As with the GeForce 6800 Ultra and GeForce 6800 GT SLI solutions, there are still a few niggles in the architecture relating to the wide range of support for the top selling game titles. However, our thoughts generally remain the same and it is certain that where the game has support for SLI in NVIDIA's drivers, there are big improvements in overall image quality and smoothness of game play to be had.
Unlike yesterday, today's article is more about the perceived value of adopting SLI now and adopting SLI in a two-phase upgrade cycle, by choosing yesterday's recommendation for an SLI solution: the GeForce 6800 GT. Right now, MSI's NX6800-TD256E, GeForce 6800 Std with a 256MB frame buffer, is quite expensive at £224.95 each. That's about as close to £450 as we're going to get. Add the cost of a motherboard to that, and we are looking at quite an expensive SLI solution.
When we also factor in the performance of two GeForce 6800 Std's in SLI, the buy does not look any more attractive, as it is generally not that much faster than a single GeForce 6800 GT or a GeForce 6600 GT SLI for that matter. In Half-Life 2, for example, you will be greeted with a more appealing game play experience on a single GeForce 6800 GT. Also, The Chronicles Of Riddick, which does not have support for SLI at the moment, will perform much better on a single GeForce 6800 GT. This means that the GeForce 6800 GT looks a better buy than a GeForce 6800 Std SLI, which is will cost you at least half as much again on top of the price of a single 6800 GT.
The bundle with MSI's GeForce 6800 Std is a massive one, which is very typical of MSI - they don't go half-hearted at creating a killer bundle. It's just unfortunate that the video card is just priced outside of its capabilities in both single card and SLI modes, with both the GeForce 6600 GT SLI and single GeForce 6800 GT rivalling its performance for a fraction of the price.
The GeForce 6600 GT SLI is a slightly more attractive proposition, in a number of ways. The performance differences between the GeForce 6600 GT SLI and a single GeForce 6800 GT are more in the favour of the GeForce 6800 GT than 6600 GT SLI, as you are guaranteed that performance, even if the title does not support SLI.
However, there are some instances where the GeForce 6600 GT SLI does shine, competing at the same resolutions as a single GeForce 6800 GT, while often delivering smoother game play. Right now, BFGTech's GeForce 6600 GT OC is one of the most expensive GeForce 6600 GT's available in the UK at nearly £160 a shot on Overclockers UK - the only place that stocks them in the UK at the moment. This is more expensive than a single GeForce 6800 GT, with XFX's priced at around £280 on Scan.
Looking back at the GeForce 6600 GT's, you can pick up a pair of XFX's GeForce 6600 GT Extreme Gamers Edition video cards for a little over £135 each, meaning that you can get an SLI configuration for around £270. The Extreme Gamers Edition card has slightly higher clocked memory than the BFGTech, but a lower core speed. They're clocked at 500/1100MHz, but should give the same gaming experience as BFGTech's GeForce 6600 GT OC in both single card and SLI modes at a much more competitive price point.
The choice you make all depends on the funds that are available to you right now, and we will discuss the implications of a mulit-phase upgrade to SLI later on. Right now, the GeForce 6800 GT still looks to be the most attractive solution when coupled with an SLI motherboard, to enable you to add a second GeForce 6800 GT in at a later date.
Again, this all depends on how much money you have to spend on an upgrade. Once we have looked at the importance of the CPU in the next article of the series, we should be able to answer some questions as to where you are best spending your money if you think SLI is something that is seriously worth considering for your next big upgrade.
Unlike yesterday, today's article is more about the perceived value of adopting SLI now and adopting SLI in a two-phase upgrade cycle, by choosing yesterday's recommendation for an SLI solution: the GeForce 6800 GT. Right now, MSI's NX6800-TD256E, GeForce 6800 Std with a 256MB frame buffer, is quite expensive at £224.95 each. That's about as close to £450 as we're going to get. Add the cost of a motherboard to that, and we are looking at quite an expensive SLI solution.
When we also factor in the performance of two GeForce 6800 Std's in SLI, the buy does not look any more attractive, as it is generally not that much faster than a single GeForce 6800 GT or a GeForce 6600 GT SLI for that matter. In Half-Life 2, for example, you will be greeted with a more appealing game play experience on a single GeForce 6800 GT. Also, The Chronicles Of Riddick, which does not have support for SLI at the moment, will perform much better on a single GeForce 6800 GT. This means that the GeForce 6800 GT looks a better buy than a GeForce 6800 Std SLI, which is will cost you at least half as much again on top of the price of a single 6800 GT.
The bundle with MSI's GeForce 6800 Std is a massive one, which is very typical of MSI - they don't go half-hearted at creating a killer bundle. It's just unfortunate that the video card is just priced outside of its capabilities in both single card and SLI modes, with both the GeForce 6600 GT SLI and single GeForce 6800 GT rivalling its performance for a fraction of the price.
The GeForce 6600 GT SLI is a slightly more attractive proposition, in a number of ways. The performance differences between the GeForce 6600 GT SLI and a single GeForce 6800 GT are more in the favour of the GeForce 6800 GT than 6600 GT SLI, as you are guaranteed that performance, even if the title does not support SLI.
However, there are some instances where the GeForce 6600 GT SLI does shine, competing at the same resolutions as a single GeForce 6800 GT, while often delivering smoother game play. Right now, BFGTech's GeForce 6600 GT OC is one of the most expensive GeForce 6600 GT's available in the UK at nearly £160 a shot on Overclockers UK - the only place that stocks them in the UK at the moment. This is more expensive than a single GeForce 6800 GT, with XFX's priced at around £280 on Scan.
Looking back at the GeForce 6600 GT's, you can pick up a pair of XFX's GeForce 6600 GT Extreme Gamers Edition video cards for a little over £135 each, meaning that you can get an SLI configuration for around £270. The Extreme Gamers Edition card has slightly higher clocked memory than the BFGTech, but a lower core speed. They're clocked at 500/1100MHz, but should give the same gaming experience as BFGTech's GeForce 6600 GT OC in both single card and SLI modes at a much more competitive price point.
The choice you make all depends on the funds that are available to you right now, and we will discuss the implications of a mulit-phase upgrade to SLI later on. Right now, the GeForce 6800 GT still looks to be the most attractive solution when coupled with an SLI motherboard, to enable you to add a second GeForce 6800 GT in at a later date.
Again, this all depends on how much money you have to spend on an upgrade. Once we have looked at the importance of the CPU in the next article of the series, we should be able to answer some questions as to where you are best spending your money if you think SLI is something that is seriously worth considering for your next big upgrade.
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October 14 2021 | 15:04
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