SLI or not SLI, that is the question - plus some others

Hey All,

Sorry for the length of this one have a few questions.

I'm considering some upgrades to my machine and would really appreciate some advice.

1) Graphics Card
Asus 7800GTX 256M

2) RAM
I've currently got 2 X 1024MB PC3200 DDR RAM SINGLE MODULE (400MHZ) think its Samsung.


I've been looking into SLI and puchasing a second card to run through SLI. I have read that 2 X 7800GTX is actually no better than one X1900XT.

I have also found some info on http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone2_build.html that only the following are certified RAM for SLI:
Corsair CM2X512-5400C4
Corsair CM2X512-5400C4PRO
Corsair TWIN2X1024-5400C4
Corsair TWIN2X1024-5400C4PRO
PNY D21GX53GMR 667 MHz

So my main questions are:

a) Should I forget about SLI and just get a better single card ? If so, what card is recommended?

b) If 2 X 7800GTX is the best option:
Do I have to choose from the above certified RAM? If so, which one ?
If not, what RAM would you recommend for SLI?

c) If going for a new single card, or sticking with that I have, what RAM would you recommend?

Sorry if its all confusing.....just ask for clarification if needed.

Not really looking at a budget but would prefer not to spend more than £500.

Thanks for any assitance you can give.

RH

That SLI RAM is a red herring. First, it is DDR2 memory for Nforce 500 series boards only. It basically specifies tighter & more detailed timings than you usually get from the SPD rom (that tiny little chip you get on the corner of a RAM DIMM tells the motherboard what settings it can handle).

Most applications are not sensitive to RAM timings, so your RAM should be fine.

I shall let someone else handle the graphics question, I only have a single 6600GT but must admit a personal preference to a single graphics card.

Hi there,

You do not need new ram, unless you are a heavy overclocker and have money to burn your ram is fine!

The main problem with SLi is that its hot, uses alot of power and space and is sort of buggy. A single card solution is a much better choice.

A 1900XT, or a 7900GTX is a much better choice.

1900XT is a little faster than a GTX, but is louder, uses more power and is hotter.

7900GTX, although a little slower, has a great silent cooler, and overclocks nicely.

I would get the 7900GTX, but its your choice!

Thanks.

Thanks for the quick responses, very very useful.

Looks like a new single card is the best option and leave the RAM as it is.

I'll have a look at the 7900GTX.

Any other recommended cards ?

RH

Agree with the above basically, but adding the caveat that it depends what kind of games you play.

Both run older and source based games amazingly well.

OpenGL games (Quake4, prey etc.) run better on the 7900GTX.
Heavily branching shader games (Oblivion, FEAR?) run better on the 1900XT.

I was in the same position, dumped the 7800GTX and picked up 2x 7900GTs. Put on silent coolers, and it's awesome. Never had a problem yet.

Tom

b0redom -

How much did it set you back?

Where did you purchase them from?

Thanks a lot

RH