Abit FP-IN9 + 8000 series GFX

[sleepyhead]

In the future when I have some more cash, I'd like to utlise SLi. Currently have (but not yet running) the above board and an 8600GT. Question is, is it worth upgrading the GFX to 8800?

The board only supports 8X on the PCI-e when utilising 2 GFX cards in SLi, so is there any point in upgrading to 8800 series (for SLi purposes)?

In my opinion, I don't think the available channels (is that the correct term?) on the mobo is enough to fully utlise the two 8800 series GFX cards and even doubt being able to max out the 2x8600 GTs (that I plan).

More than welcome to slap me silly and call me n00b. My quest for knowledge continues..

[Webby]

The reduction form 16x to 8x will not have a huge effect on performance (numbers that have been chucked around are in the region of 1% ).

Now the quesion of if you should SLI your 8600 GT is a completely separate issue, SLI will get you about 50% more performance (not 100% as you may imagine) so think about that for a moment, so you will be paying ~£70 for 50% more performance if you can afford £160 (and the wait for stock) then the 8800GT will give you quite a bit more performance (would need to check some bench marks but would be happy to say 3x the performance of your single 8600GT) plus you could sell your old card for ~£40-50 I would imagine reducing the cost of upgrade further!

On the whole a single card solution is always better than SLI the only time this doesn't hold true is when you SLI two of the best cards available then the is a tangible benefit but only because the is no single card that good .

[Lucio]

On the whole a single card solution is always better than SLI the only time this doesn't hold true is when you SLI two of the best cards available then the is a tangible benefit but only because the is no single card that good .

The 8800GT is the first card that might make this statement untrue, a pair of them in SLI can beat an 8800GTX, it's just a shame it's application dependant still....

[sleepyhead]

My theory was to upgrade via buying another GFX card when the time came for it, rather than shell out for a replacement.

Anyhow, thanks for the info on the x8 and x16 issue makes me feel alot more at ease with my cheap and cheerful purchase (mobo wise).

Still, I may have made an error with my cheap and cheerful 8600GT purchase! No real harm done as I am always behind the curve in terms of new games (infact the 8600GT is pretty much overkill for the games I have and play... )

[BUFF]

The 8800GT is the first card that might make this statement untrue, a pair of them in SLI can beat an 8800GTX, it's just a shame it's application dependant still....

bu there is a new GTX coming too ...