Nvidia SLI

Treewolf · February 8th, 2005

Hello, I have thought about it and have decided to try the Nvidia SLI but I need some help. Im not sure how this works really. Do I need to get 2 PCI-Express Geforce video cards or 1 PCI-Express and 1 AGP? Also, how are the cards connected? Would I need to buy a extra piece or would it come with one of the cards or motherboard? The little demo they have here on this page http://nvidia.com/page/sli.html near the bottom shows something connecting the 2 cards togeather. Could you guys help me pick out a SLI Motherboard with 4 Ram Slots that is for AMD, and a AMD processor that would work best with a SLI setup. And also help me to pick out the 2 Geforce cards I am going to be putting in the machine. I would like to get the Geforce 6800 Ultra but there are so many different companies that make it I dont know which is reliable. So, I need help picking out the Motherboard, Processor and 2 Graphic Cards that will get me a SLI setup. Thanks

**Maveric169** · February 8th, 2005

Well for SLI you need 2 video cards. There is AGP SLI, and PCI-E SLI, PCI-E SLI being the most prevelent as I think support for AGP SLI died. But you would need 2 PCI-E slots and 2 PCI-E vid cards. The SLI bridge shoudl be included with the SLI capable mobo.

Treewolf · February 8th, 2005

Ok thanks Maveric169, Dont happen to know the best Mobo for AMD that is SLI capable do you? Would like it to have 4 ram slots and also is there any certain AMD processor that may be best for SLI? I have read that SLI puts alot on the processor?? Dont know for sure though.

**Maveric169** · February 9th, 2005

Not off the top of my head, but I think Tom Hardware and AnandTech recently did artiles on SLI mobo. You can also check out the big 3 ASUS, Gigabyte, and Abit websites.

MUYA · February 10th, 2005

Originally Posted by Maveric169

Well for SLI you need 2 video cards. There is AGPSLI,and PCI-E SLI, PCI-E SLI being the most prevelent as I thinksupport forAGP SLI died. But you would need 2 PCI-E slots and 2 PCI-Evid cards.The SLI bridge shoudl be included with the SLI capablemobo.

I think you have been misinformed. There is no form of SLI withAGP.Even though AGP 3.0 specs allow for more than one AGP port onamotherboard, no such motherboards have been designed or releasedforthe desktop.

To answer the original posters question. SLI is only feasable with PCIexpress setups that have two PCI Express graphics port. Including theGigabyte 3D1 card which has 2 6600GT cards in one card in some formofSLI connection (sharing the 16X PCIE lanes at 8X PCIE lanes each).

**Maveric169** · February 10th, 2005

Your right, I ment to say PCI SLI and PCI-E SLI. PCI SLI is no longer being offered from what I can tell, not that it would make much sence to go PCI route nowdays anyway.

Luna · February 10th, 2005

Asus has a SLI board out

At least for amd 64

http://www.asus.com/products/mb/sock...d/overview.htm

Treewolf · February 11th, 2005

Aye Luna, that is the board I am getting. What I need to know though iswill I have enough room to put 2 of the Leadtek Geforce 6800 GT side byside there. That card is big and I dont want to get then they not beable to fit beside each other. Also if anyone has a SLI setup and dontmind answering a few questions of mine can you respond here or PM me?THanks

**ElementalDragon** · February 11th, 2005

well.... don't see why it wouldn't work in SLI. i mean... why on earth would a company make a card that's SLI-able.... and not be able to fit 2 of them into the space given?

**LeeJend** · February 11th, 2005

Check the leadtek site for recommended MB's.
Check the MB manufacturers site for recommended sli video cards.

Treewolf · February 11th, 2005

Ok thanks guys, ill check and see what they recommend. Also to anyone that has a SLI setup a couple questions. When you go to upgrade your drivers for your video card will it automatically update them both at same time or do you have to update each one seperately? And I saw on the site that every game doesnt not work with SLI so does that mean I will have to update the drivers everytime they make it so another game will work or will it just know? Also if there is anything else you could tell me that would help me out please do so. I am very new to this. Thanks

**ElementalDragon** · February 11th, 2005

well.... about the driver updates... they have nothing to do with hardware. installing drivers just allows the OS to work with the hardware. So, when you would install the drivers, it would detect 2 video cards, not just one.

About the games, there's a list of games on one of the NVidia websites i believe. not sure how new games supporting it would be handled....

February 8th, 2005	Top \| #1
Treewolf Noob Joined: February 2005 Posts: 25 Reputation: 20 Power: 89	Nvidia SLI Hello, I have thought about it and have decided to try the Nvidia SLI but I need some help. Im not sure how this works really. Do I need to get 2 PCI-Express Geforce video cards or 1 PCI-Express and 1 AGP? Also, how are the cards connected? Would I need to buy a extra piece or would it come with one of the cards or motherboard? The little demo they have here on this page http://nvidia.com/page/sli.html near the bottom shows something connecting the 2 cards togeather. Could you guys help me pick out a SLI Motherboard with 4 Ram Slots that is for AMD, and a AMD processor that would work best with a SLI setup. And also help me to pick out the 2 Geforce cards I am going to be putting in the machine. I would like to get the Geforce 6800 Ultra but there are so many different companies that make it I dont know which is reliable. So, I need help picking out the Motherboard, Processor and 2 Graphic Cards that will get me a SLI setup. Thanks

February 8th, 2005	Top \| #2
Maveric169 The Voices Talk to Me Joined: December 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 1,148 Reputation: 130 Power: 128	Re: Nvidia SLI Well for SLI you need 2 video cards. There is AGP SLI, and PCI-E SLI, PCI-E SLI being the most prevelent as I think support for AGP SLI died. But you would need 2 PCI-E slots and 2 PCI-E vid cards. The SLI bridge shoudl be included with the SLI capable mobo. Disclaimer: Past performace and emerging trends are not always accurate predictors for future events. Consult your employeer reguarding overtime possibilies incase I am wrong and you have to buy more stuff. AMD Athlon 64 3000+ \| Gigabyte GA-K8NS Mobo \| 1 Gig Crucial XMS Ram \| Maxtor 200GB Sata Drive 8Meg Cache Primary Drive \| 60GB Backup Drive \| ATI 9550 \| Antec Trio 430W PSU \| Custom Case *Check out my new website* *http://13-dragons.net/*

February 8th, 2005	Top \| #3
Treewolf Noob Joined: February 2005 Posts: 25 Reputation: 20 Power: 89	Re: Nvidia SLI Ok thanks Maveric169, Dont happen to know the best Mobo for AMD that is SLI capable do you? Would like it to have 4 ram slots and also is there any certain AMD processor that may be best for SLI? I have read that SLI puts alot on the processor?? Dont know for sure though.

February 9th, 2005	Top \| #4
Maveric169 The Voices Talk to Me Joined: December 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 1,148 Reputation: 130 Power: 128	Re: Nvidia SLI Not off the top of my head, but I think Tom Hardware and AnandTech recently did artiles on SLI mobo. You can also check out the big 3 ASUS, Gigabyte, and Abit websites. Disclaimer: Past performace and emerging trends are not always accurate predictors for future events. Consult your employeer reguarding overtime possibilies incase I am wrong and you have to buy more stuff. AMD Athlon 64 3000+ \| Gigabyte GA-K8NS Mobo \| 1 Gig Crucial XMS Ram \| Maxtor 200GB Sata Drive 8Meg Cache Primary Drive \| 60GB Backup Drive \| ATI 9550 \| Antec Trio 430W PSU \| Custom Case *Check out my new website* *http://13-dragons.net/*

February 10th, 2005	Top \| #5
MUYA OSNN Junior Addict Joined: February 2004 Posts: 37 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	Re: Nvidia SLI Originally Posted by Maveric169 Well for SLI you need 2 video cards. There is AGPSLI,and PCI-E SLI, PCI-E SLI being the most prevelent as I thinksupport forAGP SLI died. But you would need 2 PCI-E slots and 2 PCI-Evid cards.The SLI bridge shoudl be included with the SLI capablemobo. I think you have been misinformed. There is no form of SLI withAGP.Even though AGP 3.0 specs allow for more than one AGP port onamotherboard, no such motherboards have been designed or releasedforthe desktop. To answer the original posters question. SLI is only feasable with PCIexpress setups that have two PCI Express graphics port. Including theGigabyte 3D1 card which has 2 6600GT cards in one card in some formofSLI connection (sharing the 16X PCIE lanes at 8X PCIE lanes each). Athlon64 FX53 : ASUS A8V Deluxe Rev. 2.0 : Geil 1GB DDR 400MHz RAM : Leadtek Winfast A400 Ultra TDH : Philips 17" 170B-4MG LCD Mon : Coolermater Aquagate : Creative Audigy2 ZS : Sony DTS Receiver : Paramount Pictures 5.1 Speakers : Logitech MX 700 : Logitech Cordless Duo MX:: Lian Li PC-V1000 Case

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February 10th, 2005	Top \| #6
Maveric169 The Voices Talk to Me Joined: December 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 1,148 Reputation: 130 Power: 128	Re: Nvidia SLI Your right, I ment to say PCI SLI and PCI-E SLI. PCI SLI is no longer being offered from what I can tell, not that it would make much sence to go PCI route nowdays anyway. Disclaimer: Past performace and emerging trends are not always accurate predictors for future events. Consult your employeer reguarding overtime possibilies incase I am wrong and you have to buy more stuff. AMD Athlon 64 3000+ \| Gigabyte GA-K8NS Mobo \| 1 Gig Crucial XMS Ram \| Maxtor 200GB Sata Drive 8Meg Cache Primary Drive \| 60GB Backup Drive \| ATI 9550 \| Antec Trio 430W PSU \| Custom Case *Check out my new website* *http://13-dragons.net/*

February 10th, 2005	Top \| #7
Luna OSNN Senior Addict Joined: January 2004 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 303 Reputation: 359 Power: 109	Re: Nvidia SLI Asus has a SLI board out At least for amd 64 http://www.asus.com/products/mb/sock...d/overview.htm

February 11th, 2005	Top \| #8
Treewolf Noob Joined: February 2005 Posts: 25 Reputation: 20 Power: 89	Re: Nvidia SLI Aye Luna, that is the board I am getting. What I need to know though iswill I have enough room to put 2 of the Leadtek Geforce 6800 GT side byside there. That card is big and I dont want to get then they not beable to fit beside each other. Also if anyone has a SLI setup and dontmind answering a few questions of mine can you respond here or PM me?THanks

February 11th, 2005	Top \| #9
ElementalDragon The One and Only Joined: August 2002 Location: Lehighton, PA Posts: 3,160 Blog Entries: 3 Reputation: 1095 Power: 161	Re: Nvidia SLI well.... don't see why it wouldn't work in SLI. i mean... why on earth would a company make a card that's SLI-able.... and not be able to fit 2 of them into the space given? Core 2 Quad Q9450 \| 4GB DDR2 800 \| Abit IP-35 Pro \| eVGA GTX 295+ I Love Windows 7! Has my post been helpful to you? If so, please click the to the left to add to my reputation.

February 11th, 2005	Top \| #10
LeeJend OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: January 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 5,261 Reputation: 3386 Power: 199	Re: Nvidia SLI Check the leadtek site for recommended MB's. Check the MB manufacturers site for recommended sli video cards. Thought for the new millenium: In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows and Gates? - Open Office - Firefox - Thunderbird - Gimp -Ubuntu - Red Hat -

February 11th, 2005	Top \| #11
Treewolf Noob Joined: February 2005 Posts: 25 Reputation: 20 Power: 89	Re: Nvidia SLI Ok thanks guys, ill check and see what they recommend. Also to anyone that has a SLI setup a couple questions. When you go to upgrade your drivers for your video card will it automatically update them both at same time or do you have to update each one seperately? And I saw on the site that every game doesnt not work with SLI so does that mean I will have to update the drivers everytime they make it so another game will work or will it just know? Also if there is anything else you could tell me that would help me out please do so. I am very new to this. Thanks

February 11th, 2005	Top \| #12
ElementalDragon The One and Only Joined: August 2002 Location: Lehighton, PA Posts: 3,160 Blog Entries: 3 Reputation: 1095 Power: 161	Re: Nvidia SLI well.... about the driver updates... they have nothing to do with hardware. installing drivers just allows the OS to work with the hardware. So, when you would install the drivers, it would detect 2 video cards, not just one. About the games, there's a list of games on one of the NVidia websites i believe. not sure how new games supporting it would be handled.... Core 2 Quad Q9450 \| 4GB DDR2 800 \| Abit IP-35 Pro \| eVGA GTX 295+ I Love Windows 7! Has my post been helpful to you? If so, please click the to the left to add to my reputation.

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