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General discussion

Is sli worth it?

Jul 15, 2005 1:31PM PDT

Is it worth going all out for an sli motherboard? I'm going with alienware: athlon 3800, 1gb ram, 6800 gt video card. If I went with the sli motherboard, I would still get the same video card and wait on getting the second. Which is the better buy with this config? Would it be better to just put another of the same video cards in later or to keep upgrading just the one over time?

Discussion is locked

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depends but my take...
Jul 15, 2005 1:43PM PDT

if u have the money, have VERY good airflow, have a VERY good power supply, think that EVERY fps matters, go will 2. i know people will say otherwise, like buy 2 7800gtxs or wait for an R520, the 6800s will do fine UNLESS u wont be gaming and/or using graphics heavy programs. IMO go with two because gts overclock to near ultras speed. look at my reasons carefully.

konny

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sli is not worth it unless ure a serious gamer
Jul 15, 2005 1:50PM PDT

also y r u goin with alienware? me personally would go with monarch

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(NT) (NT)Shawn, please do not advertise in your posts
Jul 15, 2005 1:53PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) Is it offensive to you?
Jul 15, 2005 2:09PM PDT
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no, its offensive to CNET
Jul 16, 2005 1:38AM PDT

read damasta55rs post to...

all quoted from cnet

"Posting Advertisements
This is a forum of ideas, so advertisements are not allowed in this venue. A member may answer another member's question about their occupation or business, however, blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited. Pyramid schemes --chain letters that involve money-- are not only prohibited by CNET Networks standards, but they're also illegal. It is permissible for members to mention services or products that are provided by them or the companies with which they are affiliated, as long as the information is germane to the topic, is not a blatant advertisement, and the members mention their affiliation with the company in the content of the message."

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RE:
Jul 15, 2005 3:47PM PDT

Perhaps you should read the forum policies a bit more closely. Not that you have anything offensive or anything. You may include that information in your profile, but not in every post.

A MEMBER may answer another member's question about their OCCUPATION or BUSINESS, however, BLATANT ADVERTISING or SOLICITATIONS of or for BUSINESSES is prohibited.

This includes, but not limited to, PERSONAL RESUMES and LINKS to PRODUCTS or SERVICES with which the POSTER is AFFILIATED, WHETHER or NOT A FEE IS CHARGED for the product or service.

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I've asked
Jul 16, 2005 2:19AM PDT
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Had I read it earlier I would have posted
Jul 16, 2005 2:22AM PDT

a Mod alert to delete the SPAM and to advise the aurhor that he is in violation of the TOS. He could provide his info in his profile.

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Ah, but Ray...there can be different interpertations
Jul 16, 2005 2:33AM PDT

of the TOS as I have seen discussed over the years in SpeakEasy, is the reason I didn't hit the "Report offensive post" button.

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RE:
Jul 16, 2005 4:22AM PDT

Than why not just leave your e-mail...

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I simply post a mod alert
Jul 16, 2005 4:23AM PDT

and give a little input, and leave it up to the mods.

Reading the originators reply here, gives much insight, and certainly reveals he is very much an asset to these forums.

He should also consider putting all his personal info into his profile, and where in a thread where he applies genuine help, he can certainly tell people that there is more info in his profile.

My big issue was the special blessing given to Wayne.

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I simply post a mod alert
Jul 19, 2005 9:46AM PDT

Just cant help it! Got to say something here..
I dont normally get involved into things like this often,but this time its involving a dear friend..
Ray,I really dont think your sarcastic remark about Wayne receiving a(special blessing)was justified,it was
uncalled for and just down right rude!He did nothing wrong!Go look at all the Friends, CNET Faces,and then go ask them if hes in the wrong! Wayne has been around these forums a very long time and has helped many many here,including myself and probably you also..
Guess what you dont understand is that Wayne is the ''Special Blessing''
Thank you..Had my Say!

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I'm not sure that anything in the way
Jul 16, 2005 4:37AM PDT

of a significant apology was needed. I was locked in another issue that got me to this thread. I was just trying to say how one can call attention to a post if they think that it violates something [the mod alert]. Call it SPAM, violation of the TOS or whatever, and simply let the Moderator take whatever action is appropriate.

Putting your email in the text is very bad thing to do. HOWEVER if you simply go into your profile and enable email, they can email you without ever getting your email address. After that it's up to you if you give that individual the address.

You can say in the post that they can email you via your profile. Also for those posts, where appropriate, you can refer them to your profile for info regarding your knowledge and experience base, books, et al.

I very seldom go to the desktop forum. Hope to see you in the Computer Help, Hardware, and Newbies forum as a provider of great help.

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Forum Policies...
Jul 16, 2005 5:08AM PDT

Hi Shawn,

As Ray indicates, your knowledge and willingness to help others is an asset to these forums, and hope you continue to participate. Perhaps just a slight modification may be in order. There is nothing to prohibit posting your email address that I know of, just that revealing a email addy invites Spam from the Spammers. Here is part of the TOS:

''Posting Advertisements
This is a forum of ideas, so advertisements are not allowed in this venue. A member may answer another member's question about their occupation or business, however, blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited. Pyramid schemes --chain letters that involve money-- are not only prohibited by CNET Networks standards, but they're also illegal. It is permissible for members to mention services or products that are provided by them or the companies with which they are affiliated, as long as the information is germane to the topic, is not a blatant advertisement, and the members mention their affiliation with the company in the content of the message.''

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7600_7-5565331-1.html?tag=dir.forum

Can also click on ''Forum policies'' in the left margin of these threads.

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Re: Is SLI worth it.
Jul 16, 2005 2:09AM PDT

I agree that SLI is for the hard core gamer and competitors, but not for the average gamer unless they have money to burn & just want it.

The current single graphic cards really are adequate, especially since the recent introduction of the Nvidia 7800. Even the expensive 6800Ultra is plenty. Then there is the even more expensive single cards to soon come out by ATI and Nvida.

Course' if I was a gamer, that would have the $$, and also liked to do video editing/number crunching, multi-tasks, I would want both worlds and get a computer with dual video card graphic (SLI) and dual core processors, like Alienware (& others-haven't checked yet) recently came out with:

http://www.alienware.com/intro_pages/area-51_7500.aspx

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(NT) (NT) An X800XL is all you need, its strong and adequate
Jul 16, 2005 3:13PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) OR maybe a 6800 GT
Jul 16, 2005 3:14PM PDT
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Re: Is SLI worth it?
Jul 17, 2005 3:57AM PDT

Hello,

Is SLI worth it? If it is within your budget, YES! If it is not within your budget, then at least pick up a motherboard with those capabilities. However, on the flip side of that, prices drop so rapidly on technology hardware, waiting 6 months so it fits within your budget certainly is a wise move.

Now, do you need SLI? Both AMD and Intel both understand that creating faster CPUs is NOT the way of the future. Intel has actually scrapped P4 and above projects (at least for the time being). Both are focusing on dual-core technology (basically two CPUs in one) because it utilizes two processors working together and therefore faster processing speeds.

That said, there are very few applications on the market today that are programmed to utilize more than one CPU in a HYPERTHREADING environment. So the software manufacturers need to step up to the plate now.

So you may be asking why all the above information? It is simple, whether people realilze it or not, SLI or something similar will be the next step in the video processing sector. It isn't going away. For watching video through your PC, it doesn't require alot of processing power. For editing video, that requires alot of processing power.

I would error on the side of "More Power" and future options. I stronly believe in future proofing at least 3-5 years. With a SLI motherboard, you could buy any video card you want now and then when you need the extra power of a SLI setup, go buy two cards at that time. The prices will be alot cheaper and you will feel like you have a new machine.

Hope this helps.

Take Care,

Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC

To contact me click on the profile link below.

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just go with a better single card
Jul 19, 2005 12:59PM PDT

sure 2 6800GTs is close to 30 percent better than an X850XT PE, but the extra price for the cards and the motherboard can be almost twice as much.

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Yes it is.
May 13, 2006 4:19PM PDT

It's not THAT much more expensive, and what I like when I play games are more than excellent graphics.