Simviation Forums

Just a question here, folks...

I've been thinking about upgrading my comp also... my specs are in the sig, but was wondering about switching to Nvidia's SLI system (PCI-Express).  Anyone have a setup that they're happy with who likes it over AGP? Pros or cons?  Just wanted to get some feedback from anyone who's running PCI-E based system.  Thanks.

Well, if your processor is a AMD-64 you probably have a PCI-E slot on it.  I would for it, the PCI-E cards are less expensive.  I am thinking about upgrading my Athlon 2800XP to one of the 64's.  I could do the board, processor and vidcard on a trade up with the shop I do business with and save big but I doubt I could get one of the more extreme 64's, just a good business/gaming set-up.  I know they go all the way up to $1000 level in price.  But, I'm thinking any level 64 will be an improvement over my 2800.  They handle data a lot more efficiently and the next windows will only be a 64 bit platform so it will be nice to have a 64 bit system if that next windows proves a lot better than XP.  Wow, who could imagine a 64 bit FS????  lol

I bought and built my spec you see below almost 12 months ago. It is all 64 bit technology and it doesn't have a PCI- express. Although most probably do now - it is worth noting.

Go for PCI-express it is the latest in technology and soon they'll be phasing out PCI cards and maybe in a couple of years AGP cards (perhaps that is an exageration ).  Infact you can't get a good card for just PCI now that I know of.

I know you can't get a good PCI card anymore.  I was refering to the fact that the PCI-EXPRESS cards seem to be less expensive than AGP cards are.  I do plan on making sure my next mobo is PCI-Express equipped.  I didn't know they made any 64 bit boards with AGP slots.  I wonder if there are any boards out there with both PCI-Express slots and AGP slots?  I think the 6800 is the last with an AGP version, not sure about ATI though.  I just wonder why the AGP cards cost a little more than the more cutting edge PCI-Express versions do?  

I have two computers that are SLI capable and one with the single PCI-E graphics card.

With the top end graphics cards SLI is a little overkill for most people. I bought the SLI motherboards for work because we run 4 monitors on each computer.

My suggestion would be to buy the SLI board of your choice and a single graphics card that is SLI compatable. In the future if the desire for SLI still exists then you can buy the second graphics card.

I use the Gigabyte K8N-SLI boards. They are not the worlds best over clockers but have been rock solid for a year now. I also saw the price dropped quite a bit on them so they are a good buy.

[quote]Just a question here, folks...

I've been thinking about upgrading my comp also... my specs are in the sig, but was wondering about switching to Nvidia's SLI system (PCI-Express).

Yes I would def. go PCI-E, AGP is disapearing and fast. Nvidia wont even make an AGP version of the 7800 I doubt anything in the futre will be agp. The industry has really pushed PCI-E(especialy Nvidia) because their SLI is a big money maker for them, because you have these people out there that got to have the best even if it costs 500$ more for an extra 5 fps. Only thing SLI is good for is you can use 2 budget cards to make better performance, but even at 200 dollar card thats 400$ by then you could buy 1 good card. All SLI is doing in my view is taking your money and giving you very little back. Anyway thats my rant

But PCI-E has much larger bandwith over AGP, something todays faster systems need to work at their fulest.

thats bull. PCIe cards, wether 2x, 4x, 8x, or 16x slot card, is still more expensive that AGP due to it's sorta new release.

since i got my new comp, it's got 2 2x slots and a 16x slot. i went searching to PCIe cars and everything i saw was at least $200. AGP is around the $100-200 range.

anyone know why we have 4 versions of PCIe?

2x - the really small one
4x -??
8x -??
16x - a.k.a SLI

the idea behind SLI is that if you have two SLI cards, the motherboard will recognize this and distribute the video processing equally, thus "improving" video quality. it's a ploy for more money, cause SLi cards will be downgraded quality so that you have to buy a second one.

my final statement, go for SLI, since it's the new AGP.

Ramos

The speeds are all just how the PCI-E bus works. In "normal" boards if you use ONE pci-e slot it runs at the full 16x but when using TWO cards it divides the bus in half giving 8x bandwith to each card or  16x in slot one and 8x in slot 2 modern board run 16 and 16.

There is little performance gain from 8x to 16x though so dont be fooled, like AGP8x offered little improvement over AGP4x, its just a way to make a few more dollars.

2x is used for normal pci-e cards, cards like Nic's, sound cards, etc etc because these cards dont require the huge amount of bandwith a videocard does.

At present, I have a BFG GeForce 6800 GT 256 MB vid card that BFG backs up with a lifetime warranty.  I thought about sticking with the BFG line of the SLI cards, but wasn't sure how everyone else stacks up as far as they're type of card you guys may have.  I've seen several ppl posting who say they have the 7800 GT series, but as of this posting there are several versions of the 7800 GT.  256 MB memory to 512 mb memory and so many variables of the same card that vary in price range... i.e.  many versions of the same card series seem to exist at present.  I would like to stick with the BFG line due to the warranty issue, especially if I'm gonna plunk down a chunk of change to upgrade!!  Any suggestions?

(Sorry about the long post.)

I run 2 eVGA 7800 GT CO (copper heatsink) 256Mb

The eVGA's hold the same warrenty (matter of fact I think all running the Nvidia platform do)

As for the performance, hard to explain you must see it to belive it. Those who question sLI or are against it becasue they feel it is a marketing ploy are missing out .

If you wish you can look at the benchmarks that everyone loves to stare at, I don't need no benchmarks all the proof I need is right in front of me on screen

*heads off to endulge in some Quake 4 in graphical bliss*

can you give me an example of your fps for let's say... KSEA at full settings, 100% AI traffic?

Thanks... btw... i'm about sold on it...

I notice you have 7800 GT OC... not GTX OC?

Near 80 frames at KSEA, full settings, 1280X1024 screen res, Silverwings Nice day weather and 100% AI Traffic (loads of PAI traffic)
Im running an ASUS Extreme N7800GT 256MB Dual VGA PCI-E Card, and im extremely pleased with it. And my mobo is SLI ready, it was made for the 7800, who know, maybe in the future..  :)
Oh and bought my Card for

I use the BFG 7800 gtx oc and have never had a problem with it. On unlimited I run between 60 and 80 FPS but keep it locked at 35.  

Hmm ill try again in day with scatered clouds. Is that consitant frame because I must have some setting horribly wrong becazuse there is no way we could have that big of a difference.

Ahh got it to go well after some messin with settings now I get those frams maxed