SLI or "CROSSFIRE"

[SLIorCROSSFIRE]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
lol you registered your user name for this? oO

no i regestered my username, then thought...hey ill make a thread

 

[nitromullet]

actualy, in many tests conducted it actualy shows that 2x6600GT's can out perform a single 6800GT in almost if not all aspects e.g. 3d score (a 6800GT hardly scores twice what a 6600GT does in 3d tests, so why would it beat two), FPS, forinstance DOOM3

1x6800GT @ 1280x1024= 71Fps

2x6600GT @ 1280x1024= 79Fps

mobo: ASUS A8N Sli DELUXE

That changes as soon as you add some AA/AF.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2284&p=13

Plus, if you had any SLI capable mobo, it would still make more sense to buy a single 6800GT and not two 6600GT's. That way you can buy another one later.

the x800 xl matches with the x800 crossfire so 4 of its pipes may end up being disabled

Actually. the X800 Crossfire has idenitical specs to the X800XL, not the X800. Not sure why ATI did this... it's confusing.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: coomar
the x800 xl matches with the x800 crossfire so 4 of its pipes may end up being disabled

The cheapest non-6600GT SLIable cards are the 12 pipe 6800NU's which would compare to an X800XL Crossfire and an X800 (ie: the X800 is 12 pipes, and the X800XL CF would go down to 12 pipes - hence the comparison with 6800NU's)

Rollo:
What about CF with 2 X800XL's which would be pretty comparable to 2 6800GT's and theoretically be $600 based on RRP for the X800XL cards (+mobo costs).
It all depends on efficiency of the CF system vs SLI though, because the X800XL could drop further behind in dual cards if CF is less efficient than SLI, or it could be on par/better if CF is more efficient than SLI.

 

[VIAN]

Crossfire... if it does what it' supposed to do.

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Rollo
I have owned 3/4 currently available SLI rigs (still have two) and they all worked great and had their good points.
I can't comment on Crossfire because I haven't used it, other than their is NO WAY I'd buy a high end Crossfire rig with SM2 cards because a. the GPU is dated, feature-less b. the G70 will be available in two weeks and cost less/perform close to smae with more features c. SLI is cheaper, has SM3, EXR HDR and soft shadows

SLI is cheaper? How? Because you can get 2x6600GT. That's not cheaper really, that's stupid, since 1x6800GT is better/cheaper than that.
There's not much point in low end SLI/Crossfire, because, well, the power offered by SLI/CF can be gained by buying a cheaper higher end product (cheaper than the SLI/CF setup).
1xX800XL CF edition + X800 would be around the same cost as 2x6800 vanilla I would assume (although I don't know US prices - I can only assume from UK prices) - so cost isn't a factor.
This late in the game though, SLI/CF is pointless, because as I said, why buy 2 cheaper cards when you can buy 1 higher end card for less (ie: a next gen card would be better than 2 current gen cards in SLI/CF one would assume, and cheaper too).
Unless you already have 2/3rds of a multi GPU rig (mobo + graphics card) going SLI/CF isn't worthwhile at this point with current cards from ATi OR nVidia, IMO.

SLI is cheaper because 6800GTs and Ultras dont cost the $549 MSRP you HOPE to pay for a X850 master card.

This isnt about price rollo.

Both SLI and Crossfire are expensive and are for people wanting to spend $$$ to get the best.

If crossfire is better than SLI and performs better, people wanting the best will pay for it.

Stop looking for things to flame about.

 

[Insomniak]

Get SLI-Fire.

 

[SLIorCROSSFIRE]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
Get SLI-Fire.

YEAH i agree

 

[nitromullet]

screw that, my money's on "Cross-I".

 

[ZobarStyl]

Moot point, really. For this gen, it won't matter if Crossfire offers incredible performance, since by the time it's available G70 should (emphasis) be out in volume, and at that point if there is a 400-500 dollar next gen GPU out, buying a similarly priced last gen "Master Card" and a new mobo (since no mobo out today will work, unless nVidia opens up SLi boards to use with Crossfire) will be an utter waste. I mean, the battle cry all along for people spending the incredible amounts of money on dual-GPU systems has been "Next gen performance today," so releasing a dual-GPU setup after the next gen comes is just plain silly.

As for whether or not G70 SLi or R520 Crossfire will be the winner for the ultra high end of next gen, that's completely the realm of speculation in every respect.

Summary: Crossfire may end up being faster/better than SLi, but it's too late to matter, and compounded with the mobo issues we've heard about, I doubt any but the most die-hard of fanboys will be willing to take the plunge.

 

[CraigRT]

*yawn* no product on store shelves, who cares

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: coomar
the x800 xl matches with the x800 crossfire so 4 of its pipes may end up being disabled

The cheapest non-6600GT SLIable cards are the 12 pipe 6800NU's which would compare to an X800XL Crossfire and an X800 (ie: the X800 is 12 pipes, and the X800XL CF would go down to 12 pipes - hence the comparison with 6800NU's)

Rollo:
What about CF with 2 X800XL's which would be pretty comparable to 2 6800GT's and theoretically be $600 based on RRP for the X800XL cards (+mobo costs).
It all depends on efficiency of the CF system vs SLI though, because the X800XL could drop further behind in dual cards if CF is less efficient than SLI, or it could be on par/better if CF is more efficient than SLI.

I've said all along that two X800XLs is the niche for this, so I agree with you.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: BouZouki

This isnt about price rollo.

Both SLI and Crossfire are expensive and are for people wanting to spend $$$ to get the best.

If crossfire is better than SLI and performs better, people wanting the best will pay for it.

Stop looking for things to flame about.

Crossfire with X800s will NEVER be the best Bouzouki, because of the X800s lacking features and the imminent launch of the G70.

Crossfire with R520s may end up being "best"- time will tell.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ZobarStyl
Moot point, really. For this gen, it won't matter if Crossfire offers incredible performance, since by the time it's available G70 should (emphasis) be out in volume, and at that point if there is a 400-500 dollar next gen GPU out, buying a similarly priced last gen "Master Card" and a new mobo (since no mobo out today will work, unless nVidia opens up SLi boards to use with Crossfire) will be an utter waste. I mean, the battle cry all along for people spending the incredible amounts of money on dual-GPU systems has been "Next gen performance today," so releasing a dual-GPU setup after the next gen comes is just plain silly.

As for whether or not G70 SLi or R520 Crossfire will be the winner for the ultra high end of next gen, that's completely the realm of speculation in every respect.

Summary: Crossfire may end up being faster/better than SLi, but it's too late to matter, and compounded with the mobo issues we've heard about, I doubt any but the most die-hard of fanboys will be willing to take the plunge.

QFT
This is what I've been saying. Crossfire is stillborn, DOA, until R520 arrives.

The American people will NOT buy the R300 again! We DEMAND post 2003 chip advances!

LOL

 

[SLIorCROSSFIRE]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: ZobarStyl
Moot point, really. For this gen, it won't matter if Crossfire offers incredible performance, since by the time it's available G70 should (emphasis) be out in volume, and at that point if there is a 400-500 dollar next gen GPU out, buying a similarly priced last gen "Master Card" and a new mobo (since no mobo out today will work, unless nVidia opens up SLi boards to use with Crossfire) will be an utter waste. I mean, the battle cry all along for people spending the incredible amounts of money on dual-GPU systems has been "Next gen performance today," so releasing a dual-GPU setup after the next gen comes is just plain silly.

As for whether or not G70 SLi or R520 Crossfire will be the winner for the ultra high end of next gen, that's completely the realm of speculation in every respect.

Summary: Crossfire may end up being faster/better than SLi, but it's too late to matter, and compounded with the mobo issues we've heard about, I doubt any but the most die-hard of fanboys will be willing to take the plunge.

QFT
This is what I've been saying. Crossfire is stillborn, DOA, until R520 arrives.

The American people will NOT buy the R300 again! We DEMAND post 2003 chip advances!

LOL

:thumbsup: lol

 

[Hauk]

I love this site!

Even when not in need of info, I enjoy the occasional vist to remind myself, I'm not that bad off...

 

[hans030390]

I'm dissapointed that you have to have a special card for Crossfire...is that correct?

SLI is already available. so...yeah...

they both seem fine though.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: hans030390
I'm dissapointed that you have to have a special card for Crossfire...is that correct?

Yes, but with nvidia you must have identical cards.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Not anymore. As long as the core is the same (ie 6600 with a 6600). No longer does the BIOS and all have to be the same. Not sure about memory though.

-Kevin

 

[Eric220]

Ok, lets compare this. Nvidia's SLI doesnt work with many games, maybe 3-4 that are out. Crossfire is compatible with all games on the market. Also, if you check DOOMIII, Half Life 2 and other benchmarks, you'll see that the SLI get around 73FPS on full settings while the Crossfire will throw out an amazing 100+.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Eric220
Ok, lets compare this. Nvidia's SLI doesnt work with many games, maybe 3-4 that are out. Crossfire is compatible with all games on the market. Also, if you check DOOMIII, Half Life 2 and other benchmarks, you'll see that the SLI get around 73FPS on full settings while the Crossfire will throw out an amazing 100+.

You should not post on the forums anymore until you learn more accurate information.

1. There are around 75 SLI profiles for games in the nVidia drivers last I looked. 75 does not equal "3-4".

2. With Coolbits enabled, you can force an SLI default on ANY game.

3. There are several available tools that allow you to create/modify profiles.

4. Crossfire is not compatible with anything- right now it doesn't exist outside ATI.

5. Crossfire is no different than SLI, except in that SLI has one default profile, Crossfire has two, and Crossfire has an inefficient form of SLI that nVidia rejected due to small performance gains. (tiling)

6. I didn't see any links to your benchmarks, AFAIK Crossfire is not available to the press and under NDA?

I don't think anyone here would have actually believed anything in your post, but it was so grossly inaccurate I felt compelled to point it out. Time to read and learn Eric.

 

[erwos]

"The interesting though about the "CROSSFIRE" technology is that unlike SLI, there is no bridge connection, the two cards are simply joined by DVI out port of the "SLAVE" card,"

This used to be true - but now, SLI doesn't require the bridge. You take a slight performance hit (at least currently), but you can make do without it.

I'm uncertain as to why joining outside the case is somehow better than inside the case, but at least you get the option.

-Erwos

 

[trinibwoy]

Originally posted by: Eric220
Ok, lets compare this. Nvidia's SLI doesnt work with many games, maybe 3-4 that are out. Crossfire is compatible with all games on the market. Also, if you check DOOMIII, Half Life 2 and other benchmarks, you'll see that the SLI get around 73FPS on full settings while the Crossfire will throw out an amazing 100+.

In this case I think your post count reflects your level of knowledge on this topic.

 

[Eric220]

My post count doesnt reflect anything, just means im new to Anandtech. Ive always knew about anadtech but never signed up on the forums. My brother works at ATi in Markham ontario, so if im a little towards the ATi side, you know why.

 

[trinibwoy]

Originally posted by: Eric220
My post count doesnt reflect anything, just means im new to Anandtech. Ive always knew about anadtech but never signed up on the forums. My brother works at ATi in Markham ontario, so if im a little towards the ATi side, you know why.

That's fine but everyone of your previous 5 posts have been complete and utter uninformed mess. Five out of five can't be a coincidence. Being a fan of one company doesn't inherently mean you have to ignore facts and spew inaccurate crap all over every thread you encounter.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Uhh I think it's just that Crossfire is slightly a better solution than SLI. It's not that SLI doesn't work. It's more like the original scanline interleave feature is not as great. Obviously nVidia has realized that and has been implementing AFR. However, if you look at how ATI's MAXX solution was designed, it was an AFR solution to begin with. That's why Crossfire is a step ahead of SLI. That's why you will see more performance gains with Crossfire.

Now that we know you can hack crossfire and do it without a special card, if we simply compare the two technologies, I would rather get a crossfired X800XL than 2 6800GTs. That's just my take. Now if the ATI boards really suck balls then forget it.

However, since SLI is already out... what choice do I have if I want dual cards?