SLI Question

[Frank Marino]

Am I correct in reading that with recent updates, I can now use SLI between two identical cards, even if they have different manufacturers?

So my AOpen 128mb 6600GT and a EVGA 128mb 6600GT would work together?

What about an Aopen 6600GT and an EVGA 256 6600GT?

[liqnit]

SLI is better with identical cards but should work with tow with same chip

[XJnine]

I'm not sure if mixing cards with different memory amounts will work but even if it did I wouldn't do it. I believe the system will run everything at the lowest common denominator which means the cards should run at the slowest core speed, slowest memory speed and use the amount of memory on the card with the least. If you threw in a card with double the memory only half would be used.

Someone please correct me if I'm way wrong.

[Fantasma]

I'm not sure if mixing cards with different memory amounts will work but even if it did I wouldn't do it. I believe the system will run everything at the lowest common denominator which means the cards should run at the slowest core speed, slowest memory speed and use the amount of memory on the card with the least. If you threw in a card with double the memory only half would be used.

Someone please correct me if I'm way wrong.

I think the same, I know that you will run at the speed of the slowest card and the least amount of memory. About the mixing cards of different vendors, from the release 80 of the drivers, you can do it, I have read it from the Nvidia site:

Can I mix and match graphics cards?
In order to provide optimal symmetric scaling, SLI Technology requires the NVIDIA GPU to match. For example, a GeForce 7800 GTX must be paired with another GeForce 7800 GTX. Likewise, a GeForce 6600 GT must be paired with another GeForce 6600 GT. However, using the latest Release 80 Graphics Drivers, NVIDIA GPUs sold by different manufacturers can be used together in SLI Mode. For example, a GeForce 7800 GT from vendor ABC can be matched with a GeForce 7800 GT from vendor XYZ.

Can I mix and match graphics cards with different sizes of memory?
While it is not recommended, NVIDIA does offer this flexibility using Coolbits. When purchasing a second graphics card, you should try to match the memory size so that you are ensured full value and performance from your purchase. For example, if your first card is a GeForce 6600 GT with 128MB of memory, you should purchase a second GeForce 6600 GT with 128MB of memory. However, using Coolbits (value set to 18), customers can force both of the cards to use the lower of the two memory sizes and operate together in SLI Mode. When dissimilar memory sizes are enabled to work together using Coolbits, the effective memory size for each card becomes the smaller of the two memory sizes

[PUTALE]

yes, you can use sli from diff manufactures, even slightly diff clockspeed (provided that they are the same type of cards, ie 6800 can only run with 6800, not 6800GT, Ultra, 6600, etc) but it will only run at the speed of the slowest card.

Just make sure that you have the latest drivers from nvida.

[Frank Marino]

I don't think that I'll be doing this, but I noticed that Newegg's got a nice sale on a 6600GT that's identical to mine, but is made by a different company.

I think that if I were going to SLI, I'd at least upgrade to a 6800 first.

[PUTALE]

I would suggest the same thing (though maybe upgrade to 7800) I think SLI is nice and it brigns almost double the performance but the single card 7800 really has more power in it and it consumes less wattage.

[Null]

Yo Frank,

A hundred and fifteen bucks to jump to SLI ain't a bad deal, but if you're thinking about a bump up anyway, I agree that an upgrade to a 7800 makes better sense if it's financially feasable.

[Frank Marino]

Yeah, but I've found that if you stay just behind the crest of that great technological wave, you save a lot of money, and since I have a self-funded wedding in a few months, I can't really afford to splurge.

Of course, if you'd all write to my fiance, and explain to her how important it is that I buy a 7800GT, it couldn't hurt.

[werty316]

Ever since ForceWare 80 was released you can do mix'n match cards. I would suggest not getting a 2nd 6600GT as that config won't last long. A 7800GT for now and one later is much better down the road.

[liqnit]

i agree that getting a nice 7800GT will be the smartest move on the long run

[Frank Marino]

Well, if I have to....

I've thought about it, and I wasn't sure if waiting for a 7800 would pay off. I'll probably wait until after the wedding, when I have more disposable money and, hopefully, the price has dropped.

[werty316]

Once the 7900 is out this year I am sure the 7800 will go down a bit.

[Frank Marino]

I hope so. $300 is still a lot of money.

[Fantasma]

The thing that I´m thinking about is if you will afford the second card before its disappearance, because, right now, they don´t fall the prices a lot because they make a new and cheaper card which performs similar and then, they stop making the old cards ( I don´t know if I have explained it properly), that is to say, a now 300$ card will fall up to 250$ I think before it disappears.

[XJnine]

I say buy the 6600 now so you can have better performance with your games and after the wedding sell all the toasters and crap you'll get for wedding presents and then go buy your 7800gt. :D

You know how it is. Once you get the china and crystal sets you'll never actually use them so the wife will never know that a few place settings are gone. :wink:

[Frank Marino]

I had also thought of that. I'm 25, and live in an apartment. I have no need or room for china, fine silverware, etc., so we just didn't register for much. We registerded for about 30 items, hoping that everyone else will just bring cash.