Have you seen this yet?

[tyle6]

So This is NCIX newest email i've recieved and I found this kinda crazy!!!


http://source.ncix.com/lp1/gf9600gt/eblast/eblast-gf9600gt.html

It is claims that dual 9600GT's in SLI will smash a single 8800GTX !!!! And not just by a bit!!!
I would really like to see some real benchmarks!!! The really dont back up there claim with much being its an add and all other then a small blurb about the resolution and AA. Im not sure i believe this, but damn. If it is true this card could prove to be a monster. Maybe they have got SLI working better on the newer bus??

[Miker]

LOL! It is 100% marketing... Only in that one game, designed for dual 9600GTs...

[werty316]

Its probably something do to with marketing.

Not sure if this is legit but this review shows some 9600GT SLI results: http://en.expreview.com/?p=273

Based on the above review the newer drivers used seem to have improved SLI quite significantly.

[tyle6]

Miker have you ever even had your hands on a computer that was running SLI? You really are too negative about it dude!!

After the test, we are shocked. GeForce 9600GT’s SLI performance have been improved a lot. But we can not assume it is a hardware or a software improvement. We will do a further review on it.

In total 28 test item, only two item lower than 50%. That means there are 92% items have more than 150% efficiency. The average efficiency is 182%!

[werty316]

His sig along should answer that question.

Heres are some other 9600GT SLI reviews:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_9600_gt_sli_performance/
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3234&p=1

[Miker]

Intill 2x the money gets you 2x the performance I am going to be negative about it.

My guess is that game was just designed for SLI more then most games and it gets high FPS. You don't think it is odd that they use a SLI/Nvidia recommended game to do the test?

[tyle6]

This page alone should shut you up.

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=15

its not about 2x the performance but about how much performance you get for that price.

Read threw the end of the page after that and notice this finding...
We’ve only run two games and one 3Dmark06, but the score is very weird. While Hd 3870 X2 leads in 3Dmark06, it lose to 9600GT SLI in both call of duty 4 and Bioshock.

[werty316]

I'm just throwing this out there but SLI only provides a 2x theoretical boost in performance..., key word is theoretical.

Price to performance of the 9600GT is ok and it'll be much better once it gets lower in price.

['Amp!']

This page alone should shut you up.

Keep it civil guys or The Gonz will have to get involved and no one wants that. Most of all me.

[tyle6]

Sorry, kinda flew off the handle!

['Amp!']

I am impressed with the SLI performance of ths card.

This is what TRUE SLI should look like. Almost every benchmark came back with greater than 85% improvement in performance. In many cases there is grater than 90% improvement.

I may just have to look into it now. hmmmmmmm.

now all I need is hybrid sli to go live so I can run super low wattage in 2D mode than crank it up for 3D.

[Miker]

If the 9800GTs GX2 do SLI like these it would be great! They finally got the scaling right!

[PP Mguire]

This proves my point.

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=12
8800GT FTW

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=15
OC that 8800GTS and lets see how well they compare. I do admit im thinking the newer SLI drivers (Or possibly just this card) made SLI scaling better though. I didnt get any kind of performance like this with SLI 7950GT's.

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=16
I think its obvious why the 3870X2 lost in the games. They are Nvidia optimized!!

[Ranzear]

facepalm.jpg

You get the same gains in the same games at the same res with 8-series too. SLI'd 8800GTs still whip it's (Dual 9600s) ass, and let's not even mention a Non-G92 8800GTS pair clocked-out (Crysis, Very High, >35 fps). Sure we're talking different price points now, but thats lost in the conversion to SLI mobos and power supplies anyway. Resolution is the biggest kicker, and moreso if you look at minimum fps (biggest killer of playability anyway) instead of maximum.

The 'hoshi- new card series!' effect is breaking your usual scepticism guys. You're all getting weak, and it only proves I was right all along.

[cvasquez]

This proves my point.

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=12
8800GT FTW

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=15
OC that 8800GTS and lets see how well they compare. I do admit im thinking the newer SLI drivers (Or possibly just this card) made SLI scaling better though. I didnt get any kind of performance like this with SLI 7950GT's.

http://en.expreview.com/?p=273&page=16
I think its obvious why the 3870X2 lost in the games. They are Nvidia optimized!!

Good post Mguire.

[alfhenrik]

I'll wait and see what the 9800GT's will do when they get released...come on TRI-SLI :lol:

[cvasquez]

I haven't yet seen anyone with this TRI-SLI configuration yet.

[alfhenrik]

I haven't yet seen anyone with this TRI-SLI configuration yet.

Well the 9800GT's haven't been released yet...so it is no wonder you have not seen that configuration...:lol:

EDIT:

The GeForce 9800 GT will be released at the beginning of April, and it will replace the present GeForce 8800 GT. The GeForce 9800 GT will play in the price niche up to $299.

Not sure this is a very reliable source but...
http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-4298-view-GeForce-9800-GT-price-and-release-date.html

[cvasquez]

What are you talking about?
I can SLI three of my 8800 GTS right now just don't have three cards that is all.
But I have the motherboard to do it.

[werty316]

As far as I know the only 9 Series card that can do Tri-SLI is the 9800GTX. As for the 8 Series, the 8800GTX/Ultra are the only cards capable of running Tri-SLI.

What are you talking about?
I can SLI three of my 8800 GTS right now just don't have three cards that is all.
But I have the motherboard to do it.
BUZZZZ!!!! Sorry but your time ran out which means
http://www.bowblog.com/archives/images/wrong.jpg.

The correct answer is, the 8800GTS can't run Tri-SLI.

[Sadasius]

Yup werty316 is right on the money. Look at the top of the GTS card and there is only placement for one attachment. So they can only run dual SLi. Same with the GT. The GTX and the Ultra as werty316 said are the only ones that can run tri SLi and if you look at the card there are 2 connectors instead of one like the GT and GTS.

[Ranzear]

Tri-SLI with the cards that support it = CPU bound at any resolution. AMD doesn't have the speed, Intel doesn't have the memory bandwidth.

[alfhenrik]

As far as I know the only 9 Series card that can do Tri-SLI is the 9800GTX. As for the 8 Series, the 8800GTX/Ultra are the only cards capable of running Tri-SLI.

The correct answer is, the 8800GTS can't run Tri-SLI.

9800GT will support TRI-SLI (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21548)

In the 8-series, the only cards that support TRI-SLI are the GTX and Ultra (requires TWO SLI-fingers)

So yes, the 8800GTS CANNOT run TRI-SLI.

[cvasquez]

No problem..
It's kinda like you pay for what you get.

[werty316]

Considering where the original source of that information came from, I'll believe when I see.

For now, a grain of salt comes in handy.

[PP Mguire]

No problem..
It's kinda like you pay for what you get.And thats not much. Tri Sli is pointless unless you have the biggest monitor that money can buy with the top end res.

[cvasquez]

Yeah if you want to see it that way. I will never see myself with a tri-sli connection. Two is more than enough.

[PP Mguire]

Two is to much. Just get a powerful single card solution.

[Chakka]

Two is to much. Just get a powerful single card solution.

While I dont have the articles to refer to, I remember reading about 2, 3 and 4 card solutions and if memory serves me correct - 3 cards will provide maximum video performance whereas 4 provides no additional benefit. The percentage gains in performance are going to 2 cards (I think 80% gain over single card solution) and 3 cards is another 35% gain.

However, the biggest problem I see with 2 or 3 cards is that I would have to upgrade my psu plus I would have to take into consideration all of the extra heat and noise that those extra cards would cause.

So even though it sounds like I am disagreeing with you, I actually am in agreement in getting a single card for heat and noise issues, but not regarding maximum video performance.

[cvasquez]

Two is to much. Just get a powerful single card solution.

Well I already have a nice card....but maybe at the end of the year I will have the two SLI cards.

My current card is the XFX Alpha Dog 512 GTS 512 (G92) ;-)

[PP Mguire]

(I think 80% gain over single card solution)Aint no way SLI scales that good.

[tyle6]

@pp Did you read any of the reviews posted in the thread???

There are atleast 3 reviews posted showing over 80% scaling from SLI now... Not sure if its the newer cards, the newer bus or newer drivers yet.

[Chakka]

@pp Did you read any of the reviews posted in the thread???

There are atleast 3 reviews posted showing over 80% scaling from SLI now... Not sure if its the newer cards, the newer bus or newer drivers yet.

Agreed plus it looks like, and I cant find those articles, that a 3rd card gives another 25%-35% over just 2 cards. And that includes both nvidia and ati based systems. A much smaller percent increase but still significant whereas a 4th card (crossfire setup) adds virtually nothing.

[werty316]

Heres that article: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3232

Keep in mind drivers used are not official however it can give you an idea of what to expect as far as CrossfireX performance goes.

[Sadasius]

Hmmmm makes me want two 3870 X2's.....I think I just may go this route very soon.

[werty316]

You might as well get a new monitor too since you're gonna need it.

[Sadasius]

Yup was planning on it actually. The new Gateway 30" one. It will be at the end of the build of this new rig.

Gateway 30" Monitor (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/10/08/new-gateway-xhd3000-30-inch-extreme-hd-lcd-display/)

[werty316]

Yup was planning on it actually. The new Gateway 30" one. It will be at the end of the build of this new rig.

Gateway 30" Monitor (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/10/08/new-gateway-xhd3000-30-inch-extreme-hd-lcd-display/)
DAMMMMNNNN!!!!!!! :shock: but $$$

[Sadasius]

Yeah it costs an awful lot but it has many roles to fulfill. This new rig is going to be put to work as well so it is going to be generating money so I don't mind the expense. This new rig is actually going to be not only my personal gamer machine but also the main layout machine for a magazine and it needs the extra size screen to see the layouts real good for presentations and stuff. So in the end it is going to make me money.

[werty316]

I wish my monitor made money for me :biggrin:

[PP Mguire]

Well I already have a nice card....but maybe at the end of the year I will have the two SLI cards.

My current card is the XFX Alpha Dog 512 GTS 512 (G92) My comment was towards this, which those cards do not scale well like the 9600GTs.

[cvasquez]

As far as I know the only 9 Series card that can do Tri-SLI is the 9800GTX. As for the 8 Series, the 8800GTX/Ultra are the only cards capable of running Tri-SLI.

The correct answer is, the 8800GTS can't run Tri-SLI.

My Bad about the SLI three cards of the 8800 GTS. I meant to say I have the motherboard to do just that.

Besides why would I want to do that?
Can you imagine how much heat my PSU will induce out of that...besides my 750W won't be able to handle all of that weight plus the 6 hard drives and 2 DVD RW's that I have...lets not talk about the fans... LOL.