i've came to a conclusion on my new motherboard cpu

Matt Iskov — 2008-07-20T23:56:33-05:00

Thankyou for everyones replies.

Why SLI? I'm running at 1680x1050 and in a way, i'm trying to future proof my computer a bit more without having to purchase a 9800.

Okay, I won't go for that first motherboard I mentioned.
2 people posted the asus motherboard.
Why that one?
It looks nice, I just need to know why